No matter how cold it is, if you move a lot or work hard, sweat can become your worst enemy. To keep your body at the right temperature, you can wear a thermal base layer under your regular (work) clothing. Thermal underwear and thermal clothing fits your body and feels like a second skin. The moisture-regulating, breathable and antibacterial properties of high-quality thermal clothing ensure that you stay dry and fresh. Where necessary, the fabric is reinforced in certain places. There are 2 things you should pay extra attention to when purchasing. We have explained them for you here.
1. What material is the thermal underwear or thermal underwear made of? Wool, synthetic or mixed material?
Thermal underwear and thermal underwear can be made of different materials, including wool, synthetic fabrics or mixed materials. More and more people are discovering Merino wool underwear. The natural wool of the Merino sheep is one of the finest animal-friendly produced wool types and gives a very comfortable feeling both in summer and winter, both at work and during normal daily activities or during winter sports or a brisk walk.
Advantages of Merino wool thermal underwear and thermal base layers over synthetic thermal underwear:
- Merino wool thermal underwear and thermal underwear do not smell or stink. It does not retain bacteria that would otherwise cause unpleasant odors. You simply hang the clothing on the washing line to air and you have a fresh thermal shirt at your disposal again. You can easily wear such a Merino wool thermal shirt for 5 days in a row without people giving you a wide berth.
- Of course you wash your thermal underwear every now and then. This can be done by hand or in the machine on a special wool wash program. Then let it dry on the clothesline and your thermal underwear is clean, dry and fresh again.
- Merino wool is a 100% natural product and is therefore naturally able to adapt well to the climate of your body. It breathes well and ventilates, which gives you cooling when it is warm and keeps you warm when it is cold.
- Thermal underwear and thermal underwear made of wool are more wear-resistant and therefore more durable than synthetic variants.
- Thermal underwear and thermal underwear made of Merino wool does not itch!
Disadvantage of Merino wool thermal underwear and thermal undergarments compared to synthetic variants
Due to the density of the Merino wool fiber, it is somewhat thicker, stiffer and less technical than an industrial fiber and therefore dries less quickly than polyester or polypropylene. However, this disadvantage is negligible; a natural product is simply more comfortable to wear because it 'works' better with your body.
Advantage of synthetic thermal underwear and thermal underwear:
Thermal clothing made of polyester or polypropylene is designed in such a way that it does not want to retain sweat and will try to wick the sweat away as quickly as possible to the outside where it can evaporate.
Disadvantage of synthetic thermal clothing:
When you start to sweat you will notice that the sweat from your body makes your thermal underwear wet. Synthetic thermal underwear and thermal underwear that is wet tries to keep your body dry, but is not able to insulate your body well at the same time. The result is that your body stays dry, but is kept less warm.
The great benefits of mixed thermal underwear and thermal underwear
Thermal underwear made of mixed material, i.e. a mixture of synthetic material and Merino wool, combines the best properties of both materials: the thermal underwear is located directly on the skin on the inside of the thermal clothing. Lifa® Stay-Dry material and Merino wool on the outside. By using a hollow Lifa T3 fiber and Merino wool, the fur of a polar bear is imitated. Very effective for cold temperatures where insulation and moisture wicking play a major role. The super fast drying and lightweight Lifa® Stay-Dry material ventilates in excessive heat and wicks sweat and moisture from the skin to the top layer of clothing. When Lifa comes into contact with moisture (water or sweat), it will immediately try to wick the moisture to the outside. There it gets the chance to evaporate in the outside air, or it is absorbed by the next layer of clothing. This prevents your body from cooling down due to evaporation of moisture.
2. Which European standards must thermal work clothing comply with?
Thermal work clothing for working in extreme heat: only if thermal work clothing is required for working in extreme heat it must comply with European standards EN 1149, EN16112 and IEC61482. This thermal underwear is then antistatic according to the EN 1149 standard, protects against heat and flames according to the EN 16112 standard and protects against the dangers of an electric arc according to the IEC61482 standard. It is then no longer just about protecting your torso with a T-shirt, but also about head and neck protection. You can find this type of thermal work clothing, for example, in the Helly Hansen Fakse collection. The collection consists of very different types of thermal underwear, including a thermal polo sweater, thermal T-shirt, thermal long underwear and a thermal balaclava.
Thermal clothing for working in cold environments: especially thermal underwear made of merino wool is suitable for cold working environments. merino wool is a 100% natural product and is therefore naturally able to adapt well to the climate of your body. It breathes well and ventilates. It cools you down when it is warm and keeps you warm when it is cold. Some examples are the HH Lifa Merino Crewneck 75106, HH Lifa Merino Half Zip 75107 and the HH Lifa Merino Pants 75506. Synthetic variants include the HH Lifa Crewneck 75105, HH Lifa Half Zip 75109 and the HH Lifa Pants 75505.
View all thermal clothing from Helly Hansen
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you pay attention to when choosing thermal clothing?
Pay attention to the material (wool or synthetic), the fit and whether it is suitable for the temperature in which you work. Good thermal clothing wicks away moisture, retains heat and is comfortable under other layers. Seams should be flat to prevent irritation. Check whether the clothing is breathable and offers sufficient freedom of movement. The moment of wearing (sedentary or active work) also plays a major role in your choice.
What is the warmest thermal clothing?
Merino wool is often considered the warmest option due to its excellent insulation and temperature regulation. It retains heat even when damp and feels soft against the skin. For extreme cold, thicker layers or combination sets with windproof properties are most effective. Synthetic versions with brushed fleece on the inside also provide a lot of warmth. So the warmest option depends on your activity and environment.
How should thermal clothing fit?
Thermal clothing should fit tightly to the body, but not pinch. A tight fit provides optimum insulation and moisture wicking. Clothing that is too loose lets in cold air and reduces the thermal effect. It should also move comfortably with your body. Always check that the sleeves and trouser legs are long enough to leave no skin exposed.
What is the best thermal clothing?
The best thermal clothing combines good insulation with breathability and comfort. Brands such as Woolpower, Craft, or Helly Hansen are known for their quality. For intensive activities, synthetic is often better due to faster drying, while merino wool is ideal for long-lasting warmth. Choose depending on your activities, environment and how much you perspire. A good base layer is functional, durable and sustainable.
What is warmer, wool or synthetic?
Wool, and especially merino wool, is generally warmer than synthetics. It has a natural insulating effect, even when wet, and regulates temperature better. Synthetics are often lighter and quick-drying, but slightly less warm in cold conditions. For static work, wool is often more comfortable, while synthetics are suitable for athletic or sweaty activities. Both have their advantages, depending on the use.
