What makes thermal clothes thermal?

tc20

..just wondering this, as i've been wearing thermals as of late with the cold snap. The tag on my vest says 100% cotton, so what makes it warmer and 'thermal' as opposed to a regular 100% cotton t-shirt?
Is it in the way they weave them or ???

cance

dead kitten fur.

leninbenjamin

high tog value.

GLaDOS

Possibly denser cotten?

KTRIC

Eh Duh , thermal lining :rolleyes:

NextSteps

The Therms.

Farts.

tc20

KTRIC wrote: »

Eh Duh , thermal lining :rolleyes:

i've looked - there ain't no thermal lining.

Therms sounds best so far

ScumLord

It's got thermal writen on it.

biko

The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and processes used to reduce heat transfer.

AlmightyCushion

It's like all thermal and stuff. Maybe the cotton is thicker than on a normal cotton t-shirt.

sebastianlieken

YORE MA!!!

(no im serious, maybe!, u never know!)

JIZZLORD

dammit, you beat me to YORE MA

Mr. Incognito

About €50 difference in Great Outdoors

tc20

biko wrote: »

The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and processes used to reduce heat transfer.

sorry dude, FAAAAAAAAr too technical an answer, no comprendez.

And no, its not me ma!

rubadub

Static air is a great insulator, so double glazing works well. Thermal cotton can have grooves and is close to the skin so works well, some is sort of puffed/fluffed up to give this effect. It traps the air between your body and the fabric. Also say you have 3 t-shirts, 2 of one thickness and 1 double that thickness, then wearing the 2 thin ones layered up will trap air between them and keep you warmer than the one that is just a double thickness.

If you have thick wooly gloves and wore washingup gloves over the ends it will trap the air so not it is static and warmer. If there is no cover wind will pass through and cool you.

I have good thermal stuff for cycling, yet it is thinner than other gloves/hats etc, the new fabrics in use in layers do actually work well.

tc20

rubadub wrote: »

Static air is a great insulator, so double glazing works well. Thermal cotton can have grooves and is close to the skin so works well, some is sort of puffed/fluffed up to give this effect. It traps the air between your body and the fabric. Also say you have 3 t-shirts, 2 of one thickness and 1 double that thickness, then wearing the 2 thin ones layered up will trap air between them and keep you warmer than the one that is just a double thickness.

probably the best answer so far, not the funniest, but the nearest explanation. Im aware of layering clothes to increase bodywarmth as opposed to one thick layer, but the thermal vest i have on isnt any thicker than a regular tshirt, so is the answer in the ribbed (for my pleasure) weave of the material?

Genghiz Cohen

It's just woven to trap more air, air is an insluator so it reflects yore body heat.

rubadub

tc20 wrote: »

, so is the answer in the ribbed (for my pleasure) weave of the material?

Yep, you have channels of trapped air. If you wanted a cheap and nasty yet light version you could put on a t-shirt, wrap your body in bubble wrap and whack on another t-shirt. It is not breathable but your body will warm the pockets or air in the bubbles and you have the same lightweight static air that you desire.

Similar idea to wet suits, they let in a thin layer of water, your body heats this and it is trapped there and acts as insulation itself, as well as the neoprene.

tc20

Cool.

god bless boards!

Case closed

Victor

Thermal clothes are poor conducters of heat, typically by trapping air.

Toots

sebastianlieken wrote: »

YORE MA!!!

(no im serious, maybe!, u never know!)

Yes, it actually could be.....who was it who bought us all those thermal vests for those cold mornings at school?????? I think you're on to something here sebastianlieken!!

Ready Brek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkYvxip4Le8