I never liked the cold. Anything below 70° and I’m contemplating additional layers of clothes and jackets when I’m out for fun and I always avoid perforated leather race suits when I ride (well, most of the time). But that’s me. Years ago, I read an article about a motorcycle racer who put a plastic trash bag on under his race suit right before a race to help him warm up. I remember finding that a great solution for additional warmth. It’s thin, lightweight, and a perfect vehicle to trap heat.

I tried. It definitely helped. But in the end, it’s a trash bag. As all things evolve with time and chance, I learned about plastic/PVC thermal sauna suits that athletes wear to increase body temperature and sweat while working out — the perfect solution! Affordable, lightweight, roomy, excellent thermal properties — the sauna suit has become part of my battle gear against the cold.

Now, after some experimentation, it’s admittedly not for everyone, but I have found several benefits and maybe one or two issues with this particular gear experience. If you’re up for a little thermal addition under your race suit, race on, I mean, read on…

Sauna suits generally only come in a couple sizes. I suspect 90% of all guys would fit in the same size sauna suit. The basic construction is a plastic/PVC material. They’re often designed with elastic cuffs, neck, and waist, which I prefer as it helps to keep the heat inside. Others with open neck lines tend to let the heat escape more.

There’s also hundreds of options out there made of all types of materials. Some feel like paper, some are too thin and tear when you look at them, others have an odd texture on the inside. It takes time to find a nice smooth material that’s both durable and comfortable. So if you decide to explore on your own, keep an open mind and search until you find one you like.

As a result of my frustration in acquiring a sauna suit that was available for more than a month and made of smooth PVC construction, Asphalt Pilots partnered with two manufacturers to provide our own line of thermal suits. I’m really looking to this new addition as it will take the guesswork out of your process.

Moving on, I discovered something interesting. Although one sauna suit was effective, two layers made a remarkable difference for several reasons. First, in taking a lesson from explorers of cold mountain peaks, the use of multiple layers creates more warm insulation as it traps pockets of air. It may not seem like much, but more layers versus one heavy thermal layer can prove to provide more protection against the cold.

Another interesting dynamic also occurs with two layers. This requires a little imagination so follow along here.

For this demonstration, imagine your thumb represents a race-suit. Then, imagine your index finger represents your body. Now put a business card between your thumb and finger. Let the business card represent a sauna suit. Glide your finger and thumb back and forth over the business card. Yeah, it’s easy and smooth, but you are creating unwanted friction and resistance. How do I know? See the the next image and notes…

Take another business card and place both pieces between your thumb and finger. Move your thumb and finger around again. NOW, what are you experiencing? Dramatically smoother gliding action! The similar material reduces friction. Have you also noticed that one piece of paper tends to ride with your finger and the other with your thumb? If you can imagine this, one PVC layer “bonds” with your body, the other PVC layer “bonds” with your racesuit. BUT, when the two layers come together, virtually zero friction…

So, with two layers of plastic as shown here in the diagram, the sauna suits glide and slide much easier making mobility and tactile improvement far greater than one layer.