How to choose the right underwear for hiking
We do not usually pay extra attention to the choice of underwear - we just need to know that it is clean and if we have to show it for any reason, we will not be completely ashamed. However, in the case of hiking, the difference between good and bad underwear can be critical.
Good underwear keeps you dry, wicks away excess moisture, and lasts for a while without unpleasant odors. It would be a shame to honestly layer up with three good, breathable layers and then ruin it all with one inconspicuous piece of clothing, which will spoil the whole effort in such a critical area as the private parts.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL?
As with every layer of clothing within the principle of layering, so with underwear, we work with a standard dilemma - synthetics or natural material?
The most commonly used natural materials for underwear are cotton and wool, in our case merino wool. But even though cotton as a material is very (and rightly) popular and excellent for everyday underwear, it is the worst possible choice for the needs of hikers and athletes. Why?
Cotton binds moisture to itself, so if you get too sweaty, you will stay wet. And wet clothes in winter can have many more unpleasant consequences than just feeling uncomfortable. Therefore, cotton is a no-go material for active movement, especially in winter.
Merino wool, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for underwear. It is soft, pleasant, warm, and extremely breathable, so it effectively wicks moisture away from the skin. Although some of this moisture may remain bound in the wool, merino wool works fully even when it is moist, so it will not affect its ability to keep you comfortable and warm. Paradoxically, this bound moisture evaporates in warm weather, so it will pleasantly cool you in the summer. A huge advantage of merino wool, which is perhaps even more counted in underwear, is its antibacterial properties - your underwear can withstand the smell even after several days of wearing it. All you have to do is ventilate it in the fresh air at the end of the day.
An alternative, which can offer very similar properties today as natural materials, is the mentioned synthetics, most often polyester, nylon, or their combination. The advantages of synthetic materials in addition to the lower price are, for example, the ability to dry faster, excellent breathability, and better durability than in the case of natural materials. Synthetics simply last longer.
Zatiaľ žiadne produkty.
So which one to choose? It only depends on personal preference, both worlds offer their benefits. An increasingly common solution is therefore their combination, which combines the best of both worlds. Our Bjorn and Elsa merino underwear is structurally designed so that the fine merino fibers are wrapped around a synthetic core, which together gives a combination of underwear that offers all the great properties of merino and synthetic resistance.
HOW IDEAL UNDERWEAR SHOULD BE?
The best underwear is one that you have no idea you're wearing. Whether we are talking about the feeling of wearing it or the smell. We have already said a little bit about the smell, the best choice, in this case, is antibacterial merino wool.
For hikes that last all day, or up to a few days, every detail is key when it comes to comfort. Therefore, details such as flat seams or elastic waistbands are also important. Flat seams prevent unnecessary abrasion, the flat elastic band adjusts to the body and does not cause unpleasant irritation when pushed with a backpack. Those things are very subtle for the first couple of hours but can make a big difference in comfort in a long time frame.
HOW SHOULD THE UNDERWEAR FIT?
But the most important factor is that the underwear fits directly on the body.
As is the rule with technical materials, it works best when it is closest to the skin. Loose underwear is far from having such breathable properties as underwear that is fitted perfectly to the body, even though they use the same materials. Whether you prefer a looser or tighter underwear in everyday life, the tighter option for hiking and sports is a much better choice. Not to mention that looser underwear is more likely to irritate.
