If you’re anything like me, wearing the right gear can make or break a day in the outdoors. I suppose I have a Goldilocks personality. If I’m too hot, I sweat way too much. If I’m too cold, I can’t focus on what I’m doing. If I don’t have the right socks on, I’ll get blisters. And if I don’t have the right hat or glasses, I feel like my eyes are straining rather than enjoying the views.
Whether you’re preparing for your first day of cross-country skiing or looking for tips to optimize your current kit, I’ve provided pro tips on how to dress for cross-country success!
First things first: base layers
Cross-country skiing isn’t about bundled-up insulation like alpine skiing. Think of it more like running or biking, but this time you’re on snow. When you’re cross-country skiing, your body is generating heat the entire time. That means moisture management and layering beats down jackets every time.
Moisture management starts with your base layers. When cross-country skiing, I opt for either a thin workout top like the Stio Lucent Tee LS or a thin-to-midweight merino wool layer like the Stio Basis Peak Wool lightweight crew LS. For socks, I recommend wearing a thin wool sock. It doesn’t have to be tall like alpine ski socks, but those certainly work. I tend to gravitate towards mountain biking socks that I double as my cross-country ski socks, like crew socks from Le Bent, Smartwool or DarnTough.
Protect yourself from the elements: outerwear
When picking outerwear, you want to find something that has a touch of insulation but is also very breathable, because as soon as you start moving fast, you’re going to heat up! My favorites are the Stio Dawner Jacket or the Second Light Windshell paired with a Stio Fernos vest on warmer days. As for pants, I always reach for a softshell pant, even a hiking pant will do. If you’re in the market for cross-country skiing specific pants, White Pine has a great selection and experts available to help you find the perfect fit.
Top it off: accessories
In my opinion, the right accessories can make or break any cross-country ski outfit. For a hat, wear something warm but breathable. My favorite XC hats and headbands are made by Skida. Their hats are lightweight, soft, and breathable with more insulation around the ears and less on the top of your head to allow yourself to vent heat from the top and keep warm around your ears. A bonus feature is that almost every hat design has a matching neck warmer to help pull your look together.
You wouldn’t go alpine skiing without goggles, so you shouldn’t go cross-country skiing without eye protection either. Any running or biking glasses work just fine for cross-country skiing as well. My favorite is the Smith Wildcat with the photochromic lens. Having a dynamic lens is key when in the mountains, allowing your glasses to change with ever-changing conditions, in and out of trees, or adapting to the light during a sunset ski.
Keeping your hands warm is also a very important part of staying comfortable while cross-country skiing. I find that no matter how hot the rest of my body gets from the exercise, my hands always seem to stay a little on the cold side. I prefer to go with a lightweight mitten like the Hestra XC Primaloft Mitt. Something like this provides maximum hand maneuverability and warmth. You can also definitely use normal ski gloves or mittens while cross-country skiing; you may just find them a bit bulky in the pole straps, but if that doesn’t bother you, go for it!
Lastly, let’s talk about hydration. Hydration is key when doing any sport outdoors, but especially when you’re breathing a lot because you lose a lot of water due to sweat and water exhaled as water vapor (read more about the science of cold weather hydration here). It’s a good idea to bring some sort of pack with water in it. I always reach for a fanny pack with a water bottle and a small pocket for snacks. Keeping water with you will help you stay hydrated and perform your best. Plus, snacks are incredibly important when exercising outdoors to keep your blood sugar regulated and help you perform your best (see more about fueling for outdoor sports here).
Your Cross-Country Ski Clothing Checklist
Clothing (Wear and Pack)
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Moisture-wicking base layer top – no cotton, pick synthetics or merino wool
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Mid-layer or softshell jacket – breathable, with some wind resistance
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Softshell pants – stretchy and moving with you
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Lightweight gloves or Nordic ski mittens – warm without bulk
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Lightweight hat or headband – keeps heat without overheating
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Thin, breathable ski socks – keeps feet warm, not sweaty
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Sunglasses – sun + snow = squinting and not enjoying the views
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A small pack with water and snacks – for fuel to keep you out there for hours
Packing it up
When it comes to dressing properly for your first time cross-country skiing, stick to the basics: moisture-wicking, wind-resistant, and something you can comfortably move and sweat in. When you get to the trailhead, remember the mantra, "Be Bold, Start Cold". If you’re comfortable at the car, you’re going to be hot as soon as you start moving, so shed a layer early and have fun out there!
