Cold spots with Polartec Alpha ?

[Gpl23]

I have a few polartec alpha tops and love them but have found on a few occasions I have had a cold spot right across my chest while the rest of me was cosy. I sold a haglofs jacket due to this. Today I was out with a Montane Allez and a montane Hydrogen extreme jacket and the same thing happened and there was no real wind. The skin across my chest was cold to the touch whereas the rest of me was fine. I'm not sure if a thicker base layer is needed, which might overheat the rest of me or its something more than a clothing issue. Any ideas?.

 

[Odd Man]

I have a few polartec alpha tops and love them but have found on a few occasions I have had a cold spot right across my chest while the rest of me was cosy. I sold a haglofs jacket due to this. Today I was out with a Montane Allez and a montane Hydrogen extreme jacket and the same thing happened and there was no real wind. The skin across my chest was cold to the touch whereas the rest of me was fine. I'm not sure if a thicker base layer is needed, which might overheat the rest of me or its something more than a clothing issue. Any ideas?.

In the centre of your chest, there's the sternum bone, and on top of bone there isn't much anything else besides couple of layers of dermal tissue, so there's less blood flow compared to areas where there are muscle tissue underneath. Also depending on the size of your pecs, there may or may not be much muscle tissue. In cold temperatures, the body itself protects the most important parts, the core, so if you get cold the warm blood might concentrate on deeper layers, and around your heart & lungs in the chest area.

Another issue, again depending on the size of your pec muscles, is that if the fabric is really tight, it stretches out, opening the mesh like structure and pulling the lofting flatter & wider, reducing the retained heat & insulation properties.

In the Nordics, there's a special piece of clothing to protect the upper chest / neck area, as the winters can get really cold there.

Kauluri merinovillaa Ruskovilla

Ruskovillan aikuisten merinovillakauluri on valmistettu Suomessa 100 % sertifioitua mulesing-vapaasta luomumerinovillasta. Nopea toimitus jopa 2 arkipäivässä.

ruskovilla.fi

 

[Gpl23]

In the centre of your chest, there's the sternum bone, and on top of bone there isn't much anything else besides couple of layers of dermal tissue, so there's less blood flow compared to areas where there are muscle tissue underneath. Also depending on the size of your pecs, there may or may not be much muscle tissue. In cold temperatures, the body itself protects the most important parts, the core, so if you get cold the warm blood might concentrate on deeper layers, and around your heart & lungs in the chest area.

Another issue, again depending on the size of your pec muscles, is that if the fabric is really tight, it stretches out, opening the mesh like structure and pulling the lofting flatter & wider, reducing the retained heat & insulation properties.

In the Nordics, there's a special piece of clothing to protect the upper chest / neck area, as the winters can get really cold there.

Kauluri merinovillaa Ruskovilla

Ruskovillan aikuisten merinovillakauluri on valmistettu Suomessa 100 % sertifioitua mulesing-vapaasta luomumerinovillasta. Nopea toimitus jopa 2 arkipäivässä.

ruskovilla.fi

Thanks for the info. I'm very skinny with little insulation in that area. I stopped and swapped over the Allez for an ME Switch which helped but by that time my chest was cold and staying cold. But I think the weave stretch played a part as well.

 

[Allsquare]

Thanks for the info. I'm very skinny with little insulation in that area. I stopped and swapped over the Allez for an ME Switch which helped but by that time my chest was cold and staying cold. But I think the weave stretch played a part as well.

I'm very slim too and older. For me a Brynje string vest has solved what you're experiencing. Might help.

 

[echo8876]

For me a Brynje string vest has solved what you're experiencing

are you using that "fishnet" top?
how it wicks, always wanted to ask firsthand. im using polartec powergrid baselayers in winter, but always wanted something lighter.

 

[Allsquare]

are you using that "fishnet" top?
how it wicks, always wanted to ask firsthand.

Yes. Any moisture passes through the holes (while retaining the warm air - I think that's the theory ). I wear a wicking base layer on top. Works for me...

 

[Jamess]

Another thumbs up for the brynje. It works brilliantly under an Alpha layer, with or without a base layer depending on the temperature.

 

[Gordon]

What @Jamess said.

 

[Gobila]

Another thumbs up for the brynje. It works brilliantly under an Alpha layer, with or without a base layer depending on the temperature.

Is it Brynje Super Thermo that you're using, James, or one of their other options?

 

[Jamess]

I have the Super Thermo Tee.