What Are The Waterproof Fabrics For Outdoor Clothing?

Waterproof fabrics are used in most outdoor clothing to meet the basic need for waterproofing for outdoor activities,they are widely used in our outdoor clothing, waterproof jackets, ski jackets, 3 in 1 jackets, 3 layer jackets, softshell jackets, padded jackets, down jackets, rain jackets, etc.

1. Mont-bell's three-stage waterproof fabric

As the world's leading waterproof jacket manufacturer, mont-bell understands that the requirements for a quality waterproof jacket are not simply "waterproof", but that different people have different requirements for breathability, weight, folded volume and price. The mont-bell uses three different waterproof fabrics for different purposes.

2. GORE-TEX 　　

The highly acclaimed GORE-TEX is the choice for top quality jackets because of its high performance in both waterproofing and breathability. Gore-Tex itself is a very thin layer of expanded Poly-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene (ePTFE) film laminated to the fabric.

It is characterised by 1.4 billion pores per square inch, each of which is only one-twentieth the size of a water drop but 700 times larger than a water vapour molecule, allowing only water vapour to pass through but not water spots. The fabric used in the mont-bell is also lighter and more breathable than other companies' products.

3. Dry-Tec waterproof and breathable membrane 　　

For those who require extreme lightness, mont-bell has developed Dry-Tec, a waterproof fabric with a water pressure of up to 30,000mm, comparable to GORE-TEX, and a breathability of up to 6,000 g/24hrs, while being 1/3 lighter than GORE-Tex and nearly half the folded volume.

It is a new generation of super PU-based waterproof and breathable membranes developed by mont-bell itself. Its secret is a three-layer construction that combines PolyUrethane and Ceramic technologies. The bottom layer is an extremely tough membrane that binds the fabric and resists water pressure, with micro-pores as small as 0.1 mm.

This unique structure gives the Dry-Tec an exceptional waterproof and breathable performance, while being lighter in weight. The Dry-Tec has a very small folded volume and is very resistant to washing and abrasion, making it ideal for the active sportsman.

(1 mm is 1/1000 mm) 　　

4. Hydro Breeze-PXTM 　　

For practical applications, MontBell has chosen Hydro Breeze waterproof fabric. It is a material developed by Montbell for a new generation of practical all-weather jackets, based on Montbell's renowned Hydropro waterproof membrane, but with a 0.1mm breathable micro-pore.

1mm breathable micro-pores. Again, the micro-pores are sized to allow only perspiration to pass through and to keep out water droplets. Waterproof to 20,000mm of water pressure and breathable to 4000g/24hrs, it is more breathable than normal waterproof rainwear. Hydro Breeze is also lighter and softer than other tarpaulins, and is highly resistant to washing, retaining a water resistance of 15,000mm after 20 washes.

The new generation of Hydro Breeze-PX is even more resistant to abrasion and folding than before, making it an ideal choice for heavyweight wind and rainproof clothing. (1 mm is 1/1000mm)

5、GORE Dry Loft 　　

The GORE Dry Loft is a fabric developed by Gore using GORE-TEX fabric technology for down jackets.

Gore researchers found that down jackets need fabrics that are highly breathable, so that sweat can escape quickly and not be absorbed by the down, and that they can withstand heavy snowstorms. It is more breathable than normal Gore-Tex fabrics, yet can withstand winds of up to 32km/h and has a high water repellence to keep out snow.

The mont-bell's specially selected 40D ripstop nylon face fabric is particularly soft, making the jacket feel less bulky. (All Dry Loft jackets are not stitched with rainproof tape as it only snows, not rains, in cold weather.) 　　

6、3M Thinsulate 　　

The United States 3M company produced the extra-thin thermal insulation cotton. It is made up of Olefin fibres that are only a fraction of the size of a hair. Its insulation principle is that the surface tension of the microfibre layer holds the molecules of air in place, making its insulation capacity much higher than that of its thicker down or through-core cotton.

7. Climaplus - mont-bell's new concept in wool 　　

The Climaplus collection is the result of mont-bell's search for the best lining fabrics from around the world, and aims to bring together the best of the world's leading lining mills, including modern lining pioneers Malden (Polartec) in the USA, Huntingdon (Yukon 2000) in Canada and others. Other world class woollen cloth mills have created the best collection of garments.

The overall performance of Climaplus is the ideal alternative to wool as it offers high insulation, low water absorption, quick drying, lightness, softness and no linting. 　　

Climaplus is available in three grades: 　　

Climaplus 300 is thick and fluffy for optimal warmth. 　　

Climaplus 200 is a medium-weight wool, light and soft, mainly used as a general outer covering.

Climaplus 100 Lightweight, mainly used as lining and collar. 　　

8. ClimaproTM 　　

A new generation of windproof lining developed by mont-bell in collaboration with Malden in the USA. The old windproof lining was constructed using a windproof membrane sandwich, which made the lining stiff and uncomfortable, but Climapro uses a tightly woven base fabric as a windproof layer, which protects against over 95% of strong winds, while keeping the fabric soft and breathable.

The Climapro uses a long and short inner and outer hair structure, with the long hair on the inner layer quickly wicking away sweat, while the short hair on the outer layer helps to spread sweat quickly on the surface, allowing it to dry more quickly. In addition, the Climapro has a water-repellent finish on the face, which makes it less likely for rain or snow to penetrate and improves insulation.

9. Climalight TM 　　

A lightweight, windproof and insulating material with a two-layer construction. The top layer is a lightweight 45D nylon fabric with wind and water repellent properties, while the lining is a soft polyester fleece that wicks away perspiration while keeping the body dry.

10、ChameeceTM ultra-thin fleece lining 　　

The researchers at mont-bell felt that although normal woollen lining has good performance, it is too bulky to fold and is only suitable for use in jackets. They wanted a fabric that could be used as a jacket or shirt in mild weather, and as a vest in cold weather. Years of research led to the development of the Chameece ultra-thin wool lining.

Using the latest microfibre technology, the yarn is 1/6th the size of a hair and is woven in a tight weave with an anti-odour treatment. It is thinner, softer, more windproof than other thick wool, with less bulk in the fold and no less warmth than thick wool. Chameece is a combination of the words Chamois (soft lambskin) and Fleece.

11. Oxford / Oxford Light 　　

A fabric developed by mont-bell researchers to make lightweight jackets and shorts, it is an Oxford fabric made from nylon yarns with a relaxed surface and treated with SR water repellent to create a super fabric that is as soft and airy as cotton, but quick drying, hardwearing and mildew resistant.

mont-bell calls it Oxford Dry, which stands for quick-drying Oxford fabric. In addition to shorts, Oxford Dry is also used to make lightweight windproof jackets and field hats.

In addition to being quick-drying and hard-wearing, Oxford Dry has other advantages: 　　

1) Non-odour absorbing: no odour even after several days of wear.

2) Stain resistant: Oxford Dry is an inert material that does not adhere to any stains and is very easy to clean. 　　

3) Durable: Oxford Dry is inherently hard-wearing, tear-resistant and wash-resistant, making it several times more durable than ordinary cotton. 　　

Oxford Light is a lighter version of Oxford Dry, with the same benefits as Oxford Dry but lighter and lighter.

12. Bisurface Stretch hiking pant material 　　

mont-bell's latest fabric for hiking and climbing trousers is a double weave, with a tightly woven nylon face and a polyurethane (PU) blend for added elasticity and abrasion resistance and water repellency.

It has a high elasticity and is absolutely non-restrictive. The inner layer is a semi-towel-like polyester fabric with a sweatband treatment to enhance perspiration absorption and breathability. It has the advantages of knitted fabric, but it is more resistant to abrasion and tearing than normal knitted fabric, and has the advantages of wind resistance, water repellence, perspiration absorption, quick drying, etc. It will not deform after long wear and washing.