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Original poster

Teenage boys and ski wear

30 replies

soupdragon321 · 08/12/2022 07:41

Off to Austria next Saturday with teenage DS’s and DH. Our first time and we’re hiring ski jackets, trousers ski boots etc. both DH and I will be wearing our winter walking boots out there, but do we need to buy walking boots for the boys or do teen boys just wear trainers? Am not really keen to buy boots for a five day trip that the boys won’t wear again back home! Or that they will moan about wearing if they see all the other teens are just wearing trainers! Thanks 😊

OP posts:
massistar · 08/12/2022 10:58

Used to buy snow boots when they were little but my 17yo point bland refused and just wears trainers now. It's fine as he's not playing in the snow any more and the pavements tend to be clear.

anotheropinion · 08/12/2022 11:12

I wouldn't bother unless you're planning to spend a lot of time walking away from pavements? After all day in ski boots it's good to get into something light and flexible!

And if you're only out for an hour in dry-cold conditions rather than wet-slushy, it should be alright.

Original poster
soupdragon321 · 08/12/2022 13:41

Ah bless you both! That sounds perfect! Saves me an absolute headache! We are hiring all kit out there, so I’m thinking we’ll just need to get them a couple of base layers tops- do you think they’ll need bottom base layer? The holiday is super expensive as it is and anyway I can cut costs would be great 😉. How much do you think we should spend on gloves for instance? The prices vary so much, thanks 😊

OP posts:
StamppotAndGravy · 08/12/2022 14:37

Yes, you need bottom layers, but Lidl or Decathlon ones will do. For gloves, just get Decathlon ski gloves. £15-30 should cut it. Cheaper ones risk not being waterproof or warm enough, but fancier ones won't be much better, just nicer

pollina · 08/12/2022 15:02

You can buy base layers for a few pounds each in decathlon and use them in cold weather at home. As noted above they have good gloves too and presumably you have bought proper ski socks? Again get the cheap from decathlon. My son also has decathlon snow boots: www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-warm-waterproof-snow-hiking-boots-sh100-x-warm/_/R-p-108105?mc=8344304
I cant say whether you will need them or not - depends if there is snow on the paths or if they might do any sledging or walking at all. If you are just flopping in the chalet it might be ok but I would never go away before March without them.

gogohmm · 08/12/2022 15:19

Lidl had cheap base layers last week

Caspianberg · 08/12/2022 15:29

I would say opposite. Sorry. I’m in Austria, it’s freezing atm.
Their feet will just get wet in minutes and frozen if they walk anywhere outside

Its -7 today

If your staying in resort, many have lots of advent walks, winter things outside in the evenings at the moment.

If you don’t want to buy snow boots, best compromise is timberland boots or equivalent. Wear with ski socks and they will at least have dry and semi warm feet. It’s what most people wear in town/ driving around here if not walking in snow much or out long. They have decent enough grip on ice also

PuttingDownRoots · 08/12/2022 15:31

You will need fleeces and snoods as well, plus decent ski socks.

We made mistake not having waterproof boots last year for one child, her feet were wet and freezing!

Blondlashes · 08/12/2022 15:33

@Caspianberg is correct. Trainers won’t do. Also if you want to sledge or they want to play in the snow. Can you borrow? Walking boots would do at a pinch. Yes bottom base layers will be needed.
A cold front is coming so check the weather forecast for temperatures where you are going.

mondaytosunday · 08/12/2022 15:37

Yes my teen son wears a base later when skiing. He also just bought himself waterproof trainers as he runs outside - they might be useful at any time of year.

Caspianberg · 08/12/2022 15:38

Sports direct in Uk is probably your best bet to head to with him for some waterproof walking boots. They are pretty good prices and I’m sure he can find something he would wear again when it’s wet and cold or muddy in uk also.
You don’t want to get in resort, then have to fork out resort prices for high end branded stuff if he needs a pair.

Suggest:
merino snood/ buff - get plain colour, he can wear for life as they last forever and plain looks good even with smart jackets

Thermal leggings - likely need under jeans also, not just under ski stuff.

Need layers though that can be removed. Indoors most buildings are still heated to the centre of the earth furnace hot.

thedoorsandwindows · 08/12/2022 15:48

Are they skiing or snowboarding? My two wear their snowboard boots but they’re softer and more comfortable. How much will you be walking about? My boys are boarding all day and then mostly just in the hotel; again, if they go out to muck about in the snow, they put their gear on again.

They are half Austrian; we live in Austria. I personally have walking boots and spikes so I can be relaxed and walk around with confidence! All of us wear base layers.

banivani · 08/12/2022 15:53

I live in Sweden. -9 today. All teenage boys wandering around in jeans, rips optional, jackets ranging from puffers to thinner but always the zip at the top slightly down. No hats. Hands in pockets so assuming no mittens/gloves. Trainers, yes. Hopeless species altogether. I strong-armed mine into wearing a snood today as a scarf. However when we're skiing he accepts padded trousers/ski trousers!

LIZS · 08/12/2022 16:04

Get walking boots, leather ankle boots or snow boots. It will be slippery even on cleared paths. Keep trainers for indoors.

Original poster
soupdragon321 · 08/12/2022 16:12

Ah thank you for all additional responses. Think we will have to get them some boots as definitely do not want to have to buy them out there! Thanks also for the other tips re gloves and base layers 👌

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 08/12/2022 16:14

Ds is 14 and going skiing with the school soon. He has a pair of walking shoes from mountain warehouse, only cost about £30.

Original poster
soupdragon321 · 08/12/2022 16:22

Thanks Missy will check that out

OP posts:
Winter789Mermaid · 08/12/2022 16:25

I got some cheap moon boot £15 things off eBay for my teen in black she’s happy to wear them with jeans. My DH tried trainers one year and was miserable cold wet feet. Definitely get something.

Havanananana · 08/12/2022 19:09

Definitely some form of cold/wet weather footwear needed. As pp said above, it's very cold in the Alps just now - minus 10 here this morning - so although pavements etc are cleared, they are very slippery, so warm shoes or boots with a good grippy sole are recommended. Temperatures for the next 10 days are not expected to get higher than freezing point - particularly in the early morning or evenings, which is when you'll be walking around the resort.

Should the temperatures actually get a bit warmer, a different problem arises. The snow melts and gets slushy, with big puddles everywhere. Again, not ideal for trainers, which can get sodden in a matter of minutes.

As for the other essentials, go to Decathlon and get some £25 ski gloves, a pair of cheap fleece gloves (or two) for under £5 for wearing in the evening while the ski gloves dry out, a cheap fleece beanie, and two sets of cheap thermals (top and long johns), as well as a snood/buff, proper ski socks and a fleece. Getting to the top of a ski lift and finding that you're under-dressed and too cold is not good - and as beginners there will be some time standing around watching the instructor and waiting for the group.

walkinwardrobe · 08/12/2022 19:11

Trainers won't cut it, they'll be soaked, no question. Decathlon here( continental Europe) do cheap snow boots. My teens use these. Trainers are only for inside accommodation type of thing because outside it could easily be -10 , ice or snow underfoot. You could manage with walking boots, but not trainers.

RhubarbFairy · 09/12/2022 07:03

I'm having a similar struggle at the moment. DS1 is 11 so will absolutely be playing in the snow. Trouble is, he's a size adult 8! All snow boots seem to stop at 4 (which means trouble next year for DS2 as he's 9 and a 4). Unless I buy ladies ones, but they're very obviously womens.

DH has waterproof walking shoes that look like trainers that have always served him well on snow holidays, so we're going to have to get DS1 some like that I think.

RhubarbFairy · 09/12/2022 07:05

Oh @pollina Thabks so much for that link to snow boots! Perfect!

Spookywhale · 09/12/2022 07:17

You don’t often see young lads in snow boots here, most will wear winter trainers. DC and Vans both make “snow trainers”, I wear them myself both in the alps and at home and they are great. A bit pricey but look like normal trainers and are waterproof/snow proof with good grip and tread on them. We have the vans ones for the whole family including our toddler!

if you search vans MTE they will come up, really good for winter at home as well so worth the the investment.

StamppotAndGravy · 09/12/2022 07:43

Are they likely to do DofE at any point? If so a decent pair of walking boots might be a better buy that snow boots. I've lived in the mountains and mostly wear dr Martens with ski socks. Snow boots are a bit toddlerish and hiking boots take too long to get on and off. I wouldn't wear them to build a snow man or go sledging or snow shoeing though. Then you need real boots