Cross-country skiing is not only one of the toughest endurance sports, it’s also a sport that places great demands on your clothes if your goal is to perform optimally. While the garments should protect against low temperatures and cold wind, they should also ensure that the body's excess heat is efficiently ventilated. Based on our longstanding collaboration with the Swedish national XC team, this guide is designed to help you dress for success in the tracks.

Unfortunately, many skiers make the mistake of using ordinary cotton underwear. Then it doesn’t matter if you wear a polyester baselayer outside the underwear – the cotton will absorb the sweat and quickly cool you down. It would then be better to skip the underwear and just wear a functional baselayer closest to the skin.

Outside of underwear, wear a baselayer made of polyester. For optimal function the baselayer should fit tightly, even in the armpits. Otherwise the moisture may not be transported out of the garment but instead remain on the skin where it creates a chilly “lid”. For cold and windy conditions you can choose a baselayer with wind-protective fabric at the front. However, it’s often enough with a normal baselayer combined with a pair of underwear with wind protection across the genital area.

For those of you who prefer to take it a little bit slower in the tracks, underwear with a mix of polyester and wool is a great option. Wool doesn’t provide as efficient moisture transport as polyester but has very good thermal properties, making the combination of polyester and wool the perfect choice for low-intensity workouts in low temperatures.

Socks should also be made of polyester, or polyester and wool if you are prone to cold feet. In cooler conditions, some skiers prefer to wear two thin socks, which provides a warming layer-on-layer effect, while others choose to have a thicker wool/polyester sock. Be sure that it doesn’t get too tight in the boot, which would eliminate the insulating layers of warm air between the boot, sock and foot. Another tip is to ensure that your feet are dry when putting on the socks. Then you reduce the risk of freezing, since moisture transfers cold rapidly.

A mid layer should be made of 100% polyester to ensure the moisture transport continues through the garment. However, for elite athletes about to compete or do tough interval training it’s usually sufficient with only a thin suit (or light jacket and tights) outside the baselayer.

Outerwear should be a thin jacket and smooth pants or tights. There are several great jackets and pants that feature wind-resistant fabric on the front and elastic, breathable fabric at the back. As a result, the front protects against the cold wind while the back ventilates excess heat and transports moisture from the inner layer.

Moisture-transporting hat and gloves to regulate the heat and transport sweat from the head and hands, your hat and gloves should have a base of polyester. If it’s really cold, you can wear two hats and two layer of gloves – one layer of polyester closest to the skin and a thicker layer on the outside. Hats with a blend of wool and polyester make a great choice in cold conditions.

Remember that it’s always better to buy thinner clothes and wear multiple layers. This creates layers of air in between the garments that provide more warmth than one thick garment. And if it gets too hot, you can easily remove a layer.

Many skiers have a tendency to sometimes dress a little too warm. Dressing correctly will improve both your performance and overall ski experience. A good tip is to always take a look at the thermometer before you hit the tracks, and then test your way during the training sessions. Eventually you will learn how many layers you need at different temperatures. It’s usually preferable to wear less clothes and be a little bit cold during the first 5 to 10 minutes of the workout, because that’s when the body heats up to reach its working temperature.

No matter how many layers you wear, it’s always important that the clothes are not too loose. Tight, form-fitting garments keep you warm and increase your mobility. Furthermore, tight clothes eliminate the risk for your poles to get stuck in flapping pants. By dressing optimally all the way from the inside out you will stay both warm and dry, allowing you to perform better and work out longer. Happy skiing!