Thermal long underwear comes in different weights. A lightweight base layer is perfect for spring skiing or for skiers that have incredibly high cold tolerance. Midweight long underwear is best for most skiers, except for those that are always cold. In that case, you should choose heavyweight long underwear. You should also take into account the type of skiing you prefer and the locations of your favorite ski resorts. For example, cross country skiers are in a constant state of activity. As such, heavyweight thermal underwear might be considered overkill.
The same might apply to park and half pipe skiers. Since these highly athletic venues are rarely constructed at the higher areas of the mountain, they tend to be in a somewhat warmer location. Additionally, park and pipe skiers are not taking constant lift rides, so they have less exposure to wind and cold. In contrast, a skier who prefers the mountain’s back bowls is often exposed to the mountain’s harsher elements. This type of skier might prefer heavyweight long underwear. Your skiing location should also be taken into account. A skier that frequents a colder ski destination may want warmer underwear than someone who usually skis at warmer resorts.
For odor control, some fabrics are treated with a microbial chemical that eliminates the stink factor. These anti-bacterial/anti-microbial treatments offer some distinct benefits. Aside from resisting odor-causing bacteria, they help prevent mold and mildew. If you are on a ski vacation, and plan to wear your skiing underwear for multiple days without washing it, these treatments might be appreciated by your friends, family and lift mates!
In the past, the base layer of a ski wardrobe was charged with keeping moisture away from our skin, and with keeping us warm on the slopes. However, as technical advancements in ski gear and ski apparel resulted in performance enhancement, manufacturers of base layer ski garments came up with a new and exciting concept: performance underwear. One example of these companies is Under Armour.
Although Under Armour has its roots in football, it now has a ski underwear line, which is used by the US Ski Team. Like other forms of long underwear, Under Armour keeps skiers warm and wicks moisture away from the skin. However, the company takes things one step further by creating base layer garments that compress and support the musculature system, thereby preventing abrasion.
The Under Armour long tights were designed with ergonomically placed seams, which provide additional muscular support. Under Armour base layer garments are made form the company’s signature fabric known as Cold Gear. This double-sided fabric wicks moisture away from the body while enhancing the circulation of body heat. Warmth without weight makes Under Armour a popular choice for active and athletic skiers and their friends and family. Not only does it keep skiers warm and dry, it is treated with ArmourBlock, which prevents odor build up.
While you probably don’t walk around the slopes looking at people’s underwear, if you did, you might notice that they are wearing products that are manufactured by a company known as Hot Chillys. This company, which was formed in 1985, offers a variety of ski underwear products that use an interesting variety of fabrics. Rather than rest on their laurels, year after year, Hot Chillys has been known to design innovative new products that are inspired by intelligent technologies. For example, in 2003, the company introduced two new fabrics known as MicroActive and BioSilver.
MicroActive is a lightweight fabric that was designed to react to humidity by increasing the temperature surrounding your body by 4-6 degrees. The fabric is also blended with MTF micro polyester, which is effective for moisture control. BioSilver fabrics are composed of silver ionized yarns. These antimicrobial fibers are designed to kill bacteria, thereby keeping garments smelling fresh and clean.
Hot Chillys long underwear is deigned with different weights, which are suited for a variety of temperatures. For example, warmer ski underwear garments are composed of a material they call La Montana, which is a blend of 100 percent Micro Denier and MTF polyester. Its flat seam construction is designed to eliminate the abrasion and chafing that often leads to irritation.
For somewhat warmer days, you may want to consider some of Hot Chillys long underwear garments that are composed of Micro-Elite Chamois. This fabric is a blend of 44% Bio-Silver, 44% Micro Denier Polyester and 13% Lycra.
In the discussion about ski boots, we mentioned that your ski socks were considered to be the baselayer in the three-layer cold weather dressing system. It is important to reiterate this point. The lining of your ski boot is your insulating layer, and the shell of your ski boot is the outer layer.
So why is this important? Many people choose socks as if they were the insulating layer of clothing. Some folks even add a sock liner under a heavy wool sock. Unfortunately, if you choose fabrics that do not have moisture-wicking capabilities, your feet will be wet, and, as mentioned, wet feet will be quite cold. Additionally, heavy layers of socks under your boots will cause incorrect boot fit. While many people erroneously try to compensate for overly large boots by wearing extra socks, it rarely works. Find a boot fitter to resize your boots, and choose calf length ski socks that are composed of a moisture wicking material as a base layer for your feet. Smart Wool, Patagonia, Rossignol and Hot Chillys are popular manufacturers of men’s, women’s and children’s ski socks. Keep in mind that since ski boots fit much tighter than snowboard boots, you will obviously want to choose a ski instead of a snowboard sock.
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