Staying Warm with FR Winter Clothing

FR-apparel-winter-lineman-stay-warm.jpgKeeping your team safe in outdoor work environments is your top priority, but knowing exactly how to achieve optimal safety, especially when you are battling winter weather, can be multifaceted and complex. You are tasked with finding comfortable duel certified FR apparel, but also, ensuring that as layers are added in extreme weather conditions, safety is never compromised.

As you layer your protective clothing, appropriate air circulation is essential to promote moisture wicking and to allow for proper ventilation.

Remaining cognizant of proper air circulation and ventilation may get overlooked in the quest for warmth and dryness outdoors. Here’s the science behind circulation and why you’ll want to rethink how you layer up your team.

What Is Moisture Transport?

Moisture transport refers to a garments ability to move moisture through the fabric to the outer surface. Combined with a high spread of moisture, which measures how quickly moisture spreads and dissipates on the surface, you can evaluate the effectiveness of your garment’s moisture wicking capabilities.

As you think about layering, it is essential to consider how your layers will work together to keep you feeling dry and warm. As one layer passes moisture through the fibers, the next layer must also offer moisture wicking capabilities to keep the transport of moisture going, from layer to layer, to spread on the outer surface.

moisture-wicking-FR-apparel-utility-workerThe combination of wicking, transport and spreading forces working together through your apparel layers is what will keep you feeling warm, dry and comfortable in variable weather. Look for manufacturers who are designing layering pieces to work together and maximize moisture wicking, transport and overall protection.

How Air Circulation Keeps You Warm

Air movement is required to continually transport moisture through your apparel and keep you feeling warm, dry and protected. The circulation of air within a layering system is critical to allow for the removal of moisture from one layer to the next.

FR apparel air circulation
  • Air must be able to circulate from base layer to outer layer to
 increase moisture transport and water vapor transmission rate.
  • Air pockets between layers act as insulation in cold weather, so allowing air to access your layers can actually help promote warmth and comfort.
  • Breathable fabrics with permanent moisture wicking capabilities in every single layer encourage moisture transport, wicking and ventilation and can help keep your team safe and protected outdoors.

 

 

How to Layer Apparel with Air Circulation In Mind

Layer One: Moisture Wicking

As you think about your cold weather laying system, your base layer should have permanent moisture wicking capabilities to pull moisture away from your skin. As air circulates, it should keep your skin feeling dry and protected.

Layer Two: Insulating

Your second layer should also be constructed of moisture wicking fibers, but it must also act as an insulating layer. A superior insulating layer offers breathable fibers that help contain your own body heat with wicking fibers to keep you feeling dry. Your insulating layer should be made of a thicker, comfortable material that offers moisture wicking and also, transfers moisture away from the base layer.  

Each layer that is added to a base layer should efficiently absorb and transport moisture, working with the surrounding garment layers to keep you feeling dry on the job.

Layer Three: Protection

It is critical that your outer layer offers wind and rain resistance to help you battle the elements, but in addition, it must also offer breathability to keep air circulating through your layering system. Lakeland’s strategically designed outer jacket, for example, offers a cuffed sleeve on the outer jacket (instead of a ribbed sleeve cap), which allows air to flow through the layering system, promoting circulation, wicking and ventilation. 



Remember, layering is not just about adding warmth — layering should be strategic to keep you dry, warm and protected, all while maximizing your mobility on the job. The effectiveness of your layering system is eliminated in the absence of moisture wicking fabrics, leaving you feeling damp, cold and not focused on the task in front of you.

Designed by linemen for linemen, Lakeland FR high performance combines superior moisture wicking fibers, style and functionality. Only Lakeland offers a layering system with permanent moisture wicking technology in every single layer. From base layer to button up shirt, hoodie to outer jacket, Lakeland’s layering system offers moisture wicking technology that will never wear out, wash out, or stop performing for you.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Print
Email

Related Posts

Advanced FR for Electric Utilities

Serious job hazards — they are just a part of the job. It’s why electrical power line installers and repairers...

lakeland hpfr waffle knit hoodie next to the text - 2021 NECA Show Stopper award logo
A Show-stopping Display of Product Design from Lakeland

As comfortable as it is functional, Lakeland’s High Performance FR Waffle Hoodie with Gaiter was designed with the knowledge that...

Secondary FR Disposables Paired with Primary Arc-Rated Clothing

Many workers with jobs in industries such as chemical, biohazard, nuclear and petrochemical require or would benefit from the added...

What can we help you find?

Find a Location

View Locations

Find a Chemical

Search Chemicals

Find a Download

Document Finder