Skitouring is a constant change of pace and conditions: you climb, stop, start again and descend. Your clothing has to follow those changes with light, modular layers that are easy to adjust throughout the day.

Staying Comfortable from Climb to Descent

On the climb your body heats up quickly, and you can sweat even in sub-zero temperatures. During breaks, and above all on the descent, wind and speed make the cold feel much stronger, especially if your layers are damp. That is why it matters not to overdress from the start: choose light, breathable pieces that you can easily add or remove during the day.

The Three Essential Layers in Brief 

Layering lets you adapt your clothing to each phase of the outing, managing heat, sweat and changing conditions. The three essential layers are:

Base layer: worn next to the skin, it helps manage sweat and keeps your body dry. Choose a breathable technical top.

Mid layer: its job is to retain heat. Depending on conditions it can be a fleece, a softshell or a light down jacket.

Outer layer: protects against wind, snow and moisture. A windproof and waterproof jacket completes the system when conditions call for it.

What to Wear: Climb vs Descent 

In skitouring, your clothing changes with the rhythm of the outing. On the climb, when your body produces more heat, it is best to stay light: a technical top, possibly a windproof or softshell layer, technical pants and thin gloves. 

During breaks and on the descent, your body cools down faster, so it is time to add the warmer layers, such as a fleece or down jacket, a shell, heavy gloves and a hat.

Layers you are not wearing should be kept in your pack, easy to reach and ready to add when conditions change. Alongside them you will carry a shovel and probe, spares, skins, a repair kit, water and food, goggles or glasses, sunscreen, a phone, a headlamp and a first-aid kit. 

The avalanche transceiver, on the other hand, stays on you throughout the outing.

What the Base Layer Does and Which Materials to Choose

The base layer sits next to the skin and has one essential job: managing sweat and promoting breathability during the climb. It should fit close but comfortably, without restricting movement, and be made of technical materials that dry quickly. For skitouring, a light, generally long-sleeved top is preferable, chosen according to temperature and the intensity of the activity.

Merino Wool or Synthetic Fibers: How to Choose

The choice of base layer depends mainly on the intensity of the activity, the temperature and personal preference. Merino wool and synthetic fibers have different characteristics.

Merino wool: comfortable against the skin, helps regulate temperature and naturally limits odors. Compared with synthetics, however, it tends to dry more slowly.

Synthetic fibers: light and quick-drying, they are especially suited to more intense activity and to people who sweat a lot.

There is therefore no single right answer for skitouring: merino favors comfort and odor control, while synthetics focus mainly on fast drying.

The Role of the Insulating Layer During the Climb

The mid layer's job is to retain heat without hindering breathability. 

During the climb, when your body produces a lot of heat, a light mid layer may be enough or, in milder conditions, you can get by with just the base layer.

When the temperature drops, the wind picks up or you stop, the insulating layer becomes essential. It should therefore be light, breathable and easy to add or remove, adapting quickly to the different phases of the outing.

Fleece, Softshell or Light Down Jacket: When to Use Which

Not all mid layers do exactly the same job. The choice depends on conditions, effort level and the moment of the outing.

Fleece: warm and breathable, it is a versatile option on cold days and can also be worn during the climb.
Softshell or hybrid jacket: adds more protection from wind and cold while keeping freedom of movement and breathability. It is especially suited to the more dynamic phases.

Light down jacket: offers more insulation and is ideal above all during breaks, at the summit or when the temperature drops. Once you set off again, it can easily be stowed in your pack.

The goal is to find the right balance: enough warmth when you need it, without building up too much during effort. 

This ability to adapt is what Thermo-adaptive is based on, our standard that guides the development of garments designed to follow changes in intensity and temperature during activity.

The outer layer is what separates us directly from the weather. In skitouring it must protect against wind, snow and moisture, without limiting movement or trapping too much of the heat you produce during activity.

For this reason the shell does not necessarily have to stay on for the whole outing: on the more intense climbs it can stay in your pack, ready to add when the wind picks up, the weather changes or the descent begins.

Protection from Wind, Snow and Rain at Altitude

In the mountains conditions can change quickly and, as you gain altitude, wind and lower temperatures can make it feel colder. The outer layer creates a barrier against the elements, helping keep the layers underneath dry.

The choice also depends on the forecast: on more stable days a light, versatile option may be enough, while with snow, strong wind or changeable weather it becomes important to carry a waterproof, protective shell in your pack.

Breathability and Membranes: What to Look For.

A good skitouring shell must strike the right balance between protection and breathability. Waterproofing helps protect against precipitation and external moisture, while the fabric's ability to release heat and vapor is especially important during the more intense phases.

Beyond the membrane, it is worth considering weight, freedom of movement, adjustability and ease of ventilation. The result should be a garment that protects when needed but is versatile enough to adapt to the different phases of the outing.

In skitouring it is not enough to choose the right layers for your upper body. Pants and accessories also have to support movement and adapt to changes in temperature, offering comfort on the climb and more protection when conditions become tougher.

Features of a Technical Skitouring Pant

During the climb your legs are constantly moving, so a good skitouring pant must be stretchy, breathable and protective enough against wind, without being too heavy.

The fit should allow freedom of movement, while details such as ventilation openings and adjustments at the hem can help you manage the different phases of the outing and use with ski boots.

Overpants for the Toughest Conditions

When wind, snow or precipitation become more intense, you can add waterproof and windproof overpants over your technical pants. 

They are a protective layer to carry in your pack and use when conditions require, especially at altitude or on the descent.

Here too, weight and practicality matter: they should be easy to carry and simple enough to put on when the weather changes.