How to choose the best thermal underwear for winter?
In winter, despite the low temperatures, many people choose to spend time outdoors and engage in winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding and mountain hiking. For this to be enjoyable and safe, the right clothing is essential, including good thermal underwear for winter. This type of underwear provides thermal insulation, wicks moisture away from the skin and increases comfort during intense physical activity.
From the following article you will learn: what is thermal underwear, how it works, what underwear to choose for specific activities, and what are the differences between thermal and thermoactive underwear.
Thermal underwear - what is it?
Thermoactive underwear for winter is a technical garment, the main task of which is to provide the wearer with thermal insulation and to wick away sweat generated during physical activity. It is worth noting that the use of thermal underwear alone will not make you stop sweating. The myth of no sweating in sportswear comes from a misunderstanding of the function of thermal underwear. Its function is to wick away excess moisture that forms on the skin during physical activity, not to eliminate the sweating process. Choosing the right underwear, however, has an impact on the amount of perspiration. Wearing too thick or too warm underwear that is not appropriate for the activity or environmental conditions should be avoided, as this can lead to increased sweating. The successive layers of clothing you put on also play a role in proper moisture wicking.
Thermal underwear is part of a broader group of products, namely thermal clothing. By default, thermal underwear includes:
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long and short sleeve shirts,
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briefs, sports bras, boxers,
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gaiters, leggings.
How do thermal underwear work?
Thermal underwear helps wick moisture away from the skin to the outer layers of clothing, which increases the comfort of activity and reduces the risk of hypothermia. Some models of thermal underwear consist of two layers of fibers, which differ in their structure. The inner layer is more densely woven and serves to absorb perspiration, while the outer layer has a mesh structure and wicks moisture away. Due to its adhesion to the body, sweat is easily absorbed into the fabric and moves to the surface of the knit or to the next layer.
Depending on the model, thermal clothing can have antibacterial properties that prevent odor and skin irritation. For example, the natural antibacterial properties of merino wool underwear are due to the presence of lanolin, a fatty acid found in sheep's wool. Lanolin acts as a natural antibacterial agent and effectively blocks the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold. As a result, merino wool underwear remains fresh even after many days of wear. On the other hand, in the case of clothing made of synthetic materials, the formation of unpleasant odors is generally reduced by silver ions, which have an antibacterial effect.
Performance of thermal underwear
Types of thermal underwear
Thermal underwear is generally offered in three thicknesses. The types available are light, medium and thick underwear. It is important to properly select the type of underwear according to the planned physical activity and current weather conditions.
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Lightweight underwear - best as the first layer of clothing during summer training. Thermoactive underwear for summer effectively wicks moisture to the outside, but does not heat. This type of underwear generally includes short-sleeved thermal shirts and thermal shorts. For the winter season, it may be too thin, unless you put extra layers on top.
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Medium underwear - is a garment, ideal for transitional periods, namely spring and autumn. Thanks to its special design, it prevents excessive sweating while providing protection against moderate cold. It includes, among others, long-sleeved thermal shirts and gaiters.
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Thick underwear - represents the ideal thermal underwear for winter. It is made of appropriately thick materials, designed to maintain proper body warmth in cold and very cold temperatures. Examples include gaiters or long-sleeved T-shirts
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How to wear thermal underwear?
Thermal underwear works most effectively when it adheres directly to the body. It is not recommended to put additional layers of clothing under it. In winter, during physical activities, the principle of "onion" clothing is often applied. This involves putting on several light layers of clothing on top of each other, starting with thermal underwear. This method allows you to regulate your body temperature by adding or removing more layers of clothing.
Also, remember to choose the right size, as underwear should not be too tight, which could impede air circulation.
Thermal underwear for mountains
If you are planning to hike in the mountains, then pay attention to underwear made of merino wool. It does a great job of absorbing and wicking away moisture, additionally providing thermal comfort at a high level. The structure of the material reduces the formation of odor, which is important if you do not have the opportunity to do laundry on a multi-day trip.
For those looking for a cheaper alternative, synthetic fiber underwear is recommended. These are lightweight materials that dry quickly and wick away moisture well. In addition, they are more durable than natural fibers. At the same time, it is worth noting that they absorb odors quite quickly. Exceptions are models with odor-reducing technologies, for example, with the addition of silver ions.
It is worth noting that merino wool dries slower than synthetic materials, making it advisable if you are traveling in dry or freezing conditions. Conversely, if you are going to places with more humid climates then, choose thermal underwear for the mountains made of synthetics.
Thermal underwear for skiing
The use of properly selected thermal underwear for skiing is key to maintaining proper body temperature and increasing comfort while riding. Choosing the right underwear for skiing depends on the activity you are undertaking. Depending on whether you are downhill skiing or skydiving, it makes sense to purchase slightly different thermal underwear.
If you are planning to go skydiving, it is important that the thermal underwear for skiing wicks away moisture instantly. This is especially important, because during this physical activity the body works dynamically and secretes considerable amounts of sweat. For this reason, it is advisable to opt for underwear made of synthetic fibers or possibly low-weight merino wool. As far as synthetic fibers are concerned, we recommend, for example, polyester finished with TopCool technology, which is characterized by high mechanical strength, lightness and fast wicking of moisture to the outside of the material.
Downhill skiing is not as intense an activity as skydiving, so it does not require as fast sweat wicking. In this case, for downhill skiing we can choose warmer underwear made of merino wool or synthetic materials.
Thermal underwear for winter running
Using thermal underwear when running in cold weather is an effective way to ensure comfort. When choosing thermal underwear, it is advisable to pay attention to its weight so that it is as light as possible and does not weigh down the body, which is especially important during physical activities such as running. It is also important that it does not restrict movement and is flexible. It is worth noting that the composition of the underwear should include elastane, which provides freedom of movement, adapts well to the body and is highly stretchable. When choosing thermal underwear for running, also pay attention to the type of seams used, so that they do not cause skin irritation.
When running during the winter, it is best to use a system of layers called "onion". Wear thermal underwear consisting of thermal pants and a long-sleeved blouse, and on top of that put additional layers of clothing. Remember to avoid clothing that has cotton in its composition.
Thermic underwear vs. thermal underwear - differences
What is the difference between thermal underwear and thermal underwear? The table below shows the main differences:
| Thermic underwear | Thermal underwear | |
| Function | Maintains body temperature at an optimal level and transports moisture (sweat) to the outside | It provides a high level of thermal insulation and protects against frost, but wicks away sweat much less well than thermal underwear |
| Properties | Breathable, flexible | Warm, soft |
| Material | Synthetic and natural materials (mainly merino wool) | Plain cotton, wool or synthetic fibers |
| Body fit | Usually fitted | Loose or fitted |
| Type of activity | Designed for higher intensity activities | Designed for more static activities |
Thermal underwear offer on MILITARY.PL
Thermal underwear for the mountains, for skiing, or maybe for running? In our assortment you will find a wide selection of products to suit your needs and specific type of activity. Using thermal underwear during winter outdoor activities is the ideal way to ensure your comfort.
MILITARY.PL offers thermal underwear made of both synthetic and natural materials. The assortment includes thermal pants, boxer shorts, long and short sleeve shirts, as well as sets with a balaclava, offering additional protection against the cold. We also offer ready-made sets of thermal underwear, made by renowned brands such as Military Wear, Helikon, M-Tac, Alpinus. They are characterized by quick drying and elasticity, so they perfectly fit the user's figure.
