Winter sports have a great effect on the body, providing proper strengthening and hardening. The most important part of playing sports is equipment. Thermal underwear helps to warm the body in cold weather, while at the same time removing moisture thanks to the use of special textile elements such as polyester or polypropylene. Read more about the specifics of such sportswear further in our article.
Types of thermal underwear
There are several types of winter equipment for an athlete:
- Heat-saving – designed for sports enthusiasts with light or medium loads living in harsh climatic conditions.
Since the fabric serving as a backing has a corrugated structure, there is a layer of air between the body and clothing. This helps retain heat as the air reaches the optimal temperature for the human body. - Moisture-wicking helps get rid of excess moisture on the skin, which keeps body temperature normal.At the same time, excess moisture evaporates, but synthetic fabrics do not prevent air from flowing freely to the skin.
- Hybrid type contains the characteristics of the two previous varieties. Excess moisture evaporates while body temperature remains at normal levels.
The most effective is considered to be a two-layer type of fabric, in which the outer layer consists of heat-saving fabric, and the inner one helps eliminate excess moisture.
The men's version includes long johns, boxer briefs, long-sleeved T-shirts and thermal socks. Typically, men do not like multi-layered clothing, and such neat and lightweight sets will provide maximum comfort.
The modern market offers women a great variety of thermal underwear: T-shirts, turtlenecks, shorts, briefs, leggings, bodysuits and much more exist for fashionistas.
So, we’ve sorted out the types of thermal underwear, now let’s move on to the main criteria for choosing winter equipment.
How to choose the right thermal underwear
Before choosing this type of clothing, it is important to first determine the degree of physical activity. Alas, it is impossible to purchase a suit “for all occasions”, so in any case you will have to make a choice in favor of one thing:
- For people who prefer not too intense sports, it is better to choose thermal underwear with a heat-saving mode, which contains a large amount of wool.
- Athletes who are ready for intense physical activity should give preference to a combined version of thermal underwear made of synthetic fabric.
- If sports activities take place indoors at a fairly intense pace, it is better to give preference to lightweight thermal underwear made from synthetic fabric.
Important! When purchasing, do not neglect to try on the set. Clothing should fit snugly to the athlete's body, especially in areas of increased sweating, such as the armpits and interscapular space. At the same time, clothing should not press or restrict movement. Thermal underwear is most effective if it fits well to the body, so you should not wear additional clothing underneath it.
Advantages and disadvantages of thermal underwear
Let's start with the positive aspects:
- Eliminates the possibility of allergies or skin irritation even in sensitive people.
- High comfort levels.
- Eliminates fogging of body parts by removing moisture to the outside.
- Excellent thermal insulation characteristics.
- Protection from wind and moisture.
- Availability for almost every buyer.
- Neutralization of sweat odor.
Despite the impressive list of positive aspects, thermal underwear also has disadvantages:
- High price compared to other types of sportswear.
- Specific appearance. Some ladies do not like the styles of thermal underwear (although there are a great variety of styles on the market to suit every taste), as well as the tightness of clothing on various parts of the body.
- Lack of versatility. For hiking you will need one set, and for cycling - another.
Thermal underwear is a real godsend for modern athletes, as it provides comfortable sports without restriction of movement and other inconveniences. It is important to choose this type of sportswear correctly so that it serves you for a long time and with high quality.
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