Thermal underwear is a great opportunity to warm the body in winter without putting on many things. Thanks to the special weaving of the fabric, it warms up the heat just like several layers of ordinary clothing. But do not confuse it with a standard underwear - thermal underwear "functions" differently. If you want to buy yourself such a thing, but do not know how to choose thermal underwear, take a few minutes to our article. From it you will learn a lot of useful information.
Content
What is thermal underwear?
Thermal underwear is called clothing that, in addition to the functions of ordinary underwear, performs several additional:
- keeps the heat generated by the body;
- removes perspiration from the skin;
- protects the body from wind and other bad weather.
It is mainly created with hypoallergenic materials and without seams, which makes it very pleasant to use.
Initially, thermal underwear was popular among athletes because it did not hinder their movement. But technical progress is constantly developing and after a while specialists have created thermal things for daily use and not only with protection from cold, but also from heat. Now everyone can buy this useful thing.
The functionality of thermal underwear depends on the material from which it was made. As a rule, for this, natural and synthetic fabrics are combined in various ways, which ultimately makes it possible to obtain material that took only positive qualities from the source. For example, warming wool is not resistant to wear and tear, and cotton does not tolerate wetness. But if you combine these natural fabrics with polyester or polypropylene, then the linen will take moisture outside and keep only warm air inside.
The garments are made seamless or with outer seams, so you will not feel the slightest discomfort during long-term wear. They fit snugly to the body, creating a "second skin" effect.
Types of thermal underwear
The thermo not only retains heat, but also removes moisture well from the surface of the body to the outside, because it is cold in a wet undercoat, even if there are a lot of clothes on top of it. Given the degree of expression of the main "action" of thermal underwear, it can be of three types.
Heat saving
It is sewn from fabric created with three-dimensional weaving of threads. This weaving principle creates small air pockets between the fibers that minimize heat loss. The threads themselves also have increased thermal insulation properties, since they are a combination of cotton or wool with certain artificial materials - microfleece, PE or microplush.
Thermal underwear with a heat-saving effect can be worn every day or during moderate physical activity.
It is in demand among buyers because:
- differs in increased thermal insulation;
- pleasant to the body;
- warms well even at -25 degrees;
- protects from wind due to good density.
Thermal underwear does not wick moisture very well. Created with low breathability fabric. In terms of the duration of operation, it is inferior to 100% synthetics.
Moisture wicking
Made entirely of synthetic materials.Thermal underwear quickly removes moisture and does not absorb it, so the body is dry and does not freeze. The fabric is thinner, weeks in clothes with a heat-saving effect, but the vapor permeability indicator is excellent.
The fibers of the fabric for functional underwear are woven differently, but there are also mini pockets between them. When heated, they increase in size, so the pressure inside the web increases. This practically pushes air containing the smallest particles of sweat.
Thermal underwear is different:
- good strength and long-term operation;
- the ability to dry quickly, so the body does not have time to cool;
- protects against temperature extremes in case of alternation of active and passive pastime.
Such underwear warms well those who are constantly on the move. It's just cold to stand in it. Since it is made only from synthetic fabrics, it can cause discomfort due to its rigidity.
Hybrid
Promotes rapid sweat removal and retains body heat. Different technologies are used in the manufacture of thermal underwear:
- thicken the perspiration layer;
- make the heat-saving layer thinner.
But the quality of such linen is mediocre. The best result is shown by double-sided underwear: the inner side is made of a moisture-permeable polymer material, the outer one is made of a volumetric cellular warm fabric.
Benefits:
- created from various fabrics, so it is worn for a long time and fits nicely to the body;
- allows you to actively spend time even in severe frost;
- protects the body from strong and gusty winds.
To get thermal underwear with the above advantages, you will have to pay a tidy sum. Cheap things do not "perform" their basic functions well.
Thermal underwear selection parameters
To buy the right thermal underwear right away, follow the criteria described below.
Manufacturing material
Perhaps the most important criterion. All its qualities depend on what kind of fabric was used to create a thing. As a rule, this will be a combination of several sources, but each of them affects the resulting material in its own way. Let's consider the most popular sources:
- Wool. It does not heat much, since a thin layer is obtained from it. But if combined with synthetic fibers, they become softer and more pleasant to the body. It is good if merino wool was used when creating thermal things, since it has natural antibacterial protection and quickly removes moisture. Cashmere has similar qualities, however, it is very expensive and whimsical to care for.
- Cotton. Inexpensive, anti-static, suitable for daily wear, protects against overheating indoors. Fits nicely to the body. It is able to retain moisture, therefore it is not suitable for long-term active pastime in the cold.
- Polypropylene. Despite the artificiality, it is the most optimal option for creating thermal things, since it reliably removes sweat outside and never gets wet from it.
- Polyester. Easy-care material, removes excess moisture, inexpensive, warms well with little activity. Works best with cotton.
Any thermal fabric can additionally consist of bacteriostatic silvered sludge threads, which prevent the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in the secreted sweat. Popular among these materials are X-Static, Odor Resistant and Meryl Skinlife. Thanks to them, even after constantly wearing thermal underwear for several days, it will not smell unpleasant.
If you buy thermal underwear for a child, then it should consist of at least 50 percent natural fabrics. The child's body begins to independently regulate the temperature only after the age of three, therefore, things made of pure synthetics are prohibited to them.
A kind of physical activity
One of the main qualifications used by manufacturers and sellers. Given the occupation, the main functions of the underwear should be manifested to a greater or lesser extent.
As a rule, suits for activity are presented in one line:
- Minimal.This refers to walking calmly down the street at low temperatures or sleeping. During this, a minimum amount of sweat is released from the body, so it does not need to be urgently taken outside. For such activity, clothes with the Lifestyle or Cotton, Comfort, Winter or Soft label are suitable.
- High. This is all sports and any activity at sub-zero temperatures.
- Mixed. It involves a combination of activity and passivity. Thermal underwear for mixed activities should wick away moisture well when a person sweats intensely and keep warm when he is at rest
Sports thermal underwear is qualified in sports disciplines:
- For skiing, underwear is made with increased hygroscopicity and softness. Therefore, skiers' suits are created with the addition of natural fibers and are additionally insulated in the groin area.
- Skaters and skaters need thin and dense thermal underwear that fits the body perfectly. To achieve this effect, elastane is used when creating things.
- For lovers of winter fishing, they create thermal underwear with increased density, heat-saving "action" and a minimum indicator of moisture permeability. This effect is provided by the addition of a large amount of wool.
- For water sports, only synthetic suits are created.
Temperature regime
The body's reaction to cold is individual, therefore the information on the thermal suit label is conditional. But still, it allows you to navigate what season the thing is intended for. This is especially important, since now thermal underwear is produced to protect not only from frost, but also from heat. Consider the existing temperature conditions:
- 0 - +10, +10 - +20 degrees (Outdoor or Cool). Designed for outdoor sports. Such things remove sweat well, so the body does not overcool.
- +10 - -10 degrees (Thermo Line and Zero Extreme). Thermal underwear perfectly warms in the off-season and does not allow overheating while staying indoors.
- -10 - -15 degrees (Warm or Wool Soft). Winter thermal underwear with wool in the composition.
- -20 - -30 degrees (Extra Warm). It is a very warm two-layer thermal underwear.
Cut
Today on the market you can find thermal underwear of various cuts, from T-shirts to baby rompers. You need to choose the right thing taking into account which part of the body you want to warm. At the same time, do not forget about the features of outerwear. For example, women often wear tight-fitting clothes, so anatomical elastic thermal underwear with additional breast support is suitable for them.
One-piece overalls are suitable for babies, which will protect the body from hypothermia in case of bulging outer clothing. Also, it will not hurt to buy a comforter that protects the head, ears and respiratory organs from cold air.
It is better to buy only one thermal item for daily use. For example, for men, thermo coveralls and a thermal shirt are suitable.
The size
Thermal underwear should not be perceived as an additional layer of clothing. It should fit snugly to the body, otherwise it will not have the desired effect. Naturally, the size must also be clearly defined.
Each manufacturer offers its own dimensional grid, but you can be guided by the generally accepted marking:
- XXS and XS - sizes for children with a height of 128-134 and 140-146 cm. There are things that are smaller, but they are selected according to the age of the baby;
- S is women's 44 and men's 46-48 sizes;
- L - female 50 and male 50-52;
- XL - size 52-54.
Before buying thermal underwear, it is imperative to measure it, since it should fit snugly to the body. Remember, it is not elastic, so if you buy a set one size smaller, you will not be able to wear it.
What thermal underwear to choose
To prevent thermal underwear from giving you discomfort, you need to choose it correctly:
- For daily use in cold weather, it is more rational to buy thin or medium-density cotton linen with a low percentage of polymer fabric. For such conditions, heating suits with medium moisture management are well suited.
- For a quiet time outdoors, a low activity kit is suitable. It is distinguished by increased thickness, density and wool content. This requirement also applies to underwear for children.
- It is better to have an active rest in frosty weather in a two-layer or hybrid undercoat created from natural and piece materials. The most effective combination is wool and polypropylene. But if you need a budget option, then buy thermal underwear made from polyester and cotton.
- For hiking and swimming in open water, it is better to wear synthetic moisture-wicking underwear that will protect the body from hypothermia.
- For the off-season, a deaf kit is suitable. In light frosts, it is enough to wear a T-shirt and shorts, or thin synthetic suits. They can also be used for sports activities in warm but not hot weather.
Now you know how to choose the right thermal underwear for cold weather, recreation and sports.
The best thermal underwear manufacturers: which one to choose?
On the market you can find thermal things from various companies, but they are all of high quality. Some unscrupulous manufacturers simply assign this title to ordinary fleece things. To protect yourself from buying low-quality goods, buy products from companies specializing in the production of warm clothes. These include Norveg, Guahoo, Craft, X-Bionic, Red Fox and Arcteryx.
Thermal underwear cost
Good thermal underwear is not a cheap pleasure, but its high cost is fully justified. Check out the approximate prices:
- synthetic underpants, a turtleneck or a T-shirt will cost 700 - 11,000 rubles;
- women's cotton clothes are sold for 500 - 12,000 rubles, for men - 200 - 6,000 rubles;
- woolen thermal underwear can be bought for 1 - 11,000 rubles, a set of two - for 15,000 rubles;
- one thermo thing for children costs in the range of 300 - 7,000 rubles.
Disadvantages of thermal underwear
It is difficult to overestimate the advantages of thermal underwear, but it still has certain disadvantages.
Non-universality
There are special sets of underwear for each lesson. On the one hand, it is convenient, but on the other, not very much, namely in financial terms. Since buying cheap thermal things is practically pointless, it is better to spend money on quality ones. For example, if you like to run and fish, then you will have to purchase two different sets, and it will cost a lot.
Thermal underwear is difficult to clean. It must be washed at a maximum of +40 and by hand, dried only at room temperature. Thermal things are already on sale that are suitable for washing at +95 degrees and do not deform after that, but they are not yet very common.
Outcome
Now you know everything about thermal underwear. We hope our article will help you make the right choice and enjoy the purchased item for a long time.
