As a keen snowboarder and cyclist, I’ve always valued a good thermal layer, whether it’s a tech-packed long-sleeved t-shirt or a thin hooded top that can be worn under jackets before doubling as a lightweight layer for fireside apres-ski drinks.
But first things first. What exactly is a thermal garment? It’s basically a hi-tech base layer – one that is often designed to be worn against the skin, and one that’s engineered to trap heat and wick away sweat without making you feel like you’ve been locked in a sauna. The most common materials are polyester and merino wool which, despite wool’s natural origins, does all of the above incredibly well. The downside? Merino wool is more expensive, and it’s less durable than polyester. But its moisture-wicking properties are hard to beat – a decent merino wool garment can absorb 30 per cent of its weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch.
