Breathable outdoor clothing allows sweat vapor (sweat) to escape while effectively blocking liquid water (rain) from penetrating its fabric, with Gore-Tex and eVent membranes offering optimal performance in this regard.
These fabrics often incorporate physical ventilation features such as pit-vents or back vents for rain protection, making these fabrics highly efficient in keeping you cool and dry.
Waterproof
Waterproof/breathable fabrics resist liquid water, yet allow moisture vapour (sweat) to pass through, allowing body heat to escape while keeping you dry and comfortable. They’re an ideal choice for rainwear and waterproof outdoor sports clothing like jackets, vests and coats.
These membranes feature small holes designed to let sweat pass through but no liquid water can. Combined with outer fabrics treated with durable water repellents that enhance their water resistance and help them prevent them from absorbing moisture, these membranes ensure sweat cannot pass through unimpeded.
For breathable waterproof jackets to work properly, they must be worn over a baselayer that draws sweat away from the skin and transports it through layers that allow vaporized water to evaporate before passing into a waterproof shell with adequate breathability. Failure of any layer could result in an unpleasant clammy sensation.
Breathable
Breathability allows active bodies’ sweat to evaporate while cool air moves in through ventilation holes, helping maintain an ideal body temperature balance. Breathability in outdoor clothing and gear becomes even more crucial during cold and dry weather or while exercising to generate heat and sweat.
Fabrics designed to be breathable allow heat and moisture to pass through them, decreasing weight while simultaneously increasing comfort and helping regulate body temperature. Breathability measures the amount of moisture vapor passing through a material or garment – usually measured in grams per square centimeter or GPC.
For optimal waterproof breathable fabric solutions, look for shells made from lightweight laminated membranes with 2 or 2.5 Layer fabric bases. While Gore-TEX’s ePTFE membrane continues to dominate this market, newer thinner Polyurethane and Polyester membranes may prove superior when it comes to breathability and affordability. If lightweight rainwear is what you seek look out for shells constructed using one or more of these high performing materials.
Lightweight
Hiking gear used to be more cumbersome and heavy; now however, due to advances in ultra-light fabrics and materials, it has become lighter.
These new lightweight outdoor fabrics are incredibly strong and durable, drying quickly while being crease-resistant, keeping you looking good even after hours of hiking. Their fabrication uses electro spinning technology which combines thousands of tiny fibres into webs coated with waterproof material; any gaps are large enough for moisture vapour escape while still keeping moisture at bay in liquid form.
Our collection of lightweight outdoor wear is ideal for hikers who want to travel light without compromising performance. These includes breathable jackets designed to protect from unexpected downpours and featherweight trousers which offer optimal flexibility.
Durable
Durability in outdoor gear depends on several factors, including its materials and construction method. Look out for features like gusseted crotches and articulated knees on trousers, waterproof membranes with additional reinforcing reinforcement in high abrasion areas or waterproof membranes with extra reinforcing reinforcement for high abrasion areas that indicate durability clothing is an economical choice over time.
GORE-TEX, eVent and Pertex waterproof fabrics offer outstanding durability and performance for outdoor activities, so seek products made from these fabrics with appropriate levels of breathability to meet the demands of your endeavors.
Mammut’s Swiss outdoor brand uses fashion and function together to produce durable yet stylish hardshell gear. Their Phase Weave tech blends multiple fabrics together into a single material to increase high abrasion areas without the need for exposed stitches, providing increased durability in high wear areas without needing exposed stitching. Furthermore, Mammut are proud members of both Fair Labor Association and bluesign’s Restricted Substance List to guarantee their textiles do not contain harmful chemicals.