How to choose thermal underwear for men, women and children

Thermal underwear is a modern outfit that has replaced versatile pants and other underwear. This type of equipment was born more than ten years ago and is currently very popular not only among fans of outdoor activities, hunting and fishing, but also used in the cold season in everyday life.

The best manufacturers of thermal underwear

The production of thermal underwear is currently carried out by many manufacturers of fishing and tourist equipment, it is their products that should be preferred:

1. Fisherman

2. Graff

3. Angler

4. Norfin

5. Thermoguard

6. Drennan

7. Comfortica

Before deciding on the choice of a particular model, you should familiarize yourself with user reviews regarding the advantages and disadvantages of a particular set of equipment. The easiest way to do this is by asking a question on a thematic fishing or tourist forum, as well as in a specialized group on a social network.

Principle of operation and types of thermal underwear

Modern thermal underwear is thin underwear designed to solve the pressing issue of thermoregulation and moisture exchange during intensive use in the cold season. Correctly selected thermal underwear is designed to solve three main tasks:

1. Provide maximum protection from cold at an appropriate temperature regime;

2. Quickly remove moisture generated during active movement from the body to the outside;

3. Provide maximum comfort and pleasant tactile sensations during operation and not create discomfort;

Thermal underwear is based on modern membrane fabrics with high vapor permeability and heat resistance. This parameter displays the amount of moisture that one square meter of material is able to remove in 24 hours. The higher this value, the faster the steam removal process takes place and the more expensive the membrane, respectively.

All thermal underwear on sale can be divided into the following types.

Moisture-repellent thermal underwear

Made of high-quality synthetic fabric, its main task is to remove moisture from the body during intensive use. An inalienable attribute is a small thickness and anatomical, tight-fitting cut. Almost all models of this class belong to the type of so-called 'underwear' thermal underwear worn on the naked body.

Advantages

• High-quality cut;

• Hypoallergenic;

• Does not absorb sweat odor;

• A large number of models and sizes;

• High moisture removal characteristics;

• Nice texture;

disadvantages

• Low heat resistance;

• In the cold season, they require additional insulation;

Heat-saving thermal underwear

Warm, dense and 'loose' clothing designed for use in the cold season. Due to its structure, it perfectly retains heat and prevents the body from hypothermia. It also has a moisture-wicking function, thanks to which it is used over thin moisture-repellent thermal underwear.

Advantages

• Warm, dense and pleasant to the touch;

• Can be used with thin thermal underwear;

• High-quality performance, anatomical cut;

• Perfectly 'sits' on the body, does not cause discomfort;

disadvantages

• Insufficient vapor permeability characteristics;

In addition to the above classes, combined thermal underwear is on sale. Such models have absorbed the advantages of the above types and practically lost their disadvantages. Of the minuses of such equipment, only the high cost is singled out, and therefore the opinions among the users of such models were divided into two camps – some consider such models to be ideal, others see no reason to overpay and put on thick fleece thermal underwear over thinner, synthetic ones.

The main criteria for choosing thermal underwear

Materials from which the equipment is made

1. Natural cotton. Soft, delicate and pleasant material. It is widely used in the manufacture of hunting and fishing thermal underwear. It has good thermal protection and good vapor permeability, but requires free moisture removal to the outside. In the case when such thermal underwear gets wet, discomfort cannot be avoided;

2. Wool is widely used to create heat-saving thermal underwear. Differs in good performance and ease of maintenance. Minus – mediocre vapor permeability;

3. Synthetic materials are the basis for the manufacture of moisture-repellent thermal underwear. They perfectly wick away sweat and do not retain it inside, they are not prone to the spread of bacteria and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The most popular among manufacturers are polyester and polyamide with the addition of elastane fibers for maximum stretch. The disadvantage is manifested in the need for careful care of such clothes, as well as in the requirement to use dense woolen or fleece thermal underwear in the cold season;

Vapor permeability indicators

A key parameter showing whether your back will sweat during active loads. Measured in millimeters of moisture per square meter of fabric removed in 24 hours. The minimum value that can provide decent comfort is 5000-7000 millimeters. The best samples of thermal underwear have a value of this parameter at the level of 15000-2000 millimeters, due to which steam removal is carried out almost instantly.

Operating temperature

Another parameter that should be given special attention, especially when it comes to choosing thermal underwear for use in the cold season. It is indicated in the form of the minimum air temperature at which a particular model is capable of performing the functions assigned to it with the presence of appropriate outerwear.

Activity

An indicator indicating which intensity mode a particular thermal underwear is intended for. Graduation from many manufacturers includes three main degrees:

1. Low mobility – winter fishing in a tent, hunting from an ambush;

2. Average value of the load intensity – short-term transitions, drilling holes;

3. High activity – long treks, skiing and skating;

The more a person moves at the same temperature indicators, the more vapor permeability the thermal underwear will have and the more expensive its final cost will be.

What is the best thermal underwear?

Regardless of the purpose for which one or another thermal underwear is selected, its size should correspond to the dimensions of the person wearing it. Thermal underwear should not hinder movement, the cuffs located on the wrists and ankles, as well as in the waist area, should not chafe or cause discomfort.

Choosing women's thermal underwear

The characteristics of women's thermal underwear largely depend on the mode in which it will be used:

1. For everyday wear, it is best to prefer high-quality combined thermal underwear;

2. With intense physical activity and sports, you should look towards synthetic models;

3. When used in the cold season, the best choice will be warm woolen thermal underwear worn over thin synthetic;

4. In case of increased perspiration, the choice is best made in favor of hypoallergenic synthetic underwear, treated with special antibacterial impregnations;

Choosing men's thermal underwear

1. Everyday urban use in a demi-season mode involves the use of combined thermal underwear, fitted under everyday clothes;

2. A cold winter will require the use of thick woolen or fleece underwear with maximum thermal insulation characteristics;

3. An active rhythm of life and outdoor sports in the winter time involves the use of thin moisture-repellent thermal underwear, which is worn under training equipment;

Features of the choice of thermal underwear for a cold winter

The lower the ambient temperature, the higher the thermal resistance of the used thermal underwear, and therefore the use of warm winter equipment made of fleece or natural wool, designed for a specific operating temperature. For greater confidence, it makes sense to put on thin synthetic thermal underwear under it, which will quickly wick moisture away from the body during unexpected physical activity.

Features of the choice of thermal underwear for everyday wear

Combined thermal underwear from well-known manufacturers of outdoor equipment is optimal for the urban pace of life. Given its stylish and laconic design, many users often use it as an independent clothing. Preference should be given to models with maximum vapor permeability. Heat resistance depends entirely on the specific operating conditions and is selected exclusively for it.

Features of the choice of thermal underwear for fishing

1. Intense spinning fishing in the warm season involves the use of thin synthetic equipment, over which a demi-season fishing suit is worn;

2. Feeder or float fishing in the cold season will require two layers of thermal underwear – thin, synthetic and fleece, over which a suit corresponding to the temperature regime is put on;

3. Winter fishing will require the use of two or three layers of thermal underwear – one thin and one or two dense ones, over which a breathable winter suit with the necessary temperature resistance and vapor permeability is worn.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a warm hat and the secrets of choosing stylish shorts.

---

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.