look at tutti.ch for a used item, if you are a casual skier(name your sport here), no need to invest in a brand-new gear - someone has done it already, all you need is to find it. riccardo.ch has even some categories on sizes. Same applies to skis and boots - one can get a decent set for the the same amount one would spend on the rental for a week, let alone a season.
For those people buying "thin" ski jackets, you must be made aware that these today, unlike the down filled ski puffer jackets from the 70s and 80s, are normally made to be worn with the corresponding fleece...and at times also the corresponding light jumper (or sports polo neck) as well as your ski undergarments. These matching, corresponding accessories are the items that retain body heat, the job of the outer "thin" jacket is for wind proofing and water/moisture proofing in principal.
No matter what has happened with mountain clothing over the years, the secret to good body temperature control will always remain to be dressed in plenty of layers. Layers catch heat within each fold to keep you warm, too hot and simply remove one to adjust.
In general, many of the cheaper garments will have less of an overall life compared to more expensive ones, but by all means do check and compare the content of material used to manufacture them, some expensive ones are indeed made of the same material and similar quality finish.
Anybody that buys ski boots without getting them properly fitted is in for a bad season, unless you are one of the few people whose foot is exactly the same shape as the last used to make the boot.
The boot is what transmits your movements to the skis, if it doesn't fit properly then those movements are transmitted to the skis properly and it all goes wrong.
if they don't fit you ain't buying them. some sellers do accept returns if that is the case and you can't try them upon collection.
extrems aside, a normal boot will adapt to a new foot in no time - same with rented boots. no need to groan, just try. of course if you are in to spend 750 CHF on a new pair rather than a 100 on a used one, then you don't need such advices.
I find the Fr.500 jackets to be twice better than the Fr.250 jackets, but I don't think the Fr.1000 jackets are twice better than the Fr.500 ones.
So my sweet spot would be the scandi brands like Haglofs/peak/norrona if they're on sale.
I used to like North Face, but they are roomier and look baggy on me, and now my style is more sleek scandinavian.
On top of my base layer, I need 2 or 3 layers - outer shell and fleece for warmer days, swapping the fleece for a thin down jacket on colder days.
Ski boots - rent and buy. Most places do season rental on brand new boots for 50% price of new. If you like them, pay the other 50% at the end of the season and keep them. They should fit you for it when you get the new ones and will adjust it for you throughout the season.
For a boot shell to adapt it has to heated to around 170 C, and a liner to 120C for it to adapt, so what you are saying is completely wrong - hence the groan.
yes, it's the zippers that go on the cheaper ones. In saying that though I bought my ski jacket at Migros in the girls section (lol) in 2013. I am 160cm. I love it, I love the colour and the pattern, and the fit as Markarina said. In total I must have worn it nearly every day for 3 Winter season plus some and the zipper is just starting to go. I think it cost about 150 CHF. It has served its job well. Lots of the new ones I see around are too girly or fancy for me so I'm praying the zip will keep working until I find a replacement.
thanks for the idea. It may not be worth it though for a well-used jacket, although I've worn it so often in town people won't recognise me with a different jacket