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It is obvious that nothing will look the same forever. But you can influence how much the clothes will be worn-out. Firstly, it is important to have more pieces of high-quality clothes in your wardrobe. The more you wear one piece of clothing, the more you have to wash it. The more you wash it, the shorter the lifetime will be. Therefore you shall:
We have already got used to the fact that the technical progress has influenced all fields of human activity including clothing for leisure time activities for which we need to keep warm but not to be sweated a lot and if so, not to be cooled by it and the sweat to be evaporated or drained to the outer layer of clothes very quickly.
These functions are provided by functional or thermo wear. Originally worn by professional sportsmen, thermo wear is nowadays worn also by common hikers and weekend sportsmen. Hard-core objectors to everything new will keep wearing cotton T-shirts and flannel shirts (and why not to) but for the rest of us it starts to be more and more difficult to orientate in the assortment of wear. So we present a few pieces of useful information.
Principle of functional wear is the use of so called wick effect. The fibre of which it is made does not or hardly soaks moisture and moisture is transported from the skin to the outer layer of clothing or to outside while using special surface and shapes of the fibre. The more increased body activity, the quicker moisture transport. Greater thermo comfort and chill prevention is ensured then. Moreover, a material that cools in summer is also available on the market.
The effect of quicker cooling effect can be reached by a special arrangement or enlarging fibre surface; this is used mainly in summer months or during indoor activities. Wool materials are, however, different as they use high rate of wool fibre soaking and moisture transport in a form of vapour. Functional wear is mostly the first, second, third or all layers (at multi-layered fabric) in the layer system of clothing. It happens very often that different types of material or more layers are used only on some parts of the wear (e.g. as a wind protection).
It is also necessary to feel well in the wear (the wear feels soft). The wear is to be dry quickly and not to cause allergic reactions. It shall be lightweight as well (small volume when packing it), easy care (washed in the washing machine, eventually dried in the drier. The most modern materials prove short-time (several days or weeks) smell resistance (caused by soaking in so called smell restrictor), a natural characteristic at wool.
How to care for outdoor equipment so that it does not loose its functional characteristics? In general, it is enough to keep the manual and manufacturer's instructions. However, we would try to present a few general pieces of advice concerning functional wear care. You shall compare these pieces of advice with information on the product label, event. consult about it with a professional seller in the shop.
Functional outdoor wear – membrane jackets, softshell, no-wind jackets, pants and so on – fulfills its function thanks to membrane that drains the moisture to the outer side and protect against rain, snow and wind at the same time. However, consumers think that if they buy „functional“ jacket, they will feel good in it in summer as well as in winter regardless what they wear under it.
Remember that even if you maintain all the given procedures, your clothes will not keep in a good state forever. In case of the fact that functional characteristics of the jacket (mainly water-proofing) have worsened, it is time for impregnation - application of a special agent on the upper part after washing. Use proved impregnation recommended by the manufacturer of clothes! It is said that it is necessary to impregnate a jacket after 3rd-4th washing and then regularly repeat this activity – preferably after each season. It is not necessary to impregnate new clothes.
Materials of which the wear is made nowadays can be divided to artificial and natural fibres. Either only one type of fibre is used (mainly the wear for summer activities, basic layer) or the combination of different fibres (for demanding conditions and unfavourable weather, multi-fibre textile fabric). Among artificial fibres, mainly polypropylene (abbreviation PP or POP) and polyester (abbreviation PES) are there in different forms and executions (under different brand names) that are basis of majority of stitch fabrics.
It cannot be said which one is better or worse. It depends on production, execution as well as on our own feeling (not leaving behind fashion and advertising). Polypropylene has got slightly negative electric charge, polyester has got strong positive electric charge. Among natural fibres we may find mainly wool but cotton (nowadays a part of multi-fibre textile fabrics) will be surely included in close future.
From all the materials used in functional fibres, it has the smallest density (it is the lightest), small thermal conductivity and the smallest soaking (virtually zero). It is partly resistant to bacteria and fungi and allergic persons tolerate it without any problems). Polypropylene fibre is very strong, chemically indifferent but high temperature-prone. We recommend 40 °C washing, exceptionally 60 °C and no ironing.
One disadvantage of the material is that a ready fibre cannot be dyed (the colour is added into the base material) so the colour combinations are limited (basic colour palette of white, blue, black, yellow and combinations) and it is prone to mechanical damage. The advantage is, on contrary to wool, wide range of thermo usage. The fibres do not bind impurities, so it can be wash easily in the cold water. It dries well and quickly. It also naturally absorbs UV radiation. The main reason for choosing this material is mainly the characteristic-price ratio.
The most traditional material used in textile industry. Contrary to polypropylene, it is characterized by easier manufacturing. Low soaking (approx. 2%) but worse thermal conductivity (it keeps the heat worse) and two times higher specific height (it is heavier) compared with polypropylene. The fibres are strong enough, higher temperature resistant and they can be surface-dyed (it may follow fashion trends). It is necessary to follow instructions when washing (using warmer water, soap or laundry detergent), an impurity is removed easily then. It dries the same as polypropylene. It can be ironed carefully (the lowest temperature). The main reason for choosing this material is wide range of use and long-standing experience of production and development.
Wool has got the longest history of all the materials used for functional wear. As it is stated by supporters of woolen wear (and they are right), it is 100% natural product tested by a lot of generations for centuries, nowadays using modern methods that keep it on a high-quality level. Once frequently used material had to relinquish place to synthetic materials but nowadays it is still finding new and new supporters and it becomes a matter of heart for the user.
The problem of wool fibre is not how to get it but a truly quality process that can be found rarely due to its characteristics and parameters. Nowadays so called merino wool is used (special northern sheep runt). Its characteristics are comparable with artificial fibres, some parameters are even better (it warms even when being wet, it has self-cleaning effect, higher fire resistance). Considering disadvantages, we have to mention use at limited temperatures and higher price for some consumers.
Comfort use of wool wear is from + 10 °C to low minus temperatures, which limits its use in summer months (on contrary, a great advantage for socks). This smaller disadvantage is balanced by top insulating characteristics and absorption of up to 35 % of moisture in comparison with its weight without feeling it in vapour state. This helps the smell resistance of this material (bacteria that cause smell do not have breeding ground).
Another advantage is the partial self-cleaning effect thanks to scurfy surface of the wool fibre – impurity captured in the fibre scurf drops out of it by fibre movement and bending. Protection against UV radiation is important as well. This protection is much higher than at artificial fibres. Wool fibre stability is seen at bending as well.
There is a wide offer nowadays considering brand, execution, purpose and price, so everybody can choose from it. It is important to have a lot of information about the product as well as to obtain recommendation from friends who know the product and they have some experience with it. It is not unusual to repeatedly choose products of the brand (manufacturer) that fits us. Regarding the size, the layer which is the closest to the skin shall be the fittest so that we may use features that the wear offers (quick moisture transport off the body) absolutely. Next layers and multi-fabric types of wear shall create smaller air gap for better thermo insulation.
It is important to care properly about the wear to keep it in a good condition for a long time. Wash wrong side out not to tear the fibres. Wash at 40 °C (wool product shall be washed only in wool detergents) as higher temperature may damage the fibre structure. Do not use a fabric conditioner and do not use a drier (some modern technologies allow using driers). The most important is not to iron functional wear (polyester textile fabrics may be ironed carefully) as an artificial fibre will be damaged irreversibly. It is recommended to follow manufacturer's recommendation on the product label or if they have this kind of information, ask a seller.
Yes. The care about this product is very easy. However, follow manufacturer's instructions on the product label that includes information about special care as well.
If washing meets the instruction about the care that is on the product label, original characteristics of GORE-TEX® may be renewed. GORE-TEX® fabric is the longest lasting waterproof breathable material on the market and it may be washed as often as it is needed not damaging or loosing required characteristics.
Yes. Follow manufacturer's instruction. If you let the clothes clean chemically, ask for its rinsing in pure distilled solvent and its impregnation. The outer layer of GORE-TEX® clothing soaks water even if the drops accumulated in bigger ones and they flew from the surface before. What shall I do? The effect of impregnation applied by the manufacturer continuously lowers because of common wearing. While using this material you bend it, rub it off or expose to distinctive changes of temperature. Effective lifetime of impregnation depends on care about clothing and demand factor. Waterproofing of outer layer of clothes may be renewed by hot air in the drier or by ironing it with a steam iron.
Yes. Minor repairs can be carried out with a set for repairs of GORE-TEX® fabric that is available at GORE-TEX® clothing sellers. If a bigger repair is needed or you need a high-quality repair, contact the manufacturer or the closest branch of the company Gore.
Shoes are an inseparable part of man's existence, they protect feet so they are subject to stress every day. The range of shoes is still bigger and more varied. We use shoes for all-purpose sports activities, e.g. running, skateboarding, snowboarding, dancing, tennis, basketball; but we wear shoes in standard situations – when going to work, school or in the town... It is necessary to care properly about the shoes after buying them to prevent early wear and moisture inlet into the shoes or impurities into the material structure. That is why we recommend buying impregnation that will ensure the feeling of dryness and keep the required shoe characteristics. Impregnation is of different types, it differs in chemical composition that conforms the material of the shoe type. Impregnation shall prevent moisture inlet and impurities into the material structure.
It is necessary to try the shoes on before buying them!!! The key moment when buying the shoes is the right size, width and cut. When buying leather material, we recommend that the shoes fit tightly as leather loosens in time. If you buy closed-toe shoes, use a shoehorn to prevent deformation of the heel part. If the shoes have shoe laces or clasps, it is necessary to loosen the shoe before taking it off. If the shoes get wet, do not place the shoes close to thermal source, do not dry with hair-dryer etc. Let the shoes dry at room temperature, place a shoe-stretcher in it or pad with newspapers.
There is a wide range of impregnating products considering type as well as quality. A very important factor of cleaning and care products are the agents and composition – animal fat, tree oils. Impregnations are on the silicone basis or FC.... High-quality impregnation is important for shoes with waterproof, breathable material in the lining. Without impregnation, the product is prone to soaking and impurity penetration into the material, which leads to lower functionality (breathability). Quality of products is specified by the absorption rate in the upper material and it must not block the transport of skin vapours from the shoe interior. The aim of these products is the protection against impurity, it prevents soaking. The length of impregnation action depends on intensity of shoe use and altitude. In demanding climatic conditions, leather natural elements become dry and therefore they loose elasticity and ductility, the shoes may begin to crackle. That is why we recommend to impregnate shoes with a proper product before first use and to change shoes as well!!
It is the most frequently used natural material with ideal characteristics for shoe manufacture. After hide is processed (cleaned), leather (fibre structure has been kept) is prepared. It is soft, breathable and it is able to adapt to individual foot shape. Natural material is characterized by its variable drawing that is changing during the time. This effect is not taken as a defect but reversely. Leather is not absolutely moisture-resistant from outer side (snow, water) and inner side (perspiration).
Should be used on cleaned and dry shoes, efficiency is ensured then. Sprays are usually on silicone basis (slight darkening may occur at some light colour shades) or on fluorocarbon basis (FC, it is generally more efficient as it penetrates the whole leather structure). The advantage of these spray impregnations is usually universal usage, it may be applied on rubbed materials and textile (they do not stick the leather fibre together, they are easily applied, ensure keeping the original state of leather). They also do not prevent skin vapours from the inner side of the shoe and it penetrates the leather or other materials more easily.
Used for damp or wet shoes – impregnating substances are got into the material (by a solution when washing). Its efficiency is really high as the solution penetrates the whole structure of material. Apply the solution in protective gloves, if possible, or use a cloth. Apply on the whole surface, you may apply more on the tips. Let the material dry at airy place for 24 hours. For product application, read the preparation.
Animal or vegetable, they are more efficient and they also include substances which nourish the leather but they are not suitable for textile and rubbed materials (nubuck) as they may change the material upper (sticking together the leather hair) and they prevent a transport of skin vapours more. Suitable mainly for sateen leather.
There is a wide range of impregantions, so read the instructions carefully. There is even a spray that stretch the shoes – you will see the difference after 30 minutes, another type of impregnation ensures glossy surface and protection so the foot will be dry and in a good state. Learn how to use these products and extend the lifetime of the shoes you have bought. You will save your money!