The category of thermal jackets is very broad, branching out in several directions such as winter jackets, softshell, hardshell, transitional jackets or specialized jackets for extreme conditions. Depending on what type of clothing we need, we can select a jacket for the individual user's requirements, based on the technologies used in its creation, different outer materials, fillings, membranes or simply cut or design. The MILITARY.EU store offers a wide selection of women's and men's thermal jackets, so that each of our customers can find a product for themselves.
A thermal jacket that is well selected for the user provides the assurance that, when used in the field, it will provide us with thermal comfort, breathability (air permeability) and water resistance. The first commercially available thermal winter jackets, whose original purpose was to guarantee a person's warmth and dryness of the body during adverse weather conditions. They fulfilled this task, but it was associated with a lack of breathability. By failing to wick away heat and moisture, sweat collected under the jacket and led to overheating of the body.Only later, with the development of technology, hydrophobic coatings (they do not allow moisture to pass through, water runs down the garment coated with such a coating) and technical membranes, used today in most thermal active jackets, came into general use. The membrane itself is a very thin layer of material sewn between the layers of a thermal jacket, which on the outside keeps water out, preventing us from getting wet, while on the inside it allows excess heat and moisture to escape from under the jacket through the pores in the membrane.
A properly selected membrane in a thermal jacket will give us maximum water resistance, without losing breathability. We should also remember not to confuse this breathability with the jacket's breathability. Breathability provides us with adequate air circulation under the jacket, so that we maintain the most comfortable body temperature, regardless of whether it is a lightweight women's thermoactive jacket or thicker men's thermoactive winter jackets.
Men's thermoactive jackets work well for use in a variety of conditions. You can take them with you on a hike, a trip to the mountains, but they will also do a great job for everyday wear.
Mostly on a daily basis moving around the city, we do not need a specialized technical jacket for this, an ordinary thermoactive jacket with a water repellent coating is enough. However, the case is different when we work in the field, spending a lot of time there, exposing the body to adverse weather and thermal conditions. Then it is worth wearing a suitable membrane jacket.
The most common membrane technologies you can find in our assortment are:
- Gore-tex: the most well-known membrane used in technical, outdoor or military clothing; a waterproof, breathable, windproof membrane;
- Omni-Tech and Omni-Heat: proprietary Columbia brand membranes, also among the more popular;
- DuPont Teflon coating to protect against light rain and dirt (also used on other garments);
- StormTex®: proprietary membrane from Greek brand Pentagon.
The lighter membranes and water repellent-coated materials used in men's and women's thermal jackets are designed for lighter expeditions or lighter work outdoors. Their function is to keep the cold and moisture away from the body for such a period of time that the wearer manages to find shelter from adverse weather conditions. As a result, they will perform well in everyday use in the city, on the way to work or shopping, protecting the wearer from getting wet from the rain. The right materials used on the top of the jacket will allow you to keep it cleaner more easily (such as the SharkSkin material, to which branches, leaves and other elements of forest cover do not stick).
The case is different for jackets with membranes designed for extreme conditions. Going to the mountains in winter, you need different technologies than moving around the city. Then you need to get a stronger membrane (not forgetting, of course, the other layers of clothing, after all, a jacket is just outerwear) with greater water resistance and greater breathability. Similarly, when it comes to the materials used as the outer layers of the jacket, they must be much more resistant to damage, tearing or ripping, and even prevent the jacket from rustling (a very desirable aspect for hunters). To fully enjoy your expedition, remember that a thermoactive jacket is a must-have item in your suitcase.
All the above-mentioned (and more) membranes are applicable to all types of jackets, depending on the conditions for which the jacket is intended. Also, do not forget about the proper maintenance and impregnation of membrane clothing, because a well-maintained membrane jacket will serve us for many years, and it is enough to wash such a jacket once without the appropriate preparations to permanently damage the membrane.
It is also worth noting that women's and men's thermal jackets are very comfortable to wear due to the solutions used. When traveling, but also on a daily basis, packed pockets are useful. Many models have pockets where you can safely carry the most necessary things. Such a jacket provides thermal comfort due to the material it is made of, but the cut is also an important aspect. Men's thermoactive jackets and women's models are equipped with welts located at the cuffs, collar or bottom of the jacket to prevent cool air from getting inside. The women's thermoactive jacket in many models also has a high collar and hood, which will allow additional protection from inclement weather. The type of jackets in question also have antibacterial properties, which allow them to stay fresher for longer and eliminate unpleasant odors.
No matter what kind of jacket you're looking for, our extensive offer will allow everyone to find the right outerwear for any conditions you face. Check out the range of membrane jackets in the MILITARY.EU store.
