The Ultimate Ski Gear Guide: Stay Warm, Dry, and Stylish on the Slopes

As winter descends and snow blankets the mountains, it’s time to gear up for the ski season. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or hitting the slopes for the first time, having the right equipment can make all the difference between a miserable, freezing experience and a thrilling, comfortable adventure. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best ski gear of the season, from gloves and jackets to base layers and accessories.

Honorable Mentions

Before we dive into our top picks, let’s highlight some standout products that didn’t quite make the cut but are still worth considering:

Hestra Fall Line 3-Finger Gloves ($190)

I’ve long admired Hestra gloves from across the lift line, impressed by the Swedish company’s elegant stitchwork and thoughtful design touches. This was the year I finally got to try a pair for myself, and the Fall Line are exactly what they look like. There are six sizes available so you can get the perfect fit in this glove. The cowhide is buttery smooth and has already broken in a bit with five days’ use. The wrist strap means you never have to fret about dropping your glove from the lift when checking your phone, and they’re very warm without making me sweat. If you do sweat, the lining is removable so you can wash it without damaging the leather. —Martin Cizmar

Crab Grab Snuggler Mitts ($89)

These mini sleeping bags for your fingers are packed full of Primaloft insulation and benefitting from a sherpa fleece lining, they are toasty warm, and with a 15K membrane, impressively waterproof too. All-season mittens with durable construction for under $100? Yes Please!

Mons Royale Yotei Merino Classic Long Sleeve ($98)

As I type this, I’m nowhere near a mountain, but I’m still wearing the Mons Royale Yotei long sleeve top. It is ridiculously comfortable, made from 190-gsm-weight, 100 percent merino wool, and has a mercifully relaxed cut, so I remain warm, but don’t feel like a sausage. On the mountain however, the merino wool works its magic, wicking away sweat—especially on a hike up to some fresh powder—and keeping me comfortable. Paired with a shell and the Patagonia R1 Thermal Hoodie, I’m warm enough during a bitter arctic blast.

Top Picks

Now, let’s dive into our favorite ski gear of the season:

Seniq Powder Puff Down Jacket ($498) and Bib ($398)

Seniq is another all-women’s outdoor brand that launched in 2024. It’s styled a little more Gen Z, leaning into fun color blocking over the monochromatic look. The Seniq Powder Puff Down Jacket has a dry-touch finish. It’s meant for drier days on the mountain, but a PFC-free DWR coating and YKK AquaGuard zippers do provide water resistance. The asymmetric front zipper helps you avoid chin rub when you have the jacket fully zipped. It also features cool asymmetrical quilting lines, side pockets-in-pockets that provide access to your bib (their bibs have a pocket on the front, so you can get in there without unzipping your jacket), an oversized removable hood, a forearm pass pocket, soft and stretchy wrist gaiters, and a large internal pocket that can absolutely handle a sandwich. This jacket was warm, pillowy, and comforting, like a super-soft hug.

The silky shell bibs are slightly barrel cut, which gives them a flattering shape without being fitted. The adjustable racer back-style straps and low back (with a stretchy waist) also provide a nice shape and breathability. There are two pockets on the front chest, pockets on either leg, two-way zip thigh vents, and a butt zipper for bathroom breaks. These fit easily over my boots, and the instep guards were a nice touch. With a durable three-layer membrane and a 20,000-mm waterproof rating, these will hold up against any and all weather the mountain throws at you. When I wore them on a wet snowy day, they beaded and sloughed off moisture well. —Kristin Canning

Mammut Sender In Hooded Jacket ($259)

This puffy hoodie is a great mid-layer for under a shell jacket. The insulation is made from recycled rope scraps, and the outer is coated in wind-resistant PFC-free DWR coating. The hem falls at the hips, and the high collar and tight hood keep most of the face covered. I like wearing this piece under shells for snowboarding, but I know it’ll pull double duty as a comfy hiking and camping jacket, too, so it’s a solid multipurpose investment. It’s exceptionally lightweight and warm, though from a volume standpoint, it is on the bulkier side for a mid-layer and isn’t the most packable piece. —Kristin Canning

Helly Hansen Evolved Air Half Zip ($112)

This fleece pullover has a waffle-like texture that traps heat and wicks moisture. With a high zippered collar and cinchable hem, you can adjust the fit to make it more air-tight or breathable. This mid-layer felt wonderfully lightweight while still keeping my toasty. It’s not bulky at all, only a little thicker than a base layer, laid comfortably under my jackets, and moved with me on the mountain. —Kristin Canning

Helly Hansen Lifa Base Layer Long-Sleeve Crew ($115) and Pants ($115)

These base layers hit the weight sweet spot; they’re not too thick or thin, but just right. They’re slightly looser than other options on this list, so if you prefer something that isn’t so fitted, these are a great pick (but note that they run long too). These combine merino wool with Helly Hansen’s LIFA fibers, which add more moisture-wicking capabilities. They’re soft, lightweight, warm, and don’t hold onto smells. I love the cute designs and how well they regulate my temperature under insulated jackets and pants. The waist digs in a bit but doesn’t roll, and they stay in place and move well. —Kristin Canning

How to Layer

We have a full guide on how to layer, but here are your essentials:

Base layer

A good set of thermals is essential in the fight against cold, especially when you’re working hard. The best fabrics wick away sweat as you heat up, which helps regulate your temperature. Merino wool is the best at this, but also the most expensive. Synthetic fabrics are getting better, though, and please avoid cotton at all costs, as it gets wet and stays that way, making you cold and uncomfortable.

Mid layer

Whether you choose a hooded fleece or puffer-style jacket, this layer does the bulk of the work in cold conditions. Combined with the base layer, it traps warm air in, while also allowing moisture to be expelled. Synthetic insulation such as Primaloft Gold is brilliant and doesn’t lose its properties if it gets wet. Down jackets offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio, but they don’t pack down as small, and should never get wet. A fleece with an insulated vest is a great option if you really feel the cold.

Jacket

While ski jackets with insulation offer bonus warmth in Arctic-like conditions, for most people a waterproof shell will be enough, as it offers protection from both the snow and the wind. A cold wind will chill you to your bones faster than a bit of wet snow. Ideally choose a jacket with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex (make sure it is free from PFAS, or forever chemicals), but also check for taped seams for added waterproofing, plus plenty of pockets for snacks and lift passes, and wrist cuffs and ski skirts to help keep out the snow.

Socks

As with your base layer, socks keep you warm and maintain your temperature when you’re building up a sweat. Natural fabrics work well, but a blend of merino wool with synthetic stretchy fibers is the way to go, as they stay up better and can be used for more than a day. Avoid cotton again, and never wear two pairs, as you’ll almost certainly get colder feet.

Gloves

You’ll be surprised by how wet ski gloves get when it’s snowing, even if you don’t fall very often. As a result, waterproof options work best in most cases, although well-made leather designs can be almost as waterproof as a pair with Gore-Tex. Mittens are generally warmer than gloves, but what you gain in toasty fingers you lose in dexterity.

Waterproofing and breathability ratings

Waterproofing is measured with a hydrostatic head rating, or HH. That means if you put a 1-inch, endlessly long square tube on top of the fabric, you could pour 20,000 millimeters of water before it would seep through. Breathability is rated in how many grams of vapor per square meter can can pass through the fabric in 24 hours.

How We Tested

I’ve been reviewing winter sports gear for more than 15 years. In that time, I have worn an untold number of jackets, pants, mid-layers, thermals, gloves, and mittens. I called on industry experts and professional skiers, and solicited opinions from fellow winter sport enthusiasts on the WIRED team. While a basic fit check can be done in the office, nothing replaces on-mountain testing in variable conditions. We put in the time on various trips to the French Alps, as well as in resorts in Vermont, Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon.

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Viral Phrases

• “Mini sleeping bags for your fingers”
• “Ridiculously comfortable”
• “Buttery smooth”
• “Toasty warm”
• “Super-soft hug”
• “Pull double duty”
• “Wicking away sweat”
• “Arctic blast”
• “Flattering shape without being fitted”
• “Beaded and sloughed off moisture”
• “Hit the weight sweet spot”
• “Cute designs”
• “Regulate my temperature”
• “Stay in place and move well”
• “Cold wind will chill you to your bones”
• “Never get wet”
• “Untold number of jackets”
• “On-mountain testing in variable conditions”
• “Time on various trips”
• “French Alps, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon”
• “Best ski gear of the season”
• “Ultimate ski gear guide”
• “Stay warm, dry, and stylish on the slopes”
• “Gear up for the ski season”
• “Right equipment can make all the difference”
• “Miserable, freezing experience”
• “Thrilling, comfortable adventure”
• “Comprehensive guide”
• “Top picks”
• “Standout products”
• “Worth considering”
• “Honorable mentions”
• “Favorite ski gear”
• “Best of the season”
• “How to layer”
• “Essentials”
• “Base layer”
• “Mid layer”
• “Jacket”
• “Socks”
• “Gloves”
• “Waterproofing and breathability ratings”
• “How we tested”
• “Reviewing winter sports gear”
• “More than 15 years”
• “Worn an untold number”
• “Called on industry experts”
• “Professional skiers”
• “Fellow winter sport enthusiasts”
• “WIRED team”
• “Basic fit check”
• “On-mountain testing”
• “Variable conditions”
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