Clothing for a week of sub-zero temperatures
Short answer: A week of frost calls for a plan for your layers, not just one thick coat. Start with a thin layer next to the skin, add a warm middle layer and finish with something that keeps wind and wet out.
Think in layers from Monday to Sunday
When the temperature stays below zero for several days, it is tempting to pull on the thickest coat every morning. The trouble is that you soon get warm on the bike or the bus and then turn cold when the sweat cools down. Several thin layers let you adjust as you go. Plan the week around a few basic pieces that you can combine differently from day to day.
Innermost layer: close, thin and smooth
The innermost layer should sit close without squeezing, so that it can move moisture away from the skin. An undershirt made of viscose from bamboo is soft and smooth and adds almost no bulk under a shirt or jumper. See bamboo undershirt for men. If you need extra warmth on the coldest days, put a thin undershirt beneath a long sleeved top rather than buying a thicker top.
Long sleeves as the steady base
A long sleeve T-shirt is one of the most useful things in a frosty week. It covers the wrists and upper arms, which otherwise get cold easily, and it can be worn alone indoors or under a knit outdoors. See bamboo long sleeve T-shirt for men. Choose a fit that is not too loose, because air between the layers loses heat quickly when you walk in the wind. The sleeves should be long enough to cover the wrist when you reach your arms forward.
Middle layer and outerwear for outdoors
The middle layer is what holds the warmth: a wool jumper, a fleece or a thick sweatshirt. It does not have to be expensive or special as long as it is warm and does not restrict movement. On the outside you need something that stops the wind, because cold air blowing through your clothes takes away more heat than the temperature itself. Remember a hat, gloves and a scarf too, since the head and hands lose a lot of heat in frosty weather.
Shorts belong in winter as well
It may sound odd in a week of sub-zero temperatures, but shorts are worn in many homes all year round, for training, as loungewear or for sleeping in. If you train indoors, light shorts are the right choice even when it freezes outside. See bamboo shorts for men. Pack them with a dry set of clothes so you can change before going out into the cold again, and avoid walking home in sweaty clothing.
Care and drying in cold weeks
Winter clothes need washing slightly more often, because you sweat in heated rooms and the air is dry. Wash viscose from bamboo at 30 to 40 degrees and skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and make them less soft. Drying indoors takes longer in dry winter air, so give the washing room on a rack and do not leave it damp in the laundry basket. That prevents odour and keeps your clothes fresh for the next day.
Frequently asked questions
How many layers should I wear in frost
Three is a good starting point: a thin inner layer, a warm middle layer and a windproof outer layer. Take a layer off if you start to sweat and put it back on when you stand still.
Is one thick jumper better than several thin layers
Usually not. Several thin layers trap warm air between them and can be adjusted along the way, while a single thick jumper is hard to regulate.
Why do I feel cold even when I am dressed warmly
Often it is moisture from sweat or wind getting through the clothing. A close fitting inner layer, a windproof outer layer and dry socks and gloves usually make the biggest difference.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
