Any experienced skier will know that the number one cause of discomfort on the slopes is an unsatisfactory body temperature. However, contrary to popular perceptions, such comfort may equally be caused by being too hot as being too cold. The temperatures experienced by skiers on the slopes vary considerably according to a wide range of factors from the time of day to the weather conditions to the severity of the wind to the shadow created by surrounding mountains. Therefore, it is essential that skiers are equipped with appropriate thermal underwear which can sustain a comfortable body temperature in any conditions.
Silk thermal underwear offers skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts a high level of protection in cold conditions. By creating an insulated base layer the thermal underwear traps a layer of air between the body and the underwear and also between the underwear and the outer ski clothing. Body heat serves to heat this layer of air, creating a level of protection for the skier. The silk thermal underwear not only serves to prevent body heat from escaping from the proximity of the skier’s body but also prevents cold air from entering and lowering the body temperature.
Silk thermal underwear also has properties that make it suited to warmer conditionals also. As silk is a breathable material it does not retain moisture but allows it to escape from proximity with the body. Therefore, in hot and sunny conditions on the slopes the skier does not become clammy and uncomfortable due to perspiration. This is essential to the comfort of the skier, particularly if the temperature were to drop toward the end of the day and any damp within the skier’s clothing would lead to discomfort from the cold.
These properties are also true of silk gloves which can be used by skiers in conjunction with thick, waterproof outer gloves. This partnership ensures that the skier is protected from the damp of the snow and the cold biting wind and low air temperature. However, the breathability of silk also ensures that the skier’s hands do not become damp and clammy in warmer conditions. The warmth provided by silk gloves is essential to skiers, particularly early in the day when the slopes lie in shadow and the sun is not at its full height as hands can become especially cold while sat on a ski lift.
The comfort of a skier depends largely on his choice of clothing. While the outer garments are critical for his comfort in providing warmth, a waterproof membrane and a barrier against the wind, inner garments are equally essential to the skier’s comfort. The properties offered by silk thermal underwear can ensure the comfort of the skier in both the coldest of conditions and the warmest of conditions. The comfort of the skier in winter conditions is not only important to the skier’s enjoyment of the winter sports holiday but it is also vital to safe skiing practise.