Try Thermal Underwear

Treat your hands to a pair of thermal gloves

A good pair of thermal gloves is absolutely essential if you enjoy skiing, bush walking, or engaging in any outdoor activity that puts you out in the cold. As anybody who spends time outdoors knows, there is nothing worse than being unable to get warm -and besides comfort, you need to seriously consider your safety. In winter time, hypothermia is a reality that is dangerous to forget.

Thermal gloves consists of several layers: at the very least there will be an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer (or layers as it may be) are there to prevent cold air

from moving through the fabric of the gloves, to carry away precious warmth. Some thermal gloves may also have a waterproof layer, while others still may have a hybrid layer such as Gore-Tex which will repel water but still allow your skin to breathe. The inner layer(s) of the glove serve to keep your fingers comfortable and trap as much heat as possible in the fabric. In some cases, this fabric maybe acrylic, although top-quality thermal gloves still consist of superfine wool or even silk.

There are many different types of thermal gloves, ranging from very thin light ones (you would never know that they are anything more than thin cotton gloves) to massive, the clubs like the sort you see worn by polar explorers. There is a thermal club for every situation-a lightweight glove that you can wear when you’re walking to work in the winter time, thermal gloves with removable fingertips which you can wear when you are hunting, and thermal gloves especially designed for motorbike or pushbike riding.

How much should you pay for a good set of thermal gloves? This is a fairly open question, because you can usually pay as much or as little as you want to. Generally speaking, you can get a good basic pair for about $20 from most camping or army surplus stores, and gloves like this will be fine for bush walking or similar activities. However, if for example you are going skiing or will be spending time in extremely low-temperature environments, you’re best off buying purpose specific thermal gloves which may then cost a bit more.

Who uses thermal gloves? Thermal gloves are very common these days, and are often issued to military personnel and law enforcement officers as standard equipment. They are also essential gear for explorers or adventurers, and you will even find highly specialized thermal gloves being worn by astronauts! usually they are worn alongside long thermal underwear as well, for all round comfort in cold conditions.

Buying a good pair of thermal gloves is an excellent investment, and you will not regret your choice the first time you are outside and the temperature drops. As we move towards Christmas time in winter, don’t forget that a pair of thermal gloves were also make an excellent present for somebody in your family!

Different Fabrics for Staying Warm in Cold Weather; Thermal Underwear and More!

We all know the signs of the changing seasons. We begin to dig out the thermal underwear, sweaters and winter coats from the depths of the closet. We start to put away our flip flops and shorts, some of us a little more begrudgingly than others.  If you are someone that likes the cold weather then this is a happy time for you but if you are someone who would prefer to be on sunny sandy beaches at all times then this is not a happy time at all. Either way we must be sure we can stay comfortable in the colder weather.

Thermal underwear is a great weapon in your cold weather armory. It is a little more complicated than we give it credit for. The thermals work by performing two main functions to keep you warm. First thermal underwear traps and retains more body heat than regular cotton based clothing. This keeps the heat closer to your skin and in essence, keeps your body warmer. It is works very hard by keeping sweat and moisture away from your skin. This keeps you dry and allows you body to stay warmer. Many thermal undergarments are made up of a two-ply polypropylene fabric that breathes easier than regular clothing and is able to perform the essential functions mentioned above.

Another fabric that can keep you warm in the colder months is cashmere. This fabric comes from the fur of goats raised in the Gobi desert. We usually consider the desert to be a hot place but in the night time the temperatures can drop below freezing.  The fur takes four years to grow to a useable length and is then hand sheared and hand processed. It is then made into luxury items such a women’s cashmere coat and men’s cashmere sweaters. These articles of clothing are very soft and plush. Since they are made from cashmere which is designed to keep the goats warm it works very well to keep people warm in colder temperatures.

It is also very important to remember to keep your hands and head covered in cold weather. These are the areas of your body that lose the most body heat. A good winter hat and a pair of gloves are essential. Remember to wear your thermal underwear, spoil yourself with some cashmere clothing and get out there and enjoy the wonderful winter!

Pushing water sports into winter with Thermals

Well guys, winter is coming on strong in Australia now, and we all know what that means. As you I love being outdoors, but like most everyone else I always end up with a cold or flu within a week of the weather turning nasty. It doesn’t help that I’ve just bought myself a Canadian canoe to add to my menagerie of outdoor hobby horses (as if the bikes etc weren’t enough). So I’ve taken the little boat on a few trips on local rivers, and while it’s great it brings home just how cold it gets on the water. Nothing breaks the wind at all, and I got pretty chilled last time despite it being a reasonable day.
I find it really awkward paddling in bulky garments, and even avoid life jackets unless I’m in fast or choppy water. I find that coats or jumpers ride up and end up chafing your underarms and torso after an hour or so of paddling, plus I am a bit phobic of falling in the water and being weighed down with baggy clothes.
My solution is the same as for my other outdoor activities, thermal underwear of course. it fits the bill perfectly. It’s light weight, doesn’t rub or chafe like a baggy jacket, and you don’t get your fingers caught up in loose material (this always happens with jacket, your thumbs catch on the drawstrings or zip pockets). It makes me feel a lot safer to, in terms of swimming if I have to. I admit I have not tried swimming in thermals, but it is actually on my list – I will try it soon and post about it! Leggings and tops are so light and close fitting they don’t feel like they would drag me down though. The good thing is I can wear shorts and a T shirt over the tops and bottoms, which gives easy free movement. What I do is roll up the legs and arms so as not to look like too much of a weirdo, but this is up to you of course!
No more excuses for colds and flu’s now. Water sports can be pushed right into the colder months as long as you keep that body heat in.  Just wear thermals instead of those summertime mens swimming trunks!  ;)

Thanks to alexgoodey for the image!

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