Membrane jacket

Membrane jacket

Membrane tissue - what is it

The membrane itself is a microscopic film with special wind and water repellency properties, but capable of passing water vapor. It is welded or glued to the upper part of the fabric using a special technology. This is how membrane tissue is obtained. The skin in the membrane jacket breathes and sweat is brought out.

Specifications

The main characteristics of the membranes - waterproof and breathable properties.

  • Water tightness is the water pressure that the membrane can withstand.
  • Breathable properties - the amount of evaporation that passes through the tissue per unit of time.

Distinguish between pore membranes, besorovye and combined.

The pore membrane consists of the smallest pores. When we sweat, the sweat molecule becomes water vapor and goes up through the pores. Water can not seep inside because a drop of water is much larger in size. This fabric is delicate and should be carefully cared for. If the withdrawal is insufficient, the membrane deteriorates in a short time - the pores become blocked, the breathing properties deteriorate.

Poreless membranes do not have pores. The evaporation, rising to the inner surface of the membrane, is deposited there and, due to active diffusion, is brought to the outer surface. So, a jacket with such a membrane will last for a long time, does not need emergency care, and is designed for different temperature conditions. But its "breathing" properties below.

Combined membranes are a combination of pore and non-pore membranes. They combine the best of their properties, but the price of such membranes is extremely high.

pros

  1. The jacket from membrane fabric weightless and comfortable, does not constrain movements.
  2. It is very warm, if you are actively moving.
  3. Thanks to the breathing properties, the child will not sweat while you wear it. You can safely go to the store, bus or subway without fear of sweating and forgiveness.
  4. Due to the water-repellent properties you are not afraid of not only rain or snow, but also falling into a puddle.
  5. Dirt is easily cleaned with membrane jackets, no need to wash it every day.

Minuses

  1. The main disadvantage is the price. The membrane jacket is an expensive thing, especially when it comes to children growing very fast.
  2. Requires mandatory thorough care.
  3. Membrane jackets, especially pore ones, are short-lived, even with proper care.
  4. You can not wear anything under such a jacket. The bottom layer of clothing must be properly selected.
  5. Membrane jacket is not suitable for people who love everything natural.
  6. Heat in a jacket only when moving. If you plan to sit in a snowdrift or carry a child in a stroller, stop your choice on something else.

How to wash

First of all, carefully read the care recommendations on the jacket label and try to follow them.

But there are general rules for membranes. Membrane jackets cannot be washed with simple laundry detergents or soap - they clog the pores of the membrane, thereby deteriorating the breathing properties of the fabric. The same can be said about bleach and air conditioners. Laundry detergents containing chlorine increase the permeability of the fabric, thereby reducing water repellency. It is best to use special tools sold in sports stores.

Temperature control for the membrane - 30-40 degrees. Hand wash only, so as not to damage the fabric. Squeeze too hands, not twisting. You can not soak and iron. To dry the product, it is not hung, and straighten on a horizontal surface.

Technology

There are two categories of membranes - microporous and hydrophilic.

The technologically microporous membrane is a mechanically stretched Teflon that has turned into a drawn semi-crystalline film.

GORE-TEX

The most famous microporous membrane - GORE-TEX - quality, expensive, very breathable, with good water-repellent properties.

Nevertheless, it has a number of disadvantages:

  • Breathes worse than densely woven cotton.
  • Has not a very long life.
  • Expensive.
  • Rustles when moving.
  • With a strong pressure on the fabric, it begins to get wet.

The hydrophilic membrane is a very thin layer of polymer fabric with special properties. It does not have pores, respectively, pressure does not affect its water resistance. Dirt, dust and detergent do not clog the membrane. Such a membrane has full windproof and machine washable.

However, its breathable properties are initially much worse than those of microporous, and water-repellent ones generally lose much to GORE-TEX. Sympatex and Dermizax are the most famous brands of hydrophilic membranes.

EVENT membrane fabric

Fabric eVENT is created by a new technology. Our skin is oily by itself, and skin fat clogs the membrane. Therefore, all microporous membranes need a special stain-repellent impregnation. In eVENT technology, the base of the membrane - PTFE - is specifically modified chemically, with the result that the membrane itself acts as a grease repellent. So the pores of the membrane are not clogged with dirt, while remaining open.

The air permeability of such a membrane is often much higher than that of GORE-TEX. The manufacturer of such a membrane - the company Lowe Alpine.

How to choose

  1. As with any purchase, check all fasteners (zippers, velcro, hooks), seams and pockets. Everything should be smooth, neat and working. Well, if the seams taped.
  2. Determine why you need a jacket - to wear it everyday in the city or for tourism, mountaineering, training, and based on this, choose the level of waterproofness and breathable properties you need.
  3. Do not forget that the membrane is designed to move, otherwise it will be cold. Do not buy a membrane jumpsuit baby sitting in a wheelchair. In addition, clothing under a membrane jacket should also be special - thermal underwear and a fleece or wool sweater. If you don’t have them in your wardrobe, it makes sense to purchase them along with a jacket.
  4. Wear a jacket and move around in it. You should be comfortable. Pay attention to the collar and the hood - it must have ties that allow you to adjust it under your head. Do not forget - it is not the fabric that warms, but the layer of air between it and the body; the jacket should not be very tight.
  5. In areas of greatest friction, such as the bottom of the sleeve or the inner surface of the leg, the seams should be moved to one side or absent.

New brands

Desert DPM

The UK produces Desert DPM camouflage with a GORE-TEX membrane specifically for the army. Pay attention to the new model. Durable, comfortable, concise. Two chest pockets, "tractor" zipper, hood with hoods.

Columbia

No less well-known company Columbia offers a new model of windbreaker. The company works with the microporous membrane Omni-Tech. In the jacket taped seams, two pockets with zippers. The jacket can be folded and put away in a pocket.

Fashionable models and images.

Men's

Jacket Jack Wolfskin COULOMB

City jacket with a three-layer membrane fabric TEXAPORE O2 SOFTSHELL 3L. Comfortable and strong in all weather conditions.

Bergans Eidfjord Jacket

Norwegian model with a Bergans Element Active 3-layer membrane. You can both use for tourism and wear in the city. Ventilation of the armpits and conveniently located pockets with zippers.

Jacket The North Face Hype

To a very light (only 350g.) Jacket with a Gore-Tex membrane a spraying on the shoulders was added, providing additional durability. Lightning is laminated.

Women's

Mountain Equipment Tupilak Jacket

The lightest jacket (193 gr.) With a dri1 2,5L membrane, very breathable and functional. There is a fit for the figure, a few pockets, in the armpits - ventilation.

Norrona Bitihorn Gore-Tex Active Jacket

All-season jacket with a GORE-TEX Active Shell membrane, perfectly fitted to the body, breathable and comfortable, with ventilation of the armpits.

Baby

Set winter for the boy Crockid BK20017 / n5

Membrane kit with Fellex insulation. Removable hood, adjustment on the figure, reflective elements. Anatomical elements, snow skirts on pants.

Membrane winter set for the girl Slave

Overalls of the Canadian producer with protection against snow. Protection against wear, fleece lining on the back, hood and collar. DWR water repellent treatment. Temperature range from +5 to -30 degrees.

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