WATERPROOF MATERIALS
GORE-TEX®
Gore-Tex® is a thin, perforated membrane. The pores are 20.000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times larger than a water molecule, meaning that steam can easily escape through the membrane, while water drops are unable to enter. The membrane is also laminated with various outer materials to make the item either hard wearing or light. Regardless which Gore-Tex®- jacket you choose it only has one membrane. The difference on a two- or three layer jacket is in the construction. On a two layer jacket the outer fabric is laminated to the membrane, while the lining is loose (normally a thin net- or nylon lining). On a three layer jacket both the outer- and inner fabric is laminated, giving a hard wearing and robust jacket. On a Gore-Tex® PacLite the outer fabric is laminated to the membrane and it also has a thin, protective carbon coating on the inside.
Gore-Tex® is the best material when it comes to longevity and being waterproof (measured with water pressure), in relation to the material's breathing ability.
Gore-Tex® is today available in four different technologies:
Gore-Tex® Pro Shell is developed to withstand the most extreme conditions. Here the membrane is combined with the most durable and breathable of fabrics. Gore-Tex® Pro Shell is available in both the two- and three layer finish, where the three layer item is extremely hard wearing and the two layer version is more supple.
Gore-Tex® Performance Shell is produced to fit a wider audience and can be used during a variety of outdoor activities. These items are obviously guaranteed to be both waterproof and breathable, but here the membrane is combined with other fabrics to allow for wider areas of use than the Gore-Tex® Pro Shell products.
Gore-Tex® Paclite® Shell is a technology that was developed in order to give a smaller packing volume and a lighter item of clothing. The addition of an internal protective layer to the membrane, consisting of an oil repelling substance mixed with coal, means that no lining is required. A piece of high quality shell clothing can otherwise easily become a bit heavy and take up a lot of space. This is avoided with a Gore-Tex® Paclite® but still without loosing its reliable traits of being waterproof and breathable.
Gore-Tex® Softshell is suitable for those who prefer a single layer item. If you want to have a reliable, waterproof, breathable piece of clothing that is also both soft and warm, then the Gore-Tex® Softshell is definitely an alternative for you.
OTHER WATERPROOF MATERIALS
In latter years various clothes manufacturers have started their own waterproof materials. Some of them use membranes that resemble Gore-Tex® while others use special coatings or linings to get a waterproof material that breathes. Often these are well made products, which are adequate and durable and suitable for most of our needs.
Some of these brands are Hydratic®, Hydratic® IQ, Hyvent, Proof®, eVENT® and ZethAr® Lite, DermizaxTM.
WATER RESISTANT MATERIALS
Water resistant clothing seldom has either a membrane or coating that makes it totally waterproof. Instead the material has high breathing ability and is often stretchy, which gives products that allow for high intensity activities and much movement.
Examples of water resistant materials are: G-1000®, G-1000® SC, Climatic®, Schoeller®, as well as various Soft Shell materials.
SOFT SHELL
Soft Shell is a common name for various synthetic fabrics. Even here there are several different producers; some only make the fabrics while others make clothes. The fabrics obviously vary according to who makes them but mostly they are hard wearing, stretchy and have high breathing ability. Some manufacturers also achieve high water- and wind resistant Soft Shell products by using a tight weave in the fabric and/or adding water repelling agents. Others choose to laminate the Soft Shell weave with a Gore Tex®- or WINDSTOPPER®-membrane, thus making a totally water- and wind proof product.
Examples of Soft Shell brands, with or without membranes are: Apex, Flexable®, Soft Shell Advanced®, Soft Shell Professional®, Schoeller® Dryskin , Schoeller® Extreme, Schoeller® Dynamic Extreme, Schoeller® 3XDRY, Polartec® Power Shield, WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell, WINDSTOPPER® N2S® and Gore-Tex® Soft Shell.
WINDPROOF MATERIALS
GORE WINDSTOPPER®/ STORMBLOCKER
To achieve a totally windproof material you require a windproof membrane. It makes the clothing considerably warmer and it allows the fabrics to breathe better, compared to using a waterproof membrane. Clothes with the Windstopper membrane are often combined with different outer fabrics, such as fleece, nylon or Soft Shell. Many of these outer fabrics are water resistant, but not waterproof.
OTHER WIND RESISTANT MATERIALS
It is the actual construction of the fabric weave that makes the material wind resistant. But here there is no membrane to make it windproof. Any difference noticeable to the user is often minimal. Examples of wind resistant materials are: Windwall, Polartec® Windpro®, G-1000®, G-1000® SC, Climatic®, plus various Soft Shell materials.
INSULATING MATERIALS
BASE LAYER (Undergarment)
The main purpose of the undergarments is to transport moisture away to the next layer. That is why it is important that the item has a tight fit, like a ‘second skin'. Most undergarments are made of synthetic materials, but if you want extra warm clothes, choose those with a wool mixture. Examples of base layer brands: Active wool, Polartec® Power Dry®, Dryskin® and Merinoull.
BASE/MIDDLE LAYER
The interaction between the under garments and the second layer of clothing gets better and more personal every day. The thinnest middle layer materials are often totally synthetic or of a wool blend, sewn to an excellent fit, while still being stretchy and comfortable to wear. These are good materials to wear during energetic activities. Some of the materials are made in various thicknesses. Examples of base/middle layers are: Comfort Fleece, Dryskin stretch, Polartec® Power stretch®, Polartec® Micro and Merinoull.
MIDDLE LAYERS
The classic middle layer are various Fleece materials, which keep you nice and warm at the same time as allowing any moisture to escape to the outer layer. The Fleece can be totally synthetic or mixed with wool. They can look a bit different ("shaggy", smooth or napped) and be of various thicknesses. Examples of middle layers are: Comfort Fleece, Polartec® Classic 200, Polartec® Thermal Pro®, Polartec® Power stretch®, Polartec® Micro, Wool and Polartec® Thermal Pro® Rib Sweater Look.
SYNTHETIC LINING
‘Synthetic down' is a synthetic micro fibre that has a similar insulating quality to and the low weight of real down, but is capable of withstands moisture better and is therefore machine washable and can lasts much longer. Examples are: Thermolite® Micro, Primaloft® and Supreme Micro Loft.
DOWN
The quality of down is graded in Fill Power. Simply put, the higher the Fill Power, the higher the tog rating, (the down's ability to bind air), and the higher the insulating capacity. The lowest score is 500 and the highest 900. The scale may also have a plus sign, e.g. Fill Power 650+.
OTHER MATERIALS
COTTON
Pure cotton garments are primarily made for calm activities and warm climates. Despite drying slowly and being relatively heavy, cotton items still have there space in any clothes collection. Natural cotton fabric gives a superb feeling against the skin.
MT
MT is a mixture of micro thin fibres of polyamide and cotton, which gives a brushed soft feeling. The material is both light weight and hard wearing but still with a comfortable and cool cotton feeling. The fabric is UV-protecting, to some degree water repellent, dries quickly, is practically wrinkle free and it is very ventilating despite having a tight weave.
TRAVEL DRY TECH
TDT is a synthetic material that works well in warm, damp climates. It has the ability to quickly spread any moisture over a large surface allowing the fabric to dry faster. The material is light, flexible and resistant against UV-rays.
GLOVE MATERIALS
The outer materials and linings of the gloves sold by Outnet are already mentioned above: Polartec® Power Dry®, Dryskin®, Polartec® Micro, Polartec® Power stretch®, Polartec® Thermal Pro®, Polartec® Windpro®, Gore WINDSTOPPER®, Gore-Tex® XCR and Gore-Tex® PacLite. For reinforcement and better grip manufacturers use: Clarino®, Schoeller®, Pittards® Armor-tan goat, Exol goat-leather and Silicon Suede.
FABRICS AND MATERIALS IN
RUCKSACKS, SLEEPING BAGS AND TENTS
Most manufacturers choose to make their ‘hard wearing' products in all synthetic materials that vary in thickness, durability and weight. The term Denier, often shortened just D, is a guideline of how strong/durable a fabric is, e.g. 600D or 30D. A product with the strongest weave is not necessarily the most durable. To withstand different strains and weather conditions the construction is just as important, for example in tents. To make the fabrics waterproof they are impregnated or alternatively PU- or Silicone treated. Below are some of the most common fabrics from the products that Outnet sell:
RUCKSACK FABRICS
A rucksack has to be both light and durable, which puts the manufacturers to the test. Depending on the primary use of the rucksack different materials are often mixed to achieve the best result. If durability is the most important factor then thicker materials can be used, for example, in the bottom panels. In other designs the weight takes preference and durability comes in second place.
Examples of rucksack fabrics: 1000D Kodra, 840D BALLISTIC® Polyamide, 630D Oxford polyamide, 600D Polyester, 500D Dupont Cordura®, 450D POLYTEX® Diamond DTY, 420D HT Dupont Cordura® Twill, 300D Polyester, 210D UTS Polyamide, 170D Dupont Cordura® and 70D Shadowbox nylon.
SLEEPING BAG FABRICS
Sleeping bags should also be light weight, but they do not have to be as hardwearing as rucksacks. These fabrics are instead designed to allow good air circulation and ‘down tightness', meaning that the down doesn't escape out of the sleeping bag. Any moisture should also quickly spread to a larger area and thus evaporate fast.
Examples of fabrics: 210D Oxford polyamide, 20D M564, 40D PERFORMAC®, 30D R488, 20D R591, 20D H379 and DRYSKIN®.
SLEEPING BAG FILLINGS
These vary between manufacturers, but most brands have both down- and synthetic sleeping bags in their collections.
Examples of fillings: Down, Trifusion® insulation, Thermolite® extra, Thermolite® Quallofill and Supreme Micro Loft.
TENT FABRIC & FLOORING
Tent fabrics should be light but at the same time extremely hard wearing. The correct design is crucial to make a tent both durable and strong. In addition, different fabrics have different jobs to do - e.g. the inner tent should allow the air through but the outer tent and floor must keep any moisture out.
Examples of fabrics: 70D Oxford polyamide, 70D Polyester, 70D Polyamide, 40D Polyamide ripstop, 30D Polyester ripstop, Kerlon 1800, Kerlon 1200 and Kerlon SP.
