Products

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Sub Zero Lightweight Thermal Unisex Down Jackets

Extremities Super Inferno Waterproof Thermal Mitts

Factor 2 Mid Layer Thermal Neck Warmer

What Sub Zero range fits my sport/activity?

Rowing
Due to the high aerobic nature of rowing most people use multiple layers of base layer thermals on the top that can easily be removed as intensity increases. An ideal system would be to have a quick wicking layer next to the skin such as Cool T or All Active and then a number of layers of Factor 1 or Factor 1 Plus. For the legs, Factor 1 is usually all that is neccessary unless you really do feel the cold, where Factor 2 leggings may be helpful. During cool down a HT windproof jacket is useful as it will greatly reduce cooling caused by the windchill factor, plus it is lightweight and packs down to a very small size.

Cycling & Running

Climbing

Diving
With dry suits the major problem when diving to depth is maintaining the thermal properties of your clothing under pressure. Most thermal underwear specific to diving utilise pile fabrics. These are very warm close to the surface as they trap a lot of air but under pressure they compress and the deeper you go the less thermal they become. They also create problems with buoyancy close to the surface due to the amount of air they trap.

Factor 2 fabric overcomes this problem due to its technical construction. Under pressure the fleece lining next to the skin does not compress, providing you with the same thermal properties at depth as it does at sea level. The most popular styles that divers wear in our range is the Factor 2 one piece thermal suit or the Factor 2 thermal long sleeve round neck and bottoms.

If you should be lucky enough to dive in warmer climes then the All Active, Factor 1 and Factor 1 Plus ranges are ideal to just take off the chill in deeper waters. They can also be used under wet suits as they work well when wet.

Hiking/Walking
The weather will largely dictate what type of clothing you wear and pack when Hiking and Walking but in the UK you will need to be prepared for every eventuality. In the summer months you will want to be wearing a top that manages your moisture such as the All Active range or Cool T. Some people like to wear a Factor 1 short sleeve top if they are going to be stopping and starting on the walk as it helps to regulate an even temperature and stops you cooling down to quickly. If you are heading in to the hills then it may be wise to pack a Factor 2 thermal top that you can slip on should the weather close in or if it becomes cooler with altitude.

In the Winter months you want to start off with a thermal baselayer in either Factor 1 or Factor 1 Plus, in both the top and leggings. Over this we would recommend you just wore a Factor 2 thermal midlayer top as the Factor 2 leggings may be too warm. A Factor 2 Zip Turtle is ideal as you can aerate yourself more effectively if you should become too hot, plus you have the additional neck protection from the cold if needed.

Fishing

Skiing

Motorcycling
In the summer months the major problem faced by motorcyclists is keeping dry when going at slow speeds and when parked. Cool T is ideal for this purpose as it is lightweight, retains very little heat and quickly transports perspiration away from the skin to the outer layer of the fabric. The Cool T one piece suit is very popular with motocross riders, whilst the Cool T long and short sleeve tops are favoured by most recreational motorcyclists.

The situation changes in the winter months where windchill is the major problem faced by Motorcyclists. Even on a short run, the bodies temperature can quickly cool unless the correct clothing is worn. We recommend wearing Factor 2 directly next to the skin (70% warmer than Factor 1) as it retains a lot of warmth in the soft fleece inner fabric face. The most popular styles are the Factor 2 thermal one piece suit for motorcyclists with all in one leathers, and Factor 2 zip turtle neck thermal top and leggings for motorcyclists with split leathers.

Expedition/Mountaineering
Now we are down to the serious stuff. All the other sports/pastimes mentioned will allow you a respite from the weather at some point during the day, whether that be heading home early or finding refuge in a pub. People on cold climate and mountaineering expeditions do not have this safety net and keeping warm is litterally a matter of life or death. Often you will be wearing the same clothing for the entire length of your trip so you need to be sure it will keep you warm, dry and comfortable.

So lets start off at the skin and work our layering system outwards. Firstly you do not want to be wearing cotton next to the skin so either do not wear any underwear or utilise our All Active range of sports underwear. You then need a good base layer such as Factor 1 or Factor 1 Plus, both in trousers and a top. For this first thermal layer we recommend either a round neck (crew neck) or a turtle neck top. The zip turtle will be of no use as the zip will jam due to the extreme cold and may freeze to your skin. For the midlayer you will require the heavyweight Factor 2 thermal range in bottoms and round neck top. A Factor 2 one piece suit will be useless as you will have to almost take it off to go to the toilet, loosing too much heat in the process. Over the top of this you will need a good fleece jacket, waterproof down/synthetic jacket and trousers. Most importantly do not forget to protect your extremities. We produce a wide range of head, neck, hand and foot garments from our thermal fabrics.