When clothing gets wet from perspiration it sticks to the skin and hinders the evaporation process. The evaporation process keeps our body temperature at its appropriate level to keep us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In the summer months, keeping cool is pretty obvious, surprisingly, in the winter, the same process keeps us warm.
When we work or play outside in the cold our body temperature heats up causing us to sweat. The sweat soaks into our clothing causing them to stick to our skin hindering the evaporation process. The wet fabric lays on our skin keeping us cold even while we continue to work or play hard. Add rain or snow to this mix and we get into some real problems trying to keep warm
and dry!!
Cottons, nylons and polyesters have always been notorious for hindering our evaporation process. While wool has been known to be warm when wet, it weighs a TON when in this state. But thanks to modern technology we have learned how to battle the elements in a comfortable and fashionable way by turning fabric breathability into an art.
The new fabrics have one basic character, Breathability! They have special weaves that give them the ability to let our cooling process happen by "wicking" the sweat away from our skin. There are lots of different ways that the manufacturers have applied this weave to the clothing industry. Supplex nylon has a special weave that lets the steam out while keeping the wind and even the rain out. Gortex and Ultrex products have developed a special coating to put on to fabrics to make them virtually waterproof while still being breathable. Polar products have developed a lofty fabric to make the clothing warm (remember air trapped in the weave make little heat pockets) and breathable. The hundreds of variations on all of these styles have made the world of outdoor clothing fun and exciting!!
Always keep in mind that the idea behind clothing is to be comfortable while we are working or playing. These new products not only feel good but look great too!!
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When your clothing gets wet and sticks to your skin it stops the evaporation process that keeps us cool. Coolmax was developed to keep an air space between you and your outer garments so that your body can perform its evaporation process.
Coolmax, a polyester, was originally designed to be worn under the hot uniforms of soldiers and police officers. The Coolmax Ultra Cool RVU ( for "ribbed, ventilated
undergarment") is specially designed to keep you cool in hot weather, while other Coolmax products are designed to keep you warm in cold weather.
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Supplex is a nylon fabric that Dupont created to have all the good qualities of nylon (easy care, great color retention, little or no ironing, durability, softness, etc.) without the stickiness that nylon creates. Supplex is a high-wicking, highly breathable nylon that comes in many styles including wovens and knits and can be found with many different treatments such as water proof/repellent treatments, sun protective treatments or antimicrobial treatments. This fabric is used to line other breathable fabrics, it can be used as the outer layer of a breathable garment or can simply be used alone as outerwear or fashion wear.
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Cotton is nature's most breathable fabric. I carry only sun protective 100% cotton from Solar Protective Factory or the IMIX company. You can be assured of 95% - 99% protection from UVA and UVB rays. If you are allergic to man made fibers then these fabrics are for you! The sun protective treatment has been tested by the FDA to be hypoallergenic and it's soft and comfortable to wear. I also carry
cotton/lycra blends. These fabrics are very weight and breathable while their modest amount of lycra helps them retain their shape!
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Usually a soft polyester breathable fabric. It has the desirable qualities of polyester (ease of care, color retention and a soft hand) but is highly breathable. Used in many of the clothing you see today in or out of the sports groups.
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Mesh is a highly breathable fabric that is used for venting in shirts, jackets and pants. I try to carry mesh to match or coordinate with the fabrics.
It is not sun protective and should not be used alone for sun protection.
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