Winter is fast approaching and it is essential to protect yourself from the cold to avoid the inconvenience of low temperatures. In this article, we will discover the list of materials that protect from the cold and how to choose the clothing best suited to your needs to approach winter in style.
Key Takeaways
- Natural materials such as wool, cashmere and alpaca offer excellent insulating properties, helping to retain body heat during the winter. A ally of choice!
- Synthetic materials, such as fleece and polyester, can also provide effective protection against the cold thanks to their good thermal insulation and their lightness.
- It is important to choose your clothing according to the climatic conditions and the activity carried out, paying particular attention to the materials used and their quality.
- The maintenance of clothing is essential to preserve its insulating properties and the longevity of the fabric. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding washing, drying and ironing.
- technical clothing specially designed for winter often has several layers of insulating and breathable materials, thus offering optimal protection against low temperatures.
- Don't hesitate to mix materials by wearing several layers of clothing to ensure optimal thermal insulation and adapt to temperature variations throughout the day.
Technical Clothing Against the Cold
To effectively protect yourself from the cold, you should choose technical clothing specially designed to resist low temperatures and maintain body heat. These clothes use specific materials to ensure optimal thermal insulation without using several layers of clothing.
Presentation of technical clothing
Technical clothing is generally made up of several layers of fabrics that each have a specific function. We often distinguish three main layers:
- The base layer: ensuring protection of the skin and allowing moisture from the body to the outside.
- The intermediate layer: providing thermal insulation to retain body heat.
- The protective layer: offering wind and water resistance, whilst being breathable.
How to choose the right technical clothing
To choose the right technical clothing, it is important to take into account several criteria, such as the intensity of the activity practiced, the climatic conditions and the insulation needs. It is also essential to check the labels of the clothing to ensure the quality of the materials used and their ability to protect from the cold.
Would you like to know which material keeps you warmest in winter? Discover our dedicated article.
The material that keeps you warm: wool
wool is a natural material which has excellent insulating properties. It is often used in winter clothing for its ability to retain heat while being breathable.
Why wool is a material that keeps you warm
Wool has the ability to absorb moisture while retaining warmth. In addition, its fibers are naturally crimped, which creates air pockets and ensures better thermal insulation. Wool is also a breathable material, which helps prevent overheating when wearing wool clothing.
The different types of wool
There are many types of wool, each with its own characteristics and benefits. Among the most common are:
- Merino wool: coming from merino sheep, it is very soft and has excellent thermal insulation.
- Alpaca wool: Sourced from alpacas, it is even warmer than merino wool and has a more luxurious texture.
- cashmere: coming from goat hair, it offers great softness and a luxurious feel.
How to care for wool clothing
To take care of your wool clothing, it is important to wash them at low temperatures and let them air dry. Avoid tumble drying, as it can damage the fibers and reduce the quality and effectiveness of thermal insulation.
Clothing Against the Cold: Fleece
fleece wool is a synthetic material which is very popular for its warmth and its lightness. It is often used in outerwear, such as sweaters and fleece jackets.
Presentation of fleece
Fleece is a fabric made from polyester fibers. It is made up of fine and light fibers which form a honeycomb structure, giving it excellent thermal insulation. Fleece is also very breathable, which helps regulate body temperature during exercise.
The advantages of fleece
Among the advantages of fleece, we can cite:
- Its warmth: fleece is ideal for protecting yourself from the cold and retaining body heat.
- Its lightness: due to its composition of polyester fibers, fleece is an ultra-light and pleasant fabric to wear.
- Its resistance: fleece is a strong fabric that resists wear and washing well.
How to choose and care for fleece clothing
When choosing a fleece garment, check the labels to make sure it is made with a high percentage of polyester fibers. Choose brands Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified to guarantee quality and the absence of harmful and toxic substances in contact with the skin. For care, wash your fleece garment at low temperature and avoid tumble drying.
Find out here how to keep a fleece soft over the years without loss of quality.
Polyester and Heat
Polyester is a synthetic fiber often used in winter clothing for its insulating properties and water resistance.
Presentation of polyester
Polyester is a material made from chemical compounds and has several interesting characteristics for winter clothing. It is durable, lightweight and economical, making it a popular option for many types of clothing.
Why polyester is a warm material
Polyester has natural insulating properties that help retain body heat. Additionally, it is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water, keeping you protected from moisture and wind.
How to choose and maintain polyester clothing
To choose polyester clothing suitable for cold weather, check the labels to ensure the quality of the material. Choose clothing with a high percentage of polyester and designed specifically for winter, with adequate insulation. For maintenance, wash your polyester clothing at low temperature, and avoid tumble drying to preserve the longevity of the fabric.
Also read our full article: Does 100% polyester keep you warm?
Viscose and Heat
viscose is an artificial fiber made from natural materials, such as wood cellulose. It has many interesting properties for winter clothing.
Presentation of viscose
Viscose is a soft, silky material that has excellent moisture absorption, allowing you to retain some warmth without causing a clammy feeling. In addition, viscose is breathable, guaranteeing good comfort during exercise.
Why viscose is a material that keeps you warm
Although viscose is not as insulating as other materials, such as wool or cashmere, it nevertheless has interesting characteristics to protect you from the cold. In particular, it helps regulate temperature and wick moisture away from the body, which can help you feel warmer.
How to choose and maintain viscose clothing
To choose viscose clothing suitable for cold weather, check the labels to ensure the quality of the fabric and opt for clothing designed specifically for winter. For maintenance, it is best to hand wash your viscose clothing in cold water and let it air dry to preserve its shape and appearance.
Also read: Viscose Warmth, Our Tips for Staying Warm in Winter
The Fabric Against the Cold: Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber that has many desirable qualities for winter clothing.
Presentation of cotton
Cotton is a breathable, soft and hypoallergenic material that may be suitable for the most sensitive skin. It also has good moisture absorption capabilities, allowing you to maintain a certain freshness while being warm.
Why cotton is a fabric against the cold
Cotton has a certain resistance to heat, without being as insulating as wool or cashmere. However, it can be a good option for innerwear or for less cold days. Additionally, cotton can be mixed with other materials to enhance its insulating properties.
How to choose and care for cotton clothing
To choose cotton clothing suitable for the cold, check the labels to ensure the quality of the fabric and favor clothing with a high density, with a tight mesh for better insulation. For care, it is generally possible to wash and dry cotton clothing at moderate temperatures, but always consult the manufacturer's recommendations.
Other Materials that Protect from the Cold
In addition to the materials mentioned above, there are other options to protect yourself from the cold:
Cashmere
As mentioned previously, cashmere is a luxurious material that offers excellent thermal insulation. It's soft, comfortable and stylish, making it an ideal option for premium winter clothing.
Silk
silk is a natural fiber that has good insulating and thermoregulatory properties. It can be used for lightweight clothing, such as underwear, scarves and silk gloves.
Velvet
Velvet is a thick fabric with a soft, plush surface that provides warmth and comfort. Velvet clothing, such as coats and pants, is both chic and well-suited for winter.
In summary: what material protects against the cold?
In summary, there are many materials that protect against the cold, ranging from natural fibers like wool and cotton, to synthetic fibers like polyester and fleece. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, and clothing should be chosen based on your needs and preferences for comfort, insulation and style. Don't forget to choose quality clothing and follow the care instructions to guarantee the longevity of your winter pieces.
We hope that this guide has been useful to you in better understanding which materials protect against the cold and how to choose your winter clothing wisely. To discover our selection of warm and comfortable clothing, do not hesitate to visit our online store and browse our collections, such as the
FAQ
1. What is the warmest fabric?
Merino wool and Cashmere are among the warmest fabrics due to their excellent thermal insulation. They are often used for high quality winter clothing. However, some synthetics, such as fleece, also offer very good warmth performance.
2. What fabric when it’s cold?
Several fabrics are suitable when temperatures are low:
- Wool (merino, alpaca, etc.)
- Cashmere
- Fleece and other insulating synthetic materials, such as polyester
- Cotton, especially in the case of thick, high-density clothing
3. What is the warmest material for winter?
Merino wool and Cashmere are often considered the warmest materials for winter, thanks to their ability to retain body heat and wick away moisture . However, synthetic materials such as fleece can also provide excellent protection against the cold.
4. What material to protect yourself from the cold?
To protect yourself from the cold, it is important to choose materials with good insulating and breathable properties. Among these materials, we find wool, cashmere, fleece, polyester, and even cotton in some cases.
5. What material keeps you warmest?
Natural materials such as merino wool, cashmere and alpaca are among those that keep you warmest due to their thermal insulation and their ability to retain body heat. However, some synthetic materials, such as fleece, also provide excellent protection against the cold.
6. What is Thermolactyl?
Thermolactyl is a synthetic material developed by the Damart brand, which is designed to provide optimal thermal insulation in clothing. It is a mixture of fibers, including thermostimulating fibers which generate heat through a thermal reaction with the body. This material is often used in technical clothing to protect against the cold while ensuring lightness and comfort.
Mis à jour le 19 octobre 2023
