Membrane suit
Comfortable, light and practical clothing is necessary for both adults and children. A membrane suit is a good choice for the off-season and winter. It protects against wind, rain and snow, allows the body to "breathe" and guarantees comfort when worn.
Membrane clothing is widely used in the creation of sports and tourist clothing and equipment. It is also ideal for city walks.
Advantages and disadvantages of membrane tissue
The advantages of the membrane are obvious.
- Ease and convenience. Clothing made from this material is almost weightless. It provides freedom of movement and comfort even during active sports.
- Wind and water resistance. Membrane fabric does not let the wind through, reliably protects from rain and snow.
- Vapor permeability. The membrane removes body vapors to the outside, not letting cold air into the clothes.
- Versatility. Membrane clothing is ideal for the off-season, but it can also be worn in the winter.
- Wear resistance. Membrane fabric is highly durable. With proper care, it retains its excellent appearance and properties for a long time. Also, the membrane is able to repel dirt. Contaminants are removed from the fabric in one easy movement with a damp sponge or paper handkerchief.
However, membrane tissue also has a number of disadvantages.
- Special care.To preserve the properties of the protective layer, such clothing needs cleaning under special conditions.
The membrane should not be dried near heating devices, wrung out in a washing machine. Delicate washing with a gentle spin without twisting is acceptable. It is also not recommended to use detergents with bleach.
- Inability to warm up. The membrane itself is not a heater. Due to the preservation of heat and moisture resistance, a person does not sweat or get wet. This reduces the risk of freezing. But the heat transfer of the membrane depends on the number of layers worn under outerwear. Enough linen for the off-season. In colder weather, it is necessary to put on a second layer - "underwear" of fleece or wool.
It is also important to remember that underwear should not be cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture, preventing it from evaporating through the membrane. The best option would be underwear made of semi-synthetic fabrics or special thermal underwear.
- Inability to withstand extremely low temperatures. The maximum temperature at which you can wear products from the membrane does not exceed -20 ° C. In severe frost, the surface of the fabric may lose its unique properties.
Who is membrane clothing suitable for? First of all, jackets and overalls made of this fabric are ideal for active sports. Children's products for mobile kids are also in demand. For children who love to run, jump, play in the snow and often come from a walk sweaty, the membrane is a real find.
Technology
Gore-Tex, like other types of membranes, consists of numerous microscopic pores. Due to this, moisture cannot get inside the product, and evaporation is freely discharged to the outside.
For maximum water protection, membrane clothing is equipped with water-repellent zippers. The seams are glued or soldered.
Products from Gore-Tex include three layers. This is the outer coating, the membrane itself and the lining.
The outer layer is coated with a special Durable Water Repellent compound. It increases the wear resistance of the fabric and its water-repellent properties. Over time, the top coating is wiped off and stops retaining drops of water on the surface of the fabric. The membrane still does not allow water to pass through, but can no longer bring all the fumes out. Condensation forms and the wearer feels that the product has begun to get wet.
Fashion trends
A waterproof membrane suit is a universal option. Walking, country rest, sports, fishing or hiking - for any of these activities you can find a suitable model among the range of membrane products.
Demi-season and winter suits for kids are one-piece overalls. Costumes for adults and older children usually consist of a jacket and trousers or semi-overalls.
Children's models usually have a colorful appearance. They can be decorated with embroidery and other decorative elements.
The range of adult models is wide. Suits for fishing, hunting and tourism are usually made in soothing, dark colors for reasons of practicality.
Membrane suits for sports and socks in the city are represented by manufacturers and models of neutral colors, and suits of bright, saturated colors.
Some models are equipped with a drawstring in the waist area. This allows you to visually reduce the volume of the jacket and emphasize the waist, which is especially important for girls.Also, this detail increases heat transfer and protects against the penetration of wind into the clothing.
Jackets for tourism and sports are usually fastened with a zipper. In some models, it is equipped with a windproof bar. Suits meant to be worn in the city may have a button-down jacket.
Many winter models are decorated with natural or artificial fur trim. The fur gives the jacket a special charm and acts as an additional protection against the cold wind.
Suits with detachable sleeves are an original and practical option. In this case, the jacket can also serve as a vest. Such a suit is indispensable in an unstable climate with frequently changing weather conditions.
How to choose
When choosing a membrane suit, it is important to pay attention to some points.
- Quality tailoring and fittings. It is necessary to check the operability of the zippers, the condition of the Velcro, the presence of internal pockets, elastic cuffs, latches. It is also worth making sure that the seams are sealed or taped.
The lining must be of good quality. Membrane clothes are usually designed for three seasons (autumn, winter and spring). A suit designed for maximum mobility may have a silk lining. Models with fleece are suitable for calm walks. If the lining is missing at least in the pockets, it is better to refuse to purchase the product.
- Temperature regime. It is important to pay attention to the maximum operating temperature of the product indicated on the label.
- Comfort. During the fitting, you should move around in the suit, raise your arms, put on and fasten the hood, try to sit down. The suit should be comfortable to wear and allow freedom of movement.
Do not take too narrow a model.It is worth remembering that heat is retained in the air gap that forms between the layers of clothing.
Brand news
One of the most popular manufacturers of membrane suits for fishing, hunting, sports and just outdoor recreation is the Norfin brand from Latvia. The kits of this manufacturer are thought out to the smallest detail, they are distinguished by functionality, convenience and high water resistance.
Red Fox is another famous brand. The Russian company has earned a good reputation due to the production of inexpensive and high-quality membrane products.
As for children's suits made of membrane, today the products of the Finnish concern Reima are very popular.
It produces clothes of 4 brands. The most famous in Russia are Reima and Lassie. Both brands include a wide range of insulated and lightweight models for different weather conditions.