Buying Aldi ski gear for kids to wear in Japan?
It’s that time of year, the one Saturday that ranks up there with the new year sales (well, for families who ski or snowboard that is!) – the Aldi ski gear sale. And it’s coming to your local Aldi store this Saturday, 20th May 2023.
First up, we should point out that The Snow Concierge has no affiliation whatsoever with Aldi. But we have been hit up by numerous friends and family members as to whether they should be heading to Aldi this weekend, so we thought we’d share our thoughts.
The Aldi range is obviously akin to fast fashion - think Zara, rather than an investment piece like Chanel. Which makes it perfect for fast-growing kids. (Plus Chanel hasn’t extended their Coco Neige snow collection to kids just yet!)
The Aldi ski sale is a great opportunity to get new ski clothes for a very reasonable price. Perfect for replacing the items your kids might have outgrown. And let’s face it, kitting out fast growing kids can get expensive when they need a new snow outfit once or twice a year. There’s an adult range too if you are looking for an affordable update to your ski wardrobe.
The question we encounter the most about Aldi ski gear is whether it is suitable for skiing and snowboarding in Japan.
We all know that ski clothes are made of some very technical fabrics and can be expensive as a result. So, if Aldi’s prices are so reasonable, are they technical enough for places like Japan?
Aldi ski gear will absolutely do the job – the bulk of the range offers 10K waterproofing, with the premium range offering 20K waterproofing. 10K and 20K refer to how many millilitres of water the item can withstand, 10K (or 10 litres) being the standard. So, you won’t be compromising on that front.
Japanese snow conditions tend to be drier than we’re used to in the Southern Hemisphere, there is less rain due to colder temps and the snow itself is drier, especially up north in places like Appi, Niseko and Furano. In our experience this means you don’t typically need as much waterproofing.
So, they’ll keep you dry but will they be warm enough? We all know it can get pretty cold on those chairlifts, especially the further north you travel. This is where the old adage of layers comes into play – ideally you should aim to wear a base layer, a middle layer and an outer layer. All ski gear has a limit to the temps it can handle, and we all have different tolerances to the cold. By wearing layers, you can easily add or remove clothing to suit the conditions and find out what works for you - and your kids!
Merino is highly recommended as a base layer, it’s natural and has excellent wicking properties but can be a bit on the expensive side. It’s worth noting that Aldi will be offering some Merino products in the upcoming ski gear sale. Another excellent and affordable alternative is Uniqlo’s HEATTECH range, which you can purchase in both Australia and Japan. HEATTECH comes in different fabric weights and has heaps of fun colours and patterns.
So, should you consider kitting your kids (or yourself) in Aldi ski gear if you are planning a ski holiday in Japan? Yes, we think so, it’s a great cost-effective way to equip yourself and your kids and ensure that they are warm and dry. And warm and dry kids are happy kids!
Peace, love and powder days. ❄️
Photos: ALDI
