Lounge
May 11, 2015
Part 7: Tales of Clothing - Skiwear
The 7th Talk on "Clothing": Skiwear Edition
photo by Yuichi Sugita (BIGHE)
Why Not Ski in Whatever You Like?
Hello. Have you enjoyed winter to the fullest? Winter is by far my favorite season, because I can ski. My second favorite season is autumn (because winter is near). I was very satisfied this season, having enjoyed my beloved skiing several times. However, I do feel a bit melancholic sensing the first signs of spring.
By the way, when I ski, I wear snowboard wear. There's no deep reason like it fits my body shape or feels particularly comfortable. It's the kind of wear that functionalizes street clothes for outdoor use, so I feel it also links to my fashion mood. I don't think we need to be so strict as to say "skiwear for skiing, snowboard wear for snowboarding."
Details Born from Extremes Have Conviction
Now, about this snowboard wear. You might not be able to tell at first glance, but it's packed with functional details specialized for snowy mountains, starting with the adoption of "Gore-Tex," which offers excellent waterproof breathability.
For example, the zippers under both arms. These are called "ventilation" and are details for regulating body temperature by releasing heat from the armpits. Having them or not makes a world of difference in comfort, and consequently, safety.
Before this feature was invented, dressing warmly because it was cold could, if you made one wrong move, be a suicidal act. This is because if you sweat, you'll get cold later. As can be inferred from placing a thermometer, the armpits are the central part of the human body's heat dissipation function. Simply opening the zippers here when you feel hot prevents you from sweating. To put it a bit dramatically, it can handle a temperature difference of about 20 degrees Celsius, so you won't be afraid of layering up. We don't call meaningless designs "design." Details born from extreme conditions speak volumes about this.