View Full Version : Chilling effect of tight thermals
I wouldn't have believed this, but it happened. I recently bought some long john's - part synthetic, part wool. It was pretty cold for my cycling to work this week so I put on a pair for the first time. They were a bit tight at the thigh and the moment I put them on - indoors - the thighs felt chilled. I stuck it out, had breakfast, did some chores then put on more clothes to go out. 5 minutes out in the -3 or so and I had had enough. The thighs felt colder and colder. So I stripped off and put the other layers back on and immediately felt warmer.
My guess is that:-
- the stretching lost all the air trapping so there was no thermal layer over my skin
- the rough surface significantly increased the surface area of my skin so that more heat conducted/ convected/ radiated away from my skin. As the thermals were dark/ black then it was a more efficient radiator than my pale skin.
- the tightness reduced the thermal efficiency of my subcutaneous fat layer (not much as I am not overweight)
Am I talking sense here? Anyone else had problems like this?
What ho, Rich! This is a strange one.
I wore my John L's for a fishing trip today and, yeah, just a very slight chill for a minute ,in areas that were close fitting, and then all was ok......certainly not as you,ve described....
Abit tight, you say? Blimey.
I would think that the ladies would have an answer to this one.
Toddy will, doubtless tell us that the one's made from nettle cordage are the best for longtoothers with bad circulation:lmao:
Ceeg
Don't be silly :rolleyes:
Silk's the best, of course :D ;)
Merino's pretty good too though :)
Actually on a more serious note, someone else commented on this while we were digging, in a blizzard :eek: , as one does :tapedshut about the problems a too tight pair of gloves had, apparantlyit can be a problem for divers in wetsuits too.
cheers,
Toddy
I used to have the same problem with my army issue long johns so I gave them the boot, but more recently I purchased a parachute material top & bottoms and experienced the same feeling when I wore them next to the skin and they weren't even tight fitting.
Its probably just me!:rolleyes:
Can't say I've had this problem but it stands to reason that anything too tight will actually reduce or even stop the circulation.
Pablo
Don't be silly :rolleyes:
Silk's the best, of course :D ;)
Merino's pretty good too though :)
Actually on a more serious note, someone else commented on this while we were digging, in a blizzard :eek: , as one does :tapedshut about the problems a too tight pair of gloves had, apparantlyit can be a problem for divers in wetsuits too.
cheers,
Toddy
And climbers. Boots, gloves, hats, harnesses, clothes too tight = chilly!:(
fred gordon
16-12-2007, 19:32
I've found this too. I was advised that if clothes are too tight the circulation can be restricted and you will feel cold, whatever the material. Loose is lovely!:rolleyes:
OK, so I need to track down a bigger fit. Thought that must be it.
Sounds a bit odd to me, but might be true.
I've noticed quite a few base layer clothes are a fairly tight fit but they stretch and move with your body. I haven't noticed any problems myself but then I haven't been in out in what I would call truly extreme conditions.
With materials that don't stretch easily tight is definitely not good. Tight is also not good for outer layers and boots but for underwear it would seem to be okay to me, within reason of course.
But I could be wrong, I often am. :rolleyes:
I wear skin tight sports clothing next to my skin, think cycling shorts without the padding. I have full and short length versions of top and bottoms. Keeps the muscles warm, stops chaffing and dries quickly after washing, can even dry them fully with body warmth alone.
I think there's a very fine line between conforming and constricting though.
A garment with enough 'give' to allow one to flex muscles, bend joints and still protect the skin, without hindering movement is one thing, it's another matter when an ill fitting one restricts movement, chaffs and compresses so firmly that it constricts the flow of blood and sweat.
There's no comfort there and in some situations real danger of harm.
cheers,
Toddy
If you look at arctic clothing, none of it is tight. Loose, clean layers.
And by loose, I don't mean 'hip-hop jeans' loose. :D