Thermal wear - materials
The Velitec thermal wear is made of polypropylene fibre and divided into 4 types according to the transfer of wet and thermal isolation abilities.
LIGHT- moves wet out from the skin and transports it to other clothing layers, or directly into air. It fits to be used as a bottom layer in cold weather or as a single layer in summer, and in a gym.
MEDIUM - this cloth successfully combines transfer of wet with thermo regular qualities of thermal wear. It can be used as an outer layer in spring and autumn or as a bottom or middle layer in winter.
MEDIUM+ - new type of cloth, similar to the MEDIUM but lighter. In addition, it has increased thermo regular abilities during heavier perspiration.
THERMO - this cloth is intended for a maximum temperature increase with lower transfer of wet. It is therefore most suitable in winter, and can be used as the first, second, or third layer.
Natural vs. synthetic fibres
Natural fibres (cotton, wool)
Cotton thermal wear may be pleasant to skin but its absorption abilities are the main disadvantage: it absorbs and holds wet, gets dry slowly, and increases the risk of getting cold through. For these reasons, cotton clothes have to be changed more often. Though many people use a cotton T-shirt as a bottom layer especially for winter sports, this material is absolutely inadvisable. Cotton is nowadays used in combination with synthetic materials which can move wet out.
Wool keeps its isolation abilities in spite of its high ability to accept wet. The disadvantage is its low firmness and resistance to damage, and its tendency to felt.
Natural and synthetic fibres are sometimes being combined. Such modified fibres might not be the best choice under every circumstance. They are less permeable to both wet and air, and might cause allergy or mycosis.
Advanced technology made possible to produce fibres with various shapes, and later new synthetic fibres with perfect ability to transfer wet from the body.
For this reason, the most common material for functional wear is synthetic fibre.
Synthetic fibres
Polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PES) fibres are the most used synthetic fibres.
Polypropylene fibres (PP) get on well with human skin, do not cause allergic reactions and are resistant towards fungi and bacteria. Polypropylene shows the least absorption of all textile fibres, very low amount of heat transfer, and low weight. Thermal wear is made of significantly strong fibres. Polypropylene bears slightly negative electric charge, which is suitable to the human body. Fibres cannot be chemically dyed, are resistant towards acids, alkalis, reductants, and oxidizers. The fibre gains its colour when being made, and the colour range is restricted. Clothes made of pure PP can be easily washed (often even in cold water without any detergents) and do not absorb dirt.
Polyester fibres (PES) are often used due to its tradition and easy production. Water absorption is rather low as well, though higher than in polypropylene. The main disadvantages are the weight (2x higher), and the heat conductibility. On the other hand, thermal wear is more resistant to higher temperatures, and can be carefully ironed. Polyester carries rather strong positive electric charge, which might in some people be a cause of skin allergy.
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