Keeping Warm Skiing and Snowboarding

We had a great holiday week at Seven Springs. It was amazing winter weather...most people wouldn't describe it as good winter weather...but amazing just the same. It was cold, snowy and blowy - the likes we haven't seen in years. Not over the holiday break anyway.

Somehow, since it has been so long since we have had a long period of such blustery weather, people seemed to have forgotten how to dress for it. I can't tell you how many frozen people came stumbling into the shop hoping to find some piece of magic to keep them warm. No offence but it isn't magic...just physics.

The human body is an amazing furnace and will produce more than enough heat to keep the average person comfortable - the trick is to save that heat and keep it close to your body. Heat is drawn away from your body by low temperatures (most people get that one), wind (we all recognize windchill) and moisture (not everyone gets that one so we'll talk about that later). The trick to keeping cozy is to stop those elements from robbing your body of the heat it has produced.

Layering is the biggest trick for combating low temperatures. The key is to layer effectively. I can not tell you how many of the people who came in from the slopes this week complaining of the cold had layered with cotton...their layers consisted of a cotton T-shirt, often a short sleeved t-shirt at that, and a bulky hoody under their jacket and honestly believed that they would be warm in sub-freezing temperatures.

Three fatal errors here. 1) Cotton has no thermal capacity - We wear cotton in the summer to dissipate heat. 2)Cotton holds moisture that will rob your body of heat and 3) Bulky garments cause constriction that reduce blood flow and pockets of air that are too big to warm effectively.

So if you are one of the hoody-clad, cotton-wearing masses you may be trying to defend yourself right now..."I was never cold before," "I always wear my sweatshirts to class and I'm fine"...I've heard it all before. This is physics, I'm sure you 'felt' cozy but that is different than being 'warm'.

The fact of the matter is that cotton simply does not have the fiber structure or material content to retain heat. It doesn't, there is no thermal quality to cotton - end of story. Cotton does, however, retain moisture, and a lot of it. Not only does cotton absorb moisture it is exposed to - it holds on to it. The bulkier the cotton garment is the more moisture it will hold - think of how long it takes for your hoody to dry in the dryer versus a thin pair of boxer shorts. If you are layering with cotton all of the sweat is absorbed by that cotton and held there near your body, robbing your body of precious heat. You will be at least 30% colder when you are wet - think of how cold you are when you get out of the shower-you dry off and you are warmer. In this shower example the temperature of the room didn't change, you didn't change what you were wearing...just wet, then dry, cold, then warm. If this example is lost on you try it next time you shower.

Some people have tried to argue with me that they don't really sweat, or that they only sweat when they are over heated...um, hate to break it to you, we all sweat and we sweat a lot. The average person sweats anywhere from .5 to 1.7 liters an hour depending on activity level. Skiing and snowboarding rank quite high on the activity charts so to help you with the visual try this exercise for yourself - take that cotton hoody you think is so warm, take one of those typical bottles of 'Natural Spring Water' you have sitting at your desk and dump it on your sweatshirt - then put it on and tell me how warm you are...cozy, right? The next problem is that it doesn't dry very fast - and each hour you have to dump another bottle of water on it. Not dry, not warm, not cozy.

Now the fact that most hoodies don't fit comfortably under your typical ski or snowboard jacket seems like it might be a giveaway for some people...none-the-less I see people do it all the time. Hoody hoods stick out and collect snow or even better, are crammed into the jacket making the wearer look like the Hunch Back of Notre Dame. Rolled up sleeves often stick out past the jacket cuffs and the hoody hem and extra fabric bunches all out under the bottom of the jacket...It is quiet the fashion statement-but beyond that it has created pockets of dead air that the body simply cannot warm up. The idea behind layering is to create small pockets of air that are easy for the body to warm up creating a buffer zone of warm air that protects you from the cold elements. Each of these layers holds heat long enough for you to produce more - it helps you keep ahead of the power curve. Sure heat is lost to the elements but it is done at such a rate that you can produce enough to replace what is lost so as to keep you warm. Large, open pockets of air can't do this.

In addition, those bulky garments will constrict in other areas often reducing blood flow causing certain areas of your body to be cold. One of the best examples of this is the big open sleeve of a hoody crammed into the sleeve of a ski or snowboard jacket. Typically the hoody will bunch up at the upper part of the sleeve, particularly on the inside of the arm, closest to the body. This just happens to be the place where the major artery to your lower arm happens to be and any pressure on that artery will reduce the blood flow to the hands enough to freeze those little fingers to the bone faster than you can say "Does this run take me back to the lodge?"

So now that I have let the cat out of the bag, yes, the ultimate warmth of your fingers, and your toes for that matter, is directly related to what you wear on your body. I'm not talking about just the artery deal - I'm talking about the whole layering-and-keeping-your-body-warm deal. Keep in mind that in a survival situation your body thinks of your fingers and toes as expendable. Your body doesn't realize that you have chosen to go out in sub-freezing temperatures and expose yourself to the adrenaline rush of skiing and snowboarding to have a little fun - it thinks this is serious business and unless your core body is warm it will not, I repeat, will not allow one ounce of extra warmth to head to the fingers or the toes. Blood flow will be restricted to the rest of the body and saved for the head and the core of the body until such time that it feels there is heat to be spared. So while good gloves are important, your body layers are even more so.

So please, no cotton layers, no jeans, no sweat pants, no hoodies, no gym socks-you'll freeze and then I'll feel bad because I'm the one who is supposed to make sure you are warm so you can have fun.

Keep warm so I can see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Kicking Off the Season: Day 2 of the Pre Season Sale

It is Day 2 of our annual Labor Day Pre Season Ski and Snowboard sale. For me it is like Homecoming - I see so many of my favorite people in one weekend and it really gets me excited for the upcoming season.

One of the best parts this year is that our Monroeville sale is in the new Monroeville Convention Center. It is a great facility and moving in was really easy because of how it is set up. I have to admit I was a bit worried about people finding us in the new location but given how busy we were yesterday I guess there was no problem.

I love unpacking the merchandise - it is kind of like unwrapping holiday decorations "Oh, I love this jacket!" or "This is one of my favorite sweatshirts".

Loading the skis and snowboards into the Convention Center I thought of how great each one of them performed when we were out testing them.

I am always amazed at what we are able to find to bring to the sale and the great prices we put on the merchandise. The snowsport industry is one of the last great places for true craftsmanship and quality so when something is on sale like this it is truly a great deal - not a mark down of previously overpriced merchandise.

Even though it is Day 2 and we were really busy yesterday there is still great merchandise left.

We have racks of great t-shirts and hoodies.



Pants and jackets from some great snowboard lines,



even great fashion merchandise.



Accessories are one of the best reasons to hit the sale - hats, thermals, socks and gloves are at their lowest prices of the season. Even if you don't ski or snowboard - in Pittsburgh EVERYONE needs warm gear.

So whether it is for yourself or gifts for this Holiday Season or just to say Hi, we still have two days left today and tomorrow, Sunday and Monday 10am to 5pm.

Mid Season Maintenance

If you are having the season I have had it is time to take a quick look at your gear. The season here at Seven Springs started in early November so I've already had to do some work on my gear.

The basic rule of thumb for your skis and snowboards is to edge and wax them every 10 days on the hill. A stone grind will touch up the bases, take out small nicks and scratches and re-texture the material for a better glide. For deeper cuts P-tex or a base weld may be necessary. A ceramic cup grind, if available in your area, is a great way to treat your gear right - it polishes and hardens the edges back to factory condition and is the best way to get the most performance out of your equipment.

Mid season is also a good time to have your bindings looked over just to make sure everything is working properly.

For your apparel I am hopeful that you wash your socks, thermals, fleece and neck gaiter on a regular basis but your outerwear could use some attention too.

Many people avoid laundering their outerwear for fear of damaging it. With rare exceptions ski and snowboard performance outerwear is not only easy to launder but will perform better for it as well. The reason for this is that the process will redistribute and re-loft the garments insulation making it warmer. It will improve the breathability of the garment by removing dirt and oils that clog the pores in the fabric and it will bring the waterproofing sprays and coatings back to the surface re-establishing the DWR (Durable Water Resistance) component of the garments weather protection.

Keep in mind that it is best to launder performance wear in suds that are specifically designed for the task. Follow directions on the label and it is helpful to add a tennis ball to the drier to bring the original softness, drapability and loft back to the garment.

See ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

A Diamond In The Snow: The Pur Fur Jacket

Ok guys - for those of you who have no idea what to get your girl for the holidays you can warm her heart with a diamond - A Diamond In The Snow that is!

The Pur Fur Jacket from A Diamond In The Snow ($898) is a great jacket and not getting a ton of play because there are no pictures available so unless you are in the store you can't tell how awsome it is!

The fur detail is on the chest, back, collar and cuffs - but it is reversible too! The jacket is warm, beautiful on and off the slopes and has a zillion pockets (a very important feature!). Every little detail of this jacket is top of the line and gorgeous.

I am a pretty typical streetwear size 8 with long arms - I am wearing a size 8 in these pictures and as you can see the sleeve length is good on me - I might take a size 10 if I were going to layer heavily under it.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need help with choosing a size,

See ya on the slopes!


Kjerstin

Fitting Children For Accessories

In fashion wear accessories are the final decorative pieces but in winter wear they are the final performance pieces. They add warmth and can help to cover up any fit issues that may have come up in the previous categories. Accessories are hats, headbands, scarves, neck gaiters, glove liners, goggles and sunglasses.

Lets talk first about hats, headbands and scarves – first let me say they have no place on the hill for a child. Hats, love ‘em. Wouldn’t go out without one – for kids, however, they should be saved for the walk from the car to the lodge, headbands too. Kids should be in helmets on the hill. Safety is the first and best reason for kids to wear them. As my 6 year old went sailing into the trees today and came out with only a small brush burn under her goggles I thanked the helmet no less than 100 times. I really don’t think I need to go on and on about helmets for kids on the hill. You either get it or you don’t – if you don’t, e-mail me and I’ll provide you with some of the statistics on what a head injury could mean to your child’s future. But hey, it isn’t that skiing is so dangerous. Not any worse than just being a kid! It is just that on the hill you can do something about it. Anyway if the safety part of it isn’t enough for you keep in mind that helmets are far warmer than hats. But for when you are done on the hill, playing outside or just walking around town a hat is a good idea – luckily it is also in fashion!

For a kid it is easy to get a poorly fitting hat and frankly it doesn’t matter. If the kid likes it and is willing to wear it – it is fine. If you want one that fits though, that is easy too. Keep in mind that kid’s heads don’t grow that much, by the time they are 10 they are in an adult size hat. For little kids they will want a toddler sized hat for the depth of the hat and how big around it is, that way it won’t come down over their eyes. As they get bigger a hat that is too small will not cover their ears but can also be too tight around the head. This is not only uncomfortable but it can lead to headaches over time.

Headbands are basically the same. Too big and it will slip down or be too wide for them and too small may lead to headaches and simply won’t cover their ears. Keep in mind headbands are not a great idea for kids because over 20% of your body heat is lost through your head and while a headband will keep their ears comfortable it will not keep their body heat up.

Scarves are another thing to keep off the mountain. Sure they look cute but they can be bulky and dangerous. Scarves can get caught in chair lifts and rope tows with ugly results. Plus most scarves are not made out of performance fabrics so they get wet and do little protect the neck and face or to retain heat in the jacket like a neck gaiter will.

I think neck gaiters are the greatest invention. They take up the space around the collar of the jacket trapping warm air next to the body and not allowing it to escape. They also protect the neck and chin from the hardware of the jacket and the environment. They should only be purchased in performance fabrics that keep warm and dry because moisture from breathing can build up and if it is not dissipated can do just as much harm as being exposed to the elements. They do come in two sizes but the smaller kids sizes are really only for very little kids. They are narrower so they will stay closer to the neck and short so as to not bulk up under the collar of the jacket when it is zipped up all the way. The larger adult sized neck gaiters can be used for any child as long as it lays fairly close to the neck and dose not bulk up under the chin.

Glove liners should fit the child’s hand snuggly with not a lot of extra material at the end of the fingers. Some liners have nice little pockets to hold chemical heat packs and I highly suggest them. They will keep the heat pack away from being directly on the child’s skin and in a place where they won’t come out easily if the child has a Yard Sale fall where everything but their boots come off!

Goggles should always be fit with the helmet. The strap should fit easily around the entire helmet and the frame should fit directly onto the face inside the rim of the helmet. The foam of the goggle should press gently on the child’s face leaving no gaps around the edges. Gaps will let air in and may make the child’s eyes tear up making it hard to see and tears may freeze up inside the goggle or on the child’s face.

It is my feeling that children should wear goggles rather than sunglasses but either way they should have some sort of eye protection. My biggest issue with children’s sunglasses is that rarely are parents willing to shell out the money for a decent lens. Poor lenses rarely have adequate protection from UV A, B and C rays, lack impact resistance and cause so much distortion that the kids end up with eye strain. Having been a sunglass buyer for years this is an area near and dear to my heart so I should probably allow myself a full rant on the subject another time but if you are going to put sunglasses on your kids on the hill make sure they fit properly. Sunglasses should be narrow enough for their face, cover the eye entirely and fit snuggly at the temples but not tight. I would also suggest some sort of a strap to keep them on – again for the potential Yard Sale but also so when they go into the lodge they can just slip them down around their neck and not have to worry about them – especially if you are one of the rare parents who will shell out for a good pair.

Accessories play and important roll and should not be over looked. Both on and off the slopes accessories keep the snow from getting in and heat from getting out. As a rule of thumb always check to make sure that they fit properly with the rest of their gear and they should fit close but not tight.

Hope that helps! See ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Hands On: Fitting Children fro Gloves or Mittens

Gloves and mittens play a crucial role in the warmth and comfort of a child on the hill. It is important to remember that children lack the physical awareness to feel cold in the same way adults do. This makes it more likely that they will try to take gloves and mittens off if they feel restricted or uncomfortable. The first rule of fitting then is to insure that it is comfortable for the child to improve the chances that they will stay on for the entire day.

Determining whether to buy a glove or mitten is the first issue. Younger children lack the dexterity to do much with their fingers anyway so they typically don’t mind wearing a mitten. Mittens are warmer and easier to fit and are therefore the best choice if the child is willing to wear them. The older they get the more likely they will push for gloves over mittens but it is my suggestion to keep them in mittens as long as possible.

Style choices for both glove and mittens vary widely. They all work effectively and the choice should really be left up to the personal preference of the child. Gloves and Mittens can come with long or short gauntlets. Longer gauntlets are often thought of as a snowboarding style but they will work for skiing just as well. Short gauntlets are offered in 2 different styles. The first is your typical style where the cuff of the glove or mitten comes to the base of sleeve and often has a snug inner cuff that can fit under the sleeve making a tight junction insuring that no warm air escapes from the jacket or mitten and that no snow gets up into the sleeve. The second is referred to as an under glove or mitten. The entire cuff of the glove or mitten is designed to go under the entire cuff of the sleeve. This is also considered a snowboarding style but again, equally effective for skiing.

Regardless of style the fit issues are the same. To check for the proper fit of a glove or mitten start at the fingers and work your way to the wrist. When fitting a mitten you only have to be concerned that the longest finger has enough room to straighten out and that there is not too much fabric left over around the rest of the fingers. For a glove, however, each of the child’s fingers should fit into each of the fingers of the glove. If there is more than a pinch of fabric at the tips of the child’s fingers then the glove is too big. This can be tricky because the ratio of finger length is different on every child. Gloves are made based on a standard ratio of finger length and this may leave you with a well fit index finger but lots of floppy material left above the pinky finger. This extra material not only makes the glove challenging to negotiate but it also makes it hard to keep sensitive fingers warm as there is too much air space to ever warm up effectively. If this is a problem for your child have them try on several styles and brands as they all vary a bit.

Once you have a glove or mitten that seems to fit the length of the fingers check to make sure that the glove sits comfortably in the webbing between the fingers by placing your index finger between each of the child’s gloved fingers including the thumb and just between the thumb and index finger when fitting a mitten. Have them open their hands wide spreading their fingers. When properly fit the material will not push against your finger as they open their hands while a glove or mitten that is too small will force your finger out of the gap between their fingers. In a glove or mitten that is too small this ‘bridging’ is caused by there being too little fabric to move with the child. This restriction in movement can cause the hand to fatigue through the day causing cold, numb hands.

When you are confident that you have a glove or mitten that fits the finger length and fits well at the base of the fingers move to the back of the hand. To test the volume of the glove or mitten, pinch the fabric at the back of the hand. You should be able to pinch a bit each layer of the glove or mitten but not be able to pull it far from the hand. A glove or mitten that is too big in volume will not keep the hand warm because there is too much air to warm up effectively.

Most gloves and mittens have a bit of a break at their base as it transitions into the cuff. This break should hit right at the wrist as it helps to increase the mobility of the wrist. The cuff of the glove or mitten should not be too tight nor too loose around the child’s wrist. A cuff that is too tight will restrict the flow of warm blood to the fingers and a cuff that is too big will allow warm air to escape from around the child’s hand. Some gloves and mittens have a strap to cinch around the wrist for this reason – just make sure it isn’t cinched too tightly.

Hand wear is incredibly important to a successful day on the slopes because children don’t need to have cold hands to have a warm heart!

See ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Mostly Toasty

Layering for winter sports is an art. Part of being good at it is making sure the pieces all fit well on their own and as a unit. We have already addressed how the base layer should fit so now we can move on to the thermal layer. The thermal layer includes sweaters, fleece, fleece pants and vests. A child’s thermal layer may actually include more than one piece but for this discussion we will considered it as one layer.

Fleece tops and sweaters should fit essentially the same. They should have enough loft to take up some of the space within the jacket. Small spaces are easier to heat up so a sweater or fleece can help to break down any gaps within the jacket into several smaller spaces to be easily warmed. The neck of a sweater or fleece should be comfortable. Regardless of whether it is a turtleneck, scoop neck or v-neck comfort will be the key aspect of the fit and this will vary from child to child. Sleeve length is important since some sweaters and fleeces are bulky at the wrist. It is imperative that the cuff of the layering piece does not interfere with the fit of the jacket cuff. The shoulder seem of the sleeve should hit at the point of the child’s shoulder and there should be enough room under the armpit to pinch a bit of fabric. This is incredibly important because there is a major artery running down the inner part of the arm and if it is even slightly tight there it will impinge the flow of blood to the fingers and cause the child to be extremely cold. How the garments fit around this shoulder and underarm area is the most significant aspect of perceived comfort for a child. If they feel too bulky or constrained in this area they will feel uncomfortable and restricted in their movements. How the fleece or sweater fits around the torso is mostly personal preference. The cut of each piece will vary with style and it is ok to choose the style the child likes best but make sure the waistband fits well with the pants and the jacket. The layering pieces can either help or hurt the fit of the other pieces so it is important to check how they work together.

A vest is a great addition to layering pieces. It helps to keep the torso warm without adding bulk to that very sensitive arm/shoulder area. Vests should fit loosely around the arm area and the torso even with the other layers underneath. The waistband of a vest should not interfere with the fit of the pant or the jacket.

Fleece pants are like sweaters for your legs. The ‘tights’ style is the least bulky but if the child insists on the sweat-pant cut make sure that the length does not interfere with the fit of the boot or the cuff of the pant. In either case it is important that the waistband does not add so much bulk around the waist to cause discomfort under the outerwear pant. Pants should be snug without being tight. Any extra bulk in the rise may hinder the fit of the outerwear pant in the rise causing the waist to fit too low around the hips. If the pant is to be tucked into the boot it should have a thin, flat seem and should be worn over the sock for added shin protection.

When your child is getting ready before heading to the hill take a few extra minutes to help them adjust their layering pieces so they aren’t twisted up and so that the base layer pieces are in their proper places. Most fit problems for children come from the displacement of apparel pieces because of the friction that builds up as they get dressed. Properly fit and properly placed layering pieces will help to keep a child both warm and comfortable for a day on the slopes

The snow should be flying soon so...I'll see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Waterproof/Breathable Fabrics

I have been getting a lot of questions recently about waterproof/breathable fabrics - I will get into the subject in more detail in a future post but thought it might be helpful to see what I shared in Snowboarding Forum when asked about how weather protection is measured. Follow the full thread here.

Keep in mind that how dry you stay on the hill has to do with the fabrics and coatings used in your outerwear as well as what you layer with. Together they create a Moisture Management system to keep you dry in all conditions.

Until then .... See ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

The Icing On The Cake: Fitting Winter Accessories For Children

No discussion on fitting winter wear is complete if it doesn’t touch on accessories. To simplify things I am considering accessories to be everything except outerwear – jackets, pants and suits. These are the pieces you layer with, add style with and ultimately moderate your body temperature with. Accessories are the final solution to all fit and warmth issues and should not be considered an after thought. A child can easily adjust their own body temperature by simply taking off their hat, adjusting their neck gaiter or removing their gloves for a while but will only work to keep the child warm and comfortable if they fit properly.

It is important to keep in mind that what matters most is how things fit together, not individually. Typically this is not a issue if you are putting a new outfit together and can choose from a wide range of sizes – it is more of a challenge when you are looking through your gear from year to year to see what still works and what your child has grown out of. Try items on together and judge how they work as a unit before making your final decision. Over the next few entries I will be sharing with you how to check each item on the Check List For The Slopes to make sure that your child is both comfortable and warm for a day on the hill.

We can start with the inner most layer called the base layer. The base layer includes socks and thermal underwear. It technically could include glove liners and helmet liners but I’ll save that for when we discuss the extras since these layers are not used in all conditions. Check to see that thermal underwear fits properly on its own first but keep in mind that other items will go over it. It should lay comfortably next to the skin without gapping or bunching nor should it feel tight or constrict the child’s range of motion. The sleeves should reach at least to the lower part of the forearm but not be so long as to hinder the fit of the sleeve or glove cuff. For thermal underwear bottoms the fit of the rise is most critical thing to consider, as a day on the slopes with a wedgie is no fun what-so-ever. The waistband should be able to stretch to fit 1-2 fingers and is definitely too small if it leaves deep marks in the skin around the belly. The length of the pant leg is also important because if it is too long it may interfere with the upper cuff of the boot but if it is too short it is not as big of an issue because a properly fitting sock should cover the area effectively. The pant cuff should come at least below the belly of the calf but no lower than the anklebone. How it fits with the sock and the boot will be the ultimate deciding factor on length.

The fit of the sock is critical because it affects the fit of the boot. The fit of the boot is critical because it affects the boots performance, warmth and comfort. While performance may not be as big of an issue for some children warmth and comfort most certainly are. Quality winter sports socks are shaped for a form fit that pads and protects while it enhances the fit of the boot so it is vital that it is neither too big nor too small which will cause miss alignment of the various darts and pads of the sock. These sport specific socks are manufactured with a flat seem, padded toe box for extra warmth around the toe area and for padded protection in an area that tends to take a great deal of abuse. The toe of the sock should fit up against the child’s toes without a lot of extra fabric. Extra fabric will bunch up and may cause blisters or bruising in the forefoot. The constructed heel should fit right at the child’s heel. If you can’t quite pull the sock up high enough for the heel to sit in the pocket it is too small. If, on the other hand, the heel pocket is up around the Achilles’ tendon the sock is too big. The sock should be long enough to come past the upper cuff of the boot and all skin below the knee should be covered either by the sock or the thermal underwear. The sock should not come above the knee. This is sometimes a challenge for pre teen boys because their feet often grow to adult proportions before the length of their leg catches up but take the time to find a properly fitting sock so they are comfortable through out the season.

Next we’ll talk about how to evaluate the fit of the thermal layers that go over the base layer. Until then I’ll see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Fitting Children For Winter Sports Pants

Fitting children for ski and snowboard pants is not nearly as difficult as fitting them for a jacket but is equally important to get a good fit. Layering properly is one of the corner stones of winter comfort. This is particularly true when it comes to layering under ski and snowboard pants. It isn’t even worth having a discussion about ski and snowboard pants without discussing the layers that should go under them. It is important to keep in mind that children are particularly susceptible to the discomfort of bulky layers. It is also important to remember that children do not develop the ability to sense cold properly until they are physically mature. This safety mechanism can cause problems for parents who hear their children say “I’m not cold!” when they really mean to say “Excuse me mother, the clothing you have chosen for me feels bulky and awkward and restricts my movement making me feel hindered and uncomfortable.” The key is to choose layers that provide warmth without bulk. It is important to have quality thermal underwear (no, cotton waffle weave underwear dose NOT count) and the option of a fleece pant to layer under an insulated pant. Shell pants should be reserved for teenagers and adults as even in the spring children can get quite cold even if you are overheated. Plus it is easier to decrease layers for the torso to maintain body temperature than it is to increase layers under a shell pant when it is cold.

To properly fit insulated winter pants it is not necessary to have the other layers on but do not try them on with street wear pants. Street wear pants will fit entirely differently under a ski or snowboard pant then any thermal layers will. It is better to try the insulated pants on with regular underwear, if the pant fits properly there will be plenty of room for thermal underwear and a typical fleece pant.

With the pant on there should be 1 to 2 fingers space around the waist regardless of the style of pant. Some styles have Velcro or snap side size adjusters. This feature is worth its weight in gold as it will help to accommodate a variety of layering options. The pant should fall loosely around the buttocks and thighs without being baggy and there should be room in the rise to pinch about and inch of fabric. The length of the pant is critical as if it is too short you will not get much time out of it but if it is too long it will be damaged possibly beyond repair. The cuff should hit just below the anklebone without hitting the ground. If the pant is a bib or suspender pant make sure that the straps can be adjusted for maximum comfort in the rise and the appropriate length in the leg. Many children’s pants come with grow cuffs which, when released will give as much as 1 – 2 inches more length but you don’t want to buy a pant knowing you have to release the cuff right away. Some pant styles can be easily taken up to be let down later but this should be done by a tailor experienced with skiwear as working with performance fabrics presents unique challenges.

There have been so many advances in fabrics and insulation that gone are the days when your little one has to be round as a snowball to be warm. Invest in a quality pant with a good fit, reduce bulk by layering with thermal underwear and/or a fleece pant depending on the weather and your child will have enough freedom of movement to generate the heat they need to stay warm on the hill.

See ya out there!

Kjerstin

Fitting Children: Winter Sports Jackets

As we continue to explore fitting children for winter wear we need to look at how to check the fit of a garment once you have found something you like. Checking the fit of a jacket for a child is easy when you break it down into the key components. Keep in mind that if any single one of these components isn’t right it simply isn’t the jacket for the child – it will always be something you settled for instead of a quality fit that will perform on the slopes.

The first step is to put the jacket on and zip it all the way up. Yes, all the way to where the zipper ends. You need to be able to check how tight the neck is because this varies greatly. It also changes the way the jacket fits across the chest and back. You may get an immediate “I don’t like it!” but don’t ditch it for good, they may change their mind when they realize that all of the jackets have that feeling when zipped all the way up – when they are warm and cozy in the store it is hard to imagine that they may want it zipped all the way up in the dead of winter. With the jacket zipped all the way up check the neck, especially the base of the neck where the chest of the jacket is sewn to the collar. Make sure that there is a little bit of space so it is comfortable and there is no constriction. There shouldn’t be too much of a gap though. While some space can be taken up by a neck gaiter a jacket that is too big around the neck will let all the warm air from around the body escape.

To check the fit across the chest and back try to take a handful of fabric into your hands just behind the shoulders. If you can get two good handfuls of fabric and pull the jacket away from the child’s body then it is way too big. If you can’t do more than pinch a bit of fabric it is too small. Too much space in this area of the jacket will interfere with the child’s ability to warm up the air space around their body. Jackets work much like a wet suit, holding air instead of water. What keeps a wetsuit warm is the water that is trapped inside is warmed by body heat and then stays at a constant temperature. A jacket that is too big has too much air to warm effectively so cold air constantly re-circulates around the body. If the jacket is too small there is not enough warm air trapped to keep the body warm.

Next check the waistband. The length of a jacket should be dictated by the style of pant the child will be wearing with it. The key is to make sure that there is no skin exposure. The waistband must come well below the waistband of the pant. It is also important to make sure there is not too much space or any gaps around the waist. Most jackets have a cord that can tighten the waistband snugly around the body. This will help warm air from escaping.

The sleeves of the jacket are the key to both comfort and longevity. Most companies add features like Grow-Cuffs and Velcro adjustable cuffs to aid in properly fitting children through a growth cycle. Grow-Cuffs are a specially designed internal hem that can be released to gain another 1-2 inches in length in the sleeve when necessary. The Velcro adjustable cuffs can make a sleeve that is on the long side fit comfortably by tightening it down in place on the wrist instead of allowing it to hang low over the fingers. A sleeve that fits well should provide for a full range of movement and be free of both bulk and constrictions. Proper sleeve length is just below the break in the wrist but no longer than the base of the thumb. There must be no skin showing between the sleeve and the glove and the cuff must not be too loose or too tight. If the sleeve is too long it will hang down over the glove or material will bulk up around the arm and be very uncomfortable and, like around the torso, hold too much air to warm effectively.

Always keep in mind that the jacket will feel different over school clothes then over winter layers so try the jacket on over different pieces to get a good feel for how it will fit in a variety of conditions.

So in summary - Too much space around the body means that the air can’t be warmed up enough to keep the child warm. Too little space means there isn’t enough air to warm up to keep the child warm. Gaps cause warm air to leak out; cold air replaces it and will make the child cold. Body heat is lost through exposed skin so make sure the jacket covers everything. Check the neck for gaps and constriction, check the chest and back for proper amount of space, check the waistband for gaps or constriction, check the sleeve length, it should hit just below the break of the wrist but not past the base of the thumb. The sleeve should allow for easy range of motion with no constriction or bulk.

See? You are an expert already!

See ya on the slopes,

Kjerstin

Snow Sport Sizes For Children

Wow! I was a bit surprised by how much activity my Tokidoki blog generated! Well I’m glad so many of you had a chance to check it out…I think we still have some left for those of you who haven’t taken a look yet. I’ll be sure to post some more notes when I see stuff that I think will really get you charged. If you need ideas for yourself or gifts always feel free to e-mail me and I’ll help you to find just the right thing.

Anyway, I guess we can continue our exploration of the topic of sizing children. First off, for our purposes regardless of actual age we will consider Infants to be up to size 2, Toddlers or Preschoolers up to size 5 and size 6 to 20 as Juniors or Youth. It is important to remember that each company has its own range of sizes. Obermeyer, for example, makes Preschool sizes from size 1 to size 8 and Juniors sizes from size 6 to size 18. I’m sure you are asking why the overlap? Well, Preschool sizes tend to be broader and shorter limbed then their Junior counter parts but the biggest reason is style. There are some preschool and junior kids that prefer a more youthful look that need bigger sizes. On the flip side there are some children who prefer the teen styles but still need the small sizes. It is about offering choices as much as it is about trying to accommodate those challenging size ranges.

I have to admit; very few companies offer such a wide range of sizes. Most ski companies do not offer anything below a size 3 and even the 3’s are often hard to come by. Most companies, if they even carry Preschool sizes, only manufacture sizes 3-5 and the selection is fairly limited. Sizes in the toddler and preschool range might be labeled with the traditional street wear marker ‘T’ before the size, therefore written as T3, T4 and T5. Where things get confusing is in the lettered sizes. The sizes become far more difficult to decipher. Each company determines their size breakdowns differently but typically they will be labeled Preschool or Toddler, Junior or Youth above the letter size. While there are variations typically toddler/preschool letter sizes are XS = sizes 1-2, S= size 3, M= sizes 4-5, L= sizes 6-7 and XL= size 8. Junior/youth breaks down as XS= size 5, S= sizes 6-8, M= sizes 10-12, L= sizes 14-16 and XL= sizes 18-20. A few companies also offer the 6X size, which is a good transition size for those tall and lean little ones since it is essentially the same as a 6 only longer limbed and a bit longer in the rise. If a 6X is offered it typically is a Junior or Youth size S, the regular 6 is then scaled back to an XS. Some companies will size all of their children’s wear on one size grid including sizes 1-20. In this case an XXS= sizes 1-2, XS= sizes 3-4, S= sizes 5-6, M= sizes 7-8, L= sizes 10-12, XL= sizes 14-16 and XXL= sizes 18-20.

It would be nice if the industry could come up with some sort of standard but that might be a long time in coming. Most companies have size grids available and at Ski Warehouse and The Jib Shop there is always someone available by phone or e-mail to help you determine the correct size. Oddly enough it sounds far more confusing then it is in reality. Any overlap in sizes merely gives you more choices. The key is to pay attention to whether the garment is sized on a Toddler/Preschool size grid or a Junior/Youth size grid and pay attention to the size breakdown of the lettered sizes.

Now that you have a better understanding of the sizes offered in the snow sport industry we can discuss how to determine if a garment really fits your little grom!

Until then, see ya on the slopes!

Kjerstin

Tokidoki

OK, I know I promised to continue our discussion on sizing up and fitting children but I have to interrupt that line of thought for a moment. Not being in the warehouse much this summer I didn't get to see everything as it came in. I knew we had some really great stuff coming in from Ride and saw on the reports that some of it was already selling really well. This is a busy time of year and to be honest I really didn't think much of it but when I saw there was a Ride re-order coming off of the truck I had to ask why we were already getting delivery on a re-order instead of selling what we have.

"This stuff is so awesome!" is the answer I got - and I expected it. Each year someone falls in love with at least one product and that is all they want to sell all year. When I saw the packing list though my memories started to flood back - it was a second order of the Ride Tokidoki collection - and yes it is awesome. Frankly I'd forgotten about it. It was a no-brainer easy buy because I knew it would sell and both our hard goods and soft goods snowboard buyers loved it and they rarely agree on anything.

At any rate the entire collection is incredible. It is fun, lively and top-of-the line technology. The project is a collaboration between Ride's technical team and the artist Simone Legno. Tokidoki means 'sometimes' in Japanese and was chosen by Legno because of his love for Japanese culture and the way in which the word symbolizes the magical quality that is found when serendipity, chance, hope and destiny mingle in our daily lives.

So the fun thing is how the project all came together. The collection includes a jacket, which comes in two colorways and includes a pair of Tokidoki knit fingerless gloves, a pant, also in two color ways and comes with a pair of limited edition Tokidoki riding socks, a boot, a binding and a board. It's fun, it's edgy and it has the technology behind it to make for a great day on the hill.

As I help people prepare for the coming season the number one question I get is how to fit children. Even if the child is there to try the merchandise on it is often hard for the untrained eye to determine if gear fits well enough to meet the performance needs while still being big enough to get fit for two seasons. Two seasons may seem an optimistic dream but is often quite doable if the child is fit properly and doesn’t go through an abnormal growth spurt.

Over the next few entries I will try to walk you through the basic concepts of fit as well as the specific concerns that need to be addressed when fitting a child. Hopefully it will answer all of your questions but if not feel free to post questions in the comments area and I will address them as soon as possible.

See ya on the slopes!

Kjersitn