6 things you didn’t know about staying warm
Norwegians know how to dress, so let’s not waste time on the basics. Here are 6 things you might not be aware of:
1. Your head isn’t the biggest source of heat loss.
You’ve probably heard the opposite all your life. But it’s nonsense. There’s no evidence that having your head exposed to the cold results in more heat loss than any other part of the body of the same size. Ten centimeters of exposed head loses no more heat than ten centimeters of exposed arm. This doesn’t mean a hat isn’t important, but don’t rely on five hats while your legs are bare if a storm is coming.
2. Stay dry!!
This might be the most important tip of all. You’ve probably heard that wool insulates even when wet. That’s true. But at the same time, it’s slightly misleading. Wet wool is still much colder than dry (cotton) wool. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 times more efficiently than air. So even a small patch of sweat in your clothes, socks, or underwear, for instance, can cool your entire body down. Change into something dry! Let me repeat: Wool is great, but even more important – change into dry clothes!
3. Don’t forget your legs!
Did we say Norwegians know how to dress? Well… One mistake many make is layering the upper body but neglecting the legs. You know the drill: base layer, shirt, sweater, and down jacket up top, but only one layer on the bottom. Your legs make up about 50% of your body’s surface area and lose just as much heat as the upper body, even if it doesn’t feel that way. So wear long johns, maybe even multiple layers! They’re at least as important as layers on your upper body if you want to stay warm all over.
(It’s obviously easier to remove a sweater than long johns, but there are clever solutions for that. Ever heard of Ziplongs, for example? #subtleadvertising)
4. Your butt is a source of heat loss.
Heard of conduction? It happens when your body is in direct contact with a cold or warm object. Heat loss is much more efficient when conduction occurs. (A stone that’s 2 degrees Celsius can feel colder than air at -10 degrees Celsius.) We sit more often than we realize – on ski lifts, around campfires, or at bus stops. And isn’t it odd that our clothing doesn’t account for “butt conduction,” even though we’re constantly sitting on cold surfaces?
(It’s an easy fix with an extra layer of wool padding in your long johns – check it out here . #moresubtleadvertising)
(And on a serious note: Should “butt conduction” become the word of the year next time, dear Norwegian Language Council?)
5. Wool at parties.
All Norwegians know that wool is essential for outdoor activities. But not everyone remembers it in daily life. Are Norwegian women better than men at this? Either way, wear a thin wool singlet or T-shirt under your dress shirt. It helps immensely without making you overheat when you go inside.
Tip! Wear non-transparent shirts. (#LotsOfSubtleAdvertising for Wool and Silk )
6. The wool garment with holes is just as warm.
Yes, just keep that in mind. If you’re not heading to a job interview at Deloitte, you can wear that old wool garment long after it gets holes. A hole shows that you’re not a fashionista and that you’ve lived a little.
(#subtleadvertisingForOurVision: Use More)
Sources:
The book: Why Is It So Cold When You’re Wet (Hvorfor er det så kaldt når du er våt) by Randulf Valle and employees at Northern Playground
