Cy Whitling
Background
6’1”, 170 lbs. I generally wear a size Large in everything. (see Bio)
I spend most of my time skiing in the Tetons. It’s a lot drier here than the Pacific Northwest where I started skiing, but I’ve skied enough wet days that I am still a little biased toward weather protection over breathability. I run hot, I sweat a lot, and I end up taking off a lot of my layers when I’m exerting myself. But once I stop moving, I get cold fast.
SKI TOURING — Idaho and Wyoming
Base Layers
• Top: Voormi Merino T-Shirt
This wool shirt found its way into my dresser a few years ago, and I’ve worn it a ridiculous number of times since. I actually tried to write a long, gushing review about it last year, but it had been discontinued (they do have a new version now that’s pictured below, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet). I can wear it for a week in a row without it stinking, it has a nice long fit, and it doesn’t look too tight and technical at apres. I really have to wear a short sleeve base layer, otherwise I overheat and end up taking my shirt off, which is not a super hot skin track look.
• Bottom: Be More Stoked Tights
I know, this one’s a little vain, but I’ve tried a bunch of base layer bottoms, and my favorite ones are the no-name tights I get designs printed on. They fit me very well, they aren’t too warm, they breathe well, and they stop exactly at the top of my ski socks. I’ve tried a few pairs of merino tights and I really don’t like it when they sag in the crotch and bottom. These have more of a yoga pant fit, which works for me.
Mid Layer 1: Haskill Hooded Base Layer
This is where I diverge from the traditional layering scheme. I run really hot — so hot that I generally can’t even ski in a puffy or fleece, let alone tour. Instead, I wear this light long sleeve base layer. It’s not the most technical piece around, but it’s long (which is really important to me), the sleeves are easy to push up when I get sweaty, and it looks pretty cool. I’d rather use another merino piece here, but I have yet to use one I like better than the Haskill.
Mid Layer 2: Mountain Equipment Prophet Jacket
Unless I’m on a very, very short lap, I always bring some sort of insulating layer. For the last two years, the Prophet has been my go-to. It’s not the lightest or most packable layer around, but it’s warm enough to provide a bit of an insurance policy if things go bad in the backcountry, and I really like how weatherproof it is.
Shell: Patagonia Descensionist Jacket and Pants
This is a great touring kit. I love the cut, I love the fabric, I love the performance. I do wish the pants had a cargo pocket, but that’s all I can really complain about. It breathes well, it keeps out the elements, and I think it looks pretty good, too.
Gloves: Kinco Axeman Mitt
Kincos are great. Bake them, Sno-Seal them, write your name on them with a sharpie. I use these mitts for just about everything. I do make my own leashes for them, and that’s really the only feature I miss from more expensive options.
Socks: Random
I’ve got a big collection of random merino ski socks that I choose from based on what’s clean that day. I don’t have much of a preference brand-wise, but I do almost always wear mismatched socks, and I always wear a pink sock on my right foot.
Other: BlackStrap Hood Balaclava Facemask, 5-Panel Hat
BlackStrap’s Hood Balaclava Facemask works better with my beard than any other sort of face mask, and it keeps my head warm too. I always tour with a 5-panel hat as well. They’re easier to scrunch into my pack than a trucker cap, and they don’t have the button on top that interferes with my helmet.
INBOUNDS SKIING — Wyoming
Base Layers
• Top: Voormi Shirt, Haskill long sleeve
I usually use the same layers inbounds as I do touring. Occasionally, I’ll throw on a flannel shirt as well if it’s really cold, but I run hot inbounds too.
• Bottom: Be More Stoked Tights
For all the reasons above.
Shell
• Jacket: Dakine Sawtooth Jacket
For inbounds skiing, I’m looking for four things: reliable weatherproofing, a long, baggy fit, wrist gaiters, and big pockets. The Sawtooth provides all of these.
• Pants: Dakine Stoker Bib
I LOVE this bib. It has so many pockets, and I find myself using all of them. It also fits me very well, keeps the snow out of my butt when I crash, and is very weatherproof. I’ll probably end up cutting the mesh out of the leg vents, but otherwise, I really wouldn’t change anything about this bib.
Gloves: Kinco Axeman Mittens
I tend to lose things, and cheap mittens hurt less to lose.
Socks: Random
See above
Other: BlackStrap Hood Balaclava Facemask
If you have a beard but want to keep your head and face warm, you need to try this thing.
ONE KIT FOR TOURING + RESORT
Base Layer
• Top: Voormi Merino T and Haskill Hooded Base Layer
For all the reasons above.
• Bottoms: Be More Stoked Tights
For all the reasons above.
Mid Layer: Mountain Equipment Prophet
For all the reasons above.
Shell
• Jacket: Patagonia Descensionist Jacket
It’s breathable enough to tour in, but weatherproof enough that I have no problem skiing it inbounds. I just wish it had wrist gaiters, so I may end up sewing my own.
• Pants: Dakine Stoker Bib
While it doesn’t breathe that well, and doesn’t have the best vents, I actually love touring in the Stoker. All those pockets really pay off for me on the skin track. I love being able to store my snacks, facemask, phone, wallet, and extra gloves all in my bibs, instead of in my jacket which usually ends up stuffed in my pack on the uphill anyway.
Gloves: Kinco Axeman
For all the reasons listed above.
Socks: Random
See above
Other: BlackStrap Hood Balaclava Facemask
For all the reasons listed above.
NEXT: Kara Williard’s Outerwear and Apparel Selections
I enjoyed reading what you guys/Gals wear and why. I use similar pieces and you gave me some ideas on adding a couple, namely the Skins A400 3/4 compression tights. I have been using the CWX compression shorts the past few years along with neoprene knee braces, but I like the 3/4 length better.
I just bought the G-Form Pro-X compression shirt, I have a AC Separation on my left shoulder and a Labrum tear on my right shoulder from a Mountain Bike crash in September, so I have been looking for some form of protection that is not overly bulky and breathes decently.
Keep up the good work.
As someone who has been looking for replacements for his trusty, but kinda old and gross, Marker Spring Gloves – I share your pain JE – I’ve struggled finding good spring / touring gloves. For me not necessarily uphill – but something with the dexterity that works for errands around a cold and windy NYC, a fall tailgate, or for warmer days we seem to keep hitting on trips west to Utah. I’m intrigued not only by Luke’s description of the M1 Trucks – but also the free shipping and returns – not to mention the price! Fingers crossed. Happy Holidays!
For thinnish gloves,, I really like the OR Lodestar gloves. Unlike most gloves of similar thickness they don’t have any membrain.coating or insert.
This has two benefits:
First: breathability and drying time are best in class, so even if you get them wet from snow or sweat, they will dry fast.
Two, the fleece insulation is part of the outer fabric (back nylon and leather palm) so there are no separate layers sliding across each other, to reduce grip and dexterity.
Unlike many others they have a fairly weather resistant nylon back, water resistant Pittards leather palm and finger tips, and the leather is lined with a bonded fleece, where most palms are uninsulated.
Do all of you who ski-tour with an ultralight down jacket not worry that:
1: It will lose loft during the day due to moisture (at the very least from sweat in your clothing from the ascent, if not from snow)?
2: That you will rip those ultralight fabrics/seams if you wipe out, or ski through some trees/brush?