{"id":30950,"date":"2025-04-02T11:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T09:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forcetek.ithow-to-measure-comfort-and-performance-of-a-garment\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:34:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T15:34:58","slug":"how-to-measure-comfort-and-performance-of-a-garment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/how-to-measure-comfort-and-performance-of-a-garment\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO MEASURE COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE OF A GARMENT?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have already talked about the <strong>\u201cbase layer\u201d and the importance of wearing a shirt that keeps you dry<\/strong> by transporting sweat to the outside to evaporate quickly (see <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2LOKaEZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/2LOKaEZ<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what are the parameters used to quantify how well a fabric performs these tasks? <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>RET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RCT<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BUFFERING INDEX (Ia,r; Ir)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DRYING TIME (\u0394t)<\/strong> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t worry, it sounds complicated but I promise we won\u2019t use any math formulas. First of all, it\u2019s important to define the word \u201ccomfort\u201d and how it relates to a garment\u2019s performance. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>COMFORT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often without realizing it, when we open our closet our hand always reaches for our favorite shirt \u2014 this happens because we feel particularly good wearing it. To define <strong>\u201ctextile comfort,\u201d which means the level of well-being offered by a garment and the pleasant feeling perceived when wearing it<\/strong>, we must exclude factors related to fashion or memories. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comfort is very important both to avoid skin irritations and <strong>to prevent thermal stress caused by overheating or excessive cooling<\/strong>, which leads to discomfort, decreased physical performance, reduced attention, and premature fatigue.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> To measure comfort scientifically, lab tests are conducted following international standards that measure the parameters listed above, assigning quantifiable values to compare garments made with different fabrics and materials.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By combining test results with other factors such as surface fuzziness, fabric friction against the skin, and the fabric\u2019s ability to adapt to body shapes, we obtain a scientific definition of comfort level.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>RET<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RET stands for \u201cResistance to Evaporative Transfer\u201d \u2014 it measures the breathability of a fabric or <strong>its ability to transport moisture outward to evaporate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term \u201cbreathability\u201d is nowadays widely used \u2014 and often misused \u2014 especially in advertising for sportswear made from various materials that are often hardly breathable at all.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The table below (not included here) was created for all types of garments, including outer jackets that naturally have higher RET values. Therefore, when evaluating a base layer, the RET values must always be below 6.<br \/>Many low-quality products marketed as breathable are in fact not. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tabella_ret_rct.avif\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"455\" height=\"128\" src=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/tabella_ret_rct.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5656\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>FORCETEK only labels a garment \u00e8 \u201c<u>Breathable\u201d<\/u> <\/strong> if it has an RET value below 6.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>An ideal RET for a summer shirt must be less than 3<\/strong>, while a long-sleeve winter base layer should have an RET below 4. Otherwise, the base layer will not efficiently transfer sweat outward.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Be careful: just reading \u201cbreathable\u201d does not mean the product truly is!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>RCT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RCT stands for \u201cResistance to Conductive Heat Transfer\u201d and indicates the thermal insulation of a garment.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The higher the RCT, the more the garment retains body heat and acts as insulation. Garments with low RCT tend to release heat more easily.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a sweater should have a high RCT to keep the body warm, while a summer shirt should have a low RCT to dissipate heat.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> Below is an example to better understand the effect of RCT on our physique :<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For example, a sweater should have a high RCT to keep the body warm, while a summer shirt should have a low RCT to dissipate heat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think of a copper wire (good heat conductor): a garment with low RCT acts like copper, transferring body heat outward.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A garment with high RCT acts like plastic, insulating and retaining heat.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Images compare a Naturaltek ColdSkin shirt and a standard cotton shirt.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The cotton shirt has a higher RCT, retains more heat, and is more insulating.<br \/>The ColdSkin shirt has very low RCT, lets heat pass through, transferring it outward, making it great for summer or hot climates. <\/strong> transfers it to the outside, making it an excellent shirt to use in summer or in countries with hot climates.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ret_e_rct.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"689\" height=\"519\" src=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ret_e_rct.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ret_e_rct.webp 689w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ret_e_rct-300x226.webp 300w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ret_e_rct-450x339.webp 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 689px) 100vw, 689px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BUFFERING INDEX (Ia,r; Ir)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This index measures a garment\u2019s ability to manage sudden sweating caused by increased physical activity<\/strong>. It measures both sweat evaporated (transported outside) and sweat absorbed by the fabric. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A garment that quickly transports sweat outward without soaking itself provides better comfort<\/strong>.<br \/>For example, cotton absorbs a lot of moisture and releases it slowly, making it unsuitable for sports.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drytek polypropylene absorbs only 0.13% of its weight in liquids and evaporates<\/strong> it very fast, keeping skin drier. Unlike other materials, Drytek maintains body temperature and prevents chills after exercise, even if the shirt is damp. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/buffering.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"277\" src=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/buffering.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/buffering.webp 610w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/buffering-300x136.webp 300w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/buffering-450x204.webp 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DRYING TIME (\u0394t)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drying time is the simplest variable but not the least important.<br \/>A <strong>garment that dries faster offers superior comfort<\/strong> and can make the difference between returning home happy or chilled.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned, fibers with lower water absorption dry faster \u2014 <strong>Drytek polypropylene tops the list as it absorbs less water among fibers commonly used in technical garments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/assorbimento.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"277\" src=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/assorbimento.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/assorbimento.png 610w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/assorbimento-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/forcetek.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/assorbimento-450x204.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR COMFORT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Surface fuzziness:<\/strong> Less fuzziness means better appearance, less pilling (those annoying little balls on shirts), and a nicer feel against the skin.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Friction force:<\/strong> Less friction means less rubbing and lower risk of skin irritation or discomfort. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Too<\/strong> <strong>stiff fabric fits poorly<\/strong>, restricts movement, and causes discomfort.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CONCLUSIONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often when buying a garment, we overlook the materials and technologies used in its production, but they are essential to improve body comfort and performance.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By understanding fundamental parameters defining comfort, we want to highlight the details that make the difference between a normal garment and a technical one that, once worn, transforms those numerical values into real benefits. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The numerous tests we conduct daily ensure top performance for military and law enforcement personnel protecting us every day, and for all civilians who trust our philosophy.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A garment is not just a piece of fabric \u2014 it is a concentration of study and technology!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We have already talked about the \u201cbase layer\u201d and the importance of wearing a shirt that keeps you dry by transporting sweat to the outside to evaporate quickly (see https:\/\/bit.ly\/2LOKaEZ). But what are the parameters used to quantify how well a fabric performs these tasks? Don\u2019t worry, it sounds complicated but I promise we won\u2019t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4623,"featured_media":6259,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[328,329],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide-en","category-technologies"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4623"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30950\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forcetek.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}