The basic function what the clothing has to fulfill, is a thermic isolation and humidity draining. It is interesting that this type of clothing was known to a few enthusiasts only ten years ago. A synthetic fibre, which forms a base of functional clothing, brought a revolution in materials. A standard fibre has its diameter riund, whereas synthetic fibre can be manufactured in profiled diameter (five-lobular).  In its section, it seems as a small star, so its surface is much higher (twice). The essential need is, to drain, by means of a fibre, the humidity from the body. It is effected in such a way that the humidity „slides“ between lobules along fibre surface and evaporates away quickly.

Knitting material has a special structure keeping the air-layer, which makes thermic isolation. Part of the air is circulating, and helps to evaporating of humidity. Knitting materials, as well as functioning materials, are manufactured in various combinations with traditional materials. There is no problem to find it for any sports, in various thickness and to different temperatures. It is a practise that the seams  at these clothings are flat. Some producers do not put the seams on exposed places at all. It is truth that synthetic materials do not accept water, so they dry very good, there is no problem to dip it – in extremely hard conditions – the material is dried very soon.

The advantages of synthetic fibres: no soaking, quick transfer of humidity from the body, quick drying. Clothing volume as well as weight are not  enlarged – after dipping of moisture.The clothing is not chilly and keeps thermal level, even after your sports activity is terminated. Further good feature of these materials – it is its long vitality. On the other hand, its disadvantage is a fact that the fibre is more inclined to mechanical destruction, extraction or tearing, however, it is often attached to dry slide-fastener.

Used materials:

POP – Polyprophylen

This material is characterized by low weight, absence of soaking and low thermal conductivity. The fibre is hard, resistant against moulds and bacteria. It is resistant also against acids and hydroxides, the fibres do not accept pollution. Washing is easy, however in temperature scale from 40-60 Celsius degrees. As to disadvantages: it is limited choice of colours, the fibre is bad for colouring (white, blue, black). This is caused by a fact that the colour must be inside the fibre just in a moment of production.

PES – Polyester

It is most used synthetic material. Polyester is slightly soaked but the fibres are sufficiently hard and are to be coloured on surface. Its weight is twice so high and rather higher thermal conductivity. Washing is rather difficult but many times easier as in case of cotton.

Wool

Wool has high size of thermal isolation. It is rather heavy for manufacturing, but in combination with twinlayer knitting and wool an interesting piece is created. The humidity is leaved to the wool and it is evaporated successively. However, wool is very hard for washing and maintaining. It is suitable for temperature scale + 10 – 20 Celsius degrees.

Cotton

Cotton is used less at present, but it could return back on the market of function clothing in the future. There are produced various modifications. The essential matter is, to take good clothing and compose right clothing layers. In a lower part, would you lay the clothing, taking away your perspiration quickly and keeping you dry. Further layer would be more warm but accepting the humidity (moisture) and transporting it ahead.  We recommend to take upper layer thinner, or two thinner layers, better as one thicker. The layers can be added each other. Attention – do not put something non-functional  among functional materials, the final effect will be destructed. If you, for instance, put on your functional tricot a cotton tricot!

If you layers are well put together, it is possible to leave away the layers consequently, and so the temperature can be better regulated.

So, it is not a case if you have none thick sweater only.

Text: Pavel Faustus

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