A few years later, due to its extraordinary properties, thermal underwear went beyond purely army use. It began to gain fame and gain popularity among athletes. In particular among athletes, extreme sportsmen and athletes engaged in active sports.
Today many people know about thermal underwear. In addition to military exploiters, it has gained popularity among many people. Those who lead an active lifestyle: goes on a morning / evening jog, goes on a bike, engaged in skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing, etc. or simply appreciates comfort in clothes.
In view of the rapidly growing popularity of thermal underwear, it was produced by many manufacturers. With the increase in the number of manufacturers of the furniture, the market has significantly increased and its offer. There were various models of thermal underwear, differing from each other not only in design, but also in terms of properties and consumer characteristics, which it is not always easy to understand.
How can such a variety of simple buyer choose the same thermal underwear that will best meet your expectations? Let's try to answer this question.
What is thermal underwear?
According to the definition, thermal underwear is a special functional linen made entirely or mainly from a synthetic fabric, the composition and texture of which allows efficient removal of moisture from the surface of the human body and maintain a comfortable thermal regime.
Myths about thermal underwear
The basic myth of thermal underwear, firmly rooted in the minds of many citizens, is the myth that thermal underwear necessarily means warm underwear, the main task of which is to warm the person. This is not true.
The main task of thermal underwear is to remove moisture from the surface of the human body. The preservation of heat is just a special case. The term "comfortable thermal regime" referred to in the definition is not necessarily the conservation of heat. In hot weather, it will be comfortable for a person to keep cool.
Types of thermal underwear
Now, when the basic myth of thermal underwear is scattered, and the reader understands what actually constitutes thermal underwear, it's time to talk about its types.
As you probably already guessed, there are several types of warmth:
- summer thermal underwear (STAY COOL);
- universal thermal underwear (BE ACTIVE);
- winter thermal underwear (KEEP WARM).
Summer thermal underwear is intended for sports by the fresh air during the spring, summer and autumn, when the air temperature rises from 10 to 30-35 ° C.
Note : If you train in the gym or choose thermal underwear just for everyday wear, it also suits you perfectly.
Universal thermal underwear is designed for outdoor sports in autumn, winter and spring, when the air temperature drops from 10 to -10 ° C. It can be used for almost any physical activity. Running, cross-country skiing, cycling, football, horse riding, walking, etc.
Winter thermal underwear is designed to play sports outdoors in the winter, when the street is cold or very cold. Those. When the temperature of the air drops from 0 to minus 25-30 ° C. If you want to go on skiing in such weather, go fishing, go for a walk - you will not freeze on winter winter clothes. You can be sure.
Properties and characteristics of various types of thermal underwear
The division of thermal underwear into species is due to its properties and characteristics. In turn, the properties and characteristics of thermal underwear are determined by the composition and texture of the fabric from which this thermal underwear is made. Both of these factors are equal in importance and complement each other.
Fabric compositions
In the manufacture of fabrics for thermal underwear, both synthetic and natural materials are used.
Synthetic materials:
- Polypropylene very well removes moisture and thus absolutely does not get wet. It dries right on the body in a matter of minutes. In thermo-linen from 100% polypropylene is not recommended to sleep, tk. it strongly "dries" the skin.
- Polyester slightly inferior to polypropylene in the ability to remove moisture. It rides well and long, soft and pleasant to touch.
- Polyamide is light and smooth, almost all models of thermal underwear are made from it.
- Elastan (lycra) is added to increase the strength and wear resistance of the laundry. Well stretches.
- Wool has good warming properties, her hair makes micro massage of the capillaries of the skin, which improves blood circulation.
- Cotton quickly accumulates and retains moisture well. To ensure dry skin and moisture evaporation, combinations of cotton are used. Linen of pure cotton is recommended for static conditions, when there is no intensive sweating (light walk, sleep).
- Silk is very pleasant to the touch. Used in conjunction with synthetics.
- Texture of fabric (weaving technique)
In the manufacture of fabrics for thermal underwear, 3D (three-dimensional) weaving techniques are often used. They make it possible to obtain complex one-, two- and three-layer fabrics, as well as fabrics containing zones of different texture and density, taking into account temperature changes in different sections of the human body.
Single-layer fabrics are used for sewing summer thermal underwear. Such a thermal underwear should well remove moisture from the surface of the human body and have a cooling effect, i.e. good air flow. Accordingly, the texture of all single-layer fabrics is designed in this way to meet the above requirements.
Double-layer fabrics are used for sewing a universal thermal underwear. Such a thermal underwear besides good water removal of the ability to "breathe well", additionally should also have a warming effect.
The texture of bilayer fabrics is designed so that the first inner layer well retains moisture and does not retain air, and the conjugated image of the second outer layer has the required warming effect and evaporates the moisture transported to it.
Note. In the case of double-layer cloths developed for a thermobel, the outer layer, as a rule, consists of cells. Thanks to these cells, moisture is efficiently distributed over the surface of the tissue and quickly evaporates due to the capillary effect.
Three-layer fabrics are used for sewing special thermobelics, which require special hygienic requirements. For example, for tailoring of tourist linen and linen for climbers. In addition to layers of similar double-layered fabrics, three-layer fabrics additionally contain antibacterial layer.
Linen from a three-layer fabric can be worn for a long time, not comprehensible, which is especially important for tourists and climbers, who sometimes can not undress for many days in a row. The antibacterial layer of a three-layered tissue destroys all microbes. To develop unpleasant smells there will be nobody and "the carrier" of linen they will not excite.
Note. The antibacterial layer most often consists of fibers containing antibacterial granules. More rarely - a very thin silver thread woven into the fabric.
Underwear made of fabric with a "granular" antibacterial layer has a significant disadvantage: antibacterial granules are washed out after 2-5 washings. Linen, the antibacterial layer of which contains silver, is a newer and more durable way of protecting against microbes and accompanying smells.
If you buy thermal underwear in an ordinary (physical) store and you have the opportunity to try it on before buying it - do not take the size of "szapasom". Thermal underwear should fit tightly around your body, but do not constrain movements.
If you buy thermal underwear in an online store, in order to determine the size, use the dimensional table. On the websites selling thermobels such tables are usually attached. Also you can always ask the question of online-consultant to the site administrator by phone.
How to choose the right thermal under weather?
How to choose the right thermal under load?
Dressed in thermal underwear, a person can load his organism to different degrees. Accordingly, for different loads, the intensity of sweating will also be different. Understanding this, manufacturers of thermal underwear have taken care of creating subspecies of thermal underwear, designed for low, medium and high load of the organism. When buying thermal underwear, you must remember this and take this into account.
About seams
At the "brand" thermal underwear the seams (and even labels) are made of the outside side. This improves the removal of liquid from the surface of the body by 5-10%, and in this version of the thermal underwear you will never rub your skin.
On aesthetics
Do not forget about the aesthetics - the color and model should be favored.
A few words about care
Thermal underwear - a unique thing and that it has not lost itsproperties, it requires special care.
Wash the thermal underwear manually or in a washing machine in the "delicate washing" mode in non-hot water, the temperature of which should not be above 40 ° C. In water 60 ° C thermal underwear can forever lose its properties.
Instead of a powder, use a shampoo for washing. Powders, especially powders with bleach, can destroy the original structure of the warmth. During washing, it is recommended to add a rinse aid with centistatic. After washing, the thermal underwear must be thoroughly rinsed. Do not squeeze, you should let the water drain yourself. Drying thermal underwear should be away from heat sources. Do not dry in the dryer and battery. Ironing thermal underwear can not. Dry cleaning and treatment with any solvents for the thermobel is fatal.
About the manufacturer and the price
We recommend buying thermal underwear only from well-known and well-proven manufacturers. Naturally, for a brand you have to pay more, but only in this case you can be sure that you bought the thermo-label, shirt, shirt, etc. will fully fulfill their tasks.
Good luck with your choice and pleasant shopping!