Rossignol | Material guide | The perfect outfit in cross-country

Two people on cross-country skis, wearing a Rossignol outfit

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: HOW SHOULD YOU CHOOSE YOUR CLOTHING?

Find the right clothing for skating and classic cross-country skiing.

CLASSIC OR SKATING ?

There are two main versions of cross-country skiing: classic or skating style. Classic cross-country skiing is practised on two parallel tracks carved out in the snow. The technique is similar to walking and this style is ideal for long hikes on snow where endurance is key. The natural gliding sensation of the classic style provides an easy introduction to cross-country skiing.

The skating technique, on the other hand, is rather different. Just like roller skating or ice skating, it calls for a good understanding of balance and weight transfer. The gliding action requires excellent coordination between the lower and upper limbs and can be very physical when practised at high intensity. The skating style is slightly faster than the classic technique. It is ideal for anyone looking for a cardio workout after just a few minutes.

FIND MY DISCIPLINE

WHICH LEVEL ?

Peu importe la discipline et votre niveau, le choix de votre tenue est primordial pour profiter de votre sortie en ski de fond sans avoir de sensation de froid ou d’humidité.

Whatever the discipline and your level of proficiency, the right clothing is essential to fully enjoy your cross-country session without feeling cold or damp.

Make sure you don't put on too many clothes that will make you overheat and avoid unsuitable materials such as cotton, which will absorb your perspiration and make you feel uncomfortable and damp. Opt for technical garments designed for classic or skating cross-country skiing rather than multiple layers of clothing.

If you are a newcomer to cross-country skiing, as well as choosing warm and comfortable clothing to ensure your sessions are enjoyable, also look for stretch garments offering freedom of movement. If you are an expert, or even a competitive athlete, the technical features of the products are vital. Choose tailored and aerodynamic clothing!

UPPER BODY

LOWER BODY

ACCESSORIES

Woman skating wearing a Rossignol Compression suit

1. CHOOSING GARMENTS FOR THE UPPER BODY

Are you familiar with the 3-layer system? This involves layering 3 technical garments, in particular around the chest area, to keep you feeling comfortable and warm throughout your session. Each layer meets a specific need (breathability, insulation, protection) and uses different materials.

Make sure you adapt your clothing to the climatic conditions! In warm weather, choose very breathable technical garments and remove your mid-layer or outer layer.

BASE LAYER: BREATHABILITY

Cross-country skiing is an intense activity during which your body will experience changes in temperature. It is essential to choose garments that support rapid wicking of perspiration to keep you dry and comfortable throughout your session.

Forget cotton T-shirts that absorb damp without wicking. You will start to feel cold and uncomfortable after just a few kilometres! Instead, opt for highly breathable and quick-drying synthetic fibres. Steer clear of overly loose clothing too: on contact with the skin, a T-shirt made from a synthetic material will absorb and wick the perspiration secreted by your body more easily.

Rossignol's Performance Nordic Collection uses a certified breathable, resistant and stretchable LYCRA® SPORT fabric: Rossignol’s patented compression technology designed to combine technical features and comfort. These base layer garments help to improve muscle alignment and balance, and to reduce the heart rate, lactic acid in the blood and oxygen consumption, thereby boosting the skier's performance.

Women's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Top
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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MID-LAYER: INSULATION

Insulating garments are designed to keep your body temperature consistent despite perspiration. This layer is worn on top of your base layer and is therefore more tailored. Leaving a little gap for air between these two layers is an excellent way to ensure effective insulation!

The garments in our Poursuite range are ideal mid-layers thanks to micro-perforated panels on the back and under the arms. These optimise temperature regulation by virtue of the fabric's excellent breathability and its ability to conserve the body’s natural heat.

In addition, the 37.5® technology wicks moisture away from the body to allow rapid evaporation of perspiration and regulate temperature. The R-Dry fabric keeps you comfortably dry during moderate activities (quick drying). Finally, the insulating and breathable R-Warm fabric keeps you warm in all conditions.

Bonus: our mid-layer garments are recyclable!
Visit https://www.lafibredutri.fr/ to find your nearest collection points.

OUTER LAYER: PROTECTION

Moisture, rain, snow, wind... in cross-country skiing, you can be exposed to a wide range of weather conditions. This third and final layer of clothing insulates you from external elements to avoid heat loss and make sure you stay warm and dry.

Soft shells are the “must have” garments for cross-country skiing! The windproof and breathable R-Wind fabric blocks wind and a waterproof and breathable 10,000/10,000 membrane will keep you warm and comfortable whatever the conditions.

A few general points to note when choosing your cross-country ski clothing:

LONG SLEEVES

Whatever the layer, we recommend that you always opt for long sleeves. The presence of cuffs on your wrists will help to maintain perfect insulation between your cross-country ski top and your gloves.

HIGH NECK

In the event of wind or storms, you’ll be glad that your neck is warm. Make sure the top has a zip opening for ventilation on warmer days.

REFLECTIVE STRIPS

For the more daring (or those with less foresight), reflective strips on outer layers will make sure you are seen if a storm comes in and restricts visibility.

Man skating wearing a Rossignol Compression suit

2. HOW SHOULD YOU CHOOSE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CLOTHING FOR THE LOWER BODY?

How should you choose your cross-country ski tights? Should you opt for tights or trousers? While the lower body is less affected by temperature variations or storms, it is still important to choose an appropriate garment for cross-country skiing. Here are a few features to guide your choice.

TIGHTS

Tights are equivalent to a base layer for the bottom half of the body. Look for technical and synthetic fabrics to ensure easy wicking of perspiration and avoid any sensation of cold and therefore discomfort.

Forget about cotton and loose clothing. Tights need to be tight! By moulding to the muscles in your legs, they play a role in moisture wicking and help to keep you warm. The 37.5® technology and R-Dry fabric are flagship technologies integrated in Rossignol products to accompany you in your cross-country ski sessions.

Women's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Women's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
€130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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Men's Infini Compression Race Tights
Special Price €65,00 -50% Regular Price €130,00

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TROUSERS

For cross-country ski sessions on very cold days and/or in changeable weather, opt for warm and waterproof ski trousers. Designed to be worn above your tights, they will ward off rain, snow and wind while keeping you dry and warm.

Thanks to a windproof, waterproof and stretch fabric, they will support all your movements to ensure total comfort.