Discover the Warming Power of Thermal Clothing
Thermal clothing is a layer of garments that is closest to your skin. Its purpose is to act as a second skin, perspiring and transpiring. Simply put, your base layer should “sweat”, dry as fast as possible and keep you warm and comfortable. Absorbing and removing your sweat is called wicking.
Thermal clothing comes in different fabrics and styles and merino wool has been considered as the premium material for thermal wear for a long time. However, the opinion on what’s the best material for thermal clothing is changing as modern synthetic materials have become more and more specialised for the purpose of wicking.
I know what you must be thinking, layer upon layer sounds neither comfy nor fashionable. However, when going on outdoor adventures, you should keep the street style for the streets. Moreover, there are base layers that will change the way you feel about outdoor clothing not only for their design but also their functionality. From mountain tops to your humble abode, finding places where to wear thermal will be the least of your concerns.
Moisture Management
In order for there to be wicking, there has to be wetting as wicking is the ability to absorb and transport fluids driven by the capillary forces of the wicking material itself. Certain combinations of materials and yarns can allow control of the direction of water through a material. Materials that allow a one-directional flow of water have the best wicking properties. Currently, the most efficient base layers on the market are either synthetic, wool or the best of both worlds.
High-quality merino wool which enables the skin to breathe, provides pressure relief, repels water, has excellent insulating and thermoregulatory properties and is resistant to flame and static electricity. Moreover, it’s hypoallergenic hence great for sensitive skin.
Wool has been the go-to fabric for thermal clothing in the past due to its properties. However, it dries slowly and is prone to shrinkage, negatives which can be corrected by employing a synthetic face yarn. The end result is a bi-component fabric that provides the comfort, warmth and wicking properties of wool plus quicker drying times thanks to the synthetic exterior.
Blending wool and synthetic yarns together brings out their strong suits. The merino wool base is soft and odourless while the exterior is a highly durable exterior. This hybrid design results in the superior performance of both fabrics.
Power Dry® is the ideal two-component fabric for the base layer due to its capillary effect which moves moisture up and away from the skin. Its inner surface pulls moisture away from the body and the outer layer spreads this moisture upon the surface for more efficient evaporation using complementary mechanisms of fibre orientation, capillary action and a hydrophilic enhancement.
Power Dry® is characterized by very high breathability. The continuous evaporation prevents overheating and regulates temperature in both hot and cold conditions. Moreover, it dries twice faster than natural cotton and has the highest level of protection from ultraviolet (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) – UFP50+. This material is completely hypoallergenic.
The fabric construction of Power Dry® is made of 2 yarns with different surface areas. The interior is hydrophilic, meaning that it loves water hence it draws sweat from your skin. The outside functions as a syphon, drawing moisture away from the interior and thus the skin.
Lightweight
Although thermal wear can be suitable for many activities, it really stands out in the activewear department. Being that suitable for outdoor adventures, it can be considered as adventure gear by itself.
Lightweight is one of the most important prerequisites for activewear. In addition, you should consider multifunctionality and hitting more birds with one stone. We know that you might have an urge to overpack or dress when going to risky terrains but there are pieces of clothing that are suitable for a bigger temperature range, without the extra weight.
A thermal long sleeve zip polo or thermal leggings can be considered as camping essentials. Weight a little over 200 g, you get base layers that are great for your day hikes and outdoor explorations while also getting real lifesavers for those chillier nights. Carrying a lot of weight affects hikers’ ability to walk comfortably and results in physical injuries like foot blisters, lower back pain, chronic joint pain or rucksack palsy.
Power Dry silk would not only be ideal for adventure travellers but also for runners and skiers. Its athletic fit minimises weight and bulk, making it one of the lightest thermal pants out there. Even so, the luxurious feel, durability and superior wicking action are not compromised.
Merino wool is also lightweight and doesn’t add too much bulk under your clothes, making it a great choice for most activities. Moreover, wool comes in a variety of colours.
Odour Resistance
Odour is not a result of sweat itself but of the bacteria on the skin that come in contact with it. To prevent this “communication” from ever occurring, sometimes antimicrobial components are added to fabrics to eliminate bacteria growth. Odourless fabrics are typically treated with silver-based compounds and chemicals such as triclosan or triclocarban, both of which are harmful to bacteria.
Different companies have different formulations of main antimicrobial treatments. One of the most common is silver chloride, a silver salt that inhibits the growth of odour causing bacteria. Make sure to look for thermals that are treated with it if you want to feel fresh while sweating it out.
Final Thoughts
Next time you doubt do thermal clothes really work, add base layers when the temperature drops and feel the difference by yourself. What about pyjamas, can you wear thermals to bed? Try thermals in the hot summer months and avoid sweaty and smelly nights and mornings.