New to Cross-Country Skiing? Here’s Exactly What You Need to Get Started — Tested and Backed by Experts

After testing the Icebreaker Women’s Merino 260 Tech High Rise Thermal Leggings, I’ve started adding them to my go-to kit for cross-country skiing. The 100 percent merino wool is soft, doesn’t retain odors, and does a nice job wicking sweat while keeping me warm. This is extremely useful for cross-country, as you can heat up quickly. As Brown noted, “Merino wool is an affordable choice that helps keep you dry and warm,” and that aligns with how this set performs for me.

I’ve found these leggings work best as a true base layer, something to wear under wind-blocking pants, rather than as a standalone tight for skiing. The fabric is thin, which is great for breathability and moisture management, but it doesn’t offer much protection from wind or very cold air on its own. Overall, these have become a reliable base layer for cross-country ski days, especially when I’m layering for the changing temps here in Colorado or planning to spend a few hours out on the trail. These are also available in men's styles.

A thermal top adds warmth without the bulk, helps move sweat away from your skin, and keeps you comfortable as trail temps change. We tested the Merino 260 Tech Long Sleeve Thermal from Ice Breaker, and it hit all of our marks. “I love the colors, the material, the cut, and how functional and cute this top is,” editor Ally Hirschlag said after testing these. “This top would be for layering for any outdoorsy, fitness-forward person.” The top is 100 percent merino wool, easy to machine-wash (with like colors), and has come out on top as our base layer pick. It’s also available in a men’s version.

For a mid-layer, the Stio Dawner has become my husband’s go-to for his cross-country days. “The warmth-to-weight ratio is why this jacket is so good,” he told me. It uses Octa insulation, a polyester knit with a raised diamond-grid design that helps retain heat without feeling bulky, while still allowing sweat to evaporate. Added features that matter on the trail include zippered pockets to secure essentials and an adjustable hem to seal out drafts. “Active insulation in your mid layer adds warmth without overheating on climbs,” said Jensen.

The Stio Dawner is also available in a women’s version, with the same great features in five colors.

For cross-country skiing, an outer layer like this jacket is less for warmth and more for wind and weather protection. “Nordic skiing is aerobic, so lightweight, wind-resistant layers matter more than insulation,” Jensen said. A good shell helps cut the chill you can feel the moment you step into an open meadow or pick up speed on a downhill. It should also allow sweat to escape so you don’t become damp when you slow down.

An outer layer also gives you control as conditions change. Leon recommends looking for “items with features such as zip necks, vents, or side zippers” because they let you customize your comfort while you exercise. In practice, that means you can start a little warmer, vent on climbs, and stay protected when the wind picks up.

The Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Hoodie (also available in a women’s version) is stretchy, lightweight, and breathable. It’s also wind and water-resistant, with a stowable hood and zippered pockets. Bonus: It packs into its own chest pocket, which makes it easy to stash if you warm up. Outdoor Research also offers an Infinite Guarantee warranty for this product’s performance.

“Nordic boots are lighter and less insulated than downhill boots, so thin merino socks are key. Look for zero cushion,” Jenson shared. She recommends “skipping cotton and heavy downhill socks, which tend to trap heat and moisture, increasing the likelihood of blisters.” From my own experience, that guidance holds up. When socks are too thick (or hold onto sweat), my feet run hot, and I’m much more likely to feel rubbing by the end of the day.

In my house, Smartwool is the sock brand we reach for most often in the winter. I like its over-the-calf styles because they stay put and add a bit of protection inside boots. The wool-nylon blend has held up well for me season after season, and it does a solid job wicking moisture during warm, long days. Smartwool also offers options with zero cushioning, which pair especially well with Nordic boots when you want a closer fit and less chance of bunching.

Gloves versus mittens is a personal choice when cross-country skiing. Some may run warm and prefer lighter gloves, while others, like me, get cold easily and feel more comfortable in mittens. The trade-offs are simple: Gloves offer better dexterity for straps and pole control, while mittens allow your fingers to share heat, keeping your hands slightly warmer.

The Swix Performance Gore Mitten is worth considering for its added warmth. It’s built with a three-layer Gore-Tex fabric designed to block wind, a leather palm for reliable grip, and a curved design and shaped palm so you don’t feel like you are giving up too much control.

A beanie is a small but critical item for cross-country skiing, because it helps you feel comfortable from the moment you step outside without becoming the reason you overheat 10 minutes later. “A beanie is essential, but should be thin, not bulky,” Jensen said. While a thick winter hat can trap heat and sweat around your scalp, a thin beanie provides just enough warmth at the start (and on descents or windy stretches) while still allowing moisture to escape, making it easier to regulate your temperature.

For that reason, Jensen recommends the Buff Reflective DryFLX Beanie. It’s designed with quick-dry, moisture-wicking fabric and seamless four-way stretch to enhance comfort. The 360-degree reflectivity and bright color options are a plus for winter days with low light, especially if you ski in low light or near shared-use trailheads.

“I did not get any sunburn during my testing, and I was outside all of those days,” said writer Raki Swanson, who tested this sunscreen on her sensitive skin. It also never caused skin irritation. We love that it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes (helpful when it's snowing or you start to sweat).

A waist pack (lumbar pack) is one of the most comfortable ways to carry essentials while cross-country skiing. Full-sized backpacks are more prone to bouncing and cause overheating.  Lumbar packs also make it easier to grab what you need quickly without a big stop-and-unpack moment.

Our pick is the Mountainsmith Tour Cascade Lumbar Pack. It’s made from ripstop nylon and available in multiple colors. Inside, there is a large main compartment (with a divider big enough for a tablet), two water bottle pockets, waistbelt pockets, and an outer “kangaroo” pouch for quick-access items. The pack stays snug against your lower back, which is exactly what you want when you’re poling, climbing, and moving continuously.

Hand warmers have become a staple in my family's winter bag. If you tend to get cold hands, you will love these. I like Hot Hands Hand Warmers. They’re rectangular, single-use, air-activated heat packs you can toss into your gloves, mittens, or jacket. They provide up to 10 hours of warmth, a full day in the backcountry. As an added bonus, for those who get cold toes, Hot Hands also offers toe warmers you can place directly in your boots.

Navigation apps can be helpful when cross-country skiing, whether you’re a beginner or experienced. The worst thing you can do early on is accidentally bite off a route that’s too long or advanced. When you’re an experienced skier, navigation apps let you confidently explore new trail systems and plan your mileage.

AllTrails is a trail-discovery and navigation app I like to use because it helps me find routes, read recent trail reviews, view others’ photos, navigate in real time, and record my activity on iOS and Android. There are three plan levels (Base, Plus, and Peak), each with different yearly upfront costs and plan features. Pitt Grewe, head of social and environmental impact at AllTrails, recommends “doing a quick pre-check in the app before you leave. Review weather, read recent trail reports, and look at photos to avoid surprises—then [use] tools like the snow-depth overlay to get a color-coded sense of conditions along and around trails” (features available in the Plus plan). For backcountry days, the Custom Routes (in the Peak plan) feature lets you link existing trails and draw connectors to a specific viewpoint, then save maps for offline use. And if you expect spotty service, it’s worth knowing AllTrails partners with T-Satellite (for eligible users in the U.S.), which may allow certain navigation features to work even when you don’t have reliable cellular coverage.