Should the Ski Jacket be Tight or Loose?

The purpose of a ski jacket is to keep you dry and protect you from cold winds while looking good. A good ski jacket gets you noticed among your peers. It is a part of your first impressions. Besides, everyone needs a jacket on the slopes; might as well make it look and feel good.

The Overall Fit

The fit of the jacket is important. Your jacket should be snug enough to keep you warm. But it shouldn’t feel too tight, bulky, or stuffed. The good rule of thumb is it should neither be too tight nor too loose.

However, brands change and evolve. Many brands that have a reputation for fitting a certain way have now introduced different fitting styles. But you have to admit that a ski jacket is different from a street jacket. A ski jacket has some functions to perform that are not necessary for a street jacket. So, choosing a ski jacket requires a bit of work.

Ski jackets have 3 categories based on styles; slim fit, regular fit, and baggie. What style you choose is completely your personal preference. If it looks good on you, take it. But keep an open mind to other styles as well. Who knows, you just might find a gem.

Ski jackets also have 3 categories based on the jacket length; waist-length, hip length, thigh length. While a standard ski jacket should rest between your waist and hip, different lengths can be altered based on mobility and the amount of snow you have on the mountains.

Layering is important

If the fit is not right, it can ruin your ski trip. A common mistake among rookies is sizing the jacket without the base layers. Sizing the jacket without the base layers doesn’t compensate for the extra layers that you will wear on the mountains making the jacket look stuffed.

As a result, the jacket restricts your movement during skiing which spoils the fun and also becomes tight and uncomfortable. Your jacket should have enough space to move your arms and waist with layers underneath.

Your jacket shouldn’t make you feel as if you have escaped from Arkham Asylum. It should set you free from the worries of cold winds, not imprison you in layers of clothing that restrict your movement.

Other things to consider

A windproof ski jacket shouldn’t mean that your jacket becomes a hot spa of its own making you sweat as if you paid for it (which you did, actually). Your jacket should be breathable going downhill which will prevent sweat buildup in your clothes.

You should look for the essential balance between being windproof and being breathable while choosing your ski jacket. Ski jackets on the more expensive spectrum have special fibers that retain body heat while allowing additional heat to escape.

Other ski jackets have zippers in various places – like under the arms – to allow ventilation if you start feeling too hot. You just have to remember to close them back when you get on the chairlift. You should also look for waterproof capabilities when choosing a ski jacket.

Ski jackets use to look bulkier compared to the average waterproof jackets. Nowadays, with the advent of new technology, you hardly feel the difference between the two. Ski jackets keep you protected from water and wind without compromising on style.