How to choose thermoactive underwear?

Jak działa bielizna termoaktywna?

Thermoactive underwear prevents both hypothermia and overheating of the body during physical activity. Thermoactive underwear works thanks to several special properties:

1. It wicks moisture away from the skin to the outer layers of clothing. It does not keep sweat next to the skin or soak it up, but allows it to pass through its fibres. The result? Comfortably dry skin even during intense exercise and a maintained thermal balance.
2. Protects against the cold, provides warmth, especially as the first layer of the base layer. The special materials and weaves used in the production of thermoactive underwear mean that even a thin layer significantly improves thermal comfort.
3. It is very flexible and yet thin. It adapts perfectly to the body. It does not restrict movement and also allows you to do without thick and heavy clothing to a certain extent. This makes physical activity pleasant in all conditions.

It is not without reason that thermo-active underwear is used by professional athletes. You can also benefit from its advantages, even if you only do sports and travel for leisure and recreation. Below, we suggest which activities thermo underwear is best suited for.

When should you wear thermoactive underwear?

Thermoactive underwear has a thermoregulatory function, which means that it helps cool the body when it is too hot and warms it up when it is cold. This makes it suitable for almost any physical activity, whether it be in the open air in winter, on a hot day when cycling, or in an air-conditioned gym.

However, most often, thermo-underwear is purchased for trekking trips and outdoor sports, especially those practised in colder periods. Thermo-underwear is ideal as the first layer of a layered outfit that ensures comfort and easy adjustment of thermal insulation to changing conditions, e.g. in the mountains.

Thermal underwear is also perfect for camping and bushcraft trips, especially if you spend the night in a tent or hammock. It will keep you warm even on cooler summer and early autumn nights.

Thermal underwear is one of those items of clothing that it is better to take on an expedition and not use than to regret not having taken. It is lightweight and compresses easily, so there is nothing to stop you taking it ‘just in case’.

Thermal underwear – layer thickness

Thermal underwear can be made of various synthetic and natural materials, as well as their blends. Depending on the type of material, its thickness and weave density, different thermal insulation parameters, compression levels and thermoregulatory properties are obtained.

The thickest is thermal underwear made of merino wool, which is also considered to be the warmest. It is suitable for winter mountain climbing, for example, but not necessarily for a summer bike ride along a shady forest trail.

How do I choose the right thermal underwear?

How thick should thermal underwear be? There is no single answer to this question. It should be thick enough to provide you with optimal warmth and yet thin enough not to restrict your movements, especially when it is one of several layers of clothing. Choose it according to the weather and your activity. Many manufacturers indicate the intended use of their product – it is worth following these suggestions.

Thermal underwear for autumn

Thermal underwear with medium insulation properties and a relatively thin design is suitable for autumn outings. An example is the Falke Warm thermal underwear series. The models in this series are designed for outdoor activities in temperatures ranging from -15 to +15 degrees Celsius. This line includes undershirts, T-shirts and long sleeves.

Another option is the X-Bionic Invent 4.0 thermal leggings. They have medium insulation and low compression. Well thought out in every detail, they ensure directional sweat wicking and keep the underwear in place even when you are moving around intensively.

Thermal underwear also includes underpants and bras that keep you warm and dry during outdoor training sessions, as well as in the gym or sports hall. They are so light and comfortable that they can also be worn as casual underwear. An example of this is the Icebreaker Mer 125 Cool-Lite Sprite Hipster.

Thermal underwear for winter

Thermal underwear for winter can be thicker than the underwear designed for autumn activities. It often has a high proportion of merino wool and numerous technological solutions to keep you warm as effectively as possible while keeping your skin dry and allowing freedom of movement.

When choosing thermal underwear for winter, pay attention to the cut. Leggings with a high waist and longsleeves with a stand-up collar, or even thermal turtlenecks, will work well here, protecting the parts of the body that are susceptible to chills from the freezing wind.

The leggings X-Bionic Energy Accumulator 4.0 are a winter thermal underwear option for demanding customers. They are characterised by high insulation and equally high compression. Modern patents not only ensure thermal comfort, but also the training efficiency of winter sports enthusiasts. An example of this is X-Bionic Partialkompression®. This solution optimises muscle compression, supports blood circulation and facilitates regeneration. Thermal underwear for winter is often used as the bottom layer of a ski suit. The thermal turtleneck FUSALP ALISIER II is perfect for this purpose.

If you are looking for functional thermal underwear for both winter trips and everyday activities, the dark blue Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Midweight 1/2 zip thermoactive longsleeve is the right choice. Flat seams ensure comfort without chafing or pressure marks on the skin. The zip allows you to adjust the level of insulation, instantly revealing or covering the cold-sensitive areas of the neck and décolleté.

The best women's thermal underwear

Women's thermal underwear takes into account the female anatomy and is much more comfortable than unisex models. A better fit ensures greater freedom of movement and more effective sweat wicking, especially under the bust, where sweating is as intense as it is troublesome.

Women's thermal underwear also provides better breast support. A well-thought-out design allows you to emphasise the advantages of your figure or hide its flaws.

The best women's thermal underwear is the one that responds to women's needs, not only anatomical but also style-related. The Longsleeve LaMunt Alice Cashmere is characterised by its elegant simplicity. The thermal underwear set consisting of a top and leggings, Goldbergh Celeste, has a sophisticated yet slimming design.

If you need a simple and functional sports bra that works for yoga, mountain running or a quick jog around the neighbourhood, you should like the On Running Performance Bra Lumos.

Summary – how to choose thermal underwear?

To choose the best thermal underwear – whether for yourself or as a gift – consider the following: the gender of the person who will wear it;

• the season and weather conditions in which the underwear will be used;
• the activities that the thermal underwear is intended for;
• the level of advancement in the activity – professional athletes have different expectations regarding their outfit than people who do sports for fun or occasionally.

Pay attention to the parameters of the clothing, especially the degree of insulation and compression. Follow the manufacturers' instructions regarding optimal weather conditions and movement intensity for a given model. Also read the descriptions of the solutions used carefully - many of them are patented technologies that you will only find at one manufacturer.