The car in winter and the layers to wear
Short answer: Take your jacket off when you get in. If you drive with a jacket on in a warm car, you sweat, and the sweat turns cold when you step out. Drive in two thin layers, put the jacket on the seat beside you, and put it on again when you park.
What happens while driving
The cabin gets warm quickly once the heating is on, and a winter jacket means you are sitting in outerwear in a warm living room. The body responds by sweating to cool down. It often happens without you noticing, because you sit still and concentrate on the road.
The problem on arrival
You step out into the cold with damp clothes against your skin. Damp fabric conducts heat away many times faster than dry fabric, and you feel cold at once. That is often why people feel chilly in the first minutes after a drive, even though they sat warm all the way. See bamboo underwear for men.
How to do it instead
Drive in two layers and lay the jacket on the passenger seat while you drive. A layer of bamboo viscose against the skin handles the small amount of moisture that appears anyway and gives you a steady temperature. Put the jacket on once the engine is off and you are ready to walk out into the cold.
The innermost layer
Choose a thin layer that sits close and does not bunch up under the seat back. Bamboo viscose is soft against the skin and does not feel cold when you move between the warmth of the car and the outside air. It is easy to wear all day, in the car, at the office and back at the car. See bamboo long sleeve t-shirt for men.
Feet and socks
Your feet often sit in a warm footwell and get sweaty, especially in boots. When you step out into snow or slush, damp socks turn cold quickly. Choose socks that suit your shoes, and keep a dry pair in the glove box if you like. See bamboo socks for men.
What about short trips
On short trips you do not need to think much about it. The engine barely warms the car, and the body does not get to sweat. It is the long drives that cause the problem. If you drive for more than half an hour, it makes sense to take the jacket off as soon as the car is warm.
Does it apply to passengers
Yes, the same principle. A passenger sits still and easily gets too warm in a thick jacket. Take the jacket off on longer trips and keep it beside you. That way it is not in the way, and you can put it on again without searching the boot.
Seat heating and ventilation
Seat heating and the fan feel nice at first, but they also increase sweating if you leave them on. Turn them down along the way once you notice that you have warmed up. Open a little fresh air if you feel heavy or tired, and make sure you do not freeze afterwards.
Care and fit
Underwear and layers close to the skin should be washed regularly, because they take up the sweat that builds up on the way. Follow the care label and wash at a low temperature so the clothes keep their shape. The fit should be calm and close without pressing, so you sit comfortably on longer drives.
Frequently asked questions
What about short trips
Under ten minutes it makes no difference. It is the long drives that cause the sweating, so those are the ones where you should take the jacket off and wear two thin layers instead of one thick one.
Does it apply to passengers too
Yes, the same principle applies to whoever sits beside you. Jacket off on longer trips, and a thin layer against the skin gives a steadier temperature the whole way.
Does seat heating help
It warms the back, but it also increases sweating. Turn it down along the way once you are warm, and remember that you do not want to step out into the cold feeling damp.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
