Cross-country ski clothing and accessories

NORDBLANC cross-country skiing clothing for women and men: base layers, powerfleece jackets, sports jackets, waterproof SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell, trousers, hats and gloves. Choose your layers by the frost and your pace.

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What you'll find in this category

Men's cross-country ski clothing - NORDBLANC men’s cross-country skiing clothing: powerfleece jackets, light sports jackets and gilets, base layers and softshell trousers with a water column of 10,000 mm. Stretchy, sweat-wicking materials for a fast pace.
Women's cross-country ski clothing - NORDBLANC women’s cross-country skiing clothing: light sports jackets, waterproof SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshells (10,000 mm), powerfleece jackets and softshell trousers. Most models are stretchy and breathable; insulated ones are rated between 0 and -20 °C.
Men's ski thermal underwear - NORDBLANC men’s ski base layers are the first layer on the slopes. Thermal tops and bottoms with DRYFOR fibre wick sweat away and come in winter, all-season and lightweight ranges; there is also a thermal top and long johns in 100% merino wool.
Women's ski thermal underwear - NORDBLANC women’s ski base layers are the first layer under ski clothing. Thermal tops and bottoms in stretchy polyester with DRYFOR fibre wick sweat away; choose from the winter, all-season and lightweight ranges according to the weather.
Gloves - NORDBLANC gloves for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing: ski gloves mostly insulated with THERMOLITE®, plus powerfleece, fleece, knitted and softshell models. Most are unisex.
Hats & headbands - NORDBLANC sports hats and headbands for skiing and cross-country skiing, for women and men. Knitted in acrylic, some with a touch of wool or with TECNOPOLAR® fleece, available in several colours.
Neckwarmers, balaclavas & face masks - NORDBLANC neck warmers for skiing and cross-country skiing: a knitted acrylic neck warmer with TECNOPOLAR® fleece that protects the neck from wind and frost. An accessory for ski and cross-country kit, available in several colours.

How to dress for cross-country skiing

On cross-country skis your body produces a lot of heat: you sweat even in a hard frost on the climbs, while on the descents and at stops damp clothing chills you quickly. So build up thinner layers rather than wearing one thick jacket. Set off dressed so that you feel slightly cool for the first few minutes - you warm up once you get going.

Base layer: thermal underwear

Next to the body goes a base layer with DRYFOR fibre, which wicks sweat from the skin. The category has winter, all-season and lightweight thermal tops and bottoms: for frost choose the winter range, and for spring and a fast pace a thinner one is enough.

Warm layer: powerfleece and gilet

Warmth comes from a powerfleece jacket in stretchy POWERFLEECE fabric with a micro-brushed inside. Powerfleece jackets also have DRYFOR fibre, which passes sweat on outwards. At a fast pace a sports gilet is enough: it warms the torso and leaves your arms free.

Outer layer: jacket and trousers for cross-country skiing

The largest group is made up of light sports jackets. Most are insulated with THERMOLITE® or FURTHERM hollow fibre, are windproof and are rated down to 0 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. In snowfall and thaw, a waterproof softshell jacket in SOFTSHIELD® 10000 with a water column of 10,000 mm will help.

For the legs, choose stretchy softshell trousers. Light waterproof models have zips in the bottom hem of the legs and reflective details; insulated ones are rated down to -10 or -20 °C. Women can also choose insulated waterproof leggings.

Hat, neck warmer and gloves

Head and hands get cold first. Hats and headbands are made of acrylic, some with wool; the neck warmer and some of the hats have TECNOPOLAR® fleece. For your hands, choose thinner fleece, powerfleece, knitted or softshell gloves, and ski gloves with THERMOLITE® insulation for hard frost.

What to look for when choosing

Freedom of movement - most of the clothing is made of stretchy fabrics. Among models with a stated fit, Regular predominates; the closer-fitting Slim fit is found in 12 models.
Sweat transport - look for DRYFOR technical fibre, which the base layers, powerfleece jackets and trousers have, and breathable fabrics.
Wind protection - on the descent the wind hits the chest and thighs hardest. High wind resistance is found mainly in multi-sport and insulated softshell trousers, insulated leggings and selected sports jackets.
Water column - for cross-country skiing 10,000 mm is usually enough, and 36 of the 41 models with a stated water column have it. Values of 15,000-20,000 mm are found in only four models with a TERATEX® membrane. The number matters mainly in snowfall and thaw.
Warmth - go by NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. For cross-country skiing a lower level usually pays off than for the slopes.
Zips and ventilation - a zip in the bottom hem of the legs is found in 20 models, and ventilation zips in 5 models of trousers. Open ventilation zips cool you down quickly on climbs.
Reflective details - 51 models have them, which you will appreciate when training at dusk.

By weather and trail

In hard frost

Go for winter base layers, a powerfleece jacket and an insulated jacket, and for the legs insulated softshell trousers with a warmth rating down to -20 °C. Don’t forget a hat, a neck warmer and warmer gloves.

In spring and thaw

Lightweight or all-season base layers, a thin mid-layer and a light softshell jacket are enough. A water column of 10,000 mm protects against wet snow and splashes.

Technologies and materials

DRYFOR®

A functional fiber that excellently absorbs body moisture and wicks away sweat. Thanks to the micro-grooves on its surface, moisture is efficiently carried to the outer side of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. This property allows the material to provide perfect body temperature regulation.

POWERFLEECE

Lightweight, highly elastic material, micro-brushed on the inside for increased thermal insulation and comfort. The outside is smooth and very pleasant to the touch, and it offers excellent thermal insulation and protection against gusty wind.

SOFTSHIELD® TERATEX® 10000

Functional outdoor material for demanding outdoor activities. Its main advantages are elasticity, thermal insulation, excellent wind resistance and water resistance, together with perfect breathability. The material is a three-layer laminate in which a suitable combination of materials produces a light, soft, elastic softshell with excellent thermal insulation.

FURTHERM®

Breathable thermal insulation fill. Keeps the body warm and comfortable. In extreme weather conditions it accumulates body heat and releases it back later, helping to maintain the required body temperature. It guarantees comfort and convenience in all activities.

TECNOPOLAR® fleece

Lightweight, warm, super-fine brushed fabric with a wonderful feel to the touch offers excellent thermal insulation and protection against gusty wind.

Frequently asked questions

What warmth level should I choose for cross-country skiing?

A lower level is enough for cross-country skiing than for the slopes, because you warm up on your own as you move. Of the 45 models in the category with a stated warmth, 25 are rated down to 0 °C, 11 down to -10 °C and 9 down to -20 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. For a fast pace and moderate frost choose a lower level; for a slower pace and hard frost, a higher one or add a layer.

Why do I feel cold on cross-country skis after stopping?

The cold comes from sweaty clothing, which cools quickly once you stop. So ventilate while you ski - some softshell trousers have ventilation zips - and put on a warm layer as soon as you stop, such as a sports gilet or a powerfleece jacket. Underneath goes a base layer with DRYFOR fibre, which wicks sweat from the skin. After a hard climb, it helps to change into a dry T-shirt.

Do I need a jacket with a membrane for cross-country skiing?

Usually not; a light windproof jacket that lets sweat through is enough for cross-country skiing. A membrane pays off mainly in snowfall and thaw. Most NORDBLANC sports jackets are windproof and have no stated water column; the waterproof ones are SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshells with 10,000 mm, and only four models with a TERATEX® membrane have 15,000-20,000 mm.

What hat and gloves should I take cross-country skiing?

For cross-country skiing choose thinner accessories that you won’t sweat in: a headband or thin hat, and fleece, powerfleece or softshell gloves. NORDBLANC hats and headbands are made of acrylic, some with wool; the neck warmer and some of the hats have TECNOPOLAR® fleece. Most ski gloves have THERMOLITE® insulation and are warmer, so they suit hard frost and a slower pace.