By: Blonde Deux
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It’s well known that we Blondes are fans of thermal layers for walking. A thin pair of leggings and a long-sleeve top under your regular clothes makes all the difference when it comes to retaining heat and keeping you comfortable (and even safe) when you’re hiking in the hills.
For example, I never go wild camping without my merinos.
What is the best fabric for thermal layers?
There are many different types of thermals.
In fact, we’ve spent the last twelve years testing a wide range of different fibers and styles to help you (and us) make wise purchasing decisions. From bamboo to synthetic fibers to merino wool, we’ve taken thermal clothing to the hills (and often slept in it).
Because staying warm is important to us!
Finding the best thermal base layer for you depends largely on the activity you plan to do and how much you want to spend. The really good news is that thermal leggings and tops are more widely stocked than before and much easier to buy at different price points (and even second-hand if you want).
But we have even better news than that.
Thermal tops and leggings aren’t just for the outdoors!
In fact, during the fall and winter months, you’ll rarely find me without mine. Even when I’m inside, if you take off the layers you’ll find a pair of thermal leggings under my jeans and a long sleeve thermal top under my sweater.
And if it’s really cold, both will be merino wool.
Extra layers can save you money on your heating bill
Like many people, I have become more cautious about how and when I use the heater. This is mainly because heating costs have increased significantly, but also because I really want to reduce my carbon footprint and my consumption of fossil fuels.
It may be a dip in the ocean, but every little bit helps.
I’ve found that wearing my thermals in and out of the house keeps me perfectly warm and comfortable. In fact, these days I use a heating checklist before turning on the heat. It goes like this…
- Do I wear warm socks and slippers?
- Do I wear my thermal clothing?
- Did I choose a wool sweater?
- Can I move to warm up?
By the way, the dog really likes the number four, because the answer usually means he can go for a walk.
The best thermal base layers to wear at home
The advantage of wearing thermal clothing all day is that it should be comfortable and thin enough not to restrict daily activities. I’ve found that synthetic fibers are great on warmer days, but bamboo and merino wool ones do the job better when I have to sit at my desk for long periods of time or the temperatures have dropped.
Sitting still can be a glacial affair.
The merino top in the image above was courtesy of adidas and is a classic example of the type of thin, warm layer I prefer when working from home or even just lounging (as well as when I’m outside) . adidas’ Terrex collection includes a range of base layers designed for the outdoors but would also be suitable for indoor life.
Merino isn’t perfect, it tends to be a little more fragile than synthetic fibers, and I always hand wash mine to protect them. But merino clothing is warm, breathable, and odor-resistant, which means my merino thermal clothing doesn’t need to be washed as often as my synthetic clothing.
One thing women might like to take note of is that merino, because it is a thinner fabric, tends to show a tight contour. We can also recommend Adidas’ range of women’s sports bras if you need help.
When it comes to washing, I’m a big fan of the sniff test!