Is it your first time ever hearing clothes called “thermal”? Then you’re probably from a tropical country—where most days are just too hot to wear a jacket—or even long-sleeved clothes. Or you wear them to protect yourself from the sun instead of to retain your body heat.
Winter could be a daunting thought for those who come from a tropical country. However it does not have to be the case as long as you are prepared. These are some of the basics in facing your first winter vacation.
Pack Boots
On top of being warmer than most regular shoes, boots can be super stylish. Boots can be a solution for those who are worried of being too bulky in their winter attire. Wearing boots can remedy that. Boots protect much larger area, and this is especially true for thigh-high boots. Depending on the materials, boots can also be even warmer than simply protecting your legs with jeans. If you don’t have them available in your home country (well, you live in the tropics after all), then make sure to set aside some time for a trip to the store to buy your boots.
Think in layers
Familiarize yourself with the concept of layering, as this is something that you really wont have to worry about in your home country. Who needs more than one layer of clothing when the sun is shining all year long and often scorching hot, and the only function of air condition is to cool and they don’t have heating option?
Wear minimum 3 layers for your winter. Make sure to pack with outfits in mind. Firstly, you have your inner layer on top of your underwear, often referred to as “base”. Some of the common materials for the base are polyester, wool, and silk. The next would be mid-layer, which would play a role as an insulation. The insulation would keep your body heat from being transferred to the colder air outside. Their job is to trap your body heat. Some would wear clothes that serve as a windbreaker as well, as wind can sip through to your body easily, and therefore, stripping you of warmth. Thick wool and fleece is often used for the insulation layer as well. The next would be the outer layer. Thick, heavy jackets are often the preferred choice. The outermost layer is often referred to as “shell”. Ideally, weather should be kept in mind when choosing the outer shell. Water transfer heats very fast, therefore cases such as rain would make you unpleasantly chilled. Your choice would depend heavily on the weather of your destination, and your preference.
Cover up areas you usually don’t cover
Who covers their ears in the tropics anyway? This is something of note when you’re going to travel to experience winter. Body parts that you usually don’t cover would need some covering. Your hands, ears, neck, mouth, and your head need protection. Winter winds can often make you want to cover most of your face. So make sure to be prepared.
The aforementioned anatomy that you need to cover during your winter trip are your body parts that lack body fat. Body fat is a natural insulation produced by your body. Therefore they lose heat very quickly. Losing heat in these area would cause more than just discomfort; sometimes, it could be painful. But as long as you’re prepared, you don’t have to worry much. Enjoy your winter holiday and the novel experience to its fullest!