Thermal underwear: characteristics, recommendations for selection and wearing

It is difficult to find people who would not hear about thermal underwear. But it is very important to study its basic characteristics before buying. It is also worth considering the basic recommendations for choosing and wearing such underwear.

The description of thermal underwear is appropriate to begin with a statement of the principle of its operation. Another name for this product is functional underwear. It doesn't just hold but also improves the removal of excess moisture. Theoretically, for the same purpose, ordinary wool linen can be used, its properties are consistent with the description of thermal underwear. But the problem is that this material is not strong enough and needs very sophisticated care.

If to improve the properties of wool due to the addition of cotton, then it will be much worse to protect from cold. Actually thermal underwear is often done using fleece fiber. This is a great non-woven fabric that consists of polyester.

Special machines make special loops, so the surface is obtained with a pile. Additional processing can reduce the likelihood of fire tissue, while eliminating the risk of spools. Everything made of fleece will not shrink when washed. The absence of decating does not prevent the fabric from stretching superbly. In addition, it will not shed even to a small extent, and it is not difficult to color such matter.

Thin fleece is usually present on thermal underwear. Its density is 0.1-0.2 kg per 1 square. m Specific Varieties:

• mahra;
• velours;
• velsoft;
• footer.

Thermal underwear is sometimes sewn from polypropylene. Such products are suitable for both weak and very intense physical exertion. They can be worn by climbers and mountain tourists, lumberjacks and many other people. Polypropylene products show excellent performance regardless of the actual weather. Polypropylene is also convenient for those who are just going to relax in the fresh air.

Describing the possible composition of thermal underwear, it is worth pointing out that it is sometimes made from cotton. This fabric is very soft and leaves a feeling of extraordinary comfort. Even a simple touch is very nice. Pure cotton items, however, are rare. Much more often used mixed fabric (with a small addition of synthetic fibers to improve the quality of clothing).

100% cotton is different:

• lack of adhesion to the body;
• zero accumulation of static electricity;
• minimal slip;
• excellent air permeability;
• instability to light;
• increased creasing.

Occasionally things from viscose are found. This fabric appeared in 1891 and was originally distinguished by a delicate texture. Good viscose is always formed in a thin layer. The main substance is wood pulp; pure viscose due to its softness and instability to water is not suitable for everyday wear. Additionally, such additives are introduced:

• elastane (increases elasticity, as evidenced by the name);
• polyester (makes the fabric more pleasant to the touch and significantly stronger);
• cotton (increases overall density).

Many companies supply thermal underwear large sizes. They simply adapt to the current situation, when more and more “large” people go hiking and sports grounds in winter. Connoisseurs of good taste and aesthetics often acquire insulated underwear of lace sewing. Most often, these goods are bought by women, because the “fair sex” is different, and the situations are different: you have to go hunting and camping trips, or just from the dacha to the railway station through the forest.

Deserves a separate conversation tactical thermal underwear. Already the name suggests that it was created originally for the army and other law enforcement agencies. Not surprisingly, the military and special forces have to go through the snow and frosty forests, mountains, even when ordinary travelers and geologists are sitting at home.

In winter, for low activity is suitable thermal underwear with heating. Today, for this purpose, heating is used with safe elements of a special design. Merino wool is often used as a shell. The result is an excellent product even for wearing against extreme frost. When it is planned to conduct an active action, it is recommended to use thermal underwear from natural cotton, polyester or polyamide.

In some cases, apply and polypropylene. A fabric with a significant amount of cotton has the necessary thermal qualities of no more than 3-5 hours. Then it is saturated excessively then and begins to pass heat excessively.

Passive occupation (for example, fishing) implies the priority of heat retention over the removal of moisture. The thermal underwear used in such cases justifies its name only conditionally - until you have to actively move.

We should also say about summer lightweight thermal underwear. It is intended primarily not to retain heat, but to divert sweat and provide micro-ventilation. In addition, even in the summer months in the forest, in the mountains, on the banks of the river, it is quite cool, especially at night.

Speaking of functional underwear for training in various sports, one cannot ignore products for figure skating. The peculiarity of the products for skaters is that it should both save heat and confidently remove excess moisture. High-level athletes clearly prefer synthetic fiber products. Popular products of the Italian company Xtech.

For a snowmobile moving at high speed, the only acceptable option is to wear things from purely synthetic matter. There are a lot of suitable products; they are in the assortment of various Russian and foreign companies.

It is worth considering that the actual size with the declared is quite rare. Thermal underwear must be measured upon purchase. The same requirements apply to the selection of functional clothing for cyclists, motorcyclists, skiers, as well as for fans of snowboarding.

As for basketball products, they must necessarily have a pronounced compression effect. Squeezing individual parts of the body improves the efficiency of sports work. To fully engage in the basketball court, you have to buy shorts and T-shirts. But for volleyball they get not only T-shirts and shorts, but also T-shirts and special tights.

Choosing thermal underwear for the winter, you should pay attention to thermal suits for walks. Heat-saving (heating) products have a special “wafer” weave of threads. The fiber gaps contain special miniature pockets where air accumulates. And as you know, only vacuum excels in thermal insulation efficiency. The resulting product is useful for home, for relaxation or minor physical exertion.

A pretty good effect is noted even at a temperature of -20 degrees. Heat-saving clothing is a good touch. But for more complex situations and active physical work, it is required to use moisture-removing types of clothing. Pockets with air will expand as the temperature rises. The air will quickly go outside, taking away even small droplets of sweat.

For the whole family, clothes are used that keep heat equally well and removes water. The location of the conductive fabric outside is optimal. At the same time, matter that retains heat is closer to the body. It will be possible to actively work and train in severe frost. Cheap hybrid underwear will be easily blown by air.

Thermal underwear can be used as overalls. Winter work items are often equipped with breathable Teflon membranes. The addition of polyester fibers helps to avoid shrinkage. Of course, overalls for each profession are selected individually. Be sure to provide protection from wind and snow.

It also corrects certain body imperfections. Besides increased pressure on individual muscle groups improves blood flow. Ventilation with oxygen increases, the outflow of harmful substances is accelerated. And nutrition at the cellular level is becoming much more intense.

The most obvious division is by who needs thermal underwear. The following varieties are distinguished:

• female;
• for girls;
• men's underwear;
• kids clothes.

All these categories of people need both underwear and underwear. Thermal pants, or thermal pants, are useful for household goods and for various work in the yard. To leave "to leave snowballs" is also possible. But the thermal T-shirt and thermo-shirt are used more often in autumn and spring, when it is not too cold. However, they can also be used as a lining for thermal shirts.

In order not to choose work pants and the “upper half” separately for women and men, it’s worth buying overalls. Distinctive feature - the presence of many pockets. The upper part is open and closed types, and this design varies flexibly. Not only aircraft technicians, miners and car service workers have long worn overalls, but also:

• amateur athletes;
• children;
• pregnant women and so on.

Women are interested, of course, in tights with a thermal effect. For their manufacture, not just insulated, but necessarily elastic fabrics are necessarily used. Another important feature is the most flat seams. If you need to "shine in the winter", then any fashionista will be glad to use thermal leggings.

Thermal underwear is intended for everyone who plans to engage in an active life and not lose proper comfort in any season of the year. It perfectly "works" in the forest and in the mountains, in the city and in the steppe, in the tundra and in the open sea. Such textiles are readily worn by men and women, children and the elderly. Functional underwear differs from ordinary underwear, even from insulated options, in that it is much thinner and successfully replaces a multi-layer wardrobe.

It will not be possible to sweat and freeze once again when wearing two-layer or three-layer heat-saving equipment with high-class wind protection. But such equipment can be used in any season of the year, not only in winter. It will provide protection against precipitation (solid and liquid), even from ultraviolet radiation. Sweat will still appear - such is physiology. However, the dehumidifying effect completely compensates for this effect.

Usually thermal underwear looks the same as ordinary clothes of a similar kind, only painted in black. But you can also find white, gray, blue, beige specimens. Almost all products are made from fabrics with a zero degree of allergic activity. Describing the pros and cons of even the warmest thermal underwear, you must specify:

• lack of discomfort;
• full usability;
• minimum frequency of washing;
• sweat odor suppression;
• difficulty in choosing (special size chart);
• lack of conformity with fashion;
• exacting care;
• inability to use one set everywhere.

The ratings of manufacturers of thermal underwear are diverse. But they necessarily feature brands and firms such as Guahoo, X-Bionic, Red Fox, Marmot. Russian-made products also have a very good reputation, and specifically Ultramax brand. But here it is worth indicating the owner - Italian corporation Dimanche. The production uses insulated fleece, polyester and a rather rare prolene.

The top also includes excellent Norwegian lingerie Janus. Selected merino wool is used to make this garment. Excellent moisture removal and long-term operation are guaranteed. The natural composition is very attractive. But such products are expensive.

A good alternative would also be Finnish Guahoo. There are a lot of model variations. There is a well-thought-out gradation in thermal regime. You should also pay attention to:

• Craft (Swedish brand);
• Arcteryx (Canada);
• Faberlic
• Lasting (Czech Republic);
• Norveg (Germany);
• Brubeck (Poland);
• Oldos (Russia);
• Huntsman (Russia);
• Gunze (Japanese company).

Optionally, however, good thermal underwear should be made by one of the firms just listed. In any case, it is worth considering that It is impossible to choose a high-quality and inexpensive kit. They just don’t do it, because making functional clothes cannot be cheap. At the same time, well-made things will help out even in the harshest winter. You can choose the right thermal underwear only taking into account the assigned tasks.

Experts believe that products made from natural materials should be bought for sedentary activities, like ice fishing. Products made of bamboo fiber are very durable and hold heat well, almost do not absorb water.The problem is that they are extremely expensive.

Contrary to popular myth, it is not advisable to buy thermal underwear for wrapping from excessive body weight. In the best case, this will slightly increase the effect of training and changing nutrition. Of course, it is required to wear such underwear systematically, otherwise one cannot count on a positive result. Adults for cold weather is best to choose products with two main layers. They are perfect:

• to tourists;
• Skiers
• to fishermen;
• to hunters;
• geologists;
• gamekeepers.

Three-layer products differ little from having 2 layers. They are identical in thermal qualities. But this solution is optimal for those suffering from allergies and increased skin sensitivity. For children, do not use clothes made of pure synthetics.

Wearing linen correctly is no less important than choosing it in accordance with all the rules. Do not think that thermal shirts, thermal pants and other options are a magical barrier that saves heat. The main function of protection against the cold is still performed by outerwear. because putting a functional kit under a light jacket in 30-degree frost is frankly stupid. It is also worth taking into account the difference between products for sports and everyday life.

Experts advise putting on thermal underwear directly on the body or on top of the lower one, only under this condition it will perform its functions. If you can take two sets, then you should choose the one that is more compact. The elasticity of matter avoids discomfort. It is also important to observe the criterion of 3 layers when thermal underwear is still worn with thin fleece clothes.

Recommended use specialized laundry detergents only. Powders for winter outerwear in general are also suitable. It is sometimes advised to use liquid gels for delicate processing. And from home remedies, if it is impossible to wash thermal underwear in the washing machine, laundry soap is recommended. As for the "ordinary" powders and gels, it is impractical to use them, since all valuable impregnations will be washed from thermal underwear.

Washing machine include on delicate mode or on imitation of a hand wash. Thermal underwear should be washed after every three to four days of wear. The appearance of a typical bad smell says that the problem is already very serious. It is advisable to choose a warming not stronger than 30-40 degrees. Mechanical drying and drying in the open sun are not allowed.

Thermal clothing is evaluated differently by different people. But it is worth emphasizing that negative reviews are mainly associated with the purchase of low-quality copies or very cheap things. Expect to buy a decent thermal underwear cheaper than 15,000 rubles is categorically unrealistic. Good results are provided only by products sold in specialized stores.

Things designed for temperatures of 30 degrees and below are very well exploited in the polar regions and in mountain, taiga hikes. The warmest types of thermal clothing are suitable for sedentary outdoor activities. But in the room they are frankly hot. It should be borne in mind that all modern modifications of thermal underwear are thin and last a long time. The exception is only outright fakes.

In the next video, the browser talks about the main types of thermal underwear and the materials from which it is made, and gives recommendations for choosing based on the activity for which the underwear is selected.