With the onset of cold weather, people start to be interested in thermal insulation. Once upon a time, it was mainly bought by professional athletes, but today such underwear is available to everyone. The term “thermal underwear” has taken hold in modern society and is overgrown with many myths about what it should be and what it is intended for. We will help you figure it all out and give practical advice on choosing thermal underwear.

To begin with, let’s figure out what is thermal washing? Outwardly, thermal underwear looks like things we are all familiar with: T-shirts with long and short sleeves, turtlenecks, shorts, breeches, leggings, etc. All this is not as important as the type of material and type of weaving that was used to create underwear.

The main task of thermal insulation is heat insulation and moisture removal. Polypropylene is considered the best material for the manufacture of thermal underwear, it has zero moisture absorption, and polyester is also used. And to make the thermal underwear pleasant to wear, cotton or wool is added to it.

Modern technologies for the production of thermal underwear consist in the special weaving of very fine fibers (microfibers). Due to the high density of villi, a feeling of comfort is created. The special feature of thermal underwear is the two-layer structure of the fabric. The inner layer is made of polymer material, and the outer layer has a “cellular” structure that provides additional thermal insulation and works for maximum moisture distribution and rapid evaporation.

In order to get rid of unpleasant odors during long-term use, modern manufacturers perform antibacterial treatment of thermal underwear. Also, in order to maintain skin hygiene, Meryl Skinlife bacteriostatic fiber is used, and X-Static nylon thread, which is covered with a layer of silver, is used to suppress the reproduction of bacteria and fungi.

Modern thermal clothing is classified according to many criteria, taking into account the physical activity during which it will be worn. Physical activity includes not only sports, but any activities in general (leisurely walks, winter fishing, etc.). Accordingly, the activity can be low or high, and this is important to consider when choosing a model of thermomobility.

How to choose a thermal underwear?

In order to choose the appropriate thermal insulation, it is necessary to determine what tasks it should cope with. Let’s consider the main ones.

• Thermal underwear for sports. Sports thermal underwear should provide normal moisture removal. Heat preservation in this case takes a second place, since the body temperature does not decrease during high physical exertion. You can choose underwear for sports with a low, medium or high level of activity. Most often, it is made of synthetic fabrics. For active recreation in the winter, choose thermal underwear, which includes polypropylene, which frees the body from excess moisture;
• Thermal clothing for fishing. The organization of winter fishing also requires careful selection of thermal clothing. If you like to sit with a fishing rod on the ice, then when choosing thermal clothing, focus on its ability to preserve the heat of your body. Moisture removal in this case is not so important. It is best to choose thermal underwear with wool for passive pastime in the cold season;
• Children’s thermal underwear. When buying a thermal underwear for your child, you must take into account the degree of his activity during walks, as well as how comfortable it is to put it on the baby: for example, a neck that is too narrow can cause , that the baby categorically refuses to carry the purchase. Do not buy thermal underwear for children for growth: the size must strictly correspond to the height of the child. For children, choose unisex-style thermal underwear: practical and comfortable;
• Thermal clothes for everyday wear. The choice of thermal clothes for everyday wear includes certain properties: the ability to warm and remove moisture when necessary. As a rule, thin fabrics such as microfiber are better suited for these purposes;
• Men’s thermal underwear. On sale you can find a wide range of everyday and sports thermal underwear for men. Representatives of the stronger sex usually do not like to wrap themselves up and put on several layers of clothing, but in winter it is important to prevent hypothermia. You can kill two birds with one stone by buying a T-shirt or turtleneck, as well as pants made of heat-resistant fabric, which will maintain comfort and keep warm in the worst frost;
• Women’s thermal underwear. Women tend to choose thermal underwear from elastic fabrics that fit the body well and allow you to wear your favorite clothes, regardless of the weather. On the modern market there is a rich selectionclothing for women: T-shirts, shirts, bodysuits, leggings. Women’s thermal underwear is usually distinguished by attractive colors and finishing materials. You can even find underwear with silk, lace or satin trim, which will provide comfort and keep you warm, while having an attractive appearance.

Fabric weight.

A universal way to determine what underwear you need is to look at the weight and density of the fabric. The higher the ambient temperature and the more active your loads, the lighter the laundry should be, and vice versa. For simplicity, many manufacturers use the standard marking:

– Microweight. For warm conditions and heavy loads. An excellent choice for running or cycling in summer, autumn or spring.

– Lightweight. Suitable for cool conditions. Late autumn or early spring – exactly that.

– Midweight. A good choice for both active and passive use in cold weather. You can sit in the office in warmth and comfort, and you can ski like crazy.

– Heavyweight. Suitable for harsh conditions. A great way to keep warm even in the bitterest frost.

Dimensions of thermal insulation.

Size is very important when choosing thermal underwear, because if such underwear does not fit your body well, it will not be able to retain heat properly. If the thing is too small, it will restrict your movements and create discomfort.

The sizes of thermal underwear are marked with the traditional designations XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, but they may differ from different manufacturers. We recommend that when buying underwear, you should be guided by the size chart offered by this or that manufacturer.

How to distinguish a real thermal blanket from a fake.

It is not very difficult to avoid fakes when choosing a thermal blanket, if you know how to distinguish a quality thing from a fake. First, pay attention to the fact that the underwear does not stretch. Secondly, high-quality thermal underwear should dry in a matter of minutes. Thirdly, good thermal underwear should be seamless.

The following can be attributed to the signs of high-quality thermal mobility:

• Fits, but does not squeeze;
• All seams and tags are on the outside;
• Seams should be flat;
• Does not shed, does not stretch, does not dye during washing;
• Does not absorb odors and does not get wet from sweat;
• Do not hover.