Ski Jacket, Pants, Beanie, Gloves & Socks Package for £84.94 ($141.78) Delivered from UK 57% off

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  2ndeffort on 22/10/2013 - 19:45

  +3

  I ski a lot. Skied Niseko last Feb, skiing Whistler in Canada this Feb. Not sure whereabouts in Japan you are skiing but they get A LOT OF SNOW!! Literally mountains of the stuff, which is great when you are skiing but you want to have good gear to stay warm. Typically their snow is dry powder rather than the wet slush we get here. Not sure how good a skier you are or how hard you intend to be working on the slopes but for mine this gear looks like cheapish generic stuff like the Aldi gear sold here.

  Folks love the local Aldi ski stuff and you even get a few claiming to have trekked 3 months through the Himalaya wearing nothing but an Aldi thermal top and a pair of Aldi socks. For mine, if you are going to be pottering around having a few lessons and learning to ski for the 1st time and you are going to bolt inside to the nearest coffee shop at the 1st sign of bad weather, or you are going to sleep in and have a day off if the weather looks bad then this stuff might be OK.

  If you are intending to hit the upper parts of the hill or head out through the gates for some POW!, maybe even Shralp the Gnarr! (sorry, getting carried away with myself there) then I would go for something better. Sierra Trading Post has a 35% off code for Australia today if you spend more than $100 USD I think. You'll get a last season Orage or Salomon Jacket and Pants over there. Apart from looking less like a travelling OZBargainer, you will probably stay warmer. If you are prepared to spend a little more you can normally pick up some cheap thermals, ski socks gloves and maybe even a helmet whilst you are there.

  You can rent clothes on most hills and Niseko at least was awash with Aussies when I was there, kind of like Snow Bali!! What you cant rent are thermals, gloves and goggles. If you are buying anything and you arent likely to take this up as an ongoing sport I would look to get these. Japanese resorts I have skied were gloomy and overcast often. If you get goggles make sure you get the low visibility lenses, the purple, orange or yellow tinted ones that let in a lot of light, don't get the mirror ones meant for blocking out glare.

  • 

    Riczter on 22/10/2013 - 20:06

    Cheers mate, a wealth of information there.

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  2ndeffort on 22/10/2013 - 20:06

  www.levelninesports.com have good name brand last season's goggles for about USD$25 and they also have some awesome last year's gloves, some in Gore Tex, others in leather for about the $25 - $40 mark depending on brand/size. Not being able to see and having wet hands are 2 of the worst things in skiing (along with bad fitting boots). Postage from the US I think is a flat USD $25. They have had awesome jacket/pant deals in the past but all picked over now I think, have a look though.

  On the kit side, most people now ski with helmets, not many in beanies anymore. Boarders still like to rock a beanie I suspect because for many counter-culture fashion is almost as important as boarding! Aside from any fashion issues, helmets are much warmer and more waterproof than any beanie! If you arent going specifically for skiing and are travelling around a bit renting might be a good option as ski clothes and a helmet can take up a lot of room in a bag! The tradeoff though is that you have to wear a skanky rental helmet and daggy rental clothes!

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  Riczter on 22/10/2013 - 20:29

  Yeah I don't really want to buy everything because I'll probably only use it all once… but like you say, I don't want to be renting an uncomfortable pair of boots that'll ruin my experience so a bit of a catch 22.
  My mates got me a pair of these goggles http://www.shadestation.co.uk/Arnette-Goggles-Series-3-AN500… so i'll be wearing those.. room in the bag shouldn't be a huge issue because we have good luggage allowances… but cost is an issue, coz we are mostly poor uni students :P …
  We'll be staying in Niseko, and nozawa (just out of nagano). In your experience, what do we want to be buying and what could we get away with renting?

  Obviously we need our own thermals, but will they have decent jacket, pants and boots, or is the risk of discomfort and disappointment pretty high? We are all noob skiiers, but want to spend a fair amount of our 2 weeks out on the slopes..
  I appreciate your input :)

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  2ndeffort on 22/10/2013 - 22:15

  +2

  The ski shops in Niseko are mostly Japanese outlets of Australian Ski Shops. Paddy Palins etc all have outlets there. I think the clothes they would rent out are OK, probably similar to what you are looking to buy. I had my own gear so only rented skis (skis are a PITA to carry around on holiday. Many of them let you arrange rentals before you go. I reckon their rental clothes would probably be OK, not stylish but functional. If you are OK getting around in worn stuff that looks the same as a bunch of other people, possibly with 'Paddy Palin' stenciled on it somewhere then renting could be a cheapish option. That said I have seen some rental places asking for $80 for a week for a cheap jacket when you can buy a Goretex one mailorder from the US for about $120 if you are clever!!

  If you already have goggles, at a minimum I would get your own thermal top and maybe fleece zip neck or whatever you are going to wear under your jacket but over your thermal. I like a neck warmer thing as well that I can pull up over my nose on the lift. Neck warmers etc are pretty cheap. For a thermal top, I like Merino wool best, still keeps you warm when wet and doesn't stink after 3 days of skiing! but a synthetic top is cheaper. I would also get some ski socks or at least socks long enough to come further up your leg than the ski boots. I would then go for some good gloves, I dont think they rent out gloves so if you don't take your own you will be forced to buy some when you are there. Ski shops on any mountain are probably the most expensive place to buy anything (not always).

  In terms of boots you probably wont have any option othr then to rent. Ski boots cost big $$ (although that levelnine shop I mentioned earlier has some great deals). If you buy your own you normally get them professionally fitted with custom insoles/orthotics etc on top. Most beginners rent boots until they are hooked and want to spend mega $$ on better gear. Ski boots are also big, heavy and bulky and take up a load of room in a case. I would make sure you had good ski socks, form some of the US shops you can get merino wool socks with cushioned areas where ski boots normally rub (fromt of shins etc) and thinner areas where socks normally fold (ski boots are worn very tight on your shins and any folds in your sock or where your sock overlaps your thermals rubs and hurts like all getup!! I wear 3/4 length skins under my ski pants to make sure my thermals/socks dont overlap).

  For normal shoes/boots getting around niseko when not skiing, the locals keep the roads clear pretty well. I wear a set of outdoor type shoes but there are plenty of people getting around in normal runners/sneakers etc. Sneakers will probably get wet but of a night you are really running to/from the apartment to a bar/restaurant etc.

  I will have a look and see if I can find some skiwear bargains.

  • 

    Riczter on 22/10/2013 - 22:21

    I think I should just buy you a ticket and get you to come with hahaha. Cheers man :) If you can let me know if you see any decent skiwear bargains that would be awesome. I'd probably be willing to shell out a bit of cash if I knew I was getting the right stuff.. Also, we'll probably be doing more snowboarding than skiing, dunno if that makes a difference in terms of boots.

  • 

    fusion17 on 22/10/2013 - 23:05

    +1

    I don't even particularly like skiing/boarding. But japan is awesome and you make me want to go to Niseko lol!

    That's some great info.

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  2ndeffort on 22/10/2013 - 23:21

  +1

  Just had a quick look:

  These guys are an Aust business/website (based out of NZ). They have a sale on at the minute

  https://www.torpedo7.com.au/division/snow/home.do

  Some of their stuff is OK, I wouldnt go for anything less than 5K for both waterproofing and breathability. Some of the cheaper M3 stuff looks like it is 3K so I would avoid.

  These guys seem to have some bargains, I only looked for jacket but they would have thermals, socks and gloves as well.
  www.absolute-snow.co.uk/S/Mens_snowboard_ski_jackets_DC_Westbeach_Oakley_Burton_Sale_UK-(1015).aspx?sort=1&ViewType=GridView

  I like this Analog Jacket, some 10K ratings and looks very 'Boarder-esque'

  www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Analog_ECHO_Snowboard_Jacket_L_Bunker-(43231) works out about $73 ish with $25 ish postage.

  Sierra Trading Post can be awesome. It is a US site so the postage is more but they always have % off codes you can use. Right now they have a 30% off code if you spend >$50 it is SFBEUM10413 also check on www.retailmenot.com and lookup sierra trading post as they normally have a list of all the best codes to use.

  look on here at Sierra for a jacket

  http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~snowboard-jacket/clothing…

  Sierra would also have socks, thermals, a fleece top or 'faux fleece hoodie' thing to impress other boarders!

  If you want to look 'cool' to other boarders wear boarding brand stuff. Brands like 686, Analog, Burton, Sessions, Bonfire, Special Blend and Ride make mostly boarding stuff. Burton seems to have the most 'Cred' so sneak a Burton T-Shirt into your order when you buy a jacket/pants and the folks at the bar of an evening will automatically assume you are Shaun White chillin!! (Shaun White is an epic boarder BTW).

  In terms of boots, boarding boots are generally more comfortable but I think the advice I gave is still relevant. When starting out most people generally buy their own clothes, goggles, gloves etc and hire boots and board. When you get hooked there are plenty of ways to lose money in gear. I have about 8 ski jackets hanging up in my wardrobe LOL!!!

  If you want to avoid looking like a Noob, 3 quick tips:

  1. NEVER!! tuck your ski pants into the top of your boots. If anything go the other way. You will see the gurus gfetting around with their pants 1/2 way down their legs and the bottoms of their pants get all frayed and chopped up dragging on the ground. There seems to be no shame in wearing your pants at 1/2 mast!!

  2. NEVER have a big gap between the top of your goggles and the lip of your helmet. The term for folks like this is 'Gapers'. Don't be a Gaper…Nuff said!

  3. Tuck the laces of your snowboard boots back down into the boots. Some of the closure mechanisms have a couple of sets of laces/cords that you have to do up. Nothing looks more Noobish than somebody that has done them up then left it all hanging out dragging on the snow, particularly when they then trip over it…Noob!!

  When buying boarding clothes it is probably better to be a bit bigger and looser/baggier than it is to be tight. It seems to be the style to look like you are wearing your big brother's gear!!

  • 

    Riczter on 22/10/2013 - 23:57

    You sir, deserve a cookie. Great tips! Dont tuck in your pants, dont be a gaper and dont trip over your laces. I should be able to remember that :)
    I'll have a good look through those sales tonight as well. Cheers for the effort man!

    • 

      Riczter on 23/10/2013 - 00:59

      I quite like the look of these two.. Is Analog an ok brand? Anything I should be aware of with these? Any idea which is the better option?
      http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Analog_CULDROSE_Snowboard_Jacket_L_Server_K84051-975L-(42099)
      http://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Analog_PERIMETER_Snowboard_Jacket_L_Stratus-(43211)

      • 

        2ndeffort on 23/10/2013 - 01:13

        2nd one is more waterproof and has fully sealed seams (moisture tends to get in at the seams if they arent sealed!!). I reckon the 2nd one is better but it is more expensive.

        Analog is a good brand, they are owned by Burton, part of the same group.

        For that money have a look at these guys:

        http://www.trusnow.com/snowboard-ski-clothing/Sales/Mens/pri…

        I bought a load of stuff from these guys a few years ago but their prices went up when they changed ownership. Their pre-season sale looks like it has some bargains though.

      • 

        2ndeffort on 23/10/2013 - 01:28

        Actually trusnow postage is daylight robbery!!

        This one at Torpedo7 has almost Gore-Tex level waterproofing:

        https://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/68JKIN2PH/title/686-ple…

        It is a much better technical jacket for an extra $20 but they only have Black sz M left (mind you the size for M is the same as some others L)

      • 

        Riczter on 23/10/2013 - 01:34

        Wow yeah nice specs on that one, but medium might be a squeeze..

        MainPeak are having a big sale on Saturday, and they have a store near me. Gonna go in there and have a look around and try some gear on, see if anything takes my fancy.

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  Ridge_didge on 22/10/2013 - 23:36

  If you are going through Tokyo on our way to sapporo/niseko you can get ski/boarding stuff really cheap in kanda . Japanese people generally want the latest season stuff so there are outlets here that sell past season stuff really cheap.
  The gear at niseko is pretty expensive.
  I would suggest taking boots, Google's and a helmet so you can get ones that fit really well.

  • 

    Riczter on 23/10/2013 - 00:00

    heading straight into sapporo for 6 days, then 4 days in tokyo, and then 9 days in Nozawa, so we could probably hire in niseko then buy stuff in tokyo for nozawa if needed. I'll remember Kanda, cheers.

• 

  gregI on 23/10/2013 - 11:05

  Absolutely awesome information!!
  Thanks 2ndEffort.

• 

  2ndeffort on 23/10/2013 - 23:37

  There looks like some good deals here:

  http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/santa-cruz-oct/mens-parado…

  not sure about postage to Oz though

  • 

    Riczter on 24/10/2013 - 00:56

    I think it said postage was $10 to AU, and some awesome prices in the ENVY sale as well. Any idea if that's a good brand? Got $40 pants, $50 jackets, $30 fleeces…
    http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/envy-snow-oct

    Not much in the way of specs tho: http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/envy-snow-oct/mens-fikar-s…

    • 

      2ndeffort on 24/10/2013 - 08:15

      I've never heard of Envy before, not a mainstream brand. Their lower end stuff doesn't have much in the way of specs but one of the jackets I looked at said it was made of SIBERIUM 3000 CT. One of the softshells I looked at said it was made of something with 5000 in the description. Another of the softshells was made of SIBERIUM 10000 SRC SS. I would assume the number refers to its wind/waterproof stats.

      Good prices, unknown brand, if you are tempted I would look for something with a higher number in the description.

      The Santa Cruz stuff I posted above was 10K/10K. Santa Cruz aren't as well known as Burton or Analog but they make Snowboards. I didnt know they made clothes but I guess it stands to reason if you make boards why not make the rest of the gear too.

      • 

        Riczter on 27/10/2013 - 23:07

        Ended up doing pretty well at the MainPeak sale. It was a big sidewalk sale with everything 50% off, so I got myself a nice grey/black Burton 'Breach' Jacket for $140 (10k/5k) and some bright blue Burton 'Poacher' Pants also 10k/5k for $90, as well as some gloves, and a nice fleece. Spent a little bit more than I would have ordering online, but got what I wanted and got to try stuff on so I'm happy with it.

        Once again cheers for all the help, my mates said you are an absolute champ ;)

        Happy skiing!