Winter Sports Apparel
Gone are the times when winter was more or less a time of inactivity. The winter sports and winter Olympics have added colors to the barren whiteness of winter. New trends in winter sports apparel fuse tradition and modernity, utility and fashion.
Winter Sports Apparel: Practical Considerations
Unlike other sports which are prominently conducted in sunny climate like sprint events or games like soccer, typically winter sports like skiing, skating and ice hockey requires outfits that protect the athlete from adverse climatic conditions. Selection of winter sports apparel must be determined by the following practical considerations:
- Outfits that cover the whole body
- Fibers that ensure protection from freezing cold
- Elastic fibers for easy movement
- Minimum weight
- Colors that stand out from the background
- Provision for easy breathing
- Outfits that minimize accidents.
Revolution of Artificial Fibers
The key to success in every sport is a perfect combination of speed and balance. Winter sports which have traditionally been marked by natural furs and wools have seen a revolution in apparels with the introduction of artificial fibers. Manufactures employ a large number of artificial fibers these days to make lightweight, insulating, weather resistant and highly functional sports apparel. The use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, a low- density porous hydrophobic material is just an instance.
The pores in the material allow water vapor from perspiration to pass but are so small for moisture to get in. In addition there are researches on in developing solar energy absorbing and retaining fabrics with the incorporation of zirconium carbide compound in to the fibers which when worn together with breathable fabric can play miracles for a winter sports athlete. Also some manufacturesrs have developed fabric that glow in dark using photoluminescent crystals.
Winter Outfits with Break Elements
Smooth surfaces of modern sports apparel has one fall out which is manifested in their vulnerability to accidents in case the athlete falls and skids from the track. Incorporation of break elements in the form of tiny spikes and cones in selected spots has been deemed as a solution. Such rough patches can be made removable. It has been pointed by researchers that if such break elements are made of metals, of course light weight, then tracking the athlete in case of avalanche or snow storm would be easier.
Current Trends in Winter sports Apparel
Current trends in winter sports apparel witnesses a conflation of utility and style. The marked trends in the onset are:
- Use of artificial fibers
- Movable protectors
- Hoods, and hidden zippers
- Use of strong colors for easy tracking
- Fur trims
- Aesthetic cuts especially in women’s apparel
- Stretch fabrics for freedom of movement
- Removable snow guards
- Tightly closed sleeve band hems
- Use of high-tech material
- Outfits that can be converted into overalls
- Figure- emphasizing silhouettes
- Embroidered outfits
- D30 technology incorporated protectors
- Provision to carry cell phones and iPods.
To sum up, the winter sports apparel offers a large repertoire of items to choose from, the selection if determined within the parameters of utility and sophisticated technology can make wonders for the athlete.