TECHNICAL INFO….

Performance Fabrics used in the EQUISAFETY range

Breathable fabrics, Moisture Management and Thermal Insulation

“Moisture management” in relation to a fabric refers to its ability to transport, store and dispose of liquid water released from the body. “Breathability” refers to the ease with which gases including water vapour can pass through the fabric.

Liquid water released by the body is known as sensible perspiration. To be removed from the body it must be wicked through the fabric structure and then evaporate from the outside of the fabric. When it evaporates heat is removed which helps to control the temperature of the body.

Water vapour or insensible perspiration can pass through openings between fibres and yarns in a breathable fabric. When water vapour is produced by the body, heat is removed giving a direct cooling effect.

During exercise, both insensible and perspiration and sensible perspiration are produced, but the latter increases in response to rising body temperature producing liquid at the surface of the skin. Fabrics used for active sportswear must have the ability to transport moisture away from the skin to the fabric surface for evaporation. The most effective fabrics will spread moisture over a wide area to maximize the surface area available for evaporation and hence cooling

It should be noted that breathable fabrics do not stop you sweating and care should be taken as to clothing worn beneath waterproof breathable shells. High quality base layers and fleece or insulated midlayers should in themselves draw vapour from the body and pass it outwards, thus allowing the outer fabric to do its job. Cotton clothing should never be worn as part of a performance clothing system.