What is a membrane? How many pockets should there be? What should be the fasteners? How to take care of it properly? Where can I buy?

Compiling a review of clothing for winter sports - what could be simpler, it would seem? What is difficult in collecting several jackets and trousers, choosing bright hats with pompoms, gloves and mittens for them? But I could not imagine how global my delusion was. After a long study of forums and sites, looking at photos of satisfied friends on the snow-covered slopes and polling friends, it became clear that most of the problems arise with the choice of clothing for snowboarding and alpine skiing. A poorly chosen kit can discourage a beginner to ride and upset an experienced rider who has high hopes for the new season. The material has accumulated on a number of articles and the first is devoted to the choice of a snowboard and ski jacket.

Icepeak autumn-winter collection.

What to look for?

The main requirements for riding clothes are lightness, warmth, practicality, water and wind resistance. A snowboard jacket is usually larger than a ski jacket - this is the main difference between them, and the other parameters are about the same. When trying on a jacket, you need to fully button up and raise your arms up - clothes should not hinder movements and bully. It is better to pay attention to things of bright colors and with reflective stripes, which will help to be visible in the snow and in poorly lit places.

What else is worth paying attention to?

1. Laser perforation on the collar is necessary for ventilation, the same usually occurs in the armpit area.
2. The zipper must be impregnated with a special compound so that it does not get wet.
3. The tabs of the zippers should be large and non-metallic so that it is convenient to open them with gloves.
4. The cuffs should be two-layer, the inner one is made of fleece or Polartec or Lycra, the outer one is with an elastic band with flaps with buttons or Velcro.

5. For snow jackets, the hood should be large to fit over the helmet, while for ski jackets it should be small. The visor will protect you from snowfall, and the side wings and transparent windows will protect you from the wind.
6. The inner part of the collar should be made of Polartec or fleece, which quickly wicks moisture away.
7. Jacket lining should be made of synthetic or semi-natural materials that absorb moisture easily and dry quickly.
8. Seams must be glued and reinforced with special tape.
9. Pockets should be located on the sides, on the chest - for a phone or walkie-talkie, on the sleeve - for a ski pass and inside - for documents.
10. The buttons inside the jacket are necessary for fastening the trousers, so the snow does not get under the clothes.
11, 12. The inner skirt and elasticated clips should keep snow out.

Label

The presence of a membrane is considered important - this is the inner covering of the fabric or a special weave of threads, due to which water does not pass inward, and the evaporation of the body is easily removed to the outside.

The water resistance of the membrane is indicated in millimeters and means which column of water the jacket will withstand during the day.

3000 mm is the minimum value at which a jacket can be worn in snow or light rain, this indicator is more applicable to an urban environment than on slopes.

10000 mm is the average value at which the jacket will not get wet in heavy rain and snow.

30,000 mm is the maximum value at which a jacket can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Water vapor permeability is determined in grams of water, which a fabric with an area of ​​1 sq. m. passes in 24 hours.

5000 g / sq.m. - Average, suitable for traditional skiing.

10,000 g / sqm - the maximum value applicable to professional sports.

The best are the fabrics Goretex, Dermizax, Pertex, Prooface, MemBrain, PreClip. Their water resistance indicators are at least 20,000 mm, and their breathability is about 6,000 g / m2.

Outside, the fabric is covered with an additional water-repellent layer DWR, thanks to which water does not absorb, but rolls off the surface of the jacket. Such coverage is short-lived, but it can be updated with special means sold in shops with snowboard or ski equipment.

A few words about care: you need to wash jackets by hand using special products or, in extreme cases, laundry soap... These garments must not be ironed, otherwise the outer fabric may be damaged.

Where to buy?

When choosing a jacket, you should first decide on its purpose. The avid rider's gear won't be useful to the beginner, and the sleek jackets won't suit athletes who spend most of the day on the slopes. Clothes in which it is comfortable to ride, for example, in the Moscow region, will not withstand the load in the mountains, where there is strong humidity.

Among snowboarders, clothing brands Burton, 686, DC, Quiksilver, Bonfire, Volcom are popular. Skiers choose things from Bogner, Schoffel, Rossignol, Icepeak, The North Face, Phenix. The Russian companies Baon, Red Fox, Bask, Stayer have also proven themselves well among outdoor enthusiasts - clothes are made from high-quality materials, and they are quite democratic.

Experienced riders prefer to order clothes from online stores, focusing on technical specifications... For beginners, it is better to go to specialized stores, such as, for example, "Kant", "Trial Sport", where sellers will help you choose the first set.

Men's jacket brand 686, indicators - 10000mm / 8000gr

Women's jacket DC, indicators - 10000 mm / 10000gr

Men's Bonfire jacket, performance - 10000mm / 8000g

Icepeak women's jacket, indicators - 3000mm / 3000gr

Bask Versatile Jacket

Women's Stayer jacket, indicators - 10000mm / 15000gr

Professional skiers and winter sports enthusiasts need specialized equipment for comfortable skiing and snowboarding - ski clothing. Experienced athletes know that the effectiveness of descents from the slopes depends on the skill, comfort and quality of equipment, including the uniform of biathletes.

Skiers recommend making a choice in favor of well-known manufacturers engaged in the manufacture of sports equipment when choosing ammunition. Firms of this level regularly improve their products. The technological capability of sports equipment from specialized manufacturers is of higher quality with ample opportunities, in contrast to non-specialized companies.

1. A sports jacket for 12,000 rubles does not have the necessary protection from water and wind (the impregnation withstands 2000 ml of moisture), which means that skiing is possible no longer than 1.5 hours. This economical set includes simple ski pants with 2 pockets and minimal functionality. Qualitative clothes costs more than 10,000 rubles. If your vacation at the ski resorts is permanent or professional, then you need to buy a good set of clothes.
2. A protective uniform with a cost of over 12,000 rubles meets the functional requirements of skiers. A high-quality snowboard suit can withstand mountain weather throughout the day: it does not get wet, it warms up, and removes water during skiing. Often, beginners in alpine skiing choose equipment according to external data and colors, however, this is wrong - the emphasis is on taking into account professional requirements:

• premium alpine ski clothing should be lightweight, compact;
• without constraining movements and feeling of tightness;
• the sports kit stays dry and warm in any weather.

Three-layer protection of equipment

Three-layer equipment is a natural condition for experienced professional athletes. Designation of three layers of uniforms:

• thermal underwear layer (soft);
• fleece clothing made of a sweatshirt that conducts moisture to the membrane with further output;
• overalls or alpine skier suit.

Important: you cannot put a cotton set under thermal underwear or a jacket, as it is saturated with moisture and cools.

Any jacket should have a collar (protected neck), a hood, adjustable to fit the head. High-quality uniforms with glued seams, snow skirt, membrane fabric. The glued seam does not allow water to pass through. Ski jacket:

• reinforcement with special fabrics on the shoulders;
• axillary ventilation;
• double zipped flap with large key chains;
• adjustable cuffs;
• reflectors (for quick search by rescuers in case of blockages and avalanches);
• many pockets with sealed zippers.

Definition of the membrane, its function

The main criterion for quality products is a membrane that is responsible for removing moisture, protecting it from rain, snow and moisture with wind protection. Membrane garments are classified according to the effectiveness of their functions. A high-quality membrane is reflected in the price of the product (more expensive).

The functionality of the lining layers of ski clothing

Women's, men's and children's ski clothing (vest, jacket, trousers, overalls or down jacket) is made with or without a lining layer. Professional skiers choose equipment without inner lining... Biathletes regulate the heat themselves with several layers of uniforms, but this solution is only relevant for active athletes (who are in constant motion).

A leisurely race or learning to ski should take place in padded clothing (warmer and cheaper).

Ventilation

Ventilation is the positioned zippers on the sides of jackets and trousers.

Numerical value on ski equipment

Ski clothing is sold with printed digital values ​​unknown to the beginner. The number indicates the ability to transmit moisture (resistance to rain, snow, fog, steam). Normal rating from 7000 for athletes, from 5000 for amateurs. The inscription looks like this: 7.000mm / 7.000g.

• 10000 - rain, downpour;
• 7000 - being under snow and short rain during the day;
• from 4000 to 7000 - prolonged rains, 7 hours in highlands;
• from 2000 to 4000 - 3 hours under sleet or rain;
• from 1000 to 2000 - humidity, fog;
• less than 1000.

Snow protection skirt

You cannot be on mountain slopes without a snow skirt. The part is needed to protect against winds, penetration of snow when rolling to the body. The elite suit consists of a unfastened skirt-shorts, on some models the windproof part is attached to the trousers and jacket.

The Sportmaster and Decathlon chain stores sell amateur, semi-professional and professional sports equipment products.

Which firms and manufacturers can you trust?

An overview of the top companies producing sports equipment for biathletes:

Besson - Italian professional skiwear.

Lunta is a Finnish brand of practical, soft, high-quality equipment for alpine skiing (snowboarding, biathlon).

Poivre Blanc is a French manufacturer of men's, women's and children's ski equipment. Products with water-repellent and breathable properties.

Eider is a French manufacturer of equipment for skiers and mountain hikers (technical and comfortable equipment). Membrane heating (formation of heat balance).

Mountain forse - membrane impregnation, lining, synthetic winterizer. The outfit has a lot of pockets, a protective skirt, a clip-on hood, adjustable cuffs, ventilation on the armpits.

Fusalp - French-made uniforms. Exclusive equipment for extreme skiing. The list of equipment is regularly updated with new developments.

Halti - high-tech equipment for climbers, snowboarders, cyclists and other athletes. The equipment can withstand any kind of bad weather without losing its functionality.

Iguana is a premium class youth brand, produced in Germany.

Karbon - quality equipment for extreme athletes.

Killi - German quality that meets the requirements of athletes.

Kjus is a Norwegian sports equipment brand.

Nevica is a British company. Nevik produces high quality skiing equipment, footwear, sportswear.

Noname - clothes for cross-country skiing, sports equipment, sleeveless jackets, overalls and more. The products meet the requirements of professional athletes.

Guicsilver - Vietnamese quality.

SHELL Soft - tactical equipment.

SUN Vally is an Austrian company.

Vist - Romanian outfit.

Vitzhen - ski racing equipment.

Vuarnet - French gear.

Zeiner is an Italian company.

Zerorh is a highly functional, thermally insulated garment.

Schoffel is an Austrian brand of ski equipment.

Ski enthusiasts and professionals also like the clothes of the Kraft and Solomon companies.

What to buy on a ski trip besides a jacket?

For skiing, you should not only wear special jacket, but also trousers (better as a set). On sale there are narrowed, high, straight equipment. Professional athletes recommend that beginners wear high-waisted trousers with straps.

Choose the right products with a membrane and gaiters that protect against snow. Trousers should have braces with hooks for fastening to boots. It is necessary to start the selection of trousers with a fitting. The product must correspond to the height, not impede movement.

Special footwear is required for winter recreation. Boots are bought in size with fitting in relation to the ski rack (bent at the knees). Quality shoes fits snugly, without pinching the fingers. Beginners also need to buy a helmet, hat, gloves, ski goggles, a cover for sports uniforms.

In-demand skiing suits (male, female)

Since the market for sportswear is large, it is difficult to choose. You just need to try on the model you like that meets the style criteria and requirements of the skier.

Outfit for men Chambers (jacket + trousers), Spyder brand. Water resistance with a vapor permeability of 20,000 mm (water column). Price from 18,500 rubles.

Jacket for women Schoeffel, water resistance 10,000, price from 16,000 rubles.

Tips for Avoiding Mistakes When Buying Sportswear for Mountain Walks

Ski equipment is an important attribute for amateurs and professionals of active winter recreation. The selection of clothes is carried out taking into account important criteria and individual features of the anatomical structure. For example, if a skier sweats profusely during exercise, then there should be no lining on the clothes.

If the pants are on spaghetti straps with a high waist, then the length of the jacket does not matter; otherwise, the jacket should be coccyx (not lower). Ski jackets have a special sleeve pattern (bent). This is due to the fact that when descending and skiing on ski equipment, the arms are bent to hold the poles. If the sleeves are straight, the process becomes more complicated.

Protective clothing should be free of thick, uncomfortable folds - this interferes with maneuverability. The convenience of the outfit is checked by fitting in the store. To do this, the jacket is put on fleece clothing, the consumer must wave his hands, twist, squat. It so happens that the sewing of uniforms is cool, but not in size. If the fitting showed that there are no hindrances and restraint during movements, then this is what you need. The effectiveness of rest in such equipment will be high.

Winter is a great time of the year ... Especially when you are enjoying the snow, sunshine and adrenaline rush at the ski resort. But, so that your vacation is not overshadowed by various minor troubles, you need to prepare for it in advance. And today we will talk about what you should pay attention to when choosing clothes.

Ski jacket

Let's start by choosing a ski jacket. On the modern market There are many manufacturers of clothing for alpine skiing, but there are several basic criteria, being guided by which, you can choose a ski jacket of good quality and at a reasonable price for you. Of course, these are not Mex quilted jackets, so the main thing here is not beauty, but comfort and warmth.

Waterproof. This is one of the most important criteria for how long the jacket will stay dry, in the "mm" unit. The minimum figure should be at least 5000, but in this case it is worth remembering that the jacket will get wet in a heavy snowfall in a couple of hours. It is best to opt for a ski jacket with a water resistance of 10,000 mm and above.

Water vapor permeability. This indicator characterizes how effectively the membrane of a ski jacket will wick moisture away from the body, the dimensional unit is "g / m2 / 24h". The minimum indicator should be at least 5000, but it is better to choose a model with a vapor permeability of 1000 and above.

Insulation. Dimensional unit "g / m2". It is worth clarifying here that when choosing a ski jacket, you also need to choose whether it will be a down jacket (insulation material is down), or the ski jacket will be with synthetic insulation (they usually have higher water / vapor permeability indicators than their down brothers, thanks to high manufacturability of these materials). Here you need to choose based on your activity, the lower the density, the less warm jacket... For down jackets usually only the insulation material is indicated, without density. For jackets with a synthetic lining, the minimum insulation density is 40 g / m2, the maximum is 100 g / m2.

When the density of the sleeve differs from the main part, this is indicated. Well, conditionally, the density of the insulation can be determined by touch: the denser and heavier the ski jacket, the warmer it is. - Mandatory additions. A ski jacket must have a snow-protective "skirt", in critical places the seams must be glued, ventilation in the armpit area (with a zipper) will be a plus. It is better to choose a jacket with a full hood.

The size. The size can be easily selected according to dimensional grid provided by the manufacturer (if you order through the online store), although it is better, of course, to measure. I ask you to remember that skiing is INJURY HAZARDOUS, so you should not neglect your protective equipment. If you are going to use protection (back protection, calf protectors), then it is better to choose a ski jacket half a size or one size larger (ski clothing, as opposed to snowboarding, is quite fitted).

Price. The price range is quite wide, but it's not worth buying a ski jacket for under $ 200.

Ski pants

The selection criteria are the same as for the jacket, but with some amendments.

Waterproof. It should be quite tall, especially if you are a beginner athlete. So it is better to stop at an indicator of at least 10,000 mm.

Water vapor permeability from 5000 g / m2 / 24h.

Insulation is usually 40 g / m2, no longer required, because you will have thermal underwear. - Of the additional options, it is nice to have ventilation on the outside or inside of the trousers (with a zipper), detachable suspenders, protection of the inside of the trousers from abrasion (it is made of a denser material), internal snow gaiters (with an elastic band made of non-wetting fabric). Almost all ski pants now have contoured knees.

Choosing ski clothing is no easier now than understanding the electronics market. Modern models can be as high-tech as some fancy gadgets.

The materials used in their sewing, as well as microcircuits, are developed in laboratories and undergo several types of tests. But because of this very technology, labels on clothes mockingly laugh with incomprehensible symbols and abbreviations. Manufacturers naturally respond well to each of their products. And the opinions of users, which are filled with forums, look contradictory: “I have been wearing Gore-tex for 10 years already. There is nothing better! " Or: “Membrane? Avizent - this is my answer! " So who should you believe? Draw your own conclusions, but accept the supporting material.

First, it is worth starting with the fact that the price does not always justify the "filling".

Ski suit by Sportalm brand

For example, a suit of the famous Austrian brand Sportalm. This vestment, according to the seller, combines 3 trends - python print, bright crimson color and Indian motif embroidery. As for the non-aesthetic characteristics that will be responsible for the sensations when riding, they are at an average level (water resistance - 9,000 mm, air permeability - 10,000 g / m2 / 24h), although the price is far from average - 33,000 rubles (taking into account the off-season discounts 14,000 rubles). And that's just the jacket and pants. But we, at least, need some kind of insulation, since the raccoon fur on the hood will not warm you.

The other extreme is buying clothes from the lowest price segment. You need to understand that you still have to pay for some properties of the suit (or not pay, but change your mind about skiing and sign up for the pool). So, you can buy a suit for 3-4 thousand rubles, but at the same time it will not perform the main tasks - to remove moisture and not get wet from the snow.

Glissade insulated jacket model

This model of insulated jacket Glissade can be purchased with a 50% discount for 1,500 rubles. The specifications say that this jacket will be comfortable in any weather, which is already suspicious. The focus is on details such as pockets and cuffs. There is no protection in the form of a membrane, so it is likely that the jacket will get wet when it snows, and the sewn-in "skirt" will only save in case of falls. The seams on the jacket are only partially glued - in many models, the seams are now completely glued. Protection against moisture penetration is the main function of the jacket. And such a model will only protect against it in mild weather conditions.

The mountains are extreme, not a defile or jogging in a park area. That is why high demands should be made for all details, and not just for equipment. These requirements are based on physical laws known from the school bench. Understanding them, on the one hand, will allow you not to overpay for properties that are not needed, for example, at the initial level of skiing; and on the other hand, not to cheapen and invest 2-3 thousand rubles in those functions, without which it will be uncomfortable on the slope.

How NOT to dress on the slope

Wool and cotton can be the main enemies on the slope!

An improperly dressed skier suffers from heat or cold, because his clothes get wet quickly and, with a decrease in activity, cools down and turns into ice captivity. And its main enemies are such outdated ideas as: cotton "goes" best of all to the body, and wool and down warm the best. Cotton clothing worn as underwear does not wick moisture away and gets wet quickly. Down and wool keep warm well, but with increased activity in clothes made from these materials, it becomes hot and humid.

The 3-layer rule and key performance indicators

All of the above materials, except for down, are used by manufacturers of modern ski clothing in combination with others, but not separately. In addition, not only athletes, but everyone involved in active tourism, it is useful to observe rule of 3 layers:

The first, inner layer, must wick moisture away from the body;

The second is to keep warm;

The third is to protect from snow, rain and wind.

And this rule applies both in terms of the layers of clothing to be worn, and at the level of designs of individual materials.

Here, it is necessary to reveal the essence of "removes moisture" and "does not get wet". The two most important factors that are responsible for a comfortable ride are water resistance and vapor permeability. Water resistance shows how much water pressure is able to hold the material without leaks, it is measured in millimeters of water (mm w.st.).

Measuring water resistance

Vapor permeability coefficient is responsible for how much steam per square meter the material can pass per day (g / m2 / day).

Measurement of vapor permeability

For these indicators in ski clothes basically the first layer from the outside, or protective, layer is responsible.

Protective layer, or how to choose a suit with a membrane

The protective layer (in the context of the clothing being worn, not the material) is a jacket and trousers / overalls. The jacket can also include insulation, thereby partially or completely assuming the role of the 2nd layer. The highest indicators of water resistance and vapor permeability are possessed by suits made with the addition of a membrane material, or (tightly used reduction) membranes. The material itself is a thin film attached to other materials that work as a shield for the membrane itself. So, a modern jacket in its composition resembles a sandwich.

Membrane material

Since the membrane material appeared several decades ago, it has undergone a significant number of changes. In the course of special research and testing, many technologies for its production have been developed. That is why it will be difficult for a person who first encountered the concept of a membrane to navigate the store. Most likely, he will return from there with a headache and a purchase that the seller has recommended.

The task of a novice skier is to choose clothing made of a membrane material that:

a) will correspond to the activity that he will show on the slope;

b) weather conditions in which he will ride;

c) the funds that he is willing to spend.

Therefore, the decision will be individual for each rider. On the this moment there are 3 types of membranes.

1. Poreless (hydrophilic) membranes

Hydrophilic membrane

This membrane works on the principle of diffusion: first enough condensation must accumulate on its surface so that moisture begins to permeate the fabric and be removed to the outside. This is why hydrophilic membrane suits are almost always slightly damp. It does not work well in high humidity and low temperatures. But this material is durable, elastic, does not require particularly careful handling. Great for riding in medium temperatures.

Latest modifications: Toray Dermizax NX 3L, Saleva PowerTex Ultimate 3L, Sivera Shell-Ter Pro 3L.

When you choose alpine skis, you must understand that these are not only two flat skis, but also ski boots, bindings and poles.

All these elements are an integral part of alpine skiing, so every novice skier needs to know how to choose them correctly.

Should you rent equipment?

Of course, you can go the simple way, rent equipment. A competent manager will select everything correctly and give the necessary recommendations.

But if you want to ride your own ski equipment, which you completely trust, then you cannot do without the correct selection.

Selection of ski boots

There are a lot of ski boot manufacturers now and it is difficult to single out a clear leader among them. All of them are good in their own way. But the most important indicator of ski boots is their comfort.

You must admit that you will not buy yourself shoes or boots if they do not sit comfortably on your foot and rub your heel or toe.

Therefore, when choosing ski boots, pay attention to the shape of their last and their convenience.

Also, do not save on used ski boots, since during their use their inner space has already acquired the shape of the legs of their previous owner, and believe me, this shape is unlikely to coincide with the shape of your foot. The consequences of such a purchase are obvious.

For many novice skiers, it is a revelation that ski boots are available for children, women and men. Therefore, when choosing them, pay no less attention to this criterion than to other selection criteria.

Now let's talk about the stiffness of ski boots. Yes, imagine, there is such a criterion.

Stiffness of ski boots

Depending on whether you are a beginner skier, an experienced skier or a professional, a certain stiffness of ski boots is not suitable for everyone, and it has indicators from 7 to 12 units:

1. Up to 8 - for beginner skiers;
2. From 8 to 10 - for middle class skiers (the most popular hardness);
3. More than 10 - for alpine skiing and extreme skiing.

You probably already realized that the higher the stiffness of the boot, the more control over the ski is exercised, but less comfort comes out. The less stiffness, the more comfortable skiing, but the control over the ski is less.

The stiffness indicator can be seen in the name of the ski boot model.

If you are planning to become a good skier, then you need to know that for skiing on high-speed, well-groomed trails, alpine skis with a boot stiffness of 10 and higher are perfect.

But for skiing on bumps and not on serviced mountain slopes, wear boots with medium or low rigidity, otherwise your feet will rub a lot and the ski season will be ruined.

It should also be understood that nothing is eternal, and over time, hard boots become less hard, and boots with medium hardness become soft over time.

When choosing a ski boot, do not forget about the ski sock, which should be longer than the boot itself and should fit your foot tightly.

When using the boot, the foot should not dangle, the toes should be pressed on top, but not pinched at the sides. The heel should rest against the back of the boot.

Having put on a boot, be sure to sit down as if you are moving down a mountainside and see how comfortable you are, how your leg behaves, whether the heel does not come off. If necessary, tighten the bindings, but not enough to pinch the leg, as during the descent the load on the leg will increase and the leg will quickly become numb.

If you are in doubt about the choice of a product, agree on its return if it does not fit.

But of course, you don't immediately go skiing and check the goods in this way. And for several tens of minutes to walk in it at home on the carpet and already make sure that this is what you need.

Alpine skiing, according to its use, can be divided into several types:

1. For beginners or ski lovers;
2. Special alpine skiing;
3. And alpine skiing for great alpine skiing.

Alpine skis have the following characteristics, focusing on which, you should make the correct selection.

Alpine ski stiffness characterizes the ability of a particular model to bend or twist under the influence of the skier's weight and skiing conditions.

This indicator, depending on the manufacturer, varies from 6 to 12.

For example, you weigh 70 kg. Then you better choose alpine skis with a hardness of 7 or better 8 (with a small margin).

If alpine skis are not of high quality, but you will not see the stiffness indicator on them.

So which ski should you choose with soft or high stiffness?

The fact is that different skis behave differently in certain conditions.

Soft alpine skis are more suitable for novice riders, as they are good for tight turns and are more stable out of turns.

For more experienced skiers, hard skis are more suitable. They keep the turn securely, although they tend to throw the skier out of it, but for an experienced person this is not a problem.

Also, stiff skis well dampen vibrations from riding on uneven surfaces, which is also important.

Many novice skiers, when choosing alpine skis, first of all pay attention to their height and already select skis for it.

Yes, the height of the skier is important, but in the first place when choosing alpine skis, you should not put height, but the weight of the skier himself and his skiing style.

When choosing alpine skis, you should know that the greater the weight of the skier, the longer skis are needed. Why is it longer? Yes, because the surface area of ​​the ski increases, which means it will sink less into the snow. Therefore, look first at your weight, and then at your height.

Also, long downhill skiing is preferred when you have an aggressive skiing style or you are skiing on unprepared mountain slopes.

But if you do not want to buy too long alpine skis, then you need to take with more rigidity than the one that suits you, but you do not need to take too short skis.

Short alpine skis are less stable than long skis, although they are more maneuverable and lighter.

Therefore, when you choose your own skiing, pay attention to all the criteria mentioned above.

Surely you have noticed that alpine skis have different appearance, i.e. different geometry.

The geometry of racing skis is determined by the dimensions of the latter in the front, middle and rear.

The wider the waist, the better the cross-country ability of the ski. Wide alpine skis with a width of more than 75 mm have shown themselves well on non-equipped mountain slopes.

Alpine skis with a waist width of up to 68 mm have shown themselves well on equipped tracks.

You have also probably met alpine skis with a wide toe and a wide heel. Such skis, thanks to the wide toe, allow you to smoothly and safely enter tight turns, and thanks to the wide heel, exit the turn more quickly. This is not a bad thing as speed is lost when cornering.

If you are in doubt which alpine skis to choose according to the width of the waist, then take universal models, the width of which varies in the aisles from 6.8 to 7.5 cm, and the width of the heel and toe is 10 - 11 cm. wrong.

Select by turning radius

Rarely, any of the novice skiers pays attention to this criterion, but in vain, because it is no less important than the others.

There are mountain skis with a turning radius of 10 to 40 meters. The larger the allowable turning radius, the more professional and faster the ski.

There are also ski categories SL, SC - slalom and slalom carving with a turning radius of about 13 meters and a ski length of about 170 cm. SG - a category of alpine skis for the Super Giant, a turning radius of more than 30 meters.

For beginner skiers, alpine skis with a turning radius of 15 - 17 meters are most suitable.

Let's, for example, decipher the marking of alpine skiing from one well-known brand.

The stiffness of the ski is equal to criterion 9, which means that the recommended weight of the skier should be in the range of 80 - 90 kg. The number 170 indicates the recommended height of the skier + 15 cm, which means 180 cm.The waist of the ski at the toe is 105 mm, in the middle is 64 mm, in the heel is 97 mm. This waistline tells us that this model is perfect for prepared descents, as the waist is quite narrow in the middle, only 64 mm.

The second beautiful half of humanity, our women, should not be overlooked either.

When choosing alpine skiing for women, you need to understand that the above recommendations remain valid.

But for women lovers, separate models are produced, which can be recognized by a longer back, i.e. the leg bindings for these skis are slightly forward.

Also, alpine skis for women are usually produced with less stiffness, since women are lighter in weight than men.

First of all, ski bindings are your safety and health.

The main purpose of ski bindings is to automatically detach the boot from the ski. Therefore, the choice of such fasteners must be carefully considered, and especially the setting of the actuation force of the disconnection mechanism.

Ski bindings have special markings that are located on the scale. As a rule, their number is from 3 to 10. The unit denotes 10 kg of the actuation force of the mechanism. Those. if 3, then - 30 kg, if 90 - then 90 kg.

To make it clearer how to correctly set the scale, we will give an example.

Let's say you weigh 90 kg. So we set the scale to 9 and decrease by 1 - 2 values. We get 7 or 8. That is. for a 90 kg skier, set the value to 7 or 8.

The more experienced the skier, the greater the load on the ski bindings, therefore, the scale values ​​need to be set higher, but it is not recommended to exceed them by more than 1 weight.

For example, you weigh 90 kg, but unlike the first case, you are an experienced skier and skate at high speed, then the scale value can be set to 9 or 10, but not more, otherwise serious injuries are possible.

There are mounts that are adjustable in size, such as CENTRO. Ski boots of any size can be matched to such bindings, since their toe and heel move in different directions.

And the last thing, if you are riding, constantly expose the scale indicator, for example, at 8, then this should not be the maximum value on the mount. Then buy ski bindings with a maximum rating of 10 and higher. It will be safer this way.

In most cases, ski poles are made of high quality and there are no special problems during their operation. Of course, if you buy them from the right places and not from flea markets.

Another important point, it is correct to choose ski poles according to your height.

Methods for the selection of ski poles

There are many methods. Here are some of them.

We stand on a flat, solid surface, for example, in a store, turn the ski pole upside down, point up. We put it perpendicular to the floor and grab the edge with either hand, so that the fist falls on the ring.