Columbia Thermal Underwear: Men's and Women's Sets
Columbia Thermal Underwear: How to Choose Your Set
Columbia thermal underwear comes as sets of a top and bottoms that work as a base layer under a uniform, jacket or ski suit. They come in handy for military personnel, hunters, hikers and anyone who spends a long time in the cold. There are men's and women's models, including fleece-lined ones, in black and olive. Prices range from 660 to 910 UAH.
Fleece-Lined or Unlined: Which to Choose
Columbia fleece-lined thermal underwear has a fuzzy inner side that holds a layer of warm air close to the body. It is a good choice when you spend a lot of time standing still: on watch, in an ambush, fishing or in an unheated room. An example of such a model is Columbia Thermo fleece-lined.
Smooth thermal underwear without fleece is thinner and wicks moisture away faster. That is why they suit marches, backpacking hikes and the off-season, when you already wear several layers on top.
A common mistake is choosing the fleece-lined version for intense movement. The body sweats, the underwear cannot wick moisture away in time, and at the very first stop you get cold. If you combine movement and standing still, it is better to add warmth with an outer layer rather than with the thickness of your base layer.
Women's Columbia Thermal Underwear: What to Look For
Women's sets are cut for the female figure, so they fit snugly without wrinkles at the waist and hips. Some models are made of microdiving fabric, smooth or fleece-lined, for example Columbia microdiving olive. Flat seams do not chafe under a plate carrier or backpack straps.
For those who find the standard size range too limiting, there are plus-size versions of Columbia Thermo fleece-lined, both women's and men's. They are designed for larger sizes, so you will not have to take a men's model or a set that does not fit your figure.
Color and Fit
Olive does not stand out under field uniform if the underwear is visible from under the collar or cuffs. Black is more versatile: you can easily wear such a set under civilian clothes too.
In terms of size, the set should fit snugly but not squeeze. If there are gaps between the body and the fabric, moisture is not wicked away and the underwear keeps you less warm. A model that is too tight, on the contrary, restricts circulation and movement. For a full selection of other brands and models, see the category tactical thermal underwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for fleece-lined Columbia thermal underwear?
Wash it on a delicate cycle at a low temperature, without fabric softener. Softener clogs the fibers, and the fabric wicks moisture away less effectively. Dry the set laid flat, away from radiators and heaters.
What should I wear over thermal underwear?
An insulating layer goes over it, for example a fleece top, and then a jacket against wind and moisture on top of that. A cotton T-shirt between your skin and the thermal underwear cancels out its work, because cotton retains moisture. We deliver across Ukraine.