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Equipment for outdoor activities requires specific materials to ensure protection, comfort and durability. Knowing them is essential for choosing the right clothes and shoes. Lepape explores these concepts and the latest technologies used by renowned brands such as The North Face and Patagonia.
The impermeability of a material refers to its ability to completely prevent water from penetrating through it. Waterproof jackets and shoes keep hikers dry even in heavy rain. A typical example is textiles containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), often combined with waterproof membranes.
Water repellency differs from waterproofness in that it refers to a fabric’s ability to repel water from its surface. This property allows water to glide over the fabric rather than seep through. Water repellency is often achieved by a chemical treatment applied to the outer fabric.
The membrane is one of the components of the hiking jacket that makes it waterproof, and serves as layer 3 (in the lexical field of hiking). It provides protection against external elements such as wind, rain or snow.
Gore Tex is a membrane bonded to fabric, known for its exceptional waterproofing and breathability. It uses a membrane made of expanded PTFE, filled with microscopic pores smaller than a drop of water but large enough to let water vapor through. These pores are the strength of GORE-TEX fabrics, making them waterproof, flexible, breathable and windproof.
The brands that use this membrane are leading outdoor brands. Gore Wear, Salomon, Millet, Patagonia, The North Face, Brooks, Lowa etc. Footwear, jackets, pants, gloves, hats – a wide range of outdoor sports equipment is equipped with this membrane.
FutureLight represents a new generation of membranes developed by The North Face. This is a nanofilament method, which creates a porous structure and improves breathability without compromising waterproofing. Products equipped with FutureLight feature tight seams. They are flexible and lightweight, offering unrivalled comfort.
See all The North Face models with FutureLight technology
DryVent, another innovative technology used mainly by The North Face, guarantees an excellent combination ofwaterproofing, wind resistance and breathability. These membranes feature multiple layers and treatments to maximize protection against the elements while ensuring comfort. DryVent makes it possible to create waterproof, windproof and breathable products. They are also treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellency), which allows water to bead up on the surface of the fabric.
H2No is an exclusive waterproof and breathable fabric used by Patagonia in its garments. H2No is available in 2L, 2.5L and 3L raincoat constructions, adapting to different conditions and activities. H2No is a gas-permeable, waterproof structure that excels in all weather conditions.
Patagonia offers two options: H2No® Performance Standard and H2No® Performance Standard Shell. In both cases, products must meet a series of criteria to be considered fully waterproof, windproof and breathable.
Clothing and equipment for hiking must combine flexibility with resistance. The design of these products takes into account factors such asabrasion caused by the terrain and repetitive movements. For example, tough materials such as ripstop nylon are often used to reinforce areas subject to wear.
While waterproofness keeps water out, breathability allows internal moisture to escape, preventing sweat build-up. Breathable jackets use sophisticated membranes to facilitate this exchange. Coating, or the application of chemical layers, also plays a crucial role in maintaining performance while ensuring comfort.
Index for measuring the breathability of a garment:
In short, ripstop nylon is used for abrasion resistance, PTFE membranes for waterproofing and chemical treatments for water repellency.
Jackets with breathable membranes such as Gore-tex or FutureLight offer the best protection in extreme weather conditions. They are ideal for long hikes where comfort and protection are paramount. What’s more, modern designs often incorporate additional features such as zipped pockets and adjustable hoods.
Shoes equipped with gore tex membranes offer superior waterproofing without sacrificing breathability. This type of shoe is essential for hiking in wet or muddy terrain. Their design also includes sturdy soles for optimum grip and reinforcements to increase durability.
To determine which membranes best meet your needs, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with technical specifications such as water column (a measure of impermeability) and water vapor permeability (a measure of breathability). A high water column indicates better impermeability, while high water vapor permeability values indicate better breathability.
For intensive activities like mountaineering, a jacket with a high water column and optimized permeability would be preferable. For more everyday uses, such as hiking or forest walks, clothing with a moderate water column and good breathability is more than sufficient.
When choosing clothing or footwear for outdoor activities, consider the specific climatic and environmental factors of your outing. Knowing the type of weather you can expect, the duration of your activity and the level of potential wear will directly influence the type of materials and technologies you need. Think about layering too; a breathable base complemented by an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof outer layer generally optimizes protection.
Brands like The North Face and Patagonia have set high standards by integrating the most advanced technologies into their product ranges. Whether FutureLight membranes from
The North Face
membranes, known for their extreme lightness and flexibility, or the water-repellent treatments and recycled fabrics from
Patagonia
each brand offers unique solutions for protection against the elements.
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