Snow.Guide decided to test a range of Dainese ski clothing during December 2017 and January 2018 – the Italian company, founded in 1972 is known for its motorsports protective clothing, but they first started making back protectors for skiers in 1994.
Their clothing range is now extensive, with a focus on high end, technical gear that looks stylish and smart.
Dainese HP1 M1 Ski Jacket
What Dainese say:
HP1 M1 is the jacket for technical, aggressive skiers. Designed for high intensity active skiers that rarely stop, it has vents on the upper arm and torso sides that create air circulation inside the jacket. The HP1 also uses more breathable Dermizax NX membrane. The jacket also display as a dedicated focus on ergonomics enhancing the skier’s movements from edge-to-edge.
What We Say
The moment I took this jacket out of the box, I knew I’d enjoy wearing it – it oozes quality and workmanship. The fitting was slightly snug for a medium (I can often get away with a men’s small and medium sizes can be large for me), but the Italian styling does mean a comfortable fit. It looks smart, the ‘Red / Chilli Pepper’ colour scheme is classic ski school or racer styling. Most of my preferred kit is more ‘freeride’ orientated, but still, it feels so comfortable to wear that doesn’t matter. Of course, with the insulation, the jacket isn’t a classic off-piste and ski touring piece of kit, but certainly an athletic look that almost makes you ski faster.
December and early January were snowy months in the Alps and conditions challenged any piece of kit at times. The HP1 M1 handled it all, snow, rain and wind and when things warmed up, the ventilation system really helps keeps things cool inside. The snug fit meant little room for a mid-layer jacket, but it wasn’t needed – one base layer and a Dainese HP1 Full Zip underneath was enough, even when temps went to minus twenty degrees centigrade.
Who would this jacket suit? It’s aimed at the high-performance, athletic skier and more suited to an instructor or former ski racer who wants to look smart. But why couldn’t a beginner or intermediate skier wear this jacket too? No reason, I would recommend it – but it does scream, “I’m a great skier so just watch out” all over it.
What We Like About It
It looks great, really smart
Good freedom of movement, despite the snug fit
Excellent attention to detail, ventilation, pockets and manufacturing quality
Good hood that fits over a helmet
You know you’re wearing something pretty special
The Downsides
Obviously the cost is high, but we can understand why – you’re paying for quality of the jacket and not just because it’s a ‘brand’
Too much for backcountry hiking and touring
The model name is a bit disappointing and confusing (HP1 M1)
Technical Features
MATERIAL: Pontetorto Tecnostretch, Trailknit Panels
GENERAL FEATURES: Trailknit Undersleeve/Pits/ Shoulder blades/Hood Seamless Construction
WEIGHT: 0.40KG
Review Summary
Gender: Mens
Good for: Skiing
Price: £719.50
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Dainese HP P1 M1 Ski Pants
What Dainese say:
Dainese’s ultimate ski pant features a Dermizax® NX membrane which makes them water and wind proof yet breathable while PrimaLoft® insulation provides Dainese’s highest level of thermal insulation. The pant gaiters have silicone inserts that stop snow from entering and help keep the pants in place. The removable suspenders offer an additional option for personal taste.
What We Say
Another high-end, high quality piece of kit from Dainese that has an understated style that looks smart, with a good cut. That cut is contorted and styled – perhaps as you’d expect from an Italian brand. These pants aren’t what you’d call ‘on the baggy side’. With this in mind, they suit an athletic piste performance skier who wants a more snug and shaped fit. The insulation is warm and cosy, although most of the time I wore a base layer (Trail Knit Pro Amour Pants) for extra warmth. Without that layer, below minus five degrees centigrade, your legs still feel a slight chill – with the base layer, my legs were still warm down to minus twenty, even on the chairlift.
Once again, like the HP1 M1 ski Jacket, the men’s medium size was a little too snug for my liking. I have never worn a size ‘large’ pant, so they do come out slightly on the small side.
The material feels soft, yet tough – we think they are built to last. The lower cuffs and the thigh padded inserts add some nice extra detail that might just help prevent bruising in a fall too.
The shoulder straps come with a removable lumber panel as well.
All in all, an impressive pair of insulated ski pants with a stylish cut that would suit most skiers who want to look smart on-piste.
What We Like About Them
Great manufacturing quality
Added detail such as the Pro Armour padding
Smart look
The Downsides
A little on the tight side (need to go for a size up than my standard medium)
Pockets feel a little small
Might be too much of a ‘stylised’ fit for the keen freeride skier
Technical Features
MATERIAL: Dermizax®Nx Stretchable Membrane, Primaloft® Silver Insulation 60g/M2
GENERAL FEATURES: Belt loops, boot snow gaiter with silicon grippers, breathability 30.000 g/m2/24hrs, fully seam sealed, removable suspenders with zip-off lumbar panel, ski edge protection at leg hem, thigh padded inserts, thigh zip vents, Velcro inner waist adjustment, water column 20.000 mm
WEIGHT: 0.78KG
Review Summary
Gender: Mens
Good for: Skiing
Price: £319.50
Rating: 8 out of 10