Should I Buy a Used Ski Racing Suit?

This time of year there are ski swaps everywhere. And ski swaps are usually loaded with used ski racing gear, including used ski racing suits. With most new race suits out there retailing for over $375 for kids and $500 for adults it can be pretty tempting to buy a used ski racing suit.

Two examples of used ski racing suits

Things to know before you buy a used ski racing suit

1. Used ski racing suits are usually pretty stretched out. Don’t rely on the size on the tag to guarantee it will fit your kid. By the time a ski racing suit makes it to a ski swap it could potentially have stretched an entire size.
2. A stretched out ski race suit is thinner than it was when brand new. Therefore it provides less warmth and little wind resistance.
3. Many older ski racing suits do not have removable pads. Or, they’ve got no pads at all. Most ski racing programs suggest the use of ski race suits for the protection the pads offer, not to shave hundredths of a second off of your 10 year olds time.
4. Older ski racing suits are not FIS approved and do not have the FIS CS 2015 label on them, so they will not be legal for use for USSA or FIS ski racing after this season (or this season, if they are not plombed).
5. Zippers don’t stretch. So even if you find a size small suit that has stretched into a size medium and now fits your 15 year old son, likely the zipper will cause the suit to pull tighter/ride up in the crotch. Good luck getting him to put on an uncomfortable suit, even if “all the other kids” are wearing them.
6. There is a reason this suit has ended up at the ski swap. Likely the bottom of the leg is shredded from the skis slicing the fabric. Or the torso is full of pills where the velcro from the previous owner’s arm guards rubbed.

Used ski racing suit problems

There are other options

Arctica offers the Raceflex GS Speed Suit in adult and youth sizes. Brand new, this ski racing suit retails for under $300. In fact, the youth suits are $250. That’s less (a lot less!) than that new Nintendo Switch your kids want. And a whole lot healthier for them to be out skiing than sitting in front of a screen playing games.

Available in 18 styles for adults and 16 styles for kids, there is sure to be one that your ski racer will love. These race suits are made from a 3-layer stretch polyester that is thick and highly durable. They have removable high impact pads for optimal protection. And they all meet the FIS 30ml air porosity requirements and bear the FIS CS 2015 label. Even the youth suits!

So before you go out an buy a used ski racing suit because it’s cheap. Remember, there’s a difference between cheap and a good value. Arctica speed suits are not only a good value, but your kids will love the looks of them too.