Warm clothing: Which fabrics are cozy and warm in winter?

Goodbye shivering - warm clothing in winter!

In winter, warm clothing is simply essential if we want to venture outside. However, some items of clothing that give the impression of being cozy and warm turn out to be icicles in practice. But: just a quick look at the label can provide clarity about how the jacket or sweater will perform in icy temperatures.

via Anonymous

12/17/2015, 11:52

Daunendecken und -jacken sind im Winter die besten Wärmespender — Down comforters and jackets are the best sources of warmth in winter

Wollstoffe halten die Kälte im Winter vom Körper fern — Wool fabrics keep the cold away from the body in winter.

Fleecekleidung wärmt beim Skifahren ebenso wie an kalten Tagen zuhause — Fleece clothing is just as warm when skiing as it is on cold days at home.

These fabrics are well suited for warm clothing

Down

The first representative when it comes to warm clothing: down. Down is the lower plumage of geese and ducks. In relation to its weight, down traps a large amount of air and thus forms a very cold-resistant layer. Please make sure that you only buy warm clothing that uses down from animals that have already been slaughtered: Live plucking is extremely painful for the animals!

Angora

Angora wool, which comes from rabbits or goats (mohair), is also well suited for warm clothing. The wool absorbs moisture (up to 60 percent of its own weight) from the body and slowly releases it to the outside. Angora wool therefore provides excellent warmth. It is even said to have a soothing effect on muscles and joints (rheumatism). However, angora wool, which is usually produced on a large scale, is increasingly being targeted by animal rights activists.

Wool

Wool usually comes from sheep and is made from the soft hairs of the fur. Wool consists of around 85 percent air and is therefore well suited as a cold buffer and heat store. It can absorb moisture without feeling damp. Wool is therefore also a guarantee for warm clothing.

Fleece

Fleece is a synthetic wool made from polyester. Fleece provides excellent insulation against the cold and is also hard-wearing and durable. It feels nice and soft on the skin and has a water-repellent surface. Conclusion: fleece is ideal for warm clothing in winter!

These fabrics are less suitable for warm clothing

Cotton

Cotton is a natural product made from plants. Cotton is skin-friendly and comfortable to wear. However, as it cools rather than warms, cotton is unsuitable for warm clothing in winter.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic material and is mostly used as a surface material or as a component in blended fabrics. The fabric is tear-resistant and water-repellent, but has no warming properties.

Viscose

The semi-synthetic fiber viscose is pleasant to wear on the skin, but does not have good insulating properties and is not suitable for...

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex, a synthetic fabric, has many good properties when it comes to the weather: windproof, waterproof and breathable. However, Gore-Tex does not provide warmth: this makes the jackets ideal for fall, but not for winter.