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We are conscious there is not always information provided on why a particular fabric is practical and in what circumstances you may use them. There will generally be technical specification about a product but we wanted to provide a more practical view from our own use and testing.
In the event you want the technical information as well please click on the links here
Event Fabric Gore Tex Merino Wool Ventile Filson Materials
Gore Tex
Suggested by many to be the best fabric around to keep you dry in the worst of elements. Generally this is true and in the case of the Swazi Gore-Tex range we have found this stands up to the worst of conditions. We have always been dry and generally fairly warm as these garments are thicker than the normal Gore Tex available due to the coating on the outer layer.
Many refer to Gore-Tex and other similar fabrics as breathable and some say they help stop the sweating. In real terms gore tex is a piece of fabric that will allow the sweat to leave the jacket but keep the rain out. It does this as under a microscope the fabric has holes in it. These holes are around 700 times bigger than a molecule of water vapour (sweat) but 20,000 times smaller than a droplet of water. Hence sweat vapour (or the steam you see on a cold day) gets out but the rain can not get in. The reason that some people can still get wet inside a Gore-Tex jacket is either it needs cleaning or if new because of the layers underneath . If you wear absorbent clothing underneath that will not let the vapour pass through like the jacket does it just collects and will then render the expensive outer fabric useless as the sweat vapour is just trapped in the fabric of the under layer. The worst offenders of this are Cotton and Silk. Cotton in particular will soak up the vapour like a sponge and in some situations can help towards getting hypothermia. Synthetic layers such as Fibre Pile and Fleece are much better or natural products such as Merino Wool.
The disadvantage of this Gore-Tex for bushcraft is that it is useless around an open fire. Any sparks can easily burn holes in the fabric.
Ventile
Ventile is 100% Cotton fabric. This will, like Gore-Tex, offer a good breathable clothing system. The fabric is designed to be Wind and Weather proof. When dry the closely woven threads of cotton form a wind shell allowing water vapour to pass through and between these fibres. When wet the natural reaction of the fibres is to swell up stopping the passage of water through the fabric from the outside. In extremely wet conditions a slight darkening and stiffening of the fabric can occur. This change of appearance indicates that a small amount of water has been absorbed allowing the swelling of the fibres and stopping any further water getting in. Double layer clothing does in effect provide higher protection as there are two layers for any water to penetrate. You may in wet conditions feel the jacket seems slightly damp inside to the touch. Ventile is however excellent for bushcraft as can be used around the open fire.
Wool
Wool has been around as a natural clothing fabric since the stone age and is currently enjoying a ever growing popularity. It has the unique ability to hold and transport moisture while keeping you warm in damp conditions. This makes the material superior for warm base layer garments. Merino Wool comes from Merino Sheep and is much finer than a traditional wool. It is water resistant thanks to overlapping fibres that work a lot like roof tiles. Each fibre can absorb up to one third of its own weight without feeling clammy or wet to touch. This moisture is then released into the atmosphere keeping you warm and dry. We use Ulfrotte as they use merino wool supplemented with man made fibres to increase the fabrics wear-resistance. The garments are knitted in tubular form without seams on specially made knitting machines to give exceptional comfort and good shape and fit. The mix that ullfrotte uses contains up to 80% air that is trapped by the curly fibres. The air forms an insulating layer above the skin and prevents the heat being lost. Moisture will be transported away from the skin without losing the warming function. The ability to transport moisture makes it easier to lose heat during physical activity and keeps the body dry and in thermal balance. Again an excellent fabric for bushcraft in the cold and great near fire.
Fleece
A completely synthetic material that is designed to keep you warm. Polartec is the most popular around at the moment and this is because the high loft design traps insulating air giving an excellent warmth to weight ratio. The fabric will absorb less than 0.5% of its own weight in water, compared with cotton that will take on over 30%.The fabric essential is made from recycled plastic so will be no good around an open fire. Use this as a layer underneath a waterproof barrier for warmth, accepting the garment is not quite as effective as wool.
Fleece is sold in different weights referring directly to its thickness. Polartec 100 is thin and used often as a base or first layer whilst 200 is often the thickness used on standard mid layer fleeces. 300 is sometimes seen as a top thick jacket layer. Windstopper is then available as a top jacket . The Fabric is designed to keep out the wind by using a membrane with a similar design to a Gore Tex waterproof. It will trap warm air inside whilst keeping the cold air out.
Ripstop Nylon
A fabric that is specially reinforced, meaning that a small snag in the material wont turn into a large tear.
Vibram
The make of sole unit on a walking boot, usually indicated with a yellow 'badge' on the bottom of the shoe or boot. All walking boots in the UK have a rubber sole and some will wear more quickly than others as the rubber is softer . Vibram is a very hard compound so wears slowly in comparison and in essence the boots should last longer.
