Keeping yourself warm in the cooler months
It's important to stay protected against a drop in temperature as cold weather can affect your body's ability to fight off viruses and infections.
When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it is produced. Prolonged exposure to the cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy.
When you’re not wearing enough layers, your body loses heat quickly, which in extreme circumstances, can lead to hypothermia, frostbite and other health problems.
By keeping warm and wearing the appropriate clothing for the season, you can help yourself stay well this winter.
In New Zealand, the winter season can be quite chilly, so it’s important to dress warmly to stay comfortable. Layering is key. Layering lets you adjust your body’s thermostat by putting on and removing items to maintain an even comfort level as conditions and your exertion levels change.
Start with a base layer of thermal or merino wool clothing to keep your body warm. To ensure maximum effectiveness, base layers (thermals) should be fitted and not loose. If there are gaps between the fabric and your skin, the cold is more likely to sneak in.
Thermals are great because they trap body heat better than your jeans or men's dress shirts when it's incredibly cold. The best thermal clothing also wicks sweat away to keep you from getting chilly.
Then add a mid-layer of a fleece or wool sweater to provide additional insulation. Finally, add a waterproof and windproof outer layer to protect against the elements, particularly if it is cold, windy or raining out.
The reason wearing multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than a single thicker layer is because warm air is trapped between the layers acting as an insulator. If you were then to remove a layer you would reduce the amount of heat trapped which would cool you down.
When it comes to choosing the right materials for your winter clothing, wool is a great choice because it is warm, breathable, and moisture-wicking.
Wool scientifically keeps you warmer than cotton and polyester, with Icelandic wool being the warmer variant. Spandex is the best sports material to keep you warm when exercising in winter, closely followed by Gore-tex. A wool-acrylic blend is the best fabric blend for keeping you warm, followed by cotton-acrylic.
Wool tends to be more expensive than synthetic base layers, but it also has the best balance of heat efficiency, odor control, and moisture wicking capability.
Cotton should be avoided for cold weather wear because it absorbs moisture and traps it next to your skin. Save the cotton for summer, when you might want a little extra moisture to keep you cool.
Denim is also not the best fabric for cold, snowy, winter weather, not good news for those who love their jeans, but cotton denim is unfortunately not great at repelling wind or rain, two major ingredients in cold weather.
Leggings, however, are great for the cold weather. In fact, they’re great for any time of the year. Whether you go with fleece lined leggings or a classic pair, they are staples that never go out of style.
Accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves are also important for staying warm in the winter. Look for items made from wool or synthetic materials that are designed to keep you warm and dry. Second hand shops are likely to stock hats, scarves and gloves, particularly at this time of the year, and if you are a knitter you could always make your own.
Overall, dressing for the winter in New Zealand requires careful consideration of the weather conditions and your own personal comfort. By layering up with warm, breathable materials and investing in quality winter accessories, you can stay comfortable and enjoy all that the winter season has to offer.