Whether you're hitting the slopes for the first time or have been shredding since childhood, one thing remains the same: you need the right clothing for a day on the mountain. Sure, you've got the basics covered: a hat, ski pants, gloves, a winter coat. But you also have to consider one of the most important layers you'll put on that day: the base layer. Ski leggings may not get as much visibility as other pieces of your winter wardrobe, but they're one of the keys to staying warm, comfortable, and supported while skiing, snowboarding, or taking on any other winter sport. Keep reading to find out why and how to find the best ski leggings on the market.
Enhanced Material & Insulation for Extreme Conditions
Compared to sweatpants or other leggings you might think to wear as a base layer during a winter weather activity, insulated leggings are made of specially designed material that will keep you dry, and therefore warm, all day long. Even in the coldest temperatures and most extreme wind, you'll start to sweat after you start moving. Ski leggings need to be breathable and made of moisture-wicking fabric to ensure sweat doesn't linger, lowering your body temperature and threatening to cut off your day before you're ready. CW-X’s ski leggings are made of WarmStretch™ temperature-regulation fabric, compressing your muscles for extra warmth without overheating, so your activity lasts as long as you want it to without breaking for warm-ups in the lodge.
Superior Water & Wind Resistance
There's nothing worse than taking a fall on a run, except maybe being wet for the rest of the day if you're wearing insufficient clothing. And even on a relatively calm day, the wind can be brutal on a ski lift or standing at the top of a peak. That's why it's important to choose ski leggings that are specially built for the cold weather. Make sure you're choosing a pair of ski compression tights that are wind-resistant and water-repellent, such as CW-X's line of leggings, to stay dry, comfortable, and warm on even the wettest and windiest days. Even without extra layers and ski pants, CW-X ski leggings are suitable for other outdoor winter activities like running, so your workouts aren't determined by the temperature.
Unmatched Flexibility & Mobility
Whether you're cross-country skiing, navigating the bunny slope, or taking on jumps and moguls during your run, skiing requires agility — and bulky winter clothing won't do. While compression gear and ski leggings feel like wearing tights, they do not limit your range of movement, going with you as you make your way during any cold weather sport.
High-Endurance Muscle & Joint Support
In addition to keeping you warm and dry, compression gear's snug fit offers support to muscles and joints during any high-endurance activity, making them a key part of any athlete's wardrobe. CW-X ski tights feature a patented EXO-WEB support panel that maps the body's muscles and joints to provide stability, combining compression with the benefits of kinesiology tape used by trainers.
Compression gear is structurally designed to enhance blood circulation and oxygenation, reducing muscle fatigue that comes with intense activities in any weather. Compression apparel such as ski leggings can also play a role in preventing injuries by helping to improve blood flow and encouraging fluid movement in the body means getting rid of waste products from exercise. Therefore, muscles will get more oxygen and recover more quickly. Improved blood flow also fights off lactic acid build-up during exercise and the resulting soreness, meaning you'll be ready for another day on the slopes in no time. In addition to the benefits to muscles, compression apparel helps joints — especially knees — feel supported as they go through extra stress during physical activity such as skiing or snowboarding. Even if you've never had a history of injury to these joints, you'll help keep these joints health with the right gear.
UV Protection & Reflective Material
The temperatures might be freezing, but that doesn't mean the sun isn't emitting harmful UV rays. Even in the winter, it's important for clothing such as ski leggings to protect you from the sun. CW-X ski leggings offer UV protection during the day as well as reflective material for night skiing or low-visibility conditions, keeping you safe in multiple ways.
No matter your experience level with skiing, snowboarding, or other winter sports, you want to be prepared. Just like you need your skis or snowboard, you need a pair of ski tights that will keep up with you all day and night long.
CW-X has a range of products — including ski leggings for both men and women — featuring patented EXO-WEB technology, which mimics kinesiology-taping techniques that trainers apply to injured muscles. When this technology is applied to muscles and joints, it creates an exoskeletal support system that improves biomechanics while in motion. CW-X goes beyond standard compression gear with features such as moisture-wicking material, UV protection, and superior support and comfort (even offering lower back and abdominal support as well as an elastic waistband with a flat drawcord for a secure fit every time) — all elements that are necessary during any winter sport. Check out the range and see for yourself how it stands out above the rest of the offerings on the market.