In Tune: Outerwear

What you wear when snowboarding can at times be even more important than what is strapped to your feet. If you are frozen, drenched in sweat or just can’t move with the dexterity snowboarding requires, then your riding will obviously suffer. Lucky for you, there are many companies that are putting technology to good use in the outerwear they create. Such innovations do not come for free, and a new jacket and pants can easily cost the same as a used Toyota; therefore, it is a good idea to be an educated consumer.

“Waterproof” and “breathable” are two buzzwords used often when describing a material’s virtues, but there is a lot of misunderstanding as to how these qualities are achieved. Most people see water bead up on a jacket and believe that is the technology working. Actually, the water beading up is usually just a product of the surface waterproofing. The real technology is laminated onto the back of the face fabric. Two-layer laminated jackets will usually have a mesh lining. Three-layer laminates take things one step further and bond a friendly wicking material right onto the waterproof, breathable layer.

In order to fully realize the potential of a product, one must utilize it for its intended purpose. This means you really need to think about your riding style and the environments you plan to face. Obviously, a person encountering the wet, heavy snows of the Northwest is going to have different needs than one who laps the fun boxes of hot and sunny SoCal. Last season Zach Leach’s riding schedule took him from Colorado to upstate New York, and in turn he rode a varied array of conditions and climates. Zach says that when he is riding in the backcountry and hiking, he feels a huge difference in staying dry and warm with products with a 20,000 mm waterproof and 20,000 gm breathability rating. But when it comes to endeavors in less inclement weather, like urban rails and park runs, he tends to choose garments with a tougher surface material and only a 10,000 mm/10,000 gm rating.

Materials and coatings are just part of the clothing picture. The actual processes used to manufacture a garment are equally important. Taking a high-tech fabric and stitching holes through it would be counterproductive. Taping the inside of seams solves this. There are also several new construction techniques that break free from traditional sewing which don’t require taping to maintain functional integrity. These techniques range from those that incorporate glues to ones that utilize fabric sodering. The common goal of these fusion methods is to ensure a waterproof bond is created without compromising durability or breathability.

Once you have the foundation dialed, it is time to look for the details that will improve your riding experience. There is a trend right now to pack multimedia capabilities into outerwear. Some riders will feel their riding experience improved by having an iPod or cell phone integrated into their jacket through Bluetooth technology. Hands-free access and built-in control panels are just a few of the features available at a premium price in high-end outerwear. Just make sure you don’t overlook the crucial basics like functional zippers, venting, powder skirts, insulation and fit.

I would like to leave you with the piece of advice I believe in the most: Research the company producing the product. Just about anyone can source some waterproof/breathable material, draw a picture on a napkin and start an outerwear company. The big difference with the companies pushing product to new levels is the R&D and rider involvement in the process. Visit Web sites, research technologies, drill salespeople with questions, read hangtags and find the companies that are true to the sport and moving it forward. You will be rewarded with warmth, dryness, range of motion and quality.

Last but not least, Jesse Burtner once told me, “If you look good, you ride good.” So as much as it contradicts my tech mind, I guess style can also be a performance factor.

OUTERWEAR ADVICE FROM SHIN CAMPOS

When someone who spends as much time in the Whistler backcountry as Shin Campos gives some advice, it is worth listening.

When it comes to being comfortable, I want to stay dry, so the material a jacket and pants are made from are important. A three-layer fabric with a high water repellency and high breathability rating is key.

Features like waterproof zippers, pockets and vents are all a must!

For me, the main things in a jacket are:
-Waterproof.
-A good hood so when it’s dumping out you have some sort of relief!
-Vents placed where you actually use them and are accessible because it’s pointless if you have to have rubber arms to reach them.
-Good dry pockets that stay sealed for your important stuff. (i.e. cell phone, money, etc.)
- Nice and cozy neck area so you’re not being chafed when you’re hiding from the elements on a chairlift.

Pants:
-Good boot gaiters so when you’re trekking your pant legs aren't getting all hiked up, which causes snow to get inside your boots.
-Good leg vents for hiking. Inseam area is excellent for venting.
-Pockets placed where they don't get lots of water stagnating there when you’re sitting down.
-I like a good cut so they’re baggy but not so much your waist is down at your kneecaps.
- Has to have belt loops so I can use my favorite belt.