2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Best Men's Thermals & Pajamas
2020 Holiday Gift Guide - Best Men's Pajamas / Men's Thermal Underwear
Men's Thermal Underwear that’s Ultra Warm & Light
Anyone who lives in a colder climate understands the struggle. You break out your warmest clothing and hope you can keep winter’s sometimes endless chill at bay.
And, hopefully, your wardrobe includes thermal underwear that keeps you toasty and protected from freezing temperatures. The best thermal underwear for men can make all the difference to your winter comfort level
BEFORE YOU BUY: 7 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING THERMAL UNDERWEAR
The last thing you need in the dead of winter is a pair of thermal underwear that doesn’t fit, doesn’t feel right, or doesn’t keep you warm enough. And what fits and feels right for another man may not have the same fit and feel for you.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re buying thermal underwear, and to help ensure you find a pair that best suits you:
- THE FIT
Never disregard the fit when purchasing thermal underwear. While a pair may keep you warm and cozy when the temperatures plummet, you probably won’t wear them as much as you should if the fit isn’t right.
A poor-fitting pair of thermal underwear typically distributes the warmth unevenly, i.e., there will be areas of warmth (even excessive warmth) and areas where there isn’t much heat at all.
In cold weather, a snug fit is ideal because it traps the heat generated by your body and boosts overall comfort. Thermal underwear should function as a second skin that creates a comfortable layer between the fabric and your body.
On the other hand, you don’t want a fit that’s too snug; in that case, you probably want to choose the next size up.
- BREATHABILITY
Thermal clothing needs to breathe, which refers to its ability to let moisture out but also to prevent you from becoming over-heated. It should keep cold air out while distributing warmth evenly.
- MATERIAL
Most thermal underwear consists of polyester, or a blend of polyester and cotton (and, sometimes, spandex). However, more expensive brands often feature Merino wool – which is sheep wool that is warm, moisture-wicking, and which even has odor-reducing properties.
Synthetic thermal underwear fabric is ideal for extreme cold weather and, as mentioned, is often polyester and spandex, but also lycra, nylon, modal, micro modal. These materials offer a nice balance of moisture-wicking and heat-retention.
Silk is a lightweight fabric option that’s suitable for when the weather is cool but not very cold. It has a soft texture without a lot of bulk, but it’s not as good for drawing moisture away from the body quickly.
Cotton is soft and affordable, but it retains moisture more than other fabrics used in the construction of thermal underwear.
- MOISTURE-WICKING
Many men rely on thermal underwear to help keep them warm during outdoor activities such as skiing or snowboard. You can work up a sweat during those activities, however, which makes it crucial that you find a pair of thermal underwear that keeps you dry as you perspire.
Choose a pair of thermal underwear that does a superior job of wicking moisture away from the skin. A base layer – such as thermal underwear – won’t keep you nearly as warm when you’re wet with sweat, and you’ll lose heat quicker during the rest phase.
- FUNCTION
Consider the reasons why you need thermal underwear before buying. Will you need it for everyday use, such as to keep you warm during those moments when you happen to be outside? Or, do you need it for outdoor activities, such as skiing or snowmobiling, or if you work outdoors in the winter?
Keep the weight of the fabric in mind as you choose a pair of thermal underwear based on your activity. The weight determines the level of warmth the underwear provides.
- STYLES
Thermal underwear comes in a variety of styles – from a one-piece suit to two pieces bought separately (but perhaps as part of a set). You can also purchase thermal underwear in a variety of colors. thermal underwear is meant to wear under other clothing, so its color may not be that important to you.
Choose a pair of thermal underwear that does a superior job of wicking moisture away from the skin. A base layer – such as thermal underwear – won’t keep you nearly as warm when you’re wet with sweat, and you’ll lose heat quicker during the rest phase.
- FUNCTION
Consider the reasons why you need thermal underwear before buying. Will you need it for everyday use, such as to keep you warm during those moments when you happen to be outside? Or, do you need it for outdoor activities, such as skiing or snowmobiling, or if you work outdoors in the winter?
Keep the weight of the fabric in mind as you choose a pair of thermal underwear based on your activity. The weight determines the level of warmth the underwear provides.
- STYLES
Thermal underwear comes in a variety of styles – from a one-piece suit to two pieces bought separately (but perhaps as part of a set). You can also purchase thermal underwear in a variety of colors. thermal underwear is meant to wear under other clothing, so its color may not be that important to you.
It’s best to machine-wash silk blends, or you can machine-wash them on a delicate cycle.
BEST THERMAL UNDERWEAR FOR MEN 2020
TIPS FOR WEARING THERMAL UNDERWEAR THE RIGHT WAY
While there’s nothing overly complicated about the how, when, and why of wearing thermal underwear, there are some useful suggestions for doing so, nonetheless.
- WHEN TO WEAR THERMAL UNDERWEAR
The obvious answer to the question of “When should I wear thermal underwear?” is when it’s cold outside. No surprise there. But some people can handle the cold better than others, so you can decide when to wear thermal underwear depending on your tolerance for cold.
In general, however, thermal underwear is meant for cold weather – for the winter. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear it at other times of the year because you can, but the majority of people pull out thermal underwear from their dresser drawer when temperatures start to drop and continue to drop.
If you find yourself sweating excessively, or that your skin starts to itch, it may be warm enough outside that you don’t need to wear thermal underwear.
- WEARING THERMAL UNDERWEAR FOR THE ACTIVE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
Many men wear thermal underwear when participating in winter activities such as skiing, jogging, snowboarding, and hiking. A critical factor to keep in mind is that you don’t want to get too warm while exercising.
- WEARING THEM AROUND THE HOUSE
The highest quality thermal underwear – such as those we review above – are built for comfort, and you may find that you enjoy wearing them for lounging around the house.
You may also find that your regular pajamas don’t keep the chill out in the dead of winter, which is a good reason for swapping them out for a pair of thermal underwear.
- WEARING THEM FOR OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
If you’ve ever been to an outdoor sporting event, concert, or participate in activities such as camping and fishing in the winter, you understand the importance of staying warm. Thermal underwear is a must for comfort and warmth during those activities in which you’re more sedentary than active.
- CHOOSE YOUR FIT
We discussed how important it is to get the right fit in our section about thermal underwear buying tips. Fit is crucial to the overall comfort, and it’s up to you to decide what type of fit you prefer – loose-fitting, snug, or something in between.
The fit also depends on the fabric: cotton blends tend to have a looser fit while synthetic and microfibers are more form-fitting.
- WEAR THERMAL UNDERWEAR AS INSULATION, NOT AS REGULAR UNDERWEAR
We’ll talk about base layer vs. thermal underwear in a bit, but the important point is that the design and purpose of thermal underwear is insulation. That said, you shouldn’t wear them as a substitute for regular underwear.
Polyester doesn’t quite hold the heat like polypropylene, but it’s easy to care for and wash. It’s also UV-resistant.
- 100% COTTON THERMAL UNDERWEAR
It’s hard to beat the comfort of 100% cotton, but it doesn’t insulate quite as effectively as Merino wool. It also doesn’t manage moisture as well as other fabrics.
- FABRIC BLENDS
Thermal underwear often consists of wool/polyester or cotton/polyester blends (or polypropylene) that feature the best of both worlds, i.e., warmth, comfort, insulation, moisture-wicking, and more.
- THE WEIGHT OF THERMAL UNDERWEAR
You can also categorize thermal underwear by their weight, which indicates their thickness.
Lightweight thermals are the thinnest types and often among the most affordable. They’re ideal for intensive activities in cold weather, such as skiing or jogging, and even suitable for regular use in all seasons.
Midweight thermals are multi-functional and warm enough to wear for cold to colder temperatures. But you can also wear them in the fall or spring when temperatures are warmer, but still a bit cool.
Heavyweight thermals are the thickest of all and best for use in the most frigid and blustery conditions.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? THERMAL UNDERWEAR VS. BASE LAYER
Things can get a bit confusing when discussing base layers and thermal underwear. Technically, thermal underwear acts as a base layer, i.e., you wear it under your outside layer of clothing, and it’s often worn against the skin.
But an excellent way to stay warm in colder weather is to wear three layers – a base layer, a middle layer (which could be thermal underwear), and an outer layer.
A base layer should prevent you from getting cold, not to keep you warm, if that makes sense. It’s an important point to keep in mind when choosing a base layer.
The ideal base layer should help wick sweat from your body – which many brands and styles of thermal underwear also do. Wet skin will only make you feel colder and in cases of extreme cold that can be dangerous.
Lightweight base layers garments typically have a looser fit than thermal underwear and promote better air circulation while wicking moisture away from the skin. Heavier base layer materials have more of a snug fit, however.
Silk is a fabric sometimes used in base layer undergarments and has some advantages, such as superior comfort and that they don’t have the added bulk of other garments.
Base layers made from Merino wool are suitable for colder temperatures but also good for most conditions, while synthetic fabrics work well in warmer temps.
In general, however, base layer clothing needs to pull sweat away from the skin as quickly as possible, while also drying fast to keep your skin from becoming too cold.
HOW WE CHOSE THE PRODUCTS FOR OUR REVIEW
There’s more to thermal underwear than meets the eye, which is true of most products. But, for us, choosing the best thermal underwear for 2020 meant studying the factors we used in our buying tips above, namely, fit, comfort, breathability, moisture-wicking, etc.
While the fit is a personal thing, as is comfort, we looked carefully at the fit each type of thermal underwear offered – while using the reviews of customers as an important guide – as well as its overall comfort level. What did customers think of the fit? How comfortable were they when wearing a particular brand of thermal underwear for their many activities?
A pair of thermal underwear had to be breathable to meet our approval and also able to wick away moisture. A garment that gets wet, cold, and clammy isn’t going to cut it in the dead of winter.
We also evaluated the quality of each product’s seams. Seams affect not only comfort but also durability. The cheaper the seams, the more likely you’ll need to buy a new pair of thermal underwear sooner than later.
Another important factor was the factor. We tried to present a mix of fabric – from polyester to cotton to wool to blends – to provide a comparison.
CONCLUSION
A good pair of thermal underwear can make the difference between being comfortable during the winter or suffering through it as the temperatures take dive. The right pair will suit your activities and provide a protective layer that keeps you warm and safe.