How do I find the perfect cross-country jacket?
Finding the perfect cross-country skiing jacket for you and your needs can be challenging. The selection is big, and the options are plentiful. That's why we have created a jacket guide to help you find exactly what you're looking for. We have categorized our cross-country jackets into heart rate zones from 1-5 based on activity level. Read through the guide to find your heart rate zone, and we will show you the jackets that best suit your use.
What heart rate zone will I spend most of my time in?
When faced with a multiple choice of cross-country ski jackets, we recommend you starting with considering your main heart rate zone while skiing. If you normally do high-intensity training, you need a ski jacket where breathability is more important than insulation. Do you prefer low-intensity training or go skiing with your kids most of the time, you probably find yourself more often in heart rate zone 1-2 and need a comfortable fit and insulation to keep you warm.
At Dæhlie, we have cross country skiing jackets for all activity levels, regardless of your needs.
Heart rate zone 5
For the fastest skier for the most demanding training sessions. Cross-country skiing jackets with the highest qualities, breathability, and innovation.
Heart rate zone 4
For cross-country skiing sessions with high intensity. For athletes looking for a technical cross-country jacket without compromise.
Limited Edition
Limited Edition
Heart rate zone 3
For the skiing enthusiast with ambitions. Here are several cross-country skiing jackets that ensure you the best cross-country skiing experience. If you are looking for a versatile cross-country jacket, you will find the selection here.
Low-intensity training
Heart rate zones 2 and 1
Warmer cross-country skiing jackets with extra insulation for lower-intensity training.
Other things it might be smart to consider:
How is the fit of the jackets and what size am I?
All of Dæhlie’s cross-country ski jackets are made to encourage freedom of movement. The fit might vary according to the weight of the material, but overall, the jackets are made to minimize drag and will sit close to your body. Some people prefer a wider fit, whereas others want it tight. The individual preferences are easily adjusted with sizing up or down, and we recommend looking at the FitFinder on the product page to find your optimal size.
What about the temperature?
Temperature can also be a crucial factor. In minus 2 degrees Celsius, insulation is less important than if it’s minus 15. However, this becomes less important the higher your heart rate is. Temperature is best noticed once you stop. The rule of thumb indicates that you should always start out being a little bit cold, at least if you’re expecting to reach heart rate zone 3 or higher.
How are the surroundings where I ski the most?
Think about where you spend most of your time skiing. If you are regularly in the high mountains and exposed to variable weather, you might consider a hood on your jacket. Do you rather just do laps on the stadium, a hood is less important.
What if I want a jacket that I can wear no matter the temperature or my heart rate zone?
If you have found your cross-country ski jacket after considering your most common heart rate zone as well as your favorite ski surroundings, you now have a jacket you can use for several occasions. You don’t need a new jacket for every activity.
Layer up or down to adjust your ski jacket for the intended use. Choose a base layer that goes with the current temperature. With temperature-regulating features, base layers made of wool will provide other benefits than synthetic base layers. If colder weather is coming in, put on a thicker base layer.
Another tip is to add a vest to your outfit. The vest provides warmth and extra protection to vital organs without preventing freedom of movement and breathability. It’s the perfect layer to put on or off according to the weather or the heart rate zone.
What should I know about the materials of the jacket?
Most of the jackets from Dæhlie come with a wind and water-resistant front. Softshell is the most common material in our jackets because of its exceptional breathability features and its ability to transport moisture away from the body while at the same time protecting you against wind. You should consider the thickness of the material once you buy a jacket for cross-country skiing – the higher the heart rate zone you’re skiing in, the more lightweight the jacket should be.
Some of our jackets also come with technical wool combinations. Wool is a natural material that provides warmth, but what fewer people know is that wool is also naturally temperature-regulating and has an excellent ability to transport moisture away from your body. Read more about our technical wool products in our
base layer guide
What’s in it for me if I buy the more expensive alternative?
No matter the ski jacket you end up with, the Dæhlie ski jackets come with high-quality materials and technical features made for performance. The reason some products are more expensive than others is the need to optimize several features in one jacket. The fit, the durability, the flexibility of the material, and the ventilation are all features that become more crucial the longer time you spend in the upper heart rate zones.
The research and design department at Dæhlie is constantly pushing boundaries to create the best cross-country ski jacket out there. If you want high-performance breathability as well as durability and weather protection, innovation is key to enable you to have the same excellent cross-country ski experience – again and again.
Cross-country skiing pants
See which pants you’ll need for your intensity and heart rate zone.
Article info
Cross-country skiing
Published
3.30.2023Collection
Cross-country skiing
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