more moisture management nonsense

THE LATEST MIRACLE TO CONTROL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

The following information comes from the magazine SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW. Their motto as seen on the cover page is and I quote; “Trusted information through a century of change”. I take exception to their motto since I have read numerous articles about textile products that do not work. On occasion I have written to the author of the article if available asking “where the proof is”? I have never received an answer. The writers just want to support their members so they do not ask for proof.

Today I read an article about a product called HYDRO_BOT. HYDRO_BOT is and I quote; “a new technology for moisture management that transports moisture to match human sweat rates”. Osmotex AG a Swiss corporation makes this product. They are and I quote “dedicated to developing solutions for electro osmosis for moisture management”.

Wanting to get more information as to how this miracle works I went to their web site. What I found was the flowing; “HOW IT WORKS; HYDRO_BOT is able to pump up to 200 liter/m20 hour, electronically controlled and independent of climate conditions. This practically unlimited transport capability promises to grossly increase comfort, performance and safety compared to current passive clothing”.

Obviously it does not work as advertised because they state, “promises”. If it did work there would not be a need to say “promises”.

“ENHANSE YOUR PERFORMANCE- An individually controlled electronic moisture management system helps you stay dry”.The next comment from them gives a little more explanation as to why.

“MANAGE MOISTURE LIKE NEVER BEFORE- It is an active membrane that transports moisture extremely effective. No other solution on the market allows for a similar performance”. I completely agree there are no other products on the market that do what they say their product does and there product does do what all the other products do, nothing.

And finally; “Osmotex AG has developed a revolutionary proprietary technology for electronically controlled moisture transport in membranes and textiles”. So they too use a membrane, imagine that.

Further digging into the web site and accompanying web sites shows that they make panels that have electrical wires going to the panels that are covered with the membrane, not disclosed if it is Teflon like Gore-Tex or urethane. They further do not say if they have itsy bitsy fans in the panels or heating elements to drive the moisture out of the garment.

Do you think they have created their company name from the word osmosis? “OSMOSIS- the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions”. The name suggests what they would like to accomplish, something that they have not done thus far, nor will they ever.

They have sold this idea to a company also a Swiss company called KJUS that makes skiwear. I have never heard of them so I went to their web site and found they make a ski parka that retails for $3999.00. The insulation is both down and Primaloft which tells me it really doesn’t have insulation. They also brag about the zipper pull being made from carbon fiber. The same carbon fiber that I guess is used for Ferrari’s and other exotic cars, if you are wearing this jacket and you ski into a tree the zipper pull will not be damaged. They sell this garment to the oil barrens in the middle east, I guess.

I do not know what garments will have this stuff installed in them however I can assure you they will not be cheap. I can further assure you most of your sweat generated when you ski wearing one of these garments will stay in the garment.

There is always a market for these outlandish priced garments. Years ago I sold insulation to a wonderful fellow who produced very expensive skiwear, Ernst Engle. He made custom skiwear for the likes of Jackie Kennedy (she skied in Wiggy insulated skiwear). They were fashion statements not very sporty for actual skiing.

Will this be the last product to come on the market making the same ludicrous claim about “moisture management”? I think not, but others will try. After all is said and done fishnets will still reign supreme as the best layer of clothing to wear when you want to manage to let your moisture to get away from you.