Skiing Clothes
Fear of cold weather is one of the major reasons that winter-phobics state as their lack of interest in snow sports. However, due to the latest technology in winter sport clothing design, slopeside shivers are a thing of the past. Yet the secret to staying warm on the ski slopes goes beyond high-tech fabrics. It involves a simple concept known as layering.
The layering is designed to trap body-warmed air between layers of clothing while allowing moisture vapor from perspiration to escape through breathable outerwear materials. It is made up of three important components:
The Inner Wicking Layer
The inner moisture-wicking layer is composed of toasty garments known as thermal underwear. The primary function of your long underwear is to transfer moisture away from your skin. When you shop for these garments, bear in mind that synthetic fabrics have a much better wicking ability than those made of cotton. Although cotton can absorb moisture, synthetics move it to the outside of the fabric, where it magically evaporates. In fact, most long underwear fabrics such as polyester have been treated with special chemicals that improve their wicking abilities. Resist the temptation to choose long underwear that is too baggy, since its wicking abilities will be reduced.
As you browse through the ski shops, you might notice that long underwear comes in different weights. Lightweight is best for spring skiing or for skiers that tend to sweat profusely. In most cases, midweight long underwear is the ideal choice. However, if you usually have poor cold tolerance, you will probably be more comfortable in heavyweight long underwear. When considering long underwear style, for pants, always go with either full or three quarter length. However, for proper boot fit, make sure that you do not tuck your long underwear into your boots! When looking for tops, choose between crew neck and turtleneck. If you have issues with odor control, you will be pleased to know that some fabrics are treated with a microbial chemical that eliminates that offensive stink factor.
The Middle Insulating Layer
The middle insulating layer usually consists of a fleece turtleneck. By creating a layer of still or dead air around your body, this second layer of clothing helps you retain your precious body heat. How does it do this? The majority of the garments that are worn for insulation are composed of polyesters that are treated with a process that makes the fibers stand up and trap air between the fibers. Then, the trapped air creates the protective layer of still air that insulates your body from the cold.
You will probably notice that fleece is the most popular fabric used for insulation garments. Fleece is composed predominantly of polyesters,
which are passed through a device known as a "napping" machine. This machine creates a fabric that is recognizable by a tight solid weave on one side and a fluffy air-retaining surface on the other. There are a few different types of fleece that can be used for insulation garments. Microfleece is the most lightweight form of fleece. This is the most suitable insulation layer for cross-country skiing and alpine spring skiing. For those extra cold days, a Microfleece turtleneck can be used in conjunction with a medium fleece pullover. Medium weight fleece is popular for skiers because it provides maximum warmth and minimum bulk.
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