Benefits of Thermal Underwear – Layer Up and Stay Warm

When it comes to clothing preparations for the winter outdoor activities, jackets and pants are definitely the most used ones, with particular attention being paid on their properties, among which waterproofing. And while we tend to focus on the choices we make regarding them, what happens with the decisions we make on underwear? Remember, the secret to staying warm in the cold is layering, and that basic layer matters a great deal.

In other words, what you wrap your skin in as the first layer while practising your favourite winter sport, walking around the city or camping in freezing temperatures, can make a huge difference for your entire experience which is where warm underwear proves to be essential.

Sure, there are various options of underwear you can come across, made of versatile materials, like cotton and bamboo, but if you want to be certain you stay warm, thermal is the choice to go for. What does thermal mean exactly? Well, it is a type of clothing designed to trap the body’s heat and prevent the cold air from getting to your skin; think of it as an insulation base if you will.

When heading out during winter time it is always recommended to have a layer of thermal clothing on you so that you are well-protected, so along with paying attention to the mid and outer layers of winter wear, think of the thermal gear also; don’t be fooled by the thin fabrics, though, as they’re designed to keep you well protected from the freezing cold with the least weight possible!

Now, let’s take a look at some of the other benefits of thermal underwear.

• Besides regulating your body’s temperature, this type of underwear is also designed to absorb perspiration, the outcome being fighting evaporative cooling, which is the key in the protection it provides. Even though the weather may be cold, the simple act of you moving your body on longer distances can still make you sweat. And yes, walking around with a wet and sweaty underwear, potentially exposing yourself to catching a cold, is by no means comfortable. Worse, imagine playing winter sports when you’re feeling this uncomfortable; you’d surely feel distracted to enjoy the experience fully. For this very reason, wearing thermal underwear whenever you get out of the house is a really good idea, even more when you’re up for adventures in the snow. Best of all is, you can also expect to reap the benefits of fast drying which comes in handy especially when you’re doing laundry on the road.
• Regardless of your outdoor activity, clothing that restricts the free movement of your body is not fun at all. With thermal underwear, that will never be an issue. Designed to fit your body snugly, it won’t cause you any discomfort, which consequently makes it the ideal layer of clothing for practising your favourite outdoor sport even in the coldest of months.
• Thermal clothing comes at an affordable price when compared to buying extremely thick and expensive blouses, pants and jackets that will cost you hundreds of dollars. Mind you though, I’m not saying you should not buy good jackets, suitable pants and some fluffy sweaters, but when wearing thermal clothing underneath, you won’t feel the need to wear layers and layers of clothing to make up for the warmth and end up feeling like a walking closet with all the piles of clothes on. Think quality, not just quantity. Knowing the benefits of wearing underwear that’s meant to keep you warm, considering there are many options available, it’s important to know what you should look for when buying it.

Fit

A snug fitting model will trap the heat generated by your body, boosting comfort. If it fits poorly, the underwear is likely to create hot pockets instead of distributing the warmth evenly, which can feel quite uncomfortable, so remember, the key is in snug fit, neither too loose nor too tight.

Fabric

The material of your clothing needs to be soft yet tough and hardwearing enough to resist the different weather elements as well as the activities you put it through, be it on a day to day basis or the winter snow fun. Synthetic fabrics such as spandex, polyester, lycra, and nylon are best for those extremely cold conditions.

For the eco-conscious looking for the best organic alternatives, wool is a natural fibre that can perfectly balance your body’s temperature and has excellent moisture-wicking properties and you can find plenty of wool or wool mixed fabrics to pick from.

Not every fabric is suitable for thermal under clothes as we can see in the case with cotton, among the least preferred options for thermal underwear, because it retains perspiration leaving you feeling wet, chilled, and clammy.

Weight

Now, depending on where you live or the destination where you intend to wear the clothing, you can choose from three options of thermal under clothes weight: lightweight, midweight and heavyweight.
As you can guess, the first one is ideal for those not so cold temperatures, whereas when you want proper protection from the cold it’s advisable to choose the midweight. As for the heavyweight, known to be stronger and thicker, it’s created for the extreme cold.

Style

There are two styles of thermal underwear: one piece underwear suits and two-piece models which include a long-sleeved top and a lower body piece that covers you from the waist to the ankles.

Both styles can be close fitting or loose fitting – it all depends on the type of the fabric they are made of. For example, microfiber models are more form-fitting and tend to keep their shape better than cotton. As long as you buy a model that doesn’t rub against your skin even in a combination with mid and outer layers, you’re good!

Bottom line is, wearing thermal underwear is the simplest and most efficient way to protect your body from the cold weather. Keep in mind the above-mentioned factors when buying your clothing and you will have nothing to worry about.