The days when people went hiking in cotton T-shirts are long behind us. Since they got wet quickly, it was necessary to bring several of them along as a supply. So that you don't have to wring out your T-shirts after climbing in the mountains and to ensure your comfort, you need thermal underwear. If you are among those who have not yet succumbed to the trend of thermal underwear, we will advise you on how to choose it correctly.
How does thermal underwear work?
Men's functional underwear, thanks to the special shape of the fibers used, allows sweat to be drawn away from the skin. From there it passes through the further layers of clothing and evaporates. Compared to cotton underwear, it dries quickly, does not cool you down, and protects against chilling or overheating. Dry skin cools down more slowly, so your body stays warm. However, if you don't wear other outer layers over the thermal underwear that are able to draw moisture away, then even the highest-quality functional underwear loses its effect. The other layers must also be breathable and draw away the moisture that was carried away from the thermal underwear.
How to choose men's thermal underwear?
Before choosing thermal underwear, consider where you will be wearing it. Although thermal underwear is universal, it makes a difference whether you need it to keep you warmer in winter, or whether in summer you expect it rather to dry faster and to draw sweat away well. This issue is addressed by changing the ratio of materials in the fabric. Thermal underwear for winter has a higher percentage of the thermal component, while for summer it has a higher ratio of moisture-wicking fiber.
Also, if you will only be using thermal underwear a few times a year for trips into nature, there's no need to immediately buy special functional underwear enriched with silver nano-particles. You will only make use of it if you wear it daily, for example during sports or even for everyday wear. This technology reduces odor and will certainly come in handy.
Material of thermal underwear
Be sure to also focus on the material from which the thermal underwear is made. It is most often made from synthetic fibers, namely polyester (PES) or polypropylene (POP).
Polypropylene has strong fibers and very low absorption. It is lightweight and has low thermal conductivity, which is why it is suitable for cold weather. It is resistant to bacteria and mold. It dries quickly and is easy to wash. Its only disadvantage is that its fibers cannot be dyed, so you will find only a limited range of colors made from it.
Polyester, compared to polypropylene, can withstand higher temperatures and is therefore excellently suited to warm weather. It draws away heat well and dries quickly. Polyester fibers can be surface-dyed, so you can find a wide range of colored thermal underwear made from it.
Thermal underwear is also made from natural materials, such as bamboo or wool. These products are mostly also antibacterial, thanks to which they do not smell even after several days of wear, but they are more prone to damage.
Determining the best material is very difficult. Manufacturers claim that their particular material is the best. However, every person has a different thermoregulation and produces a different amount of sweat, so evaluating and testing the best material would be very subjective. Therefore, we leave the choice of material up to you.
Size, cut, and weight of thermal underwear
For men's thermal underwear, it is doubly true that it should be the correct size. This may seem trivial to you, but it is really important. Men's thermal underwear should be sized so that it fits the body like a second skin. This means it should follow your curves so that it keeps you well warmed in winter. For thermal underwear to draw sweat away from the skin well, it must fit snugly against it, which is why elastane is often added to thermal underwear.
Thermal underwear for men should feel comfortable against the skin. It must not cut in, and the seams must not press. Especially under a backpack, seams that press against sensitive areas are often a problem. Manufacturers also offer seamless thermal underwear. Last but not least, pay attention to the weight of the thermal underwear as well. Although it is generally characterized by low weight, you will appreciate its low weight especially in mountaineering, running, or cycling.
Types of men's thermal underwear
The range of men's thermal underwear is very wide, and there is really a lot to choose from. You can go for complete sets that include thermal bottoms and thermal shirts, or you can buy individual pieces separately. Among the very popular items is also thermal underwear for men with excellent thermal insulation, or shorts for athletes that keep the wearer dry and comfortable even under high exertion. The range of thermal underwear can be concluded with thermal socks. Thermal socks, or also functional socks, offer much better sweat-wicking, which makes them great for various outdoor activities and higher physical exertion.
A final tip
For thermal underwear to fulfill its purpose, it needs to be combined with outer layers made of materials that further let accumulated moisture pass through and also dry quickly. Otherwise, the effect of the thermal underwear is lost. If you put a cotton sweatshirt over a thermal shirt, the wicked-away sweat will accumulate in it, and the sweatshirt will not carry it away any further. You can read how to properly layer clothing with thermal underwear in the article about suitable clothing for autumn.
