by Stein, Eric's Son
Clothes: The Base Layer
There is no longer any need to be uncomfortable when cross-country
skiing. Modern fabrics and clothing designs make it possible
to stay warm and dry under conditions that would have
been daunting to the most intrepid arctic explorer of
a century ago.
Begin at the skin. Polypropylene remains the best material
for a first layer. No other material possesses its wicking
power, which is what keeps you feeling dry. New generation
polypropylene products even overcome its only drawbacks,
a somewhat rough feel and the tendency to retain odor.
My favorite first layer consists of a longsleeve crewneck
top ($35) and bike brief ($26.95) made of fishnet polypropylene.
These garments are marketed under the name of Super Brynje
(sic) by Reliable Racing Supply, Inc. (800-223-4448 or
<http://www.reliableracing.com>). The fishnet design
keeps the layer into which moisture is wicked away from
your body (so you feel drier), yet it still does a good
job of picking up moisture from your skin. The bike brief
has a solid panel in the front that guys will appreciate
on cold days. Sports bras for women that are constructed
from similar materials with good moisture transport properties
are also available. (Sorry, no experience with these,
other than removing them in the dark).
With all these garments, as soon as you are done skiing,
hug and rub yourself all over for a minute or so to allow
the fabric to mop up any moisture that has accumulated
on your skin. If you follow this plan you will feel dry
within 10-15 minutes, no matter how wet you were when
you stopped skiing.
The agony of the de feet. The other locations where the
fabric next to your skin are key are your feet. Keeping
your feet dry is not as big a problem as it used to be
because of the improvements in boot design. Many boots
now come with elastic cuffs that help seal out snow. Nevertheless,
it still pays to take precautions, because nothing can
spoil your skiing faster than cold, wet feet.
My preferred solution to this problem is neoprene socks
($20-25). These may be worn with or without liners (made
of thin polypropylene). The neoprene provides a waterproof
barrier, insulation and a cushioning effect that can prevent
blisters. (I wear them in my downhill boots to prevent
chafing) The only disadvantage to them is that your feet
may feel a bit damp, but at least it's a warm damp. The
dampness problem can usually be alleviated by the use
of liners and/or some body powder. Neoprene socks are
locally available. I've seen them for sale at Boyne Country
Sports (Bavarian Village). If you buy some, make sure
to orient the seams of the sock on your foot in such a
way that the seams will not cause blisters.
One last word, unless you like hypothermia, avoid cotton
all costs. Silk and wool are better, but will still leave
you feeling damp for hours. This type of claminess is
especially uncomfortable if you are sitting in the car
for a couple of hours driving home.
