
Thermal shirts are designed to help you retain heat in cold temperatures. Made from blends of cotton, nylon, spandex, polyester, wool or fleece, thermal shirts are often used by skiers, hunters, hikers and others participating in cold-weather outdoor activities.
Function
The waffle-wave pattern common on most thermal clothing is designed to trap in body heat, helping you to stay warm. Thermal shirts also tend to have cuffs that stay tight to the wrist to prevent body heat loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends tight-fitting cuffs at the wrists as an essential attribute of clothing designed for cold weather.
Wear
Thermal shirts are often worn under other clothing, though they can also be worn as a solitary garment. Most are long sleeved with a crew-neck collar. Though originally designed for men, thermal clothing is also available in styles for women.
Wash and Care
Most thermal clothes can be machine washed. Read instructions regarding water temperature and whether or not to place thermal clothes in the dryer. Some blends that contain wool should be air dried to prevent shrinking.
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Writer Bio
Erika Sanders has been writing since 1997. She teaches writing at the Washington State Reformatory and edits the monthly newsletter for the Collaborative on Health and the Environment, a national nonprofit organization. She received her Master of Fine Arts in fiction from the Solstice Program at Pine Manor College in Boston.
Photo Credits
extreme skiing image by Maxim Petrichuk from Fotolia.com