Some Ski/Board clothes from Westbeach. Prices look very cheap, jackets look like they are in the 10K/10K category so OK for Australian resorts. For $70 - $80 they look like great value for ski jackets. If I didn't already own a dozen ski jackets I would definitely pick one up!
Technical clothing these days is designed to allow water vapour in the form of sweat to escape. For a better explanation read http://www.evo.com/waterproof-ratings-and-breathability-guid…
Most of this stuff seems to be rated 10,000 for breathability. The breathabiltiy of a jacket is the measurement of how much moisture vapor can escape from the jacket. This is measured in grams of water vapor that can pass through a square meter of fabric in the space of 24 hours. This formula is written as g/m2/d and abbreviated as simply g or gm.
I have several 10K jackets and they breathe OK for the type of exertion on a normal day of downhill skiing/boarding. Wouldn't want to run a marathon in them, but OK for some skiing.
I'm also a keen skier. I've had many jacket and pants over the years. These cheap jackets (similar to Aldi, Rebel sport etc) are good for a few days, nothing more. In the end the old saying, 'you get what you pay for' rings as true as ever when it comes to ski gear.
I have a few mates that ski in Westbeach stuff and it is definitely a cut above the dross that you get from Aldi and Rebel. A 10K/10K jacket is better than most of the gapers on the hill with their quicksilver and billabong jackets that look cool but have 2 or 5K ratings and leak like a sieve at the first sign of rain or snow. Brand/style is less important than the waterproof/breathability ratings.
Westbeach is an independant brand name in ski clothes, probably comparable to 686 or Rip Curl nothing like 'crane sports' from Aldi!
Gapers!! I lolled!!
Any bricks and mortar stores in WA that sell ski gear?? I need to try some stuff on for sizing before I start buying online. Is there any brands that I should look out for that are widely available in store and online for cheaper?
Material is 100% polyester. That means sweat. Sweat when you're skiing means you get cold. If you get cold, your gonna have a bad time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ls5j5iz2eA