MAY/JUNE 1999 - DEFINITIVE PROOF
The spring issue of World Sports
Activewear magazine, which is published in England, has a very interesting
article, which is actually a report "Condensation Can Be Systematic," by
Julie Gretton. In essence the results are definitive, classifying all
materials as both waterproof and breathable (wpb). I quote: "The heated
dish test [first they did testing in a laboratory and then in the field]
indicated that the transport properties of microporous polymers were
detrimentally affected by the formation of condensation and allowed much
condensation to accumulate. Once condensation formed on the surface of a
microporous polymer, it could not easily be removed from the clothing
system because liquid water could not travel through the pore network."
Working with doctors involved in wilderness medicine one learns how
important it is to eliminate body perspiration. If you are generating lots
of perspiration, it is initially a vapor. If the vapor molecules band
together they make liquid. Therefore, if you are wearing a garment with
the supposed wpb properties, we now know they inhibit the flow of vapor
and cause condensation on the interior of the garment. In addition we find
that the water now gets into our clothing. Once the water is in the
clothing it reduces the insulation value of the clothing. The researchers
used fleece garments, with and without windstopper treatment. They found
the fleece that with the windstopper treatment caused greater amounts of
condensation, on the side of the garment facing the body. The windstopper
is a polymer material that has been laminated to the fleece.
I could go on and on about why these wpb materials don't perform,
so I will not be redundant. I will say that I am happy to see science
demonstrate the truth. I should also like to point out that advertisements
for Gore-Tex are conspicuous by their absence from outdoor-related
publications such as Backpacker.
WATER REPELLENT TREATMENT
Almost two years ago I introduced a
wash-in water-repellent treatment. In view of the poor performance of the
materials sold as wpb, water-repellent treatments have become more
important. In order to keep an expensive rain garment working as a
water-repellent garment, you have to treat it with a water-repellent. Do
not expect a water-repellent to last forever. The chemical attaches to, or
bonds with, the fiber from which the fabric is constructed. Laundering
will deplete the water- repellent, hence the need for re-water-repellent
treatment periodically.
How do you know when to re-treat the garment, when the fabric no longer
sheds water? The water-repellent treatment does not inhibit the natural
vapor permeability of the fabric. It does not clog the holes or spaces
between the yarns. It is for this reason you will be more comfortable in a
rain situation with a garment which is made from a fabric that is not
coated or laminated to any film. If you happen to own a rain garment that
is laminated to a film, which is no longer keeping the rain out, just
treat it with my water-repellent. An 8-ounce bottle is $15.00.
ANTIBACTERIAL FINISH ON FABRICS
Sometime ago I wrote about the
antibacterial finishes being put on fabrics. The purpose is to inhibit the
growth of germs that cause odor. According to an article in the trade
publication SPORTS TREND, clothing items labeled "antibacterial" are
poised to take off. The EPA is clarifying what manufacturers can and can
not say about these garments. The antibacterial agents are pesticides and,
therefore, fall under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA). The EPA is not concerned that consumers are placing a poison
against their skin, which I suspect will be absorbed if you sweat. They
are only concerned with what the manufacturer can and can not say in
advertising.
To fight, if you will, the EPA, the fabric producers created the
Antimicrobial Treated Article Coalition (ATAC). ATAC has developed an
acceptable product claim, which will, I suppose, appear on a hangtag with
each garment: " Antibacterial properties are built-in to inhibit the
growth of bacteria that may affect this product. The antibacterial
properties do not protect users or others against bacteria, virus, germs
and other disease organisms. Always clean and wash this product thoroughly
before and after each use." The last sentence caused me to shake my head.
We experience lots of unexplained illnesses these days, could this be one
of the causes?
EXCITING NEWS
I am very pleased to announce that Lamilite insulation
is now being used in boots. I am working with a very old company
(established 1879), Herman Survivors. They have tried everything that all
of their competitors use and found the insulation's to be poor at best. I
explained to Anthony De Paulo, president of the company how the Lamilite
works, as well as its success for the past 12 years in demonstrating that
it is the best insulating medium on the planet for use in sleeping bags
and clothing. I also stated that it would do the same for footwear, citing
how well my mukluks perform. He requested sample yardage and a program
developed.
All boot manufacturers have used foam as insulation. The drawback is
foam's ability to absorb moisture. With vapor coming from your feet, as it
does from the rest of your body, getting trapped in the foam, it
condenses, forms water and draws heat as is explained in the article's
first section, if the conditions are cold enough the moisture in the boot
will freeze; hence, you have an icebox around your feet.
Then there is a version of Thinsulate 3-M makes; they have made
different types of Thinsulate for various applications. The boot is a very
dense, stiff type. It collapses easily and quickly. Once this occurs,
whatever insulating quality it had is gone; and it also traps the
moisture. The Lamilite is very different; it never collapses. When you put
your foot into a Lamilite-insulated boot the Lamilite surrounds your foot
the same as it does with our sleeping bags and clothing, which many of you
have experienced, since you own these products. The vapor permeability of
the Lamilite is legendary, so moisture is never left in the boot. It will
condense in the leather, an action that can not be helped. The fact that
you're skin surface is dry means that your feet stay warmer longer. From
my own personal experience the only socks I recommend are the Smartwool
brand. They have proven to perform better than any other brand I have ever
worn at moving moisture from the foot to the outside surface of the sock.
It is very important to wear this type of sock. It aids the performance of
the boot. We will have both ten-inch and six-inch height models for fall
sales. I expect delivery in late July. Pricing will range from
approximately $125.00 TO $150.00.
