Thermal inner wear is mostly worn in the cold winter months. There are those who enjoy camping and hiking in early spring or late fall that will benefit from thermal inner wear to keep their nights warm and reduce the chill in hiking in early morning. Then there are athletes participating in winter sports like snowboarding and skiing who benefit from thermal inner wear to protect from cold. Types of thermal inners based on fabrics are as follows: Cotton thermals: It is a wrong choice for thermal inners as it does not keep the body warm and in fact, cools the body.
The primary aim of inner wear is to wick moisture and insulate, so cotton is not good as it does not do both. But they are more cost effective. They are a good choice if worn indoors like in an office where there is less perspiration and will keep you from overheating. But they are not recommended for strenuous activities like hiking and skiing. Synthetic thermals: These include polypropylene or polyester, which is a cheaper alternative to woollen innerwear. They are more economical for use of kids as they outgrow their thermals fast.
Polypropylene is basically hydrophobic-implying; it does not absorb moisture from the body. Hence, moisture is retained by body and leads to cold skin. But it is great for insulation as long as you wear a top layer of wool that will wick away the moisture. Polyester is easy to care for but does not insulate as well as other synthetics. Synthetics are on the whole low maintenance but tend to smell after use due to interaction of bacteria and sweat. Merino wool thermals: It is the softest wool derived from Merino sheep.
They provide more warmth than synthetics and do not hold moisture unlike cotton. Being soft, they do not cause itching. They will not smell as they are resistant to bacteria and are highly airy and breathable. Demerit is that they are more expensive than cotton and synthetics and uneconomical for kids wear as they will outgrow them very fast. Cashmere thermals: Cashmere is a staple for winter wear. They come from Kashmir goats and are brushed and combed. Being ultra soft, it comes with a high price tag. Though more expensive, this wool is worth the price as it helps to keep warm and comfortable.
Moisture is not absorbed by this type of wool, so it helps keep warm in the coldest conditions. But they are high maintenance and expensive. Fabric blends are also attractive. Thermal inner wear of some women are a mix of wool, polyester and spandex. They allow optimum moisture control, warmth, and comfort. Often they control odour and resulting discomfort. One can purchase women thermal wear online from many reliable portals like woollen-wear.in
