Three Tips For Finding Affordable Technical Winter Gear

This blog post is a paid partnership with Sierra and ShopStyle. Finding a complete list of technical outerwear at affordable prices can feel like a limiting factor for many. At least it was for me when I got started! While I’ve certainly purchased several items at full price over the years, I’ve been able to find many great technical pieces on their website. Sierra helps make finding quality gear even more accessible.

Look, I know starting a new winter sport can feel intimidating! It’s cold! It’s wet! And don’t get me started on THE GEAR. I actually got heckled from the lift the first time I went skiing as an adult. I was 25, and literally had no ski gear of my own. I had a little puffy looking jacket from Jr High, and was able to borrow some men’s ski pants. The whole “getting laughed at” thing didn’t really bug me. That afternoon on the slopes was the beginning of my deep love affair with skiing! The part that bugged me? My puffy jacket from Jr High let the cold air right through! And the mens pants? They certainly didn’t fit my body. Problem was, I had glanced at some prices of outerwear in the rental shop where I picked up my skis, and I knew this stuff wasn’t cheap. 

Fast forward about 8 months, and the next ski season was approaching. I found some steeply discounted skis over the summer, and had decided that I was going to give this whole skiing thing a serious try! 

Research The Exact Features That You’ll Need

You’ll see a whole range of pieces that are marketed as “winter outerwear”. Over the years, I’ve learned that shopping around for a specific type of item is a lot better than finding something that seems “fine enough”. Instead of getting a cheap generic “insulated winter jacket”, I’d rather build a dynamic layering system of technical pieces from trusted outdoor brands. Remember, spending time in the mountains brings a range of extreme conditions. Even a pleasant day at the resort can turn unbearable when an unexpected storm with biting wind moves through. Here are a few features I look for in each of my pieces:

Long Underwear/Baselayers: Must be wool or synthetic, cotton never works!

*Don’t be surprised to experience a little sticker shock when you see the price of a wool or synthetic set of baselayers. I promise it’s absolutely worth the cost. I love this set - I was able to save A TON by finding these baselayers. Major score!

Insulating Layer: I look for a synthetic fleece or light down insulated sweater or vest. If it’s stuffs and compresses into a little bag or it’s own built-in pocket, even better! 

*I love this insulated puffy- it’s an amazing price!

Shell Ski Jacket: I almost never wear insulated ski jackets. Because skiing is such a physical activity, I can go from frigid to overly roasty in a snap. Look for a 2L or 3L Gore-Tex shell, to ensure that your jacket will be totally windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Pay attention to jacket length, and pit zips for ventilation on warm days

*Sierra carries several brands that I have trusted over the years. I still can’t believe I found this jacket for an amazing price! And I found this pair of matching pants !

Quality Ski Socks: This is a huge issue for me, as I’ve had some damage to my toes from an instance of early stage frostbite years ago. Now, I only wear ultralight ski socks, and over the years have found that socks that offer some compression really help. Remember, you want to increase circulation, and have enough room for pockets of warm air in your ski boots. Socks must be wool or synthetic, and you want to avoid overly bulky socks.

*This is the only pair of ski socks that I wear anymore! I shop around, and snag these whenever I find them on sale. This is the best price I’ve seen offered! I also grabbed a few pairs of this pair of ski socks for the whole family.

Mittens/Gloves: I can’t mess around with my hands anymore either. I invest in the warmest waterproof mittens or lobster claw gloves that I can find. The last 5 years, I’ve had the best luck with this brand.

Lined Beanie: Remember, you lose 80% of your heat from your body. Over the years, I’ve found that a fleece lined beanie helps me stay extra warm on those particularly frigid days. This is my version of “style” in the winter, so I’ve been collecting a few over the years so I can mix up my look. I love this one that I found! 

Because I have established a dynamic layering system, I use these items year round! I can use my ski shell when I’m on a rainy backpacking trip, and my insulating layers come with me everytime I hike. It takes more planning upfront, but pays off down the road.

Save Money While Avoiding Going Cheap

You must have quality gear for winter adventure if you want to be safe and comfortable. Getting a generic “winter coat” might seem a lot less expensive than getting a piece of technical outerwear. The material might feel similar side by side, but if it doesn’t have the taped seams, the waterproof breathable material, or ventilation zippers, it just won’t perform the way you need it to in the mountains. Truth: you aren’t going to find a great performance winter coat a few aisles down from the produce. These are speciality items. That being said, buying a jacket at $650 is not always in the budget (I still can’t believe I found this one for such a great price). If you keep your eyes open for a few needed key pieces year round, you can find some affordable pricing on quality pieces.

My husband had been in the market for a serious down jacket for when he works in the garage at night, or for when we are hanging out around camp when it’s cold at night. We’ve been looking around for a little while, and just found this one. The retro style of this jacket is great, but the 600 fill is even better! I still can’t believe we found this jacket for such a great price!

Look, getting outfitted with the proper technical layers can add up. Save on a few pieces when you can! 

Shop Used When You Can, And Extend The Life Of Your Garments

Because quality outerwear lasts FOREVER, you won’t find these items used very often. When I ski with my girlfriends, most of us have the same jackets and pants that we purchased nearly a decade ago (even if they’ve required a few patches and repairs over the years!). Quality items are built to last a long time. If a friend has a spare used quality jacket or pants they are willing to rehome, you can very easily breathe some new life into them! One of my best friends gave me one of her old ski jackets, which she had made some beaded zipper pulls for. I think about her and smile every time I wear it! 

Have a pair of pants with a little tear? Or snag your puffy on a boulder? While duct tape totally works, I love using patches made specifically for Gore-Tex or performance outerwear. They’ve held up really well, and have extended the life of several of my items! If you find some quality used garments from a consignment shop (we check out ones in ski towns like Brenridge and Leadville), you can safely wash them. This is a great video for how to wash Gore-Tex.

Bottom line? Getting outside in the winter safely and comfortably absolutely requires quality technical gear. But it doesn’t have to break the bank. Make an intentional list of what you need, and start keeping your eyes open year round to score some accessible pricing opportunities. 

I also made a few extra impulse purchases at Sierra. I LOVE all things Merrell! And just had to have these boots! I’ve been wearing them non stop around town since they came! We also got a few treats for Kai! He needed a little extra insulation for some of our colder days outside, and I wanted to get a cushion to help him stay warm in his crate while we travel in the winter.