Thermal clothing used to be widely used as an underlayer for residents of cold countries, nowadays it is mainly used in the (outdoor) sports world. Thermal innerwear is therefore something that almost every outdoor athlete has in his or her closet. But what exactly is thermal clothing? What is thermal clothing made of and how do you wear it? In this blog we answer these questions!
The first thermal innerwear appeared in the 1950s and was originally intended for use by divers and the military. However, after a few years, the benefits of this type of clothing were appreciated by athletes, and even later innerwear supplemented the wardrobe of ordinary people. Everyone has had a chance to buy innerwear at competitive prices.
Of particular value of this type of protective clothing is for anglers who like to fish in the winter cold season. Due to the ability to remove moisture from the body, innerwear contributes to a significant reduction in the overall cost of energy, and when you consider that many of the fishermen sit near the hole in the cold for 8 – 10 hours a day, they buy thermals online, literally saves their health and even life. What are the benefits of thermal innerwear? To answer this question, consider the materials from which it is composed.
How does thermal clothing work?
Let’s be honest: thermal clothing does not automatically make you warm. A thermal shirt ensures that your body stays at the right temperature. It is therefore not surprising that you are still a bit chilly at the start of a workout, because your body still has to warm itself up. So don’t worry if you’re still cold for the first 10 minutes. In fact, if you’re already at the ideal temperature when you start, you’re wearing too many clothes (this doesn’t apply when it’s 30 degrees outside, of course).
What is the function of thermal clothing?
In short, thermal clothing has the following functions:
- When you warm yourself up through exertion, thermal clothing retains this heat.
- Thermal clothing wicks sweat and heat to the outside/the second layer.
Thermo innerwear is therefore not only intended for winter, but also for summer or indoor sports. In the winter it keeps you warm and in the summer/indoors a thermal shirt ensures that you don’t get too hot.
Finally, baby thermal wear has a third function: to prevent chafing. Because thermal clothing is seamless and fits well against the skin, it prevents chafing.
The three-layer system
The three-layer system is perfect for the choice of clothing for the upper body and is widely used by hikers and outdoor athletes. By applying the system, the body remains at the right temperature in all circumstances. The three-layer system consists of ﾖ as the name suggests three layers: sweat wicking, insulation and wind and water resistance.
- The bottom layer wicks away sweat and keeps the skin dry. Thermal innerwear is perfect for this and is therefore almost always used as the first layer.
- The intermediate layer insulates and transports the perspiration further to the outside. For example, a sports shirt or fleece.
- The outer layer protects against weather conditions such as cold, wind, rain and snow. Think of a water-repellent windbreaker.