can be worth their weight in
gold.
What are
thermals
(and why do you need them)?
Base layers, long johns, leggings…
whatever you call them, a good set
of thermals
can make all
the difference
when it comes
to enjoying the
winter weather.
Here, Rachel
Plant from Hot
Togs, a company
that specialises
in advanced
thermal wear,
explains how
thermals work
and why they
52
Keeping warm when the weather’s
against you can be really tricky. It’s
tempting to throw on a jumper or jacket
over a standard t-shirt but, in truth, you
could be setting yourself up for a cold
day. See, layering is a great idea, but
it’s important that the materials used
perform too. Take cotton- it doesn’t wick
and just holds sweat next to your skin,
leaving you feeling clammy when warm
and cold as you cool down. Picking the
right base layer, made from the right
material removes this issue and has a lot
of other benefits.
Thermals help to keep you warm without
adding bulk to your ensemble. From
a visual point of view, it’s always nice
to look trim. From a practical point of
view, being dressed in bulky clothing
when you’re trying to ride, bend down to
pick out a hoof or put on boots makes
everything much harder. As for why you
need them, the truth is you could muddle
by with layers of jumpers and coats all
winter long. However, if you feel the
cold and don’t want to be restricted or
uncomfortable in your clothing…thermals
Everything Horse UK Magazine • February 2014 • Issue 5