Short answer: For cross-country skiing, dress in three thin layers: thermal underwear directly against the body, a thin stretchy sweatshirt or gilet, and a light wind-resistant jacket. On your legs wear softshell trousers, on your head a headband or a thin hat, and on your hands thin gloves. Cross-country ski clothing is lighter than clothing for the piste, because you warm yourself up as you move. It is better to set off feeling slightly cool; the effort will warm you up.
How many layers are enough for cross-country skiing, and why fewer than on the piste?
Three thin layers are enough for cross-country skiing, plus accessories for the head, neck and hands. On the piste you alternate short runs with waiting at the lift, so you need clothing that holds the warmth. In cross-country skiing you are moving almost without a break, your body produces a lot of heat, and the main problem is not the cold but sweat. Sweat-soaked clothing then chills you quickly when you stop and on the downhills. A heavy insulated ski jacket is therefore not suitable for cross-country skiing, and you will overheat in it when moving. Clothing for downhill skiing is covered in the guide What to wear skiing.
Each layer has its job: thermal underwear wicks away sweat, a sweatshirt or gilet holds the warmth, and the jacket and trousers keep out wind and snow.
What should you wear for cross-country skiing according to the temperature?
| Temperature | Base and middle layer | Outer layer | Legs, head and hands |
|---|---|---|---|
| above +5 °C, thaw | lightweight or all-season thermal underwear, no extra middle layer needed | light jacket against wind, softshell in wet snow | uninsulated softshell trousers, headband, thin gloves |
| from −5 to +5 °C | all-season thermal underwear, thin powerfleece sweatshirt | lightweight sports jacket, softshell when it snows | softshell trousers, headband, thin gloves |
| from −10 to −5 °C | all-season or winter thermal underwear, sweatshirt or sports gilet | light insulated jacket or softshell | insulated softshell trousers, hat, neckwarmer, gloves |
| below −10 °C | winter thermal underwear, sweatshirt, gilet | insulated jacket | insulated softshell trousers, hat, neckwarmer, warmer gloves |
The table is a rough guide. At a slow pace, on an outing with frequent stops and in wind, allow for clothing one step warmer, and for fast skiing one step lighter. You will find the whole range in the collections women’s cross-country ski clothing and men’s cross-country ski clothing, or in the general collection Cross-country ski.
Which thermal underwear should you choose for cross-country skiing?
For cross-country skiing choose close-fitting synthetic thermal underwear that wicks sweat away quickly. The thinner ranges are enough, all-season or lightweight, and the winter range in hard frost and at a slow pace. The NORDBLANC winter range is 96% polyester and 4% elastane, and the lightweight range is 88% polyester and 12% elastane. On some models in the winter, all-season and lightweight ranges, cross-country skiing is listed among the activities. Merino (96–100%) feels pleasant on the skin but dries more slowly, and cross-country skiing is not listed among the activities for NORDBLANC merino underwear, so choose synthetic for fast cross-country skiing. The differences between the ranges are covered in the guide How to choose a baselayer. The collections: women’s all-season thermal underwear, men’s all-season thermal underwear, women’s winter thermal underwear and men’s winter thermal underwear.
Which sweatshirt or gilet works as a middle layer for cross-country skiing?
The middle layer holds the warmth and must not slow you down, so a stretchy sweatshirt that will not bunch up under the jacket is a good choice. NORDBLANC powerfleece sweatshirts are made of polyester with elastane, and every model lists cross-country skiing among its activities, as do some of the fleece sweatshirts. At a brisk pace and in moderate frost, a sports gilet is enough, which warms your torso and leaves your arms free. On most sports gilets (women’s sports gilets, men’s sports gilets), cross-country skiing is listed among the activities. They are mostly made of powerfleece or have hollow-fibre insulation. According to the product details, winter gilets are intended for everyday wear, and their use is described in the guide Winter gilet.
Cross-country ski jacket or softshell?
A light jacket that stops the wind and lets sweat through is enough for cross-country skiing. Softshell with a membrane pays off when it snows and in a thaw, and in dry frost a light jacket without a membrane will do. The differences according to the details on NORDBLANC products:
| Jacket type | When it suits | Product details |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight sports jacket | cross-country skiing in dry weather and when it snows | on most models cross-country skiing is listed as an activity, most have reflective details; some are insulated with hollow fibre, some have no membrane, some have SOFTSHIELD® 10000 or TERATEX® |
| Softshell jacket | snowfall, thaw, wind | SOFTSHIELD® 10000: water column 10,000 mm, breathability 10,000 g/m²/24 h, polyester with elastane, no insulation, activities hiking and everyday wear |
| Outdoor jacket | rain and wet snow on a longer route | TERATEX® 15,000 or 20,000 mm, almost all models have taped seams and ventilation zips, activity hiking |
Softshell jackets intended for cross-country skiing are found among the lightweight sports jackets, in the collections women’s lightweight sports jackets and men’s lightweight sports jackets. According to the product details, a water column of 10,000 mm protects when it snows and in wet snow, but the seams of softshell jackets are not taped. For long rain you need a jacket with a membrane and taped seams, for example an outdoor jacket made of 3LL material TERATEX® 20000. The difference between softshell and hardshell is compared in the guide Softshell or hardshell, and the figures on the label are explained in Water column and breathability.
Which trousers should you choose for cross-country skiing?
Stretchy softshell trousers are suitable for cross-country skiing: they hold off the wind and do not slow your stride. Ski trousers are insulated on most models and built for the piste, so you can easily overheat in them when moving (see How to choose ski trousers). On most NORDBLANC women’s softshell trousers and men’s softshell trousers, cross-country skiing is listed among the activities, and you will find more in the collection cross-country ski trousers. Most are made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 with a water column of 10,000 mm and of stretchy polyester with elastane. What to look for:
- Insulation. Some models have fleece on the inside for frost, while some are lighter and suited to spring and a fast pace.
- Fit. Most have a Regular fit, and some have the closer Slim fit, which does not flap. Try them on while moving: squat, lift your knee and take a long stride.
- Legs. Most models have a zip at the bottom hem of the leg, so you can adjust the leg to the boot. Some models have adjustable leg hems.
- Wind and ventilation. On most of them the product details state high wind resistance, and some models have ventilation zips.
- Visibility. Most models have reflective details, which you will appreciate at dusk.
Women can also choose waterproof leggings made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000, and some of them list cross-country skiing as an activity. Ordinary leggings for running and fitness are not intended for cross-country skiing. You can try the trousers on in our stores.
Which hat, gloves and socks suit cross-country skiing?
Your head and hands get cold first, but movement warms them, so thinner accessories are enough than on the piste. NORDBLANC winter hats and headbands are knitted from acrylic, and some are blended with wool or merino. A neckwarmer protects your neck, and on an uphill you can pull it down under your chin. Thin gloves are what you need on your hands, and only a few of the ski gloves list cross-country skiing as an activity. In very hard frost and at a slow pace, reach for warmer ones. One pair of thin socks is enough for your feet, for example merino socks with 15–30% merino.
How does clothing differ for classic and skate skiing?
The layering principle is the same; the pace differs. Skating is faster and more demanding, you warm up sooner and more, so you get by with a thinner middle layer or none. Close-fitting stretchy trousers that do not hinder a wide stride are a good fit, as are ventilation zips left open. Classic skiing is usually slower, especially on an outing with frequent stops, where you cool down faster. So take one more layer, and a warm gilet or sweatshirt in your rucksack.
What should you take cross-country skiing? Checklist
Go through it as you pack:
- a long-sleeved thermal top and thermal bottoms, all-season or lightweight range, the winter range in frost
- a thin powerfleece sweatshirt or sports gilet
- a light jacket against wind, softshell when it snows
- softshell trousers or waterproof leggings
- a headband or thin hat and a neckwarmer
- thin gloves and a second, dry pair
- thin socks and a dry pair to change into
- a dry T-shirt and a thin insulated gilet or sweatshirt in your rucksack for stops
- sunglasses, sun cream with a UV filter and lip balm
- a hot drink in a flask and something to eat
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for my first time cross-country skiing?
You do not have to buy everything new, but leave out cotton, which soaks up sweat and chills. The basics are thermal underwear, a thin sweatshirt, a light jacket against wind, stretchy trousers and gloves. Beginners fall over and stand in the snow more often, so softshell with a membrane and a dry T-shirt and gloves in your rucksack are worth having.
What thermal bottoms should I wear under cross-country ski trousers?
Thin thermal bottoms from the all-season or lightweight range, which fit closely and wick away sweat. The winter range suits a slow pace and frost. Under insulated softshell trousers with fleece a thinner layer is enough in mild weather, otherwise you will overheat.
What socks should I take for cross-country skiing?
One pair of thin technical socks. Two pairs on top of each other squeeze the foot, reduce circulation, and your feet then get colder. NORDBLANC merino socks have 15–30% merino, with the rest made up of nylon, Lycra and, on some, acrylic. For a longer outing take a dry pair to change into.
What should I wear for cross-country skiing in spring and in a thaw?
Light clothing: lightweight or all-season thermal underwear, a thin sweatshirt or none, and a light jacket or softshell. Spring snow is often wet, and SOFTSHIELD® 10000 with a water column of 10,000 mm helps against it. It warms up quickly in the sun, so have zips for ventilation and a layer that you can take off and put in your rucksack.
What should I wear for cross-country skiing at dusk or in the evening?
It is colder in the evening and you are moving just as much, so add a thin layer that you can put on straight away at a stop. Visibility matters too: most lightweight sports jackets, softshell trousers and sports gilets have reflective details. Take a head torch as well.