Club Clothing – 2008/09
Club clothing ordering links (both are .pdf files): Club Clothing Order Form – 2008/09 VOMax Sizing Chart Important note: Clothing orders with checks are due by November 15 to ensure shipment by our December 20 ski practice (in time for the holidays). Please download the order form, fill it out, and send it to Sue LaChance (instructions are on the form) by the due date. General Information about Club Clothing We will be ordering lycra team uniforms through VO Max. Whether you get the uniform or jacket is up to you, but we strongly recommend that every skier ages 8 and up has a pair of tights for skiing (whether the team tights or other tights). Tights provide skiers with the freedom of movement they need to ski properly. Tights over long johns are usually fine down to 20 degrees F, and work when layered with additional long johns and/or wind pants at lower temperatures. If you don’t already have a pair of good lycra ski tights, we recommend you purchase the bottoms of the team uniform (top and bottom are sold separately).
		Team Hats These very cool team hats are included for new members as part of the registration package.
Team Uniform We offer a two-piece lycra team uniform (pictured right) made by VOMax. The main color is black with red for the stripes. You can see some of the skiers on our home page wearing it. The uniform is optional and can be ordered as top or bottom only or as a two-piece set.
			Team Jackets and Warmup Pants VOMax offers our team very high-quality jackets and windpants. The jacket has our team name "Eastern Mass XC Skiing" on the back and the pants have "EAMA XC" down the side of the leg. Jacket is lined. Pants have full-zip sides, elasticized ankle and are not lined. VOMax specializes in outdoor sport clothing and their products are are very durable and do well in wet weather. Like the uniform, the jacket and pants are optional.
Eyewear XC skiing is a safe sport, but with ski poles flying out on the course there is a potential risk of a serious eye injury. For this reason, we require that all skiers wear protective eyewear while racing and we strongly encourage protective eyewear for all practices. During daytime practices these can be a sturdy pair of sports sunglasses, during nighttime practices this can be a pair of clear sports glasses. (Prescription eyeglasses are OK.) The team has clear safety glasses for use by skiers who forget theirs, but please get in the habit of always having your child wear sports glasses while skiing. What combination of club clothing is best for your skier? It is easy to spend a lot of money on ski equipment and clothing, but some expenses are more important than others. Club Clothing: Our experience is that the single most useful item, and one of the most difficult items to find commercially at a reasonable price in kids sizes, is a good pair of lycra ski pants (tights). Lycra tights allow the skier to move comfortably and be flexible yet (when worn with wicking long johns) they are comfortable down to 20F if the skier keeps moving. So our recommendation is that your skier should have a pair of lycra ski pants. if you don’t already have tights, the bottoms of the team uniform look good and are a good price, substantially less expensive than you typically will find commercially. Clothing for Competition: Many skiers race in lycra tights and a turtle neck (with long underwear shirt underneath) - this is especially effective if the turtle neck is wick-away fabric, not cotton. A complete suit (top and bottom) isn't necessary to have a good racing experience. However, a complete suit does offer less wind resistance and is typically worn by the top junior racers. Team Jacket and Warm Up Pants: These are comfortable and look great, but they definitely are not a "must." Some kids have them and some kids don't. If you are thinking of getting only one clothing item, we recommend getting the lycra tights. Some more thoughts about clothing The art of dressing kids for cross-country skiing is for them to be comfortably warm but not overheat, and to be flexible so they can use their equipment and work on good technique. Here are some suggestions for skiers ages 8 and older (younger skiers will be less active and need warmer clothes such as snow pants): · wool or synthetic wicking socks (not cotton) · lycra tights with long john bottoms – add wind pants (an inexpensive nylon pair, or the team warmup pants) if it gets cold. · long john top (or lycra top) with wicking turtleneck, covered by fleece and/or a lightweight jacket (like our club jacket) depending on conditions. · flexible XC gloves · hat (or hat plus headband in very cold conditions) · neck warmer that can be pulled up over the mouth (cold conditions) · In very cold and/or windy conditions, make sure to minimize exposed flesh to prevent frostbite Some clothing to avoid: · cotton socks, cotton long johns – just asking for trouble! · snow pants – skiers very quickly overheat and these limit movement. · heavy snow parka – the parka that keeps your skier warm while waiting for the school bus will overheat your skier within a few minutes of skiing! · heavy mittens – flexible XC gloves are best but if your skier gets cold fingers then heavier gloves are OK – mittens really limit movement and should only be used in very cold conditions. · long scarves – these get in the way of skiing, a neck warmer is much better If the skier is comfortably warm standing around outside waiting before skiing, then s/he will be too hot once skiing starts. As usual, layering is key – the skier can always shed a lightweight jacket or windpants
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