When choosing a snow suit, look at more than the temperature figure. The same −20 °C feels completely different on a snowmobile and in your fifth hour sitting on the ice. So first answer how much you will move, and only then how cold it will be. Here you will find a simple way to choose and the right models for each case.
Short version: if you move a lot, choose an uninsulated one-piece suit, for example BACKCOUNTRY 3903, and adjust warmth with layers underneath. If you ride and stop often, the insulated one-piece WIDETRACK or the two-piece POWERMAN works well: jacket and bib pants, both down to −30 °C. For long hours sitting on the ice, choose the warmest NORDY down to −40 °C, and on thin ice FLOAT with added buoyancy. You will find the models in the Snow suits, Snow jackets and Snow pants categories.
Two questions before you choose
- How much will you move? Riding a snowmobile you work with your whole body and sweat, while ice fishing you hardly move, so the suit itself has to hold the warmth.
- What cold is realistic for you? Choose for the days you are actually outdoors, not for the coldest night of the year. In a suit that is too warm you will sweat, and wet clothing chills you faster.
The temperature on the product page is a guideline
The limit stated on the product page applies when you wear suitable layers under the suit. Strong wind and staying still lower it, so two people in the same suit on the same day can feel completely different.
The manufacturer advises: if you will mostly sit in one place, leave a 5–10 degree margin. For example, if the forecast says −15 °C and you plan to spend the whole day fishing on the ice, look for a suit rated to at least −25 °C.
Insulated or uninsulated
An uninsulated one-piece suit gives no warmth of its own: it protects from water and wind, and you add warmth with layers. Choose one if you move a lot and the weather changes, because when the cold eases you simply leave one layer at home. How to put them together is explained in the article How to layer your clothing correctly.
An insulated suit keeps you warm by itself, and all you need is a thermal base layer, for example TACTIC. Choose one if you spend a lot of time in one place or do not want to think about layers. More about materials in the article Thermal wear: merino wool or synthetics?
Which model to choose
| What you do | Limit | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Active riding on long routes | from +15 to −20 °C, with layers | BACKCOUNTRY Blue or BACKCOUNTRY Graphite, uninsulated |
| Active winter trips outside the hardest frost | down to −20 °C, on the move | ATLAS: jacket 3441 and BIB 4617 bib pants |
| You ride and stop often | down to −30 °C | WIDETRACK 3852, the wide cut leaves room for warm layers |
| Long winter trips and fishing when you want two pieces | down to −30 °C | POWERMAN: jacket 3760 and bib pants 4625 |
| You ride a lot and the membrane matters most | down to −30 °C | BLIZZARD 3856, with adjustable ventilation and Cordura reinforcements |
| You fish or ride on thin ice | down to −30 °C | FLOAT 3902 with F.I.L.L. buoyancy technology |
| You sit or stand in one place for a long time | down to −40 °C | NORDY 3757, the warmest in this group |
| For women on winter trips | down to −20 °C | RACHEL 3853, women’s cut |
Two pieces or a one-piece suit
A one-piece suit leaves no gap at the waist, so snow does not get in when you fall or in deep snow. It works better for riding, especially in deep snow. WIDETRACK, BLIZZARD, FLOAT and BACKCOUNTRY are one-piece suits.
A jacket and bib pants are easier to put on, and when you warm up you can unzip or take off the jacket. That is handy when fishing, when working at the ice hole gets you hot. Bib pants with braces cover the legs, waist, chest and back, so snow does not get in at the waist, although you still need a jacket on top.
A two-piece snow suit can be sold as a set, like NORDY, or separately, like POWERMAN or ATLAS. When buying separately, you choose your own size for each piece, and if you already have a jacket, you can take only the bib pants. Just check before ordering that both pieces are available in your size, and choose the same warmth rating.
How many millimetres of water column you need
Dry snow puts almost no load on the membrane, but wet snow, especially when you sit or kneel on it, pushes water into the fabric. The higher the number, the more pressure the membrane can withstand.
| Water column | When it is enough | Models |
|---|---|---|
| 12,000 mm | normal snow, moderate rain | NORDY, WIDETRACK |
| 17,000 mm | wet snow, heavy rain | POWERMAN, ATLAS, FLOAT |
| 20,000 mm | wet snow, heavy rain, higher pressure | BLIZZARD, BACKCOUNTRY 3903 |
For sweat, another number matters, breathability: NORDY, WIDETRACK, POWERMAN, ATLAS and FLOAT have 8,000 g/m²/24h, while BLIZZARD and BACKCOUNTRY 3903 have 10,000 g/m²/24h. The more you move, the more it counts. More in the article What is a membrane.
Which details to look at
- Snow gaiters wrap around the boot and keep snow out. Snow boots work well with them.
- Ventilation releases excess heat when you ride harder. It matters most for an uninsulated suit and for riding.
- Reinforcements on the knees and seat protect the areas that wear. The NORDY knees are also padded, so kneeling on the ice is more comfortable.
- A high collar and hood keep out the wind. Gloves and a hat hold on to the rest of the warmth: how to choose them is covered in the article How to stay warm: feet, hands and head.
How to choose the size
The suit should fit loosely over all the layers you will wear outdoors. Too tight restricts movement and squeezes, while too big holds warmth less well. So try it on wearing the clothes you will actually have on under the suit.
If you are between sizes and warmth matters most, choose the larger one. The letter K in the size name, for example MK or LK, means a larger girth for the same height. If it does not fit, we will exchange the size free of charge, just keep the tags on and do not wear it outdoors. Terms are on the page Delivery and returns.
Care
A membrane only breathes when it is clean, and ordinary detergent can wash off the water-repellent coating. Wash with MOUNTVAL Wash & Care, and when water no longer beads up, restore the coating with Waterproofing Refresher. All the steps are in the guide How to clean membrane clothing and boots correctly.
Who these suits are not for
- Everyday wear in town. This is clothing for long hours outdoors, and in town it will be too hot.
- A rainy day without frost. You will overheat in an insulated suit. If you need protection from water, see Rain suits.
- Instead of a life jacket. FLOAT buoyancy is extra help if you fall into the water, but it is not a life-saving device. On the ice, follow safety rules.
- Standing still in an uninsulated suit without layers. BACKCOUNTRY on its own gives no warmth.
Frequently asked questions
NORDY 3757 with Thermalrate insulation, down to −40 °C. It is made for long hours in one place, for example ice fishing.
The limit is given with suitable layers underneath. Strong wind and long periods without moving lower it, so when sitting in one place it is worth leaving a 5–10 degree margin.
Under an insulated suit a thermal base layer is enough, and in hard frost add an insulating mid layer. Under an uninsulated suit you need both a thermal base layer and an insulating layer. Avoid cotton, as it soaks up sweat and takes long to dry.
Yes, WIDETRACK and FLOAT are designed for both activities, as are the POWERMAN bib pants, and NORDY also suits snowmobiling in hard frost. The uninsulated BACKCOUNTRY is best for active riding.
Yes, POWERMAN and ATLAS are sold as separate pieces, so you choose your own size for each. Both POWERMAN pieces are rated to −30 °C, and both ATLAS pieces to −20 °C.
F.I.L.L. technology gives added buoyancy if you fall into the water, but it does not replace a life jacket. It helps when the ice under you is thin, and safety rules apply as always.
FINNTRAIL snow suits
- NORDY 3757: jacket and bib pants down to −40 °C for long hours in the cold.
- POWERMAN 3760 and 4625: jacket and bib pants down to −30 °C, bought separately.
- ATLAS 3441 and BIB 4617: jacket and bib pants down to −20 °C, bought separately.
- WIDETRACK 3852: one-piece suit down to −30 °C with DuPont Sorona insulation.
- BLIZZARD 3856: one-piece suit down to −30 °C with a 20,000 mm TORAY DERMIZAX membrane.
- FLOAT 3902: one-piece suit down to −30 °C with F.I.L.L. buoyancy.
- BACKCOUNTRY 3903: uninsulated one-piece suit for active riding.
- RACHEL 3853: women’s one-piece suit down to −20 °C.
Not sure which to choose? Tell us what you do outdoors and how cold you expect it to be, and we will help you pick.