Beat the Chill: The Best Cold Weather Football Gear
Cold weather football gear has come a long way. During the 1960s and 70s, if the windchill dropped to the single digits, it wasn’t unusual to see players wearing wool sweaters beneath their long sleeve jerseys. Gloves were sometimes used, but they weren’t necessarily football specific, making them difficult for quarterbacks and wide receivers to use. Players often layered up with long underwear made of cotton. If it started raining, it wasn’t unusual to see players wearing garbage bags over their torsos and plastic bags on their feet to protect them from moisture. New technology has made playing in the cold much more comfortable. Players can wear form-fitting baselayers underneath their uniforms, thermal shirts and pants, and football gloves that can help you grip the ball. Below is a look at some accessories and gear that can neutralize the chill on game day.
History of Cold Weather Gear
Cold weather gear was introduced in the late 1990s. The purpose of cold weather gear was to keep players both warm, comfortable, and dry. One quality of cold weather gear is its moisture-wicking capabilities, which means the material absorbs perspiration or any type of water. Before moisture-wicking technology, players had to endure wearing soggy, bloated clothing. Players sometimes layered up in wool or cotton sweaters to keep warm in frigid weather prior to the invention of cold weather gear. In 1997, Under Armour introduced ColdGear® so athletes stay dry, warm, and agile in cold weather conditions. Cold weather gear is now a staple for every level of football.
Importance of Cold Weather Gear in Football
Football practice starts in August, the hottest Summer days. But the competition heats up in late Fall, when the temperature drops before Winter arrives. Making the switch from heat gear to cold weather gear is an important transition for performance. Focusing on blocking, throwing, catching, tackling, and running can be difficult if your hands and feet are numb from the weather conditions. If you’re not dressed properly for the cold, it’s going to be a distraction. You need to feel good to play well. That means making sure you're properly insulated when the temperatures drop. Below are some important cold weather items.
Baselayers: Baselayers are any type of clothing that is worn directly on your skin. That includes long and short sleeve T-shirts, leggings, and underwear. Baselayers should be comfortable, stretchy, form fitting, and moisture wicking. They’re often made of synthetic fabrics like polyester and elastane. Look for baselayers that match your activity level with the temperature. A moderate level of protection is better for cooler temperatures; a medium level works when it drops below freezing, and extra protection is needed for extremely cold weather. Thermal shirts and pants, which are often thicker than normal baselayers, are designed for extreme cold.
Wind & Water-Resistant Outerwear: There’s a lot of downtime in football. Players have to stay warm and dry on the sidelines when it’s wet, cold, and windy. Sometimes players wear large coats called sideline capes when they’re not playing or insulated wind breakers.
Face Masks: A football helmet typically has enough protection from the elements in most types of weather, but sometimes a balaclava, or a face mask designed to cover most of your face, is useful for extremely cold and windy days. Balaclavas are built to protect the entirety of your face except for your eyes and sometimes your nose. They should fit snugly and be moisture wicking.
Football Gloves: Many players wear gloves regardless of the weather because they can help with gripping the football. If your fingers or hands get cold, it can be hard to focus. Skill players, like wide receivers and quarterbacks, typically wear gloves with less insulation because they have to catch and throw the football. Linemen might use gloves that are bulkier and protective in nature since they are constantly using their hands to block and tackle. Gloves should fit comfortably and be moisture wicking.
Hand Warmers: A hand warmer, typically made of fleece, can help protect your hands from water and extreme cold. A hand warmer is attached to a belt. You wrap it around your waist and put your hands in openings that are designed on both sides.
Thermal Socks: Moisture-wicking socks with an extra layer of insulation are designed for the extreme cold. Players that have to change directions and run with the football might not want lightweight thermal socks.
Cleats: Cleats are often designed to have different levels of grip based on the weather conditions. For icy conditions, a longer cleat is designed to help stabilize your footing on an icy field. Detachable cleats may be helpful in poor weather conditions because players can unscrew them and remove any buildup from snow or moisture that occurs during a game.
Tips for Staying Warm
Aside from wearing proper apparel, there are other ways to stay warm when it gets cold outside. Here are a few tips to avoid the chill.
Vaseline: Rubbing Vaseline on any part of your body that’s exposed to the cold can help insulate your skin from windy, cold weather.
Hot Drinks: Warm water, hot chocolate, hot coffee, and chicken broth are examples of ways to keep your body temperature up.
Latex Gloves: Some players might wear a pair of latex gloves underneath their football gloves for added warmth.
Sideline Heaters: Teams at every level of play often have portable heaters on their sidelines when it’s extremely cold. Be careful about sitting next to the heater for too long. It can be a shock to your system to get back on the field if you're toasty warm from sitting next to a heater for an extended time.
Durability and quality are two characteristics of cold weather football gear that you should look for when making a choice about what to buy. You want your gear to last. All your clothing items should be moisture wicking, and they should fit comfortably.