Lexicon: B
Breathability
Breathability refers to the property of materials, especially in workwear and specifically in cold protective clothing, to transport moisture in the form of water vapor from the inside to the outside without allowing liquids from the outside to penetrate the material.
Physical work, especially in cold environments, often leads to the body sweating. If this sweat cannot escape, it accumulates, cools down, and can chill the wearer of the clothing. This can increase the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses.
How it Works:
Breathable materials have microscopic pores that are large enough to allow water vapor molecules to pass through but too small for larger water droplets from the outside. As a result, the wearer stays dry because sweat is released as water vapor to the outside, while rain or snow from the outside cannot penetrate.
Materials and Technologies:
Various synthetic materials like Gore-Tex or Polartec offer breathable properties. Natural materials like Merino wool are also known for their breathability. Advances in textile technology continually lead to new and improved breathable materials for workwear.
Physical work, especially in cold environments, often leads to the body sweating. If this sweat cannot escape, it accumulates, cools down, and can chill the wearer of the clothing. This can increase the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses.
How it Works:
Breathable materials have microscopic pores that are large enough to allow water vapor molecules to pass through but too small for larger water droplets from the outside. As a result, the wearer stays dry because sweat is released as water vapor to the outside, while rain or snow from the outside cannot penetrate.
Materials and Technologies:
Various synthetic materials like Gore-Tex or Polartec offer breathable properties. Natural materials like Merino wool are also known for their breathability. Advances in textile technology continually lead to new and improved breathable materials for workwear.