Rain or shine, many of us have to work outside. That's why it's important to wear work clothes that are not only weatherproof but also comfortable to wear.
The main comfort factor in rainwear is breathability, i.e. how the fabric allows water vapour to pass through to the outside. If water vapour cannot escape, the rainwear becomes an uncomfortable bag.
- The functionality and comfort of workwear is at the heart of all our design and product development. The second aspect is quality assurance, says Salla Hintsanen, responsible for sourcing and sales of technical fabrics at Foxa.
Rainwear fabrics are used in a wide range of workwear, military equipment and also in children's and leisure wear.
Foxa a pioneer in quality control
Foxa has invested in quality control and product development. This is reflected in Foxa's own laboratory, where the number of different test devices and instruments has grown rapidly.
The latest investment is a RET meter to measure the vapour permeability.
- During the product development phase, we can ensure that the fabric breathes. And we do the same in quality assurance when the fabric leaves the factory," says Päivi Pajunen, who is responsible for production and sourcing of ready mades.
The new equipment investment means a faster product development process and, of course, better quality for the customer.
- There are different methods to test water vapour permeability, and finding this easy to use device is a big step for us. As the test is not performed even in all certified laboratories, the acquisition of the equipment is all the more significant for Foxa, Pajunen continues.
Simulated situation with artificial skin and water vapour
In the development of fabrics, the aim is to achieve a product that is as skin-like as possible.
- If you think about human skin, it is the most optimal for holding rain and letting water vapour out, for example. Naturally, the skin is also comfortable to wear, Salla Hintsanen smiles.
The RET meter measures the water vapour permeability of a fabric using an artificial skin. The fabric is placed on top of the skin and water vapour is emitted from below.
- The lower the Ret value, the less the fabric resists vapour transfer, i.e. it is more breathable, says Päivi Pajunen.
Foxa's rainwear fabrics give you something to choose from
Foxa offers a wide range of waterproof fabrics for different uses. The latest addition to the Action family is Action Flex, which has all the good qualities of Action fabrics - such as excellent water vapour permeability and water resistance - but also excellent flexibility.
- Water resistance is selected according to the application and purpose. Workwear should have more breathability and flexibility, while the most important feature of a raincoat is water resistance," Hintsanen explains.
Rain protection is achieved by laminating a hydrophilic polyurethane film to the fabric.
- A raindrop is larger than a vapour molecule. The membrane is designed so that the water droplet cannot pass through, but the vapour can escape.
There are also more ecological alternatives, made from recycled yarns.