Halfdays Skiwear Review: The Aston Jacket and Alessandra Pant
/After hearing so much hype about the Halfdays brand, I was curious about the fit and functionality of their skiwear. The women-founded brand seeks to make the mountains more welcoming to women who embrace the outdoors on their own terms— which is a mission I can fully stand behind.
I first came across the Halfdays brand on Instagram, and happened to be in the market for a high-visibility ski outfit that I could wear specifically on powder days, on days when I plan on venturing off-piste, or on days that I’ll be taking snow safety or avalanche courses and want to be taken seriously by the instructor (a story for another time). I found out that Halfdays had a pop-up in NYC when I was visiting last spring, and was excited to be able to try their pieces on in person before purchasing them for my next ski trip in Finland where I could really put them to the test.
I’m happy to report that I loved the Aston Jacket and Alessandra Pants— they lived up to the hype, performed well, and were exactly what I was looking for. Read on for more details on my favorite features, as well as the other Halfdays purchase that I was not entirely impressed by personally.
My Favorite Halfdays Aston Ski Jacket Features
There are a lot of functional ski jackets on the market, but it was nice to find one that also looked great and was more true to my personal style. I love belted ski jackets for their flattering fit and for the extra warmth I feel from having a tighter fit around my core, and the Aston Jacket really spoke to everything I was looking for. The jacket has all the pockets you could possibly need for a day on the slopes, and the added functionality of zippered vents, a tall collar, and a big hood are nice bonuses. The belt is comfortable, adjustable, and the latch closes securely. The length of the jacket is both flattering and functional, and the monochrome styling keeps the look sleek, even if you choose a bright or bold color like I did.
When it comes to judging warmth of a ski jacket or pant I typically have a hard time offering a recommendation, because there are so many factors that change day-to-day that will determine if someone feels warm or cold while skiing— is it windy? Are you skiing in fresh powder? Is the resort flat and requires you to traverse a lot? Are you taking a lot of breaks to wait for other skiers in your group? Is the resort crowded and you find yourself waiting in long lines in the shade to get on the lifts? How active you are on a particular day will contribute a lot to how hot or cold you feel while skiing, so finding pieces that are versatile can be helpful in learning what works best for you. That said, I wore my Halfdays Aston/Alessandra outfit in 14°F while skiing in Finland, and had two merino base layer tops and my Erin Snow Kat Jacket under my Aston Jacket, and two merino base layer bottoms under my Alessandra Pants, and was comfortable skiing for a few hours.
My Favorite Halfdays Alessandra Ski Pants Features
Over the last few years I’ve skied (30+ days a season) almost exclusively wearing in-the-boot ski pants, personally because I like the look, I’m comfortable in it, and because they feel faster; and the Alessandra Pants from Halfdays are the first over-the-boot pant that I’ve ever owned. When putting them to the test for a few days of skiing in Finland, I was impressed overall— They are comfortable and not too baggy or bulky, and I felt like I had a good range of motion. The zippered vents on the pants are a nice bonus as they are on the jacket, and the ability to adjust the waist using the velcro tabs really gave them a perfect fit.
I’m looking forward to seeing how my Halfdays outfit holds up season after season, and will certainly report back as I continue wearing it.
Wearing the Aston Jacket and Alessandra Pants from Halfdays in Levi, Finland
Wearing the Halfdays Emma Soft Shell Ski Pants in Levi, Finland
The Halfdays Emma Soft Shell Pant
An honest review: I was excited to try the Emma Soft Shell Pant from Halfdays, but I have to admit they weren’t my favorite. They were warm and thick, which I imagine are qualities that some people look for in a ski pant, but I wore them for two days while skiing in Finland and I thought they felt a little bulky, heavy, and didn’t stay up well. When skiing on-piste I personally prefer a slim, in-the-boot pant (my go-to are the Erin Snow Jes Racer Pant that have an amazing fit), so while I was expecting the flared, over-the-boot style of Halfdays Emma Pant to be a bit more substantial in comparison, what I wasn’t expecting was the feeling of having to pull up my pants every time I got up from sitting on a lift or a gondola. They fit well when I tried them on in-store, but wearing them on the mountain was a different experience. I wore the same amount of base layers under the Emma Pants and the Halfdays Alessandra Pant that I normally wear under my Erin Snow Pants, and only had the feeling of my pants needing to be pulled up with the Emma Pants. I think because the Alessandra pants (that I love) have adjustable velcro fasteners at the back of the waist, I was able to maintain a better fit over multiple days of skiing in various conditions and temperatures. I should note that the Emma Pant has many glowing reviews on the Halfdays website from women that have bought them and love how they fit, so while they didn’t exactly work for me, they still may be great option for you!
A final word: When it comes down to it and I’m getting ready for a day of skiing in a resort, I would reach for my Erin Snow Jes Racer Pants instead of these Emma Soft Shell Pants. If I was heading out for a day of sidecountry or off-piste skiing in powder, I would reach for my Halfdays Alessandra Pants.
Where to Buy Halfdays Skiwear
Wearing the Halfdays Aston Jacket and Alessandra Pants in Levi, Finland
You can shop for Halfdays skiwear directly on their website at Halfdays.com. They also have a “Last Run” collection on their website, which offers discounted pricing on some of their best-selling styles in discontinued colors. A few online retailers also carry Halfdays, including Nordstrom, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Backcountry,com, where you could potentially find great deals during end-of-season sales. I was able to try on my Halfdays pieces before buying them when I visited their pop-up shop in NYC last spring, but you can also use their store locator to find and try on Halfdays near you.
If you’re interested in supporting the circular fashion movement in the spirit of sustainability, you could check for great deals on Halfdays skiwear on resale sites like Poshmark or eBay.
Read more about their product warranty here, which typically covers manufacturer’s defects within one year of purchase from authorized retailers, as long as the products are unaltered.
Shop the Aston Jacket from Halfdays
Shop the Alessandra Pant from Halfdays
Investing in quality ski apparel allows you to focus on having fun and improving your skills without distraction. Though the prices may feel steep at first, you’ll find that you will get the most use out of any item you can continue wearing from season to season and won’t have to waste money or resources by constantly replacing apparel that doesn’t last or provide proper protection from the elements. If you’re interested in the other ski apparel and equipment I personally use and love, you can check out everything I’ve listed in this article here: Shop My Ski Wear and Gear.
Are you a fan of Halfdays or have any questions about my experience skiing in their apparel? Let me know in the comments below!
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About the author
Meet Carina Otero, avid skier and the creator of She is Not Lost, an online community for celebrating female travelers and a blog providing helpful tips, useful information, and inspiration for your future travels. Carina’s passion for skiing and love of writing and photography have inspired a new blog to share her experiences and personal favorites relating to the sport:
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