--- title: "What to wear skiing: layers, fabrics, gloves, helmet and goggles" description: "What to wear skiing so you are neither cold nor too hot: three layers, suitable fabrics, gloves, helmet, goggles, kids' clothing and what to avoid." url: https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/guides/what-to-wear-skiing language: en-GB published: 2026-09-25 updated: 2026-09-25 publisher: "SKI Rental Jiří Honců, Valteřická 1436, 543 01 Vrchlabí, Česko" --- # What to wear skiing: layers, fabrics, gloves, helmet and goggles On the slopes, hard work on the way down alternates with sitting on the lift, and mountain weather changes during the day. Here is how to put your layers together, which fabrics to choose, how to dress children and why cotton and double socks should stay at home. Skiing down warms you up and makes you sweat, then you cool down quickly on the lift or in the queue. So your ski clothing should be easy to adjust. We have a separate checklist of everything to pack; here we focus on how to dress, what to wear and what to watch out for with children. [Ski trip packing list for Krkonoše: a tick-off checklist](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/guides/ski-trip-packing-list-krkonose) ## Three layers, each with its own job The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends dressing in layers for cold weather. For skiing, that usually looks like this: - The base layer: a technical top and long underwear worn next to the skin. According to the CDC, it should be made of a fabric that holds body heat and does not absorb moisture. - The mid layer keeps you warm. It can be a fleece, a thin insulated jacket or a gilet that you add or remove depending on the weather. - The outer layer protects you from wind, snow and wet. The CDC recommends a tightly woven fabric, preferably water and wind resistant; for skiing, that means a ski jacket and ski trousers. The advantage of layers is that you can change them. When it is warm or you are skiing hard, take the mid layer off; when the wind picks up on the lift, put it back on. One thick jacket over a T-shirt does not give you that option. ## Fabrics: wool and synthetics yes, cotton no According to the CDC, wool, silk or polypropylene hold more body heat than cotton, and wet clothing chills the body quickly. For the base layer and socks, wool such as merino or synthetic technical fabrics are therefore a good choice. For ski socks, Atomic recommends merino or synthetics that dry quickly and wick moisture, unlike cotton. So leave cotton T-shirts, hoodies and jeans at home, including as a layer under your ski trousers. > **Tip from the shop:** Pack a dry top and spare gloves in your backpack. If you get sweaty or wet on the slope, change into something dry. According to the CDC, wet clothing chills the body quickly. ## Hands, head and neck - Gloves or mittens? According to the CDC, mittens are warmer than gloves. A spare pair always comes in handy, especially for children. - For snowboarders, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends gloves with built-in wrist guards. - Under a helmet, wear at most a thin hat or balaclava. The helmet must still fit well with it, without wobbling or slipping over your eyes. - A neck gaiter protects your neck and face and can be pulled up over your chin when it is windy. ## Helmet and ski goggles We recommend a helmet for everyone, children and adults alike, and according to the AAP all skiers and snowboarders should wear one. In Europe, ski and snowboard helmets are certified to the EN 1077 standard. Whether a particular resort requires helmets is set out in its operating rules. Ski goggle lenses are grouped into categories according to how much light they let through. The manufacturer Giro describes them like this: - S0: lets through 80 to 99% of light, an almost clear lens for night and evening skiing - S1: 43 to 79%, for fog, snowfall and overcast skies - S2: 19 to 42%, for changeable weather with sun and cloud - S3: 8 to 18%, for sunny days - S4: 3 to 7%, for very bright sun Giro names category S2 as the all-round choice. Try goggles on together with your helmet so that there is no gap between them and they do not press on your nose. ## Sun: sunscreen in winter too According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UV levels rise by roughly 10% with every 1,000 metres of altitude, and fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, almost doubling your exposure. Light or thin cloud has little effect on UV and can even increase it through scattering, the WHO adds. So sunscreen, lip balm and eye protection belong in your pocket even on a cloudy day. ## Children: several thin layers and dry gloves The AAP advises dressing children in several thin layers to keep them warm and dry, and considers insulated boots, gloves or mittens and a hat essential. Wet clothing should be changed straight away, the AAP says. On the slopes, it therefore helps to have: - spare gloves and socks in your backpack, - a quick check during breaks for wet gloves or clothing, - a well-fitting helmet and goggles tried on together with it. ## What not to wear skiing - cotton T-shirts, hoodies and jeans, as cotton soaks up moisture and, unlike technical fabrics, does not dry quickly, - two pairs of socks or thick socks in ski boots, which squeeze your foot and make it more likely to get cold, - long underwear or trousers tucked into ski boots, as only your foot in a sock belongs in the boot and the trouser gaiter goes over it, - a thick hat under your helmet. [How ski boots should fit and which socks to wear](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/guides/ski-boot-size-and-fit) ## You can rent a helmet and goggles from us If you do not have a helmet or ski goggles, you can rent them separately at our rental in Vrchlabí, on their own or with a ski, snowboard or cross-country set. Just add them to your booking and try them on when you pick up. [Rental price list, including helmets and goggles](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/prices) Our rental is on the main road from Vrchlabí to Špindlerův Mlýn, and you can park right in front of it. You can book equipment online no later than the day before. [Book equipment online](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/booking) ## Frequently asked questions ### Why should you not wear cotton skiing? Cotton soaks up sweat and dries slowly. According to the CDC, wool, silk and polypropylene hold more body heat than cotton, and wet clothing chills the body quickly. ### Which are warmer, gloves or mittens? According to the CDC, mittens are warmer than gloves. Whichever you choose, take a spare pair, especially for children. ### What should I wear under a ski helmet? At most a thin hat or balaclava. The helmet must still fit well with it, without wobbling or slipping over your eyes. ### Which ski goggles for fog and which for sun? Light lenses in category S1 suit fog and snowfall, while darker S3 lenses suit sunny days. The manufacturer Giro recommends category S2 as the all-round choice. ### Do I need sunscreen for skiing in winter? Yes. According to the WHO, UV levels rise with altitude and fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation. Thin cloud barely reduces it, the WHO says. --- SKI Rental Jiří Honců · Valteřická 1436, 543 01 Vrchlabí · +420 603 554 947 · skihoncu@gmail.com - [Book now](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/booking) - [Prices](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/prices) - [All guides](https://www.skiverleih.cz/en/guides) Other languages: [Čeština](https://www.skiverleih.cz/md/cs/jak-se-oblect-na-lyze.md) · [Deutsch](https://www.skiverleih.cz/md/de/was-anziehen-zum-skifahren.md) · [Polski](https://www.skiverleih.cz/md/pl/jak-sie-ubrac-na-narty.md) · [Українська](https://www.skiverleih.cz/md/uk/yak-odiahnutysia-na-lyzhi.md)