The solution:
- slightly thicker synthetic (no cotton! It holds moisture and water is great for heat transfer) underwear
- plastic bags strategically placed as close to the skin without actually touching the skin (feels icky) to make a vapour barrier to keep the clothing dry against sweat (super cold & no wind conditions)
OR
- plastic bags strategically placed as close to the outer layer of clothing as possible to block the wind chill (very windy conditions regardless of how cold)
The solutions work just as well for the ladies, except the strategic placement is different
I'd be inclined to test wool. A humidity-wicking synthetic close to the skin, and woolen thermal layer. Works for me, but I of course never engage in such activity levels. Being able to lift the wind-blocking layer off the skin with a bit of wool is a lot of difference.
Wool works for me as well. When coaching the kids, I often wear a synthetic base layer, followed by a wool layer, followed by a synthetic fleece layer followed by a breathable shell. If I do get too warm, which is unlikely at that intensity, I remove the fleece layer and put into my backpack.
Wool against the skin irritates some people and does not affect others. I tend not to wear wool next to my skin in general, although a very fine wool is okay.
I typically ski 12 to 15 km/h with adult friends recreationally. I would not even put on the fleece layer down to -20 deg C in that case. The wool mid-layer is perfect for this.
I used to race myself, averaging just under 20 km/h in events 40 to 70 km long. Unfortunately, I could no do that consistently. My metabolism was also much faster in those days. A synthetic base layer following by a racing shell was all that was needed. The extra strategic protection at the front was useful for -10 deg C and colder. About -18 deg C was the limit where a bit more layering became necessary.
These Olympic athletes are moving at an average speed closer to 22 km/h for the long races. That is 10% faster than I ever could
, which is significant even if 2 km/h difference does not seem like much. They are even faster in the shorter races. Their goal of efficient muscle use is secondary to being able to reach the finish as fast as possible. Lots of heat energy is being generated! In effect, they are generally trying to keep warm appendages at the same time as trying to cool the core body.
People who have to survive in the northern most reaches of the planet wear the fur of the species native to those regions, nothing that we've come up with comes even close to the effectiveness of those 'primitive' solutions.
The problem with looking there for solutions is that I suspect that wearing seal fur knickers for Olympic competition is likely to be regarded as somewhat politically incorrect. Also puts a new spin on the phrase "All fur coat and no knickers"...
The Olympic competition scenario is quite different from the normal life scenario. The competition is a performance that lasts a small period of time.
One should choose appropriately for that performance.
It is much the same in the north of the GWN. 'City folk' will spend large quantities of money for the so-called best synthetic garments for warmth prior to going to the far north. Once there, they either quickly return, or they drop the political correctness and take the pragmatic approach of acquiring furs. The synthetic garments are kept in a closet, ready for any visits to a city... Furs are left at home, rather than drawing undesirable attention in the cities.
Home
Help
Search
Login
Register
