How to Layer Clothing for Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a high activity winter sport that is a mix between skateboarding and surfing. It has increased in popularity over the years, making its first appearance at the Olympics in 1998. Clothing for this sport must keep the snowboarder warm and dry while maintaining the flexibility to zip, twist, jump and flip around the slopes. Clothing must also protect the athlete from the wind, as well as help perspiration pull away from the skin and evaporate. This is successfully accomplished by strategically layering clothes.

Things You'll Need

  • Thermal underwear
  • Shirt
  • Pants
  • Jacket
  • Snow pants or bib
  • Gloves
  • Hat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on a base layer, also known as long or thermal underwear. This layer not only helps keep you warm, but it also helps perspiration evaporate quickly and prevents chafing. Choose long underwear for both the top and the bottom that fits the contours of your body, but is not too tight that you are uncomfortable and cannot easily move around. Light to mid-weight long underwear that is made from materials such as polyester or silk works well.

    • 2

      Wear a second layer on both the top and bottom to keep you warm. This layer should be loose and allow you to freely move around. It should, however, not be too loose that it is bulky and restricts movement. Clothes made from fleece, pile, cotton or wool with a stretchable fabric like spandex work well for snowboarders. This layer is often worn as the outer layer indoors (once the outerwear is taken off) and therefore often has an appealing design or look to it. Shirts should be long enough to reach your wrists so there is no space between the glove and your shirt. A turtleneck top will keep your neck warm.

    • 3

      Put on outerwear made from polyester or nylon. Jackets or parkas and snow pants or snow bibs all consist of what is considered outerwear. They should be waterproof, protect you from the wind, be made from a breathable fabric and cover you from your neck down to your ankles. Look for features that appeal to snowboarders, such as zippers with large pulls, which are easier to grasp than smaller pulls. Elastic waist pants are also easier to get on and off and allow for easier movement when on the slopes. Pants should come with gaiters which snap or hook onto the pants and boots to prevent the snow from getting in. Jackets or parkas with a collar top that covers your neck will protect your neck.

    • 4

      Put on socks, gloves and a hat to finish off the layering process. A pair of thin liner socks plus a pair of snowboarding or skiing socks is usually sufficient to keep your feet warm. They should be water proof and made from wool or man-made fabric like microfleece. Choose gloves that are designed for snowboarding or skiing and are flexible, have a grip palm and are waterproof. Most gloves come with a removable liner for extra warmth if desired. Skiing or snowboarding hats are made from various materials including cotton blends, fleece or wool. If you wear a helmet, a thinner hat will be the ideal choice. Add goggles and you’re all set to go on the slopes.