Waterproofing films. What do membrane characteristics mean? What is gore-tex®

Thanks to one baby girl!

There are insulation materialsnatural and synthetic.

Synthetic:

Manufacturers most often indicate in the product instructions: “insulation - 100% polyester” (very rarely specifying what kind of synthetic insulation).

Sintepon - polyester fibers. The adhesion of fibers to each other can be carried out in two ways: gluing and thermal bonding. Adhesive padding polyester is not environmentally friendly due to the use of glue, it quickly deforms and “cakes” under loads and washing, it is heavy, has low thermal insulation ability and breathability. Currently, it is practically not used in the production of children's clothing; it can be found only in the cheapest products.

Thermally bonded padding polyester is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic.

Sintepon is durable, but unsuitable for cold winters. Therefore, models based on padding polyester are more suitable for the off-season. In jackets with synthetic padding, a child will be comfortable only at a temperature not exceeding –10°C.

Sintepon can have a density from 50 to 600 g. per square meter. One layer of padding polyester or several can be used in clothing.

The thickness of the padding polyester is designed for different temperatures:

100 g is autumn/spring - approximately from 0... + 5 to + 15...;

250 grams is the demi-season - from +10 to -5 approximately.

300-350 – cold winter, down to about -25.

Hollowfiber, polyfiber, fiberskin, fibertek.

Such synthetic insulation consists of fibers that have the shape of springs or balls. These components contain cavities, so products with such insulation hold their shape well.

The advantages of holofiber include high thermal protection, environmental friendliness, and dimensional stability due to the springy structure of the fibers. Holofiber does not absorb moisture at all and breathes well.

A children's overall that can withstand temperatures down to -25°.

Isosoft (ISOSOFT) is a modern synthetic insulation with a heat-sealed surface, made from fibers shaped like balls. The balls do not communicate with each other and contain cavities, which is why the isosoft product holds its shape and heat well. A special microcellular structure does not allow cold air to penetrate inside, while retaining warm air. Isosoft clothing creates an ideal microclimate around the body, depending on the child’s activity and the weather. They have high heat-shielding properties. Winter clothes with isosoft can withstand temperatures of -25C.

40-70 g/sq.m. – warm autumn-spring;

100-150 g/sq.m. – cold autumn-spring, warm winter;

200-300 g/sq.m. - frosty winter.

Thinsulate is considered one of the best synthetic insulation materials. Permissible temperature range for Thinsulate: up to -30°

Thinsulate insulation consists of unique microfibers, which are 50 to 70 times thinner than a human hair, their diameter is from 2 to 10 microns. Around each fiber there is a layer of air. The finer the fibers, the more insulating layers there are in the clothing. This makes Thinsulate™ insulation 2 times warmer than the warmest down.

Even more modern insulation based on Thinsulein is Hollofil, Quallowfill, and Polarguard.

Hollophan is an interweaving of spiral-shaped hollow fibers that form a strong springy structure. This allows the product to retain its shape for a long time and easily restore it. In terms of heat-protective properties, Holofan is as close as possible to natural down, but unlike down products, it is easy to wash, does not absorb moisture and odors, does not cause allergies, and is also able to retain the heat generated by our body, but does not “evaporate” it during prolonged use .

Holofan is a new generation of insulation.

Topsfill is an ultra-light, high-tech modern insulation material. Provides free air circulation, thanks to which children's clothing “breathes”.

Natural insulation materials

Natural down In down jackets and coats, the percentage of down and feather is very important. In a good down jacket it is from 60%/40% to 80%/20%, where the first number is the amount of down. There is no such thing as 100% fluff.

Down fibers are very mobile, which eliminates the possibility of down “climbing” to the surface. All seams on down clothing also undergo special treatment.

It is also necessary to take into account that down is an allergen and an excellent breeding ground for mites, so its antibacterial treatment is very important. Also, one of the main disadvantages of down is its ability to absorb moisture and certain difficulties when washing.

Children's winter overalls with eider down, designed for walking in severe frosts. Goose down is also good. Duck down as insulation is best suited for demi-season clothing. Downy clothing is best worn in areas with a dry, frosty climate; in non-frosty, wet winters, downy children's clothing can contribute to the creation of a greenhouse effect and the child may overheat.

Sheepskin or wool The advantages of this material include its durability, hypoallergenicity and wear resistance. Wool retains heat well, but at the same time absorbs moisture well and has a lot of weight.

Retains heat perfectly down to -25°.

Types of winter clothing outer layer material

Provides fabrics with excellent water-repellent and stain-resistant properties, as well as protection against splashes and dirt. Teflon ® finishes are colorless, odorless and undetectable to the touch. Clothing made from fabric with Teflon ® finish does not lose its ability to “breathe”; resistant to washing.

Cordura is a high-strength polyamide designed for extremely heavy-duty use. The surface of the fabric is protected by double treatment with Teflon. Cordura material is completely waterproof. Water resistance – 9700 mm, wear resistance – 11600 rpm (Stoll). Cordura inserts on the knees and butt of overalls and trousers greatly increase the strength and waterproofness of clothing in areas of greatest risk.

This is a durable fabric made of chemical fibers (nylon or polyester) of a certain structure that ensures the waterproofness of the fabric. The fabric has water-repellent properties.

Nylon oxford has high strength, elasticity, resistance to abrasion, repeated bending and chemical action. reagents.

Polyester oxford is somewhat inferior to nylon in strength and chemical resistance, but superior to it in heat and light resistance. A type of Oxford, Oxford Drip Stop, is a fabric with a profiled thread, which gives the fabric an improved textured appearance and greater strength. There are plain-dyed and camouflage fabrics.

Mini-Faille™ is a dense, durable fabric that uses an Omni-TechCeramic™ coating to withstand long-term abrasion.

Omni-Dry™ Nylon has a soft, cotton-like feel. Provides good breathing. Used in clothing for hiking, incl. and on foot.

Omni-Dry™ PiqueandJersey - 100% polyester, lightly brushed for a cotton-like feel. The fabric breathes, does not “roll up”, almost does not wrinkle, and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Used in clothing for hiking and street training.

Dura-Trek™ Canvas is a coarse nylon-based fabric enhanced with Omni-Dry™ technology. Used in clothing for hiking, mountaineering, etc. where increased wear resistance is required.

HydroPlus™ - the base is NylonTaffeta, with all its advantages and disadvantages, but it has an additional polyurethane coating, which makes it well protected from wind and rain, but this naturally affects the ability to breathe. All seams are finished.

HydroPlus 3000™ - all the same, but a thicker layer of polyurethane.

PerfectaCloth™ - based on Tactel®. There are two varieties: coated (for demi-season clothing) and uncoated (preferably for summer).

PVC™ - the base is NylonTaffeta, which is filled with polyvinyl chloride. All seams are finished. Raincoats, storm jackets, etc.

Water resistance: water column height 3000 mm, water resistance starts at 3000 mm. Windproof: breathability 0 l/m2s

Water and dirt repellency: DWR treatment

The fabric is designed specifically for clothing used in rainy, slushy weather. It is not afraid of dirt and practically does not allow water to pass through; products made from it are waterproof, durable and warm.

Water resistance: water column height 5000 mm, water resistance starts at 3000 mm.

Air permeability: vapor permeability 4000 g/m2/24h

Windproof: breathability 0 l/m2s

Water and dirt repellent: DWR treatment.

Beavernylon is a two-layer fabric developed by Norwegian specialists. Durable polyamide on the surface guarantees high wear resistance of the clothing. The cotton backing of the fabric increases elasticity and makes the garment comfortable. It is the two-layer nature that makes this material so warm. Thanks to the treatment of fabric with Fluorcarbon, clothing becomes water-resistant, dirt-repellent and increases breathability. Beavernylon is used in the production of winter overalls for children and is combined with materials such as HemiProof and CORDURA.

HemiProof is a two-layer material developed by Swedish specialists. Durable polyamide on the fabric surface repels water, wind and dirt. The reverse side of the fabric is laminated with a dense layer of polyvinyl. This guarantees complete waterproofness of the material. HemyProof panels on the knees and butt increase durability and waterproofing in high-risk areas.

HemiTec is a windproof, stain-resistant polyamide, treated on the reverse side with microporous polyurethane. It does not let water in, but allows moisture from the body to get out.

Water resistance – 2000 mm, breathability – 3000 g/m2/24 hours.

PolarTwill is a combination of elastic polyamide on the upper side of the fabric and cotton on the inside. This combination makes the material very durable and at the same time soft and comfortable. This uses a Fluorcarbon (fluorocarbon) coating that repels water and dirt. After washing, these fabric functions self-repair.

A membrane is a thin film that is laminated (welded or glued using a special technology) to the upper fabric or a special impregnation applied on top of the fabric.

On the inside, the film or impregnation can be protected by an additional layer of fabric.

The membranes have a film-like structure with very small pores. Therefore, a drop of water simply does not pass through them. Children's overalls with a membrane are waterproof and breathable.

The membrane helps wick away moisture, preventing the body from sweating and cooling. Another point: the membrane “works” only when moving. A jumpsuit with a clean membrane without insulation will not warm a sedentary child; it will only protect from external moisture.

The younger and more passive the child (jogging + stroller), the more insulation should be in winter clothes in addition to the membrane (at least 200 g). And, perhaps, the most important thing: membrane clothing, when moving, creates a microclimate around the body equal to approximately 32 degrees. And it maintains it at any temperature outside (hot or cold). Do not be alarmed if the child is a little cool under his clothes - this is the desired 32 degrees.

It is not recommended to wear overalls with one membrane on long walks at temperatures below -15° and during snowfall, as the membrane will freeze up and stop “breathing”. Caring for membrane children's overalls is to wash only with special powders, it is impossible to use bleach or powder with bleach, hand spinning is recommended, ironing is prohibited.

To best retain heat and ensure proper operation of the membrane, use three layers of clothing.

1. First bottom layer: underwear. It retains heat and removes excess moisture. They often ask if it is possible to leave cotton shorts and a T-shirt, the answer is: yes. But instead of a T-shirt, it is still advisable to put on a long-sleeve mixed T-shirt (turtleneck) on the child. And don't be afraid of synthetics. So that underwear (footwear + tights) covers the body as much as possible. Now on sale there are options that are pleasant to the body, do not irritate the skin and contain a small percentage of synthetics. Desired percentage: at least 10%. If you wear 100% cotton, it will simply absorb moisture without wicking it away. Or buy thermal underwear that is worn directly on your naked body. It’s even available with merino wool – it’s soft and suitable for baby’s skin.

2. The second layer is put on at temperatures from -10, depending on the insulation in the clothing. If the product contains at least 200 g of insulation, it is possible that a second layer will be required only at temperatures from -15. In most cases (if the clothes are of high quality), up to this temperature nothing cooler than a long sleeve T-shirt is needed. You have dressed the child correctly, the principle has been followed - he does not freeze. So, it’s getting colder - we put on the second layer, this is an underwear made of fleece or wool. It also retains heat and removes moisture further. Or you buy a branded underwear; by the way, they are very comfortable and durable (they stretch well, last for two years).

Is it possible to use an ordinary “grandmother’s” self-knitted suit under the membrane? After all, branded underwear is also made of wool...

The fact is that branded merino contains synthetics. Pure wool is hygroscopic and gets wet. Order or buy a ready-made knitted suit with the addition of synthetics - wool pan, wool acrylic, acrylic, and the problem will be solved.

3. The third layer is the overalls or set itself. All! Do not need anything else.

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How does the insulation heat?

The volume of insulation in a jacket should be approximately twice as much as in trousers.

The insulation in clothes is distributed unevenly: the torso is insulated thicker, the child’s arms are in motion - they are insulated very little, additional insulation goes to the butt, knees and shoulders.

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How to determine whether your baby is cold or not?

A baby outside in winter is cold if: his hands, cheeks, nose, back are cool. And overheating is indicated by a too warm or hot back, neck, arms, face. With the help of thermal underwear, the baby does not freeze in winter. But it should be worn only when the temperature outside is below -15C.

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What is waterproof clothing

Waterproof clothing is characterized by the height of the water column (in millimeters), the pressure of which the fabric can withstand for 24 hours without getting wet. How to check this: stretch the fabric, launch a “column” of water from above and wait for drops to appear on the back of the fabric. The higher the water column, the better. It may look like this: “coating with water resistance of 3000 mm.” You should not chase high scores if you are not in danger of conquering the Alpine mountains, that is, your family lives as usual. For example: a heavy urban rain creates a pressure of 5000 to 8000 mm of water column. Normal rain (wet snow) – 1000-2000 mm. If the jacket has water protection no higher than 1500 mm, the child will still get home dry, but protection from 3000 mm will allow you to have plenty of fun in the rain. Taped seams provide additional waterproofness to clothing.

What does the water column mean:

1500-3000 mm is a common indicator for waterproof children's clothing. It will withstand light drizzling rain and sleet, but can get wet if the child likes to wallow in the snowdrifts to his heart's content.

3000-5000 mm is a good indicator for waterproof clothing. Tourist tents, for example, have such water protection.

5000-10000 mm and above is an excellent indicator. Will withstand the entire range of wonders of the Ural winter, autumn and spring.

In addition to waterproof characteristics, there are “breathable” characteristics. They depend on the amount of steam transmitted by the fabric over a certain period of time - say, per day. The higher the vapor permeability index, the more vapors the fabric removes.

Good level of vapor permeability: at least 5,000g/sq.m., normal level - 3000g/sq.m. m/day

MEMBRANE is a thin-layer coating of the inner surface of the fabric. The membrane provides a favorable climate inside the clothing, and microscopic pores allow water vapor to escape while blocking the penetration of moisture from the outside.

The membrane fabric consists of two layers: top fabric ( can be absolutely anything, both thin and dense) and, directly, the membrane - a thin polymer film with specially shaped pores that provide one-way water permeability (moisture on the inside migrates freely through the membrane, while moisture on the outside is retained by the membrane).

How does it work?

External moisture does not penetrate inside, excess heat and water vapor (our sweat) escapes from the inside through the fabric, which improves body thermoregulation.

What do the numbers and characteristics mean?

Any membrane clothing has two characteristics on the label, usually separated by a slash, like 5000/10000 or 5000mm/10000g. The first parameter is water. The second parameter is air.

1. The water resistance of a fabric is measured by the height of the water column that it can withstand without getting wet. Unit of measurement mm.

2. Vapor permeability (Air permeability) characterizes how much moisture in the form of steam passes out of one meter of fabric in 24 hours. Unit of measurement g/m2/24 hours. The higher the value of these parameters, the better.

* For comparison: the maximum water resistance of cotton is 500 mm, synthetics without special treatment - 1000 mm. At the same time, the vapor permeability required for active sports, for example, alpine skiing, is 10,000 g/m2/24h, and for walking - 3000 g/m2/24h.

BREATHABLE - membrane fabric for non-extreme conditions. Used in Caimano products. Water resistance 2000 - 5000 mm. Air permeability 2000-5000 g/m2/24 hours.

Types of Features Used in Color Kids Clothing

Air-Flo 10000: Waterproof, windproof and breathable.

Maximum protection in the harshest weather conditions.

Finish: Laminated Membrane
Water repellency: + 10.000 mm
Windproof: yes
Vapor permeability: + 5000 g/m/24 h.
Seams: Fully Taped (FTS)

Air-Flo 5000: Waterproof, windproof and breathable

Superior protection in all weather conditions.

Material: AF 5000 PU coating / laminated membrane
Water repellency: + 5.000 mm
Windproof: Yes
Vapor permeability: +5000 g/m/24 h.
Seam Taping: Full Seam Taping (FTS)

Air-Flo 3000: Waterproof, windproof and breathable

100% protection in all weather conditions

Material: AF 3000 PU coating
Water repellency: + 3.000 mm
Windproof: Yes
Vapor permeability: +2000 g/m/24 h.
Seam Taping: Partial Seam Taping (PTS)

Air-Flo 2000: Waterproof, windproof and breathable

Effective protection in all weather conditions.

Material: AF 2000 PU coating Water repellency: + 2,000 mm
Windproof: Yes
Vapor permeability: Yes
Seam taping: No

First, let’s refute the misconception - it is not the fabric that “breathes,” but our body. More precisely, the surface of the skin. Man is one of those animals whose body strives to maintain a constant body temperature, regardless of environmental conditions. One of the most important mechanisms of our thermoregulation is the sweat glands hidden in the skin. They are also part of the body's excretory system. The sweat they produce, evaporating from the surface of the skin, carries with it some of the excess heat. Therefore, when we are hot, we sweat to avoid overheating.

However, this mechanism has one serious drawback. Moisture, quickly evaporating from the surface of the skin, can cause hypothermia, which leads to colds. Of course, in Central Africa, where man has evolved as a species, such a situation is rather rare. But in regions with changeable and predominantly cool weather, a person constantly had and still has to supplement his natural thermoregulation mechanisms with various clothes.

The ability of clothing to “breathe” implies its minimal resistance to the removal of vapors from the surface of the skin and the “ability” to transport them to the front side of the material, where the moisture released by a person can evaporate without “stealing” the excess amount of heat. Thus, the “breathable” material from which the clothing is made helps the human body maintain optimal body temperature, preventing overheating or hypothermia.

The “breathing” properties of modern fabrics are usually described in terms of two parameters - “vapor permeability” and “air permeability”. What is the difference between them and how does this affect their use in clothing for sports and outdoor activities?

What is vapor permeability?

Vapor permeability is the ability of a material to transmit or retain water vapor. In the outdoor apparel and equipment industry, a material's high ability to water vapor transport. The higher it is, the better, because... This allows the user to avoid overheating and still remain dry.

All fabrics and insulation materials used today have a certain vapor permeability. However, in numerical terms it is presented only to describe the properties of membranes used in the production of clothing, and for a very small number not waterproof textile materials. Most often, vapor permeability is measured in g/m²/24 hours, i.e. the amount of water vapor that passes through a square meter of material per day.

This parameter is indicated by the abbreviation MVTR (“moisture vapor transmission rate” or “speed of passage of water vapor”).

The higher the value, the greater the vapor permeability of the material.

How is vapor permeability measured?

MVTR numbers are obtained from laboratory tests based on various techniques. Due to the large number of variables affecting the operation of the membrane - individual metabolism, air pressure and humidity, area of ​​material suitable for moisture transport, wind speed, etc., there is no single standardized research method for determining vapor permeability. Therefore, in order to be able to compare samples of fabrics and membranes with each other, manufacturers of materials and finished clothing use a number of techniques. Each of them separately describes the vapor permeability of a fabric or membrane in a certain range of conditions. Today, the following test methods are most often used:

"Japanese" "upright cup" test (JIS L 1099 A-1)

The test sample is stretched and sealed on top of a cup, inside of which a strong desiccant - calcium chloride (CaCl2) - is placed. The cup is placed for a certain time in a thermohydrostat, in which the air temperature is maintained at 40°C and humidity at 90%.

Depending on how the weight of the desiccant changes during the control time, MVTR is determined. The technique is well suited for determining vapor permeability not waterproof fabrics, because the test sample is not in direct contact with water.

"Japanese" inverted cup test (JIS L 1099 B-1)

The test sample is stretched and hermetically fixed over a vessel with water. Afterwards it is turned over and placed over a cup with a dry desiccant - calcium chloride. After the control time, the desiccant is weighed, resulting in the calculation of MVTR.

Test B-1 is the most popular, as it demonstrates the highest numbers among all methods that determine the rate of passage of water vapor. Most often, it is its results that are published on labels. The most “breathable” membranes have an MVTR value according to the B1 test greater than or equal to 20,000 g/m²/24h according to test B1. Fabrics with values ​​of 10-15,000 can be classified as noticeably vapor permeable, at least under not very intense loads. Finally, for clothing that requires little movement, a vapor permeability of 5-10,000 g/m²/24h is often sufficient.

The JIS L 1099 B-1 test method fairly accurately illustrates the performance of the membrane under ideal conditions (when there is condensation on its surface and moisture is transported to a drier environment with a lower temperature).

Sweating plate test or RET (ISO - 11092)

Unlike tests that determine the rate of water vapor transport through a membrane, the RET technique examines how much the test sample resists passage of water vapor.

A sample of fabric or membrane is placed on top of a flat porous metal plate, under which a heating element is connected. The plate temperature is maintained at the surface temperature of human skin (about 35°C). Water evaporating from the heating element passes through the plate and the test sample. This leads to heat loss on the surface of the plate, the temperature of which must be maintained constant. Accordingly, the higher the level of energy consumption to maintain a constant plate temperature, the lower the resistance of the tested material to the passage of water vapor through it. This parameter is designated as RET (Resistance of Evaporation of a Textile - “material resistance to evaporation”). The lower the RET value, the higher the breathability of the membrane or other material being tested.

RET 0-6 - extremely breathable; RET 6-13 - highly breathable; RET 13-20 - breathable; RET over 20 - non-breathable.

Equipment for carrying out the ISO-11092 test. On the right is a chamber with a “sweating plate”. A computer is required to obtain and process results and control the test procedure © thermetrics.com

In the laboratory of the Hohenstein Institute, with which Gore-Tex collaborates, this technique is complemented by testing real clothing samples by people on a treadmill. In this case, the results of the sweat plate tests are adjusted according to the testers' comments.

Testing Gore-Tex clothing on the treadmill © goretex.com

The RET test clearly illustrates the performance of the membrane in real conditions, but is also the most expensive and time-consuming on the list. For this reason, not all active clothing manufacturing companies can afford it. At the same time, RET is today the main method for assessing the vapor permeability of membranes from the Gore-Tex company.

The RET technique generally correlates well with the results of the B-1 test. In other words, a membrane that shows good breathability in the RET test will show good breathability in the inverted cup test.

Unfortunately, none of the test methods can replace the others. Moreover, their results do not always correlate with each other. We saw that the process of determining the vapor permeability of materials in various methods has many differences, simulating different working conditions.

In addition, different membrane materials operate on different principles. For example, porous laminates ensure relatively free passage of water vapor through the microscopic pores present in their thickness, and non-porous membranes transport moisture to the front surface like a blotter - with the help of hydrophilic polymer chains in their structure. It is quite natural that one test can simulate the advantageous conditions for the operation of a non-porous membrane film, for example, when moisture is closely adjacent to its surface, and another - for a microporous one.

Taken together, all this means that there is practically no point in comparing materials with each other based on data obtained from different test methods. It also makes no sense to compare the vapor permeability of different membranes if the test method for at least one of them is unknown.

What is breathability?

Breathability- the ability of a material to pass air through itself under the influence of its pressure difference. When describing the properties of clothing, a synonym for this term is often used - “breathability”, i.e. how wind-resistant the material is.

In contrast to methods for assessing vapor permeability, relative uniformity reigns in this area. To assess air permeability, the so-called Fraser test is used, which determines how much air will pass through the material during a control time. The test air flow rate is typically 30 mph, but may vary.

The unit of measurement is the cubic foot of air passing through the material in one minute. Denoted by the abbreviation CFM (cubic feet per minute).

The higher the value, the higher the air permeability (“blowability”) of the material. Thus, poreless membranes demonstrate absolute “windproofness” - 0 CFM. Test methods are most often defined by ASTM D737 or ISO 9237 standards, which, however, give identical results.

Exact CFM figures are published relatively rarely by textile and ready-to-wear manufacturers. Most often, this parameter is used to characterize windproof properties in descriptions of various materials developed and used within the production of SoftShell clothing.

Recently, manufacturers have begun to “remember” air permeability much more often. The fact is that, along with the air flow, much more moisture evaporates from the surface of our skin, which reduces the risk of overheating and condensation accumulation under clothes. Thus, the Polartec Neoshell membrane has slightly greater air permeability than traditional porous membranes (0.5 CFM versus 0.1). Thanks to this, Polartec was able to achieve significantly better performance of its material in windy conditions and fast user movement. The higher the air pressure outside, the better Neoshell removes water vapor from the body due to greater air exchange. At the same time, the membrane continues to protect the user from wind cooling, blocking about 99% of the air flow. This turns out to be enough to withstand even stormy winds, and therefore Neoshell has even found itself in the production of single-layer assault tents (a striking example is the BASK Neoshell and Big Agnes Shield 2 tents).

But progress does not stand still. Today there are many offers of well-insulated mid-layers with partial breathability, which can also be used as an independent product. They use either fundamentally new insulation - like Polartec Alpha, or use synthetic volumetric insulation with a very low degree of fiber migration, which allows the use of less dense “breathable” fabrics. Thus, Sivera Gamayun jackets use ClimaShield Apex, Patagonia NanoAir uses insulation under the FullRange™ trademark, which is produced by the Japanese company Toray under the original name 3DeFX+. Identical insulation is used in Mountain Force ski jackets and trousers as part of the “12 way stretch” technology and Kjus ski clothing. The relatively high breathability of the fabrics in which these insulations are enclosed makes it possible to create an insulating layer of clothing that will not interfere with the removal of evaporated moisture from the surface of the skin, helping the user to avoid both getting wet and overheating.

SoftShell clothing. Subsequently, other manufacturers created an impressive number of their analogues, which led to the widespread use of thin, relatively durable, “breathable” nylon in clothing and equipment for sports and outdoor activities.

In previous articles I talked about such indicators of fabrics as waterproofness and wear resistance, and today I want to talk about what is vapor conductivity or, as it is also called, the breathability of fabric. What kind of indicator is this? How do you know if a fabric “breathes”? And should baby overalls “breathe” at all?

Initially, almost all fabrics breathe: air passes to the body and back. But outerwear must protect from external factors, so in its production various impregnations, special coatings, membranes, unusual thread weaving, etc. are used. All this not only makes the fabric waterproof and windproof from the outside, but also affects the ability of the fabric to “breathe” from the inside.

Is it worth overpaying?

How relevant is this you ask? The main thing is to be warmer, but why breathe? In fact, this indicator is important, especially when the child is highly active, as well as in conditions of constant changes in activity (running/sitting). After all, a wet child sitting down will freeze even in the warmest overalls. It is precisely in order to remove steam from the body that steam conductivity is needed, because if the material of the outerwear does not “breathe”, even observing the principle of multi-layering will not save, because There will simply be nowhere for the moisture to evaporate.

How is vapor conductivity measured?

The vapor conductivity indicator indicates how much water vapor the fabric can transmit per day. This indicator is measured in grams per square meter per 24 hours (g/m2/24h). There are several ways to measure, I will not go into details (which I don’t really know myself) and will tell the essence: a sample of fabric is fixed on a bowl of water, weighed and placed in certain conditions, then, after a certain time, the bowl is weighed again and you can understand how much water evaporated through the fabric. The higher this indicator, the more evaporation the fabric will let through.

And what do these numbers mean for the buyer?

• vapor conductive clothing 1000-3000 g/m2/24h suitable for the city and walking;
• vapor conductive clothing from 5000 g/m2/24h- for “medium” activity mode or light running;
• 8000-10000 g/m2/24h- well suited for active children who move a lot;
• steam conductivity 15000 g/m2/24h and above- these clothes are for those who work “to the limit”. This indicator is found in clothing for professional athletes.

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers indicate vapor conductivity on the labels, for example, Reima writes: the material breathes, without specifying specific characteristics, and Lappi Kids and Luhta call this indicator air permeability. Most often, you can find the English version on the label: breathable or navigate by unit of measurement (g/m2/24h or g/m2/24h). Whichever name option you find is the same indicator. It is worth noting that the vapor conductivity indicator is required for membrane clothing, but if it is not on the label, then most likely there is no membrane, and water-repellent properties are imparted to clothing using special impregnations.