How to judge the protective performance of outdoor fabrics

The protective performance of outdoor fabrics refers to their ability to shield or repel various external factors. There are four main aspects to determine the protective performance of outdoor fabrics: waterproofing, breathability, wind resistance, and UV resistance.

1、 Waterproof performance

Waterproof performance refers to the ability of a fabric to resist water and moisture. Usually, water pressure method is used for testing. The testing method is to fix the sample on a water pressure tester, continuously increase the water pressure, and measure the time and water pressure value of the sample's water seepage. In outdoor sports, clothing must have waterproof properties to protect the human body from rainwater. Among them, waterproof film is the technology used by most outdoor fabrics, which can cause water droplets to gather and slide off in a ball shape on the fabric.

2、 Breathability

Breathability refers to the ability of a fabric to maintain dryness through the moisture of the fabric in humid and humid environments. Usually, the permeability pressure method is used for testing. The testing method is to place the sample material into a moisture permeability measuring device, measure the pressure difference during moisture absorption, and calculate the air permeability. Good outdoor fabrics need to have both waterproof and breathable properties to ensure that they can still maintain human comfort in extreme weather conditions.

3、 Windproof performance

Wind resistance refers to the ability of a fabric to prevent or reduce wind. Wind tunnel tests are usually used for testing. The testing method is to place the sample in a wind tunnel and expose it to the wind to measure the wind speed on its surface. The windproof performance of outdoor fabrics is related to their texture, and the tighter and thicker the fabric, the higher its windproof ability. Therefore, choosing high-quality fabrics for outdoor activities can effectively prevent cold winds.

4、 UV protection performance

The anti ultraviolet performance of outdoor fabrics refers to the ability of the fabric to prevent harmful ultraviolet rays to the human body. Usually, the UV transmittance method is used for testing. The testing method is to place the sample material into a UV transmittance measuring device and measure the transmitted ultraviolet radiation. Especially in scenes such as high mountains, plateaus, and deserts, ultraviolet radiation will be stronger, and the solar energy accumulation effect will be stronger. Therefore, it is particularly important to choose fabrics with UV protection functions.

In summary, the protective performance of outdoor fabrics is the result of various performance tests, and consumers can choose based on their own usage needs and fabric performance. At the same time, the maintenance of the fabric is also very important to extend its service life. It is usually recommended to avoid using brushes for washing, avoid using bleach and strong drying, but it can also be operated according to the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer.