If you’re heading outdoors this winter and planning some serious activity, you’ll want breathability and warmth from thermals.
What to look for
You want comfortable, breathable fabric to regulate body heat in the cold outdoors through a process called wicking, which is the transfer of perspiration away from the skin through non-absorbent fabric to evaporate quicker, thus keeping you dry and warm.
Bamboo and wool are natural wicking fibres, but sometimes retain odour, while the wicking ability of synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene and polyester depends on the mesh of the fabric (wider mesh permits better breathability than tightly woven material). Cotton does little to keep you warm and has bad ventilation; instead it will absorb sweat and create a damp, cold layer on your skin.
The bargain hunter
Material: 66% acrylic, 28% viscose, 6% spandex
Woolworths’ Heat Generation garments aren’t thermal with specialised wicking, but perfect for a start-up skier in Southern Africa. They’re lightweight, stretchy and soft.
They don’t leave you feeling musty after active use and keep you warm, but there isn’t much extra ventilation. The longer arm length is great if you don’t want exposed wrists in the snow, and it doubles as a fashionable long-sleeve shirt.
Tops and bottoms are sold separately for R170 each.
Woolworths, tel 0860-022-002, www.woolworths.co.za.
The serious skier
Material: 60% polypropylene; 34% polyamide (with or without the e at the end?); 6% elastene (or elastane?)
The First Ascent Derma Tec duo is a quality buy if you intend on spending lots of time on the slopes or on outdoor activities like hiking. The set is made from 60% polypropylene material, which absorbs minimal moisture and retains a higher portion of your body heat. The tops and bottoms hug the body and minimal seams lessen your chances of chafing.
The design ensures you can move without hindrance and offers the trademark thermal mapping, so the material’s weave is wider in the right places to create better ventilation for sweaty spots. The bottoms are very tightly elasticated, so be sure to try them on, and be careful putting them on as the threads pull easily.
Costs R499 each.
Outdoor Warehouse, tel 0800-003-051, www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za.
The organic fanatic
Material: 84%polyester, 16% bamboo
The First Ascent bamboo base layers are soft, silky and more affordable than other technical gear, but don’t fit as well as the snugger Derma Tec set for instance. If you’re only looking to ski once in a blue moon, these are a great option. Bamboo possesses natural wicking abilities, anti-bacterial properties for lessened odour and offers extra UV protection.
It’s also more environmentally friendly than other synthetic fabrics, which gets a thumbs up.
Tops and bottoms are sold separately for R199 each.
Trappers, tel 011-462-2919, www.trappers.co.za.
The best-of-both buyer
Material: 85% nylon; 10% polyester; 5% spandex
K-Way ThermaSkins are close to the First Ascent Derma Tec in design, but don’t quite match in its light feel. They’re incredibly breathable, with wider weave along the sides of the shirt and under the arms, but the arm length may be a bit short for some people. I liked the higher neck on the shirt, which is absent on the other thermals. ThermaSkins are really comfortable and offer some of the technicality from the First Ascent Derma Tec range at a cheaper price.
Tops and bottoms are sold separately for R350 each.
Cape Union Mart, tel 021-464-5800, www.capeunionmart.co.za.
