Even adverse weather conditions do not stop winter sports enthusiasts. But the wardrobe of an athlete or a person leading an active lifestyle should be carefully thought out. When choosing winter sportswear, you need to consider some mandatory characteristics to ensure that it is warm and comfortable.
Clothing options depending on the type of sport
Sportswear models are developed for both professionals and amateurs. There is universal sports equipment - a jacket, pants or overalls. There are specific features in sewing technology, materials used for individual sports.
Clothing for winter sports, first of all, should be multi-layered, since each layer performs a specific function.
The main criteria for choosing sportswear are functionality and beauty. Modern technologies allow creating sportswear that meets the most demanding requirements:
- convenience;
- water resistance;
- thermoregulation;
- wear resistance;
- light weight;
- easy care.
High-quality outerwear can be identified by strong, even seams and beautiful, strong fittings. The lining of such products has labels with useful care recommendations.
For climbers
Mountaineering is considered one of the most dangerous sports. Mountaineering equipment is developed using a special technology to ensure maximum safety for athletes in mountain climbing conditions. The jacket is usually shortened at the front. Zippers in the jackets allow heat and steam to escape during intense physical activity. Thickened inserts on the shoulders and elbows are designed to protect the athlete and at the same time extend the service life.
The pockets are carefully placed to allow quick access to their contents when mobility is limited. A mandatory element is an adjustable hood that protects the head from bad weather and small rockfalls. The trousers have full-length zippers and reinforced bottoms to protect the legs. Climber's equipment should provide freedom of movement, keep you warm, and not let in water.
For hiking
Fans of long winter walks should also take care of their equipment. Properly selected clothing for sports and leisure is the key to a pleasant active holiday. Every tourist will confirm that light, comfortable equipment makes it much easier to move along the route. It is necessary to choose high-quality sewn items made of breathable materials with a ventilation system, a removable hood, and convenient numerous pockets. For extreme mountain hikes, it is better to buy a jacket in bright colors so that the tourist does not get lost in the mountains.
For snowboarding and skiing
Alpine skiing and snowboarding are sports for energetic young people. Youth winter sports clothing should be functional, comfortable, and fashionable. Such jackets have an extended back (if you have to sit on the snow), waist ties, long sleeves with cuffs, and an inner skirt to keep snow out while moving or falling. There are strong additional stripes on the elbows and knees to protect the athlete from bruises. The jacket should have excellent ventilation to release steam and moisture, a hood with a visor. Pockets for storing personal items would not hurt. Professionals prefer overalls, as they are more comfortable and heat-saving. Equipment for extreme sports is made of special waterproof elastic fabrics.
Why is thermal underwear necessary?
Thermal underwear is an important item of clothing that retains human warmth at any temperature due to its tight fit and the presence of insulation. In the manufacture of thermal underwear, high-quality synthetic materials are most often used: fleece, polyester, microfiber. Many types of underwear are made seamlessly, which increases its softness and comfort.
This underwear is very elastic, dries quickly, has excellent thermoregulation, consists of three layers. It is a mandatory element of winter clothing for sports and recreation. These are T-shirts with long sleeves up to the throat, pants and long socks. Thermal underwear with enhanced protection in the groin area is provided for the ski suit.
The main function of thermal clothing is to absorb and wick away moisture so that accumulated heat is retained. When choosing this type of clothing, you should pay attention to the tightness of the fit, as well as freedom of movement. Properly selected thermal underwear will protect against hypothermia even in severe cold, making winter sports safe.
What materials to choose
Modern special fabrics allow you to create an ideal winter suit that reliably protects from cold, high humidity, and has a pleasant appearance. These materials do not wrinkle, are easy to clean, have durability, increased wear resistance, windproof properties, and evaporate moisture well. Preference should be given to natural or combined materials that contain a large percentage of natural fibers. Fabrics for problem areas are impregnated with special agents to enhance wear resistance.
Common materials for sewing outerwear are various types of raincoat fabric, leatherette, jeans, fleece, parachute. For intense physical activity, things made of membrane fabrics, which consist of two or three layers, are suitable. The color of the fabrics is always determined by fashion, but jackets for climbers invariably remain bright colors, so that it is easier to find the climber in the white snow mass in case of an unsuccessful ascent. Colors with geometric shapes, letters and checkered patterns, photographs are coming into fashion.
Natural, synthetic, mixed insulation materials are used for insulation. Now the previously popular artificial sintepon is being replaced by new materials - tinsulei, isosoft, holofiber. They are distinguished by their quality, practicality, high thermal insulation due to the air layer. The new material silicone holds its shape well, does not get knocked down, and can withstand frequent washing.
Down jackets with natural filling keep you warm, but there are difficulties in using and caring for them.
The quality of the lining fabric plays an important role in creating beautiful examples of winter sportswear. It can be silk, quilted, printed, knitted, pocket, Euro-lining. If we are talking about extreme sports, then it is better to choose high-quality brands of winter sportswear.
Rules for selecting a set
A set of sportswear - warm for winter - is made up according to the basic rules of layering. These are three layers, each of which has its own purpose.
- the first base layer is thermal underwear, which covers most of the body. This is a T-shirt, pants and socks made of high-quality synthetics. You can use wool thermal clothing, but it can irritate the skin of sensitive people;
- the second layer is insulation. This layer should also be moisture-permeable and lightweight. Fleece sweaters and sweatshirts are the perfect solution;
- The last layer is a jacket and trousers or overalls. Trousers with a high waist or suspenders. The choice of the final layer determines protection from inclement weather and low temperatures.
Layering clothing in winter is relevant for all types of active recreation. This technology helps maintain a constant temperature in any conditions and during any activity.
Accessories are also important for winter sports: hats, gloves, socks, helmet, glasses.
It is worth choosing knitted and woolen hats with fleece, tight-fitting to the head; two-layer socks, well warming the feet; comfortable warm gloves fixed on the wrists. A mask, helmet, glasses designed to protect the head and eyes from injuries and sun rays will not be superfluous.
For sports, in addition to clothing, you need warm, comfortable boots. Winter shoes should be high enough, have a fur lining inside, a ribbed soft sole and a water-repellent surface on the outside. For climbers, this is the most expensive part of the sports suit.
A wide range of sportswear allows you to choose beautiful, high-quality models. With proper care, they will last for more than one season. Following the basic principles of proper equipment in winter will help you feel comfortable during sports activities, achieve success, and take care of your health.
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