Materials

What is Nylon (Polyamide) Fabric? How is it Used in Jackets and Outdoor Gear?

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What is Nylon (Polyamide) Fabric? How is it Used in Jackets and Outdoor Gear?

To some, we might have started out our series on fabrics that are used in jackets and outdoor gear a bit upside down, as we first went through fabric technologies and compared several of the most popular ones to each other, and only recently turned to actual fabrics that make up jackets, outdoor gear and the fabric technologies used for them.

Not to worry, however, as we will cover all the bases, so that by the end of the fabric series those who are interested in learning more about the “hows” and “whys” of the different materials used in jackets and outdoor gear, can find that information on our site.

So far we have looked at Polyester and Elastane as two common materials that can be found in outdoor products, and it’s finally time to look at Nylon, which, along with Polyester, are the two staple fabrics used in jackets and many other outdoor gear and clothing.

Similarly to what we did for Elastane and Polyester, in this article we will be learning more about Nylon, how it came to be and the reasons why it is so widely used.

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What is Elastane (Spandex) Fabric? How Is It Used In Jackets?

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What is Elastane (Spandex) Fabric? How Is It Used In Jackets?

Thinking about the jackets we wear on our day to day activities, the materials that most often come to mind are either Polyester or Nylon, and for good reason. Being two of the main fabrics used in jackets, nylon and polyester can be found in the majority of jackets, including those which are designed for high-performance.

Often part of specialized fabric technologies, nylon and polyester make up the laminating base for the membranes that are used in these technologies.

Cotton or wool might also come to mind, as they can be found in many jackets. Cotton, in particular, is used in several types of jackets and coats, from those suitable for milder weather, to those that are made to withstand the cold.

A material that does not really spring to mind right away is Elastane or also commonly referred to as Spandex, Lycra or Dorlastan.

In a recent article, which touched on the qualities and use of Polyester, we mentioned it being used alongside Elastane in jackets, which is quite an important material for several types of jackets, as you will see during this article.

Today we will learn a bit more about this material, its composition, how it came to be and, most importantly, how and why it is used in jackets.

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What is Polyester Fabric? How Is It Used in Jackets?

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What is Polyester Fabric? How Is It Used in Jackets?

Getting to know the details of a jacket that you are looking to purchase is the first step in ensuring that you are getting the right jacket for you.

One key element of a jacket, aside from its performance, is the fabric it is made of. The more expensive and the more specialized the type of jacket you are looking for, the higher the performance of its fabric.

In a previous article, we discussed the differences between Nylon and Polyester, as being the two main types of fabrics used in jackets.

Today we will be focusing solely on Polyester and take a better look at its qualities and the reason why it is so used in the making of jackets.

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Gore-Tex® vs Sympatex Fabric Technology: Which One is Better?

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Gore-Tex vs Sympatex Fabric Technology: Which One is Better?

With the bad weather upon us, and knowing that it will continue getting worse before it gets any better, we all turn to our jackets and outdoor clothing to keep us warm and dry in such conditions.

While there is certainly no shortage of winter clothing out there, not all of them perform the same and as such, they come with certain features such as being waterproof, water-resistant, windproof, and so on, all terms that we are sure you have come across before.

The material and design of a jacket are what give it all of the abilities we mentioned above. By material, we don’t solely mean polyester, nylon, cotton, or any other type of normal fabric out there. While some of those might provide some level of protection, when it comes to wet and unstable weather those fabrics cannot cope on their own.

Enter fabric technologies. These fabrics are specially made to withstand heavy rain, snow blizzards, harsh winds, and wear and tear. But that is not all, as these fabrics are also designed to be breathable, a very important quality, especially for sports clothing.

In some of our previous fabric technology comparisons, we used Gore-Tex®, the most renowned waterproof technology, as the point of reference for other technologies.

Today we will do the very same, as we look at Sympatex, an eco-friendly fabric technology that is a newcomer on our site, as it has not been featured in any previous reviews or selections.

Let’s get started!

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DryVent vs HyVent: The Two Technologies Explained

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DryVent vs HyVent: The Two Technologies Explained

Fabric technologies are not a new thing by any means. They have been around for quite some time, with Gore-Tex being one of the pioneers of these special fabrics.

We have extensively looked at some different fabric technologies that are used nowadays in jackets and other outdoor garments. We have compared them to each other in order to provide a better understanding of how they work and how they affect the performance of a jacket.

One of these fabric technologies that we have looked at before, too, is DryVent™ by The North Face.

Now, you may know this already but HyVent and DryVent are not two different fabric technologies that we will be comparing to see which one is the better option. They are, in fact, the same technology.

HyVent was renamed and redesigned as DryVent a couple of years prior, but at the core, it maintained the same functionality principles and performance characteristics.

Today we will be taking a look at how exactly the newer design, DryVent differs from its predecessor and go a bit more in-depth about the technology itself and how it performs, as well as the different types it comes in.

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H2No vs Gore-Tex® Technology: Which is Better?

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H2No vs Gore-Tex® Technology: Which One Is Better?

Fabric technologies have been around for decades now, with Gore-Tex® being one of the earliest options to have been created.

Considered to be the staple of the fabric technology industry, we have, for weeks now, been comparing Gore-Tex® to other waterproof and breathable membranes, in order to get to know the options available and ultimately decide which ones are the best.

So far we have looked at a variety of not only fabric technologies but fabric binding technologies too, such as OutDry.

Today it’s time for another comparison, that between H2No and Gore-Tex®.

First, let’s get to know each one a little better and then dive right into the differences and how they compare to each other.

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Columbia Omni-Tech vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which One Is Better?

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Columbia Omni-Tech vs Gore-Tex Technology: Which One Is Better?

We are on the topic of fabric technologies, once again. Learning more about fabric technologies is an important step in better understanding how a jacket will perform.

It’s also useful knowledge when it comes to buying a new jacket, as you will know exactly what to look for, by knowing what you expect from your jacket and what fabric fulfills your requirements best.

In our previous comparisons on different fabric technologies, Gore-Tex® has been used as the point of reference, to which we compared the newcomer fabrics.

In this comparison, we will do the same thing, by comparing Gore-Tex® to Omni-Tech™.

The main purpose of these comparisons is to help you get a better understanding of what the technicalities mean and how the fabrics actually measure up to each other, the end point of which being to determine which would be the better option.

We chose Omni-Tech™ as it is considered a good alternative to Gore-Tex®, especially so for its price. If there is one thing Gore-Tex has, that all other fabric technologies beat, is its price, which is why a lot of people shy away from jackets made of it.

So what’s one to do if a quality jacket that withstands weather conditions, but can also breathe, is required? Turn to alternatives, of course.

Let’s take a look.

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