Breathability is one of the key characteristics for outdoor clothing, as a lack of it could trap sweat against your skin during physical exertion and cause discomfort and chills.

Good breathable clothing allows moisture vapor to pass from inside to outside of the fabric, keeping you comfortable and dry. In this article we explore various breathable fabrics used for outdoor gear.

Waterproof/Breathable Membranes

Waterproof/breathable membranes are essential components of outdoor clothing designed for harsh weather. Their purpose is to keep external moisture like rain and snow out while still permitting internal moisture such as sweat to escape through its hydrophobic properties, which repel droplets so they bead up and roll off instead of becoming absorbed.

Micron-sized pores of membrane are small enough to prevent precipitation from passing through, while large enough for your body’s sweat vapor to pass through and evaporate. Diffusion is key here – as humidity differences between sides increase, so does sweat’s movement outward faster.

Gore-Tex is one of the best-known waterproof/breathable membranes, produced in two and three layer laminates that pair face and backer fabrics to protect its membrane layer from damage. Other popular producers of Gore-Tex include Bergans, Patagonia, Ortovox and Schoffel. eVent is another breathable waterproof fabric option; its membrane is 48% bio-based without fluorinated additives – not to mention its surprising lightweightness!

ePTFE

When used in waterproof breathable fabrics, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) features small holes which prevent water from penetrating while still allowing vapour transmission – keeping users dry while still permitting sweat production. This allows the fabric to stay dry without restricting sweat.

Like traditional PTFE, ePTFE is extremely heat resistant with an extremely low friction coefficient. Furthermore, its biocompatibility ensures it won’t cause adverse reactions once implanted into human bodies.

Gore-Tex has long been considered the go-to fabric for outdoor jackets. Unfortunately, its fabric poses certain difficulties when worn outdoors due to leaking seams and absorbance of body oils; these issues were addressed through developing methods for sealing seams and adding an oleophobic coating that repels oils and moisture. Recently however, high performance PU and Polyester membranes such as Polartec NeoShell and Outdoor Research AscentShell membranes have begun taking its place as these alternatives contain fewer chemicals that release toxic byproducts when worn outdoors compared with their predecessor.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane, commonly referred to as PU for short, is an organic polymer created by reacting di- and tri-isocyanates with polyols. Additives and catalysts may be added in order to alter its density, flexibility and hardness for maximum control in its final form.

Refinish paint can be easily applied using either spraying or brushing techniques and is available both oil- and water-based formulas – each providing advantages depending on its intended environment and how often reapplication will need to take place.

Water-based polyurethanes dry faster than oil-based varieties and emit lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When selecting a water-based polyurethane, always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions to achieve an even coat; light sanding between coats may help eliminate brush marks or drips. Protecting outdoor furniture and woodwork with quality polyurethane will extend its longevity, resist sun fading and keep its beauty for many years – although how often reapplying will depend on environmental conditions as well as wear-and tear over time.

Polyester

Polyester is an affordable yet reliable fabric used in clothing and gear designed for outdoor activities, like activewear. Due to its quick-drying nature and wrinkle-resistance properties, polyester makes an excellent fabric choice for activewear that requires frequent washings; furthermore, its vibrant hue holds well while resisting fade. Polyester also holds colors well when printed; making it an excellent option for printing purposes as well.

Polyester fabric is strong and abrasion-resistant, like its nylon counterpart, making it suitable for garment production at lower production costs. Polyester can be used alone or blended with other materials like cotton to increase durability and wrinkle-resistance while decreasing costs of production.

Polyester production requires using limited resources that must be extracted through toxic processes that pollute the environment, creating negative environmental impacts throughout its lifecycle. However, advances in sustainable production methods are helping mitigate some of these negative impacts.