This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
p10-11 Outdoor Tom Hutton:SGBGolf_NEW_template 02/11/2009 10:26 Page 10
Tom Hutton
Basic Instinct
It might be waterproofs and mid layers that catch your customer’s eyes as they
walk into the shop; but they are never going to stay dry and comfortable if they
don’t wear the right gear underneath. Tom Hutton and Steph Duits look at the
stuff that covers those private little places.
A
t the risk of repeating ourselves, even the best waterproof in the world won’t keep its hard-walking wearer dry if it’s worn over the
wrong layers. Sure, it’ll keep the rain out, but that’s only part of the problem and most people who complain about getting wet out
on the hill are actually getting wet from the inside out, rather than the other way around.
So, in the words of a famous actress; “here comes the science bit”. First, when we’re working hard, e.g. walking uphill, we are producing heat. Our
bodies work best within a set temperature range so in order to try and maintain this temperature, it sets about trying to get rid of this heat. It does so by
producing sweat, which then evaporates away from the skin, cooling it as it does so. This works brilliantly when we’re naked, but clothes get in the way. If
the sweat we produce gets absorbed by our clothing, then it can’t evaporate so can’t cool us in the way it was designed to. Worse still, it will actually make
us feel wet. Breathable outer layers are designed to minimise this problem by allowing water-vapour (evaporated sweat) to escape, whilst stopping real
water (rain/snow etc) from entering. But this only works if the vapourised sweat gets to the outer layer. If the clothing layer next to the skin traps the sweat
and prevents it from vapourising in the first place then instead of escaping through the microscopic pores of the outer layer, the perspiration will stay next
to the skin, making the wearer hot and wet when he or she is exercising hard; and cold and wet the minute they stop. The solution is to ensure that the
layer next to the skin can carry moisture away towards the outer layers, where it can then escape. This is the role of the base layer. Now we all know about
t-shirts and tops by now, and hopefully most of your customers are already wearing them, but what about the real undergarments? Boxers or briefs for
men and briefs and even bras for women? It’s amazing how little thought most outdoors types give to their private little places. The wishlist is the same for
both sexes: support, comfort and quick drying when things do get sweaty. Good odour management is also useful and saves carrying a pack full of undies
for every multiday trip. So next time you see a customer lustfully eying the latest all-singing, all-dancing shell jacket, don’t be embarrassed, just ask them
what they plan to wear beneath it. Not only is it a chance to make them happier and more comfortable, it’s also an opportunity to increase sales.
Icebreaker Bodyweight 200 Boxer with fly But: Requires careful washing. Wool doesn’t dry quite as quickly as some of
the synthetics.
£33 Best for: Any all year round outdoor activity.
Casual looking boxer short cut from wonderfully Sizes: XS-XL
soft and comfortable merino wool.
Contact: 01572 772437; www.icebreaker.com
For: Wonderfully comfortable, exceptional
odour management, casual looks.
But: Seriously expensive. Wool doesn’t dry Falke Athletic Light Briefs (Men’s
quite as quickly as some of the synthetics. and Women’s)
Needs careful washing
Best for: Semi strenuous sports such as £23
walking, climbing, skiing etc – particularly longer trips where spares aren’t Lightweight, seriously stretchy brief that
carried. feels comfortable and ultra-supportive.
Sizes: S-XXL
For: Comfortable, supportive and very
quick-drying.
Icebreaker Nature Ultralite But: Doesn’t deal with odour as well as
Bikini briefs merino
Best for: Strenuous sports such as
£20 running, mountaineering or even
Feminine looking briefs cut from adventure racing.
wonderfully soft and comfortable pure merino wool. Sizes: S-XXL Men’s; XS-XL Women’s
For: Soft and luxurious against the skin, exceptional odour and moisture
management, sexy styling. Contact: ph 01539 725817; info@sidas.co.uk
10 SGB OUTDOOR OCTOBER 2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com