Choosing the right women’s cross-country skiing jacket: based on temperature, intensity and wind protection

Choosing the right cross-country skiing jacket for women depends on three factors: temperature, pace and wind. The faster you ski, the lighter the jacket can be. The colder and windier it is, the more of the jacket’s surface area needs to be windproof.

• Intense training above 0 °C → W Jacket Pro Breeze (item no. 30858, EUR 199.99). The windshell protects the chest, shoulders and collar. The elastic Race-Elastic-Warm fabric on the rest of the jacket allows heat to escape.
• Fast-paced training in inclement weather → W Jacket Pro AB Ultra (30859, EUR 189.99). Airblocc Ultralight covers the front, shoulders and sleeves. Thermo velour lining on the back keeps you warm whilst remaining breathable.
• Sporty training in windy and frosty conditions → W Jacket Arrow AB Ultra (30862, EUR 199.99). The entire jacket is made from windproof Airblocc Ultralight, which is super-light yet remains highly elastic.
• All-round training and touring → W Jacket Alpha AB Light (30072, EUR 179.99). Airblocc Light completely blocks the wind, whilst Race-Elastic-Warm inserts give you freedom of movement.
  Changing conditions → W Zip-Off Jacket Vario AB Light (31170, EUR 239.99). You can zip off the sleeves and carry on running in a windproof vest.
• Cold days at a moderate pace → W Hybrid Jacket Athletica PL60 (30077, EUR 229.99). 60 g of PrimaLoft® GOLD provides warmth at the front. Double-Dry panels on the sides and back wick away moisture.
• A leisurely pace in bitter cold → W Jacket Calida AB Warm (30075, EUR 239.99). Airblocc Warm features a fleece lining and keeps you warm even at a slow pace.

Temperature alone isn’t the deciding factor when choosing the right jacket. A skater doing interval training generates many times more heat than a leisure skier on a classic cross-country trail. You should therefore always choose your jacket based on both factors.

• Above +5 °C: At a fast pace, the W Vest AB Light (30083, EUR 149.99) is often sufficient. It protects the torso whilst leaving the arms free. At a moderate pace, opt for the W Jacket Pro Breeze.
• Between +5 and −5 °C: This is a typical cross-country skiing day. For intense sessions, the Pro Breeze or Pro AB Ultra are suitable. For steady training and cross-country tours, choose the Alpha AB Light or the Arrow AB Ultra.
• Below −5 °C: Now you need full wind protection. At a fast pace, combine the Arrow AB Ultra with a warmer base layer. At a moderate pace, the Athletica PL60 with its insulated front will keep you warm. At a leisurely pace, wear the Calida AB Warm.

You can’t have maximum wind protection and maximum breathability at the same time, as any windproof layer restricts air circulation. LÖFFLER resolves this dilemma through the jacket’s design: windproof fabric is used where the wind hits, whilst breathable fabric is used where you sweat the most.

Achte außerdem auf diese Details: Ein hinterlegter Frontzip blockt Zugluft. Elastische Armabschlüsse mit hotBOND® liegen flach an und scheuern nicht. Ein Stehkragen schützt den Hals ohne zusätzlichen Schal.

1. An alpine ski jacket instead of a cross-country skiing jacket: the thick padding traps heat, and you’ll be soaked after the first climb.
2. Starting out too warm: many female runners put on too many layers. Start out feeling slightly chilly – your body will warm up quickly.
3. Cotton next to the skin: cotton traps sweat and leaves you feeling cold on the descent. You should therefore always wear functional base layers made of polypropylene or merino wool directly against your skin.
4. Merino for interval training: Merino wool absorbs moisture into the fibres. At high intensity, pure transtex® dries significantly faster.
5. No windproof front: A purely elastic running jacket is sufficient on flat sections. On descents, the wind will quickly cool you down without a windproof front.