The transition between seasons shows up not only on the thermometer scale, but also in our wardrobes. Nature is slowly changing, after the winter months we expect a colour-packed spring and trips to the countryside are an increasingly common weekend activity. So make sure you choose and layer the right thermal underwear.
You know - piles of thermal underwear and we're never sure if we're properly dressed. What's the recipe for the right use of quality thermal underwear? How to layer our thermo so that it performs properly?
Choosing the right thermal underwear is related to its use
In order for thermal clothing to be fit for purpose, we need to understand where and what activities we want to use it for. Are we cold on the train in the morning? Or are we going on a long trek in the beautiful Slovak countryside? According to the purpose, we divide the thermal clothing as follows:
- warm-up thermals
- thermal clothing for activities in bad weather
Thermal Warm-Up Garment is designed primarily for casual daytime. Its main task is to keep warm. The standard "thermo" is mainly made of cotton. The latter, in addition to a pleasant fit, can absorb moisture, which is also nice for physical activity. The only disadvantage is the slow drying time. In other words, if you need to keep warm on your way to work and back, cotton classics are the right choice for you.
Thermal clothing suitable for activities in inclement weather requires a more demanding and higher quality composition. That's why these thermal underwear are of slightly higher quality. The reason for this is a more complicated composition and better quality materials (e.g. Prolen fibre). Thanks to faster sweat absorption and subsequent drying, you will protect your body even during a longer trek in the mountains.
How to layer the thermo-coating correctly?
The first step is behind us. We know what thermal underwear to get based on what we need from it. All that remains is the correct use of the appropriate "pieces" in the wardrobe. Layering thermal underwear has two basic rules:
- the bottom layer traps the heat coming from our body to the outside
- the top layer prevents cold air from entering our body
There are thus three basic layers of thermoforming:
The bottom layer of the thermal skin is the one closest to the skin of our body. It is a kind of "thermofilter" that has two main roles:
- retains heat escaping from the body through the skin
- absorbs the sweat produced by our body during movement
This layer of thermal underwear must fit perfectly to the skin, wick sweat and dry quickly. It is ideal to equip yourself with thermal underwear and in the upper part of the body with a thermal shirt made of quality material. The lightest of all Prolen fibres, it is ultra-lightweight, wicks away moisture and keeps you both dry and warm, which is very important for comfort and also health.
The middle layer of the thermal underwear retains heat in a variety of conditions. It can be a lightweight quilted jacket or fleece piece of clothing, which is ideal especially for its great heat retention properties, but can also let some of the air in and out. This is especially important to keep our bodies breathing and prevent excessive sweating.
A perfect example is a comfortable thin therm jacket with zipper. It will keep the heat in while providing moderate ventilation. You'll especially appreciate it in the transition period.
You may use the outer layer of thermal underwear especially in cold weather, when you are hit by frost and strong winds. Here we are already talking about severe weather jackets that can protect us. When choosing a good quality outer layer, you need to consider what kind of weather you'll be wearing it in.
If you're going on a winter trek, be sure to go for something thicker that will prevent any wind from getting underneath the protective layers of clothing. But if you're only interested in autumn nature walks, a cheaper option that's more airy and more likely to rely on the mid and bottom of the thermal underwear to trap heat will also suffice.
One way or another, whenever you buy a thermal underwear, think about its use first and foremost. Naturally, a quality thermal underwear requires a bigger investment than a simple tank top to wear. However, don't forget that this clothing protects you in any weather and is one of the most important protective elements in any visit to the outdoors or when doing sports. Prolen fiber, which is one of the most eco-friendly fibers, is also very durable and its maintenance requires very low water consumption and at the same time, thanks to its lightness, it has quick-drying properties.