Can I Wear a Ski Jacket Every day?
Ski jackets are awesome for wearing every day in winter. They do an excellent job at blocking wind and keeping you warm even in the coldest of temperatures. They also provide useful features that normal winter jackets don’t offer like pit zips for ventilation and plenty of pockets for storage. These jackets are also durable and built with high-quality materials that last a long time. But bear in mind that these jackets are designed specifically for skiing and they come with features that may be unnecessary for casual use like powder skirts and RECCO. Also, these jackets are designed to be waterproof, which is an unnecessary feature if you are considering the jacket for wearing around town.
Considering Temperature
Your town’s temperature plays a very important role in selecting a jacket. If you live in a climate like South Taxes where you don’t get much of the winter, an insulated ski jacket can be too warm for you. In that case, a shell or lightweight jacket is going to perform well. Also, choose a light color that doesn’t absorb too much heat. On the other hand, if you are going to be dealing with cold weather, an insulated ski jacket can be the perfect option to keep you warm. Finally, if you’re in an area in which you’re going to be dealing with rain or inclement weather and you commute a lot, consider a long waterproof jacket and it will keep you dry and protected.
Style of the Jacket
Most ski jackets have bright colors so that they can be spotted against the white snow in case you are lost in the mountains. These jackets are purpose-built so their colors and styles may not suit when worn around town. Also, most outdoor jackets are not stylish or they have old fashion styles that can be a big turn-off for people when selecting a jacket for everyday use. A good example of a stylish jacket is Arc’teryx Macai. It’s an expensive option but its style makes it a good option for everyday use. You can wear it casually, just remove the power skirt before using it.
Wearing Ski Jacket to Office
Don’t wear your ski or snowboard jacket to the office or with a formal dress in general. These jackets, even stylish, are not made to pair with formal suits. However, these jackets can be perfectly fine for weekends. Office dress code policies also play an important role. If your office allows casual dress, you can wear your ski jacket even in the office. In my office, most people wear casual dressing like leather jackets and denim jeans. But keep in mind if your office duty involves public dealing, chances are your office may not allow a casual jacket. Finally, it’s up to you whether you want to style it with a formal or casual suit.
Types of Ski Jackets
The jacket you choose for everyday wear is going to largely depend on its type. For example, if you are going to be dealing with rain or wet weather in general, you need a waterproof jacket or a jacket with a waterproof shell. There are three main types of ski jackets available:
Shell
These are lightweight jackets that provide strong protection against wind and water. They are great for both rainy weather and wind. The fabric is multiple layers laminated together, which makes it breathable. However, these jackets do not provide insulation. For insulation, you’ll want to pair them with a mid-layer or a base layer for cold weather use. There are two main types of shell jackets; softshell and hardshell. Softshell jackets lack a waterproof liner but they provide great mobility and breathability. Hardshells, on the other hand, are completely waterproof but they restrict movement and are less breathable compared to softshells.
Insulated
As the name suggests, these are jackets with built-in insulation. Along with insulation, these jackets also feature a weather-protective shell on the outside, which makes them water and wind-proof. They are great for both wet and cold weather. There are two main types of insulations found on ski jackets; down and synthetic. The synthetic fill is cheaper compared to down and it also maintains its loft even when wet. Down, on the other hand, lacks loses its insulating power in damp conditions.
3-in-1
3-in-1 ski jackets are the most suitable option for everyday wear. They feature an outer shell and zip-in insulated layer so you can enjoy the versatility of three jackets in one. You can wear the shell on warmer days and zip together it with the mid-layer in winter. The downside is, that they can be a little bulky and come with extra zippers. The layering also negatively impacts the range of motion. These separate layers are also prone to being drafty. Furthermore, the pockets on the mid-layer are not accessible when the shell is completely zipped up.
Conclusion
Ski jackets can be a good option for everyday use. You just need to consider the temperature where you will be wearing your jacket. Pay attention to the styling because ski jackets are designed to be worn in the mountains so their colors and styles may not be suitable for wearing around town. Also, these jackets are not intended to style with formal dressing. If you want to wear it with a formal dress anyway, make sure your office dress code policies allow casual dressing. Finally, these jackets come in a variety of types. Choose the one that best suits the environment where you will be wearing it.
