Some benefits of wearing Base Layers
Have you ever wondered why you may
have stiff or sore legs after a long walk outdoors? Or, do you perhaps feel
cold after hiking or maybe too hot and need to peel off layers? Well, if you can answer yes to these
questions, then you may need to invest in a good quality base layer - or at
least perhaps consider changing your current base layer for one made with
alternative and better material.
A base layer is designed to be
worn underneath your normal outdoor gear and its key purpose is to ‘trap’ a
thin layer of warm air between your body and the material. This helps to regulate your body temperature. There are many types of base layers available
and these can be made from various materials including Merino wool, synthetic
fabrics or bamboo, with each of these fabrics having their own benefits.
So, if you are planning on hiking
in cold weather conditions, perhaps on a crisp winter day, you will need to
consider a base layer that will help to control your body temperature. Do consider that if your leg muscles or upper
body muscles get cold, then you are more susceptible to injury! It’s important
to remember therefore that good quality layers, being used to control body
temperature, tend to be made from heavier fabrics, which are better placed to help
circulate - and then retain - warm air against your body.
Likewise, if you are planning a walking
holiday in warmer climes, then it would be wise to consider a good quality base
layer that will help to keep you cool by ‘wicking’ sweat away from your body.
Why are base layers always tight fitting?
Designed to be worn under other items
of clothing, the main features of base layers include the compression of your
muscles, the support and aiding of their natural recovery and the regulation of
your body’s temperature. These garments
need to be tight fitting in order for these aspects to be realised. Top
performing layers are carefully designed and manufactured to compress muscles
before, during and after exercise, thus helping to reduce the build- up of ‘lactic’
acid. This acid is a very important
consideration, as it serves as a temporary energy source when released into
your bloodstream, supplying your muscles with strength and energy. But too much lactic acid when exercising can
actually create burning sensations in your muscles ultimately slowing you down,
sometimes leading to injury or damage. Wearing
tight fitting layers will help to compress muscles reducing the build-up of
lactic acid. Remember as you walk/hike
up hills and mountains, your legs, arms and shoulders are working hard,
building up this lactic acid.
Incidentally, 100% cotton
T-shirts should never be worn as a base layer. In fact, natural fibres such as
cotton are unsuitable for any form of exercise because cotton soaks up moisture,
(or sweat), subsequently holding on to this moisture, leaving you cold and
uncomfortable.
So, as you can see, choosing the
right fabric for your base layer is important and it really is worth taking
some time out to do this. The type of fabrics you should choose will largely depend
upon the environment you intend to be walking in, and whether you are allergic
to any man-made fabrics or natural fabrics.
You should also consider whether you need any additional protection
(such as UVC ray protection) and, of course, you’ll need to factor in how much
you wish to spend!
In summary:
In summary, the benefits of
wearing a base layer are:
·
Compression
of your muscles
·
The wicking
of moisture away from your skin
·
Regulation
of your body’s temperature
At Cherry Tree Country Clothing,
we have a fantastic range of base layers which are available now! These include bamboo base layers and also ‘technical’
layers. For more information or to browse our collection, please click here
