Moncler is one of the most luxurious fashion labels on the market, specializing in outdoor clothing. How good is a Moncler jacket when worn while skiing?
Moncler jackets are considered one of the most stylish and lavish choices for skiwear, but not the most practical. There are other brands that are more affordable and durable, and you’re wearing Moncler more for the image than the protection it offers. That being said, you can wear them for skiing.
Read on to learn more about Moncler, its products, and how much protection they offer on the slopes.
From Sleeping Bags To Skiing Slopes
Moncler came from humble beginnings, starting out life as a French sleeping bag and tent manufacturer. Today, the company has since changed hands and is now more of a luxury fashion brand, headquartered in Italy.
However, it wasn’t exactly a difficult climb up the ladder for Moncler, who saw success very early on. In 1952, Moncler was founded, and by 1954, it was already manufacturing the outdoor clothing that would make the brand famous in the fashion world.
It was also in 1954 that Moncler jackets, which had already gained somewhat of a reputation, were used to outfit explorers on a journey up K2. This is the second-highest mountain in the world, behind Everest, but is often regarded as the most dangerous.
At the summit, which peaks at more than eight thousand meters, the temperature can regularly drop to -41°F. Moncler was able to keep the Italian expedition team warm and safe throughout their climb.
As time wore on, Moncler moved more and more into stylish clothing, focusing mainly on quilted and down jackets. Their products were seen more and more around the world’s skiing resorts, and at one point, they were the favored brand for French Winter Olympics competitors.
While Moncler’s success grew, so too did the value of their products, which today make up some of the most expensive skiwear lines you can buy. There are Moncler jackets that easily exceed three or four thousand dollars, and they tend to never go on sale.
It’s this luxury aspect that contributes mostly to the theory that Moncler is more concerned with style than substance. It’s assumed that Moncler’s jackets aren’t as durable, reliable, or protective as they are attractive to wear.
However, that doesn’t stop people – usually quite wealthy people – wearing Moncler’s jackets while skiing. There might be better choices out there, but the style and image that comes with a Moncler jacket are otherwise unbeaten.
Competitors In The Cold
While Moncler might be the king of style out on the slopes, there are other brands that do a better job on a practical scale. You’re likely to save at least a few hundred dollars when opting for a competitor, and you might get something that easier to maintain.
Reportedly, it can be dramatically difficult to find a professional cleaner for your Moncler jacket. Should it be subjected to adverse weather or dirty conditions, it could be ruined, potentially leaving you out of pocket by thousands.
There are brands like Canada Goose and The North Face which will do a better job at protecting both your body and your wallet. Although Canada Goose isn’t the cheapest brand on the market, it arguably offers one of the very best and most practical product lines.
You can expect to pay anything from five hundred to twelve hundred dollars for a Canada Goose jacket. Like Moncler, these products are built to withstand the coldest of temperatures, but Canada Goose certainly has the edge.
Of course, none of these brands have the street-worn style that comes with Moncler. In the twenty-first century, winter coats have acquired the bizarre ability to be worn all year round.
They can regularly be seen on the streets, and not the slopes, and are the fashion symbol of choice for many of the world’s elite. For example, Drake famously wore a red Moncler coat in the music video for his track, Hotline Bling, in 2015.
Following the release of this video, sales of the very same coat increased massively. It’s a fine example of winter coats being worn far outside of the environment they were designed for.
When a fashion label is endorsed by celebrities, it immediately increases in value and becomes much more desirable. It’s one of the leading reasons a Moncler jacket would probably be the most expensive part of your skiing vacation.