Regarding the discussion of non-stinky polypro: I looked at the Helly-Hansen website and linked PDF document, and it's clear that the anti-bacterial properties are attributed to the weave, not to any special treatment. Continuous-filament weave is said to reduce both pilling and bacteria build-up. I am not impressed. Patagonia's Capilene product has been that way for years. It is indeed softer, resists pilling, and does not stink 2 seconds after you put it on. So H-H is not exactly on the cutting edge, here. Moreover, I was unimpressed with H-H's disingenuous use of a thermal conductivity table comparing popypropylene favorably with polyester, cotton and wool-- while conveniently omitting silk, which still has the lowest thermal conductivity of any textile. So much for progress. BTW, the best advice I have received on keeping polypro from stinking and pilling: never use fabric softener, and never put it in a dryer, respectively. Meanwhile, I have been hearing rumors of the next generation of Gore-Tex, which is supposed to feature a significant increase in breathability. I've never been a huge fan of Gore-Tex for flat-out aerobic sports, as I quickly overload the transport capacity of the stuff. So I'm paddling in a $200 laminate drysuit, waiting for the Next Big Thing. At the Gore-Tex website, I learned of the XCR line of 3-layer fabric: http://www.gorefabrics.com/news/uk0002_xcr_newgen.htm I note that the manufacturers listed as using the new stuff do not include such paddlesports makers as Kokatat or Stohlquist. They are still using the Immersion Technology product. Does anybody know if the 25% increase in breathability claimed for the XCR line is expected to trickle down to the Immersion line? Still Sweatin' in my Sauna Suit (but my Capilene doesn't stink-- much), Dan Harrison *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dan Harrison wrote: > > Regarding the discussion of non-stinky polypro: I looked at the Helly-Hansen website and linked PDF document, and it's clear that the anti-bacterial properties are attributed to the weave, not to any special treatment. Continuous-filament weave is said to reduce both pilling and bacteria build-up. My understanding is that Helly-Hansen and other polypro manufacturers have been putting out a less-stink polypro for years. Early on I was a big proponent of polypro and really switched just because newer stuff, polyester such as capilene, had become available. After the switch I found that the polyester never dried quite as well and fast as the polypro and never seemed quite as warm for equal thicknesses. But hey it was "progress." It is now with great pleasure that I see that polypro is back in the form of Second Skin clothing items from Rapid Style. To see the product visit http://www.rapidstyle.com/Products/secondskingear.html I was put on the product by our PaddleWise friend Gabriel Romeu and his wife Rita over last winter's pool rolling sessions I attend with them. My metabolism felt low and cold one evening when we were getting ready to drive to the pool and they offered me the long-sleeve Second Skin T-shirt that Rita had bought as a Christmas gift for Gabriel. It worked beautifully at the pool session where the air was quite cool and I would have shivered to a point of distraction while listening to instructions between rolling attempts. I did my first rolls in that shirt so I have extra affection for the material. I ordered my own the next working day and have since used it in various settings. It has all the quick drying attributes of the old polypro but with some differences. No stink for one, not even picking up the strong pool chlorine smell that still permeates the PFD I use for pool sessions. Nor does it pick up my body smells (but I never really did have much odor with the old polypro either...I'm sweet :-)). It surface is smooth and so water runs off it and the surface gives you a bit of wind resistance. The material is 90 per cent polypropylene and 10 per cent lycra for stretch. It is called Innova. I forget who manufacturers the fabric but I did look at its website at one point over the winter. So polypro fans of yore, you can come home again. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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