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- Ski gear must be assembled piece by piece from a variety of places to ensure that you get the best gear for your every need.
- In our experience, Spyder makes the best ski jackets, Sweaty Betty has great base layers, Burton's gear is super comfortable, The North Face is known for high-performing basics, and Arc'teryx has multi-functional pieces that work for more than just skiing.
If you don't look good coming down the slopes, did you come down the slopes at all? The answer to answer that most pressing of metaphysical questions, of course, lies in your wardrobe. With ski season well underway, it simply must be the case that you're looking to make an impression on your skis or your board - not only with your technical abilities but with your aesthetic as well.
While ski gear may have once been purely functional, in recent years, it's been clear that fashion has made its way into everyone's favorite winter sport as well. And that means that there are now plenty of purveyors of quality ski jackets and base layers that can help you look and feel your best.
When it comes to great places to buy your ski gear, you'll want to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, you'll want to be kept warm and toasty. While spending hours on end gliding through the snow tends to help you work up a sweat, you'll still want to be sure that you're not overly exposed to the elements. By the same token, however, you'll also want your ski gear to be breathable enough to prevent a sauna-esque environment from developing underneath your layers.
Similarly, you'll want to keep certain bells and whistles in mind, like fur or gortex linings. If you're a fan of the (faux) fur look, there are a couple of shops that have more extensive selections than others. If, on the other hand, you're looking for more of a sleek, minimalist look, you may want to go elsewhere altogether.
Naturally, you'll also want to consider the type of skiing you tend to do - downhill and cross country skiing may require different jackets, and if your major contribution to the family ski vacation tends to be manning the hot chocolate station, you may want something separate, too.
Regardless of which of our favorite ski gear purveyors you decide to patronize, we're sure you won't go wrong.
Here is where to buy the best ski gear for women:
- Best ski gear overall: Spyder
- Best base layers: Sweaty Betty
- Best comfortable ski gear: Burton
- Best straightforward ski gear: The North Face
- Best multi-functional ski gear: Arc'teryx
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.