Heaters in clothes. What are and what is more practical and warmer? Are polyester jackets warm? Insulation for winter clothing

Natural fabrics, despite their many advantages, require special care. If such things are not properly cared for, they quickly deteriorate and lose their original appearance. It is for this reason that synthetic fabrics were created by humans.

These fabrics are resistant to abrasion, do not wrinkle, are stronger and more durable. Synthetic fabrics are used in all areas human life... They are used to sew curtains, underwear, and even outerwear, such as winter jackets and overalls, for both adults and children.

One of the most popular winter clothing fabrics is polyester. But many people are wondering: Are polyester jackets warm? The main reason for the popularity of polyester jackets and down jackets is its ability to keep warm. Although it is an unnatural fiber, it provides excellent warmth.

Clothes made from it are cheaper than expensive models made from natural fabrics, but they have some advantages over them. There were no negative moments when wearing things made of this material. But still it is recommended under outerwear from polyester to put on a wardrobe item made from natural fibers.

Products made from synthetic fabrics, in particular from polyester, do not allow cold air to pass through. This material is lightweight and durable. Due to its density, dirt does not penetrate deep into the fabric, and can be washed even in cold water. These items look like new after washing. Often, when creating polyester products, manufacturers add natural fibers and cotton to them. Such products have all the positive qualities of synthetic fibers, but are more pleasant to the body when worn.

Polyester, discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, filled the market for goods for various purposes. In the textile industry, polyester material makes up more than half of the fabrics.

The finest fibers intertwine, create threads of various shapes: round, triangular, square. A lot of textured fabrics with the best properties, analogs of natural ones, are obtained. A special place is reserved for insulation among them.

About 100% polyester insulation

Often in the store the question sounds, what kind of insulation is 100% polyester. It is a non-woven polyester fiber fabric. Each manufacturer works according to its own technology and creates its own fabric, which differs from others in its ability to store heat, tolerate machine wash and wear resistance. It is rare to find real polyester in its pure form. Do not trust the labels and tags on the purchased clothes and products. It is mainly combined with other fibers:

• Cotton - 65%. The resulting fabric acquires durability when worn, is not exposed to solar radiation, does not wrinkle;
• Viscose - 30%. The most popular option. The material does not deform, does not fade;
• Polyamide. Becomes resistant to temperature, does not allow moisture to pass through, gets additional elasticity;
• Spandex. Interacting with polyester, it acquires an airtight and stable structure;
• Yarn. The higher quality of finished products is noted. They do not stretch, do not wrinkle and are worn for a long time.

The use of synthetic fibers is presented in a wide range of products: tracksuits, curtains, hosiery, jackets. It is absolutely safe, does not absorb moisture and is heat resistant.

In the ready-to-wear market, there is 100% polyester insulation - these are:

• holofiber;
• synthetic winterizer;
• fleece;
• Polartec;
• hollophane;
• thermofinn;
• Junsen;
• isosoft.

Any material is made entirely of polyester. Additionally, in special clothing, heaters are used, designed for special conditions and low temperatures:

• thinsulate was developed by the Americans for astronauts;
• Thermum has a base made of aluminum foil with fibers woven into it;
• Jopfil is designed for workwear.

Synthetic insulation material, regardless of the production method, does not cause allergies. It is completely synthetic, which means that the moth will not spoil it.

Polyester fiber goes through a complex cleaning process. The quality and safety of the finished product depends on compliance with the technology. The seller can charge a high price. In order not to be deceived, the insulation material and the fabric must be crumpled and sniffed. Poor quality will give off a sour smell and feel of fiberglass in your hand.

The first insulation - sintepon

Material from 100% polyester, synthetic winterizer, divide:

• old;
• new.

The old ones include a material consisting of 2 or more layers of fibers directed in the same plane. It is recommended to wear it in the off-season, in cold weather no more than 5 degrees below zero. The bond between the polyester strands is weak. The insulation wears out quickly, begins to roll and break through the upper material.

In the new synthetic winterizer, 100% polyester insulation has an air gap and thermally bonded fibers. It is lighter in weight, retains heat well, and is worn for a long time.

The improved polyester insulation is a large number of advantages over its predecessor.

After washing, up to 50% of the thickness is still lost.

Advantages of padding polyester

• spring-loaded durable fiber structure;
• light weight;
• heat retention at ambient temperatures down to -25 ° C;
• does not allow moisture and air to pass through;
• washing at 30 ° C, does not require additional heat treatment;
• dries quickly;
• does not deform.

Such insulation will keep appearance clothing, its primary color and structure. This is especially important in winter period... In windy and frosty weather, it reliably protects against hypothermia and warms.

Lack of padding polyester

• cannot be machine washed;
• it is contraindicated to twist;
• temperature up to 40 degrees;
• dry vertically.

Polyester insulation - synthetic winterizer, manufacturers use when sewing inexpensive clothes.

The second insulation is holofiber

Non-woven polyester fabric was developed by Russian specialists. The hollow material keeps heat well and does not wrinkle. Between the two outer layers, the fibers are perpendicular to the surface or twisted into balls.

A distinctive feature of the insulation, its ability to create optimal conditions for a person. Excess moisture comes out through the loose surface. The heat is retained. The body does not freeze or sweat.

Holofiber insulation is allowed for sewing children's clothes. From it they make clothes for winter sports. It is completely safe even for people prone to allergies. The characteristics are similar to natural bird fluff. It tolerates gentle machine wash well. Items made of 100% polyester are durable and retain their look.

It turns out that holofiber and comfort are about the same thing. Polyester fiber, after special processing, crumples into small balls about 5 mm in diameter. This type of filler is called holofiber for English language and lomforel in French. In terms of quality, this material is superior to synthetic winterizer, but still inferior to thinsulate.

Third - isosoft, hollophane, thinsulate and others

Foreign manufacturers have different names for polyester insulation. The material they produce differs mainly in the shape of the fibers inside the web.

Hollophane got its name from a combination of words in English: "hollow" and the name of the company "Fanema". The void is filled with sprung polyester fibers.

Belgian isosoft contains hollow balls of fibers inside. Produced by Libeltex.

Both heaters are similar in quality to holofiber. Much warmer and stronger than padding polyester.

The rest of the insulation can be supplemented with hollow and bicomponent fibers. Have a different structure and technology for bonding fibers with acrylic glue and other substances. Their cost is higher. In the store they come across less often.

Polyester is widely used. The world leader in its production is Fellex, which operates at the Ziran plant in China.

Thinsulate is an artificial fluff. There is a legend that it was originally conceived for use in space. In any case, it is much better than synthetic winterizer. Perfectly retains its shape after washing, warms up in severe frosts (up to -30 °), the products are very light. Does not cause allergies. Clothes made of this material are used by athletes, climbers, oilmen.

The fiber in this insulation is in the shape of a spiral. Air is collected inside this spiral, which retains heat.

More about fellex 100% material

Filler of this type has a variety of shapes, made in the form of balls, one-piece fabric.

A distinctive feature of the material is that the layers of insulation are fused using high temperatures. Fellex insulation 100% polyester (120, 220, 250, 300 g / m2) high level wear resistance and does not require additional special care.

How warm is fellex filled clothes?

The peculiarity of outerwear is its lightness, the process of making fellex insulation, which includes 100% polyester 250 g m², differs from the production of padding polyester. The material does not have an adhesive base that holds the fabric together, so the insulation does not roll off during wear, quickly taking on its original shape.

This is a light and thin filler, it warms well in severe frosts, retaining heat inside the lining.

Insulation from fellex is an excellent replacement for natural filler, only its cost is much lower. Due to its advantages, this material has become widespread among manufacturers of winter jackets for both adults and children.

Its lightness provides comfort when wearing clothes, and its ease of care and long term operation does not burden housewives with additional problems

Insulation for winter clothing

Holofiber SOFT. Lightweight, elastic and heat-resistant material. Even in frosty weather and temperatures of -25 ° C, it retains heat and protects against hypothermia.

Thinsulate. Its structure resembles natural fluff. New technologies allow it not to lose shape, repel moisture and participate in heat exchange. Excellent warmth at -30 ° C.

Belarusian Fibertek. Hypoallergenic, lightweight and durable. Temperature fluctuations down to -40 ° C. Ideal for long outdoor walks.

American brand PrimaLoft. The basis for the creation was an imitation of the characteristics of down, but with an improved structure and the use of fibers. This view is specially designed for outdoor activities and winter species sports provided that the temperature does not reach -20 ° C.

Belgian Isosoft. The presence of a double spunbond fabric gives additional density and lightness to the filler. Opportunities are limited to -20 ° C.

Advantages of clothing insulation:

• withstands temperatures up to -25 degrees;
• easy to wash and straighten after washing;
• does not lose shape, regardless of the number of washes;
• there is no allergy to polyester. It is completely safe for the skin, the only limitation is that it is better not to put this material on bare skin and pregnant women;
• clothes with polyester insulation can be worn not only in winter, but also in spring and autumn. This quality significantly distinguishes polyester from other insulation, because versatility is always good;
• polyester clothing is very light, but warms several times better than jackets made from natural fillers;
• durable;
• does not require special care. Most jackets made from natural fillings require special care with expensive products from time to time. With a polyester jacket, this will not be a problem;
• does not cause excessive sweating. Thermal underwear is made of polyester, respectively, it retains heat perfectly;
• wear resistance, polyester can last a long enough period without losing its important thermal insulation properties;
• due to the manufacturing method, the material is not electrified and quickly regains its shape;
• the characteristics of the thermal insulation of the material are identical to those of natural materials;
• the cost of jackets with such a filler is much lower than analogues with natural insulation.

disadvantages

• It is not recommended to use chemical bleaches;
• When buying too cheap products, it is worth remembering that polyester fiber can cause an allergic reaction;
• Slight rigidity of the material;
• Electrification. Synthetic fibers store static electricity. It can be easily removed with an antistatic agent.

Polyester: proper care and washing

Despite the fact that polyester material is versatile and so practical, it has a number of disadvantages that should be considered. Cannot be worn for a long time, may cause allergies, has poor heat conductivity. Polyester, as a heater in clothes and a fabric for sewing it, also needs special care:

• hand wash at a temperature not exceeding 40 ° С;
• machine wash. In a washing machine of the “automatic” type, it is necessary to select the “Delicate” or “Hand” wash mode. The temperature should not exceed 40 ° C. Select spinning around 800 rpm so as not to ruin the garment. Use an emollient conditioner;
• clothes that are too dirty will require pre-treatment with a stain remover and soaking;
• dry only in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight on the fabric;
• ironing exclusively in the "Silk" mode.

Polyester material is strictly forbidden to process high temperatures, boil. Otherwise, a violation of the structure of the fabric and deformation of the product is possible.

Manufacturers offer wide choose not only by model and size, but also by technical specifications... This makes it possible to choose outerwear in accordance with the season and temperature regime, for each temperature there is a certain amount of filler in the clothes. For example, clothes with a density of 40–70 g / sq. Are suitable up to 0 °. m. Jacket with a density of 100-150 g / sq. m will warm up to -10 °, and frost to -40 ° will withstand a density index of 200-300 g / sq. m.

Synthetic fillers have a number of advantages over their natural counterparts. They are lighter, easier to maintain and durable. The ability to retain the amount of heat needed to maintain comfort is an important criterion for choosing a polyester-insulated garment.

It is worth considering that clothes with synthetic fillers can have different variations of styles. This makes winter clothing more elegant and sophisticated.

Once upon a time, children's overalls were sewn exclusively from raincoat fabric and padding polyester. But experience has shown that jackets and overalls made of dense padding polyester quickly deteriorate: they crumple up during washing, do not heat, and the body in them, as a tourist or an athlete wants, does not breathe, but fogs up. The synthetic winterizer does not conduct air well and retains heat poorly.

The synthetic winterizer was replaced by: holofiber, thinsulate, firetech ... What to prefer?

The advantage of synthetic insulation is that they are hypoallergenic, microorganisms (mites, etc.) do not start in them, and clothes with various "fibers" ("fiber" is translated as "fiber") inside better keep their shape, do not deform from washing, keeps warm and does not let cold air inside.

So, let's deal with heaters without going into highly scientific jungle.

First rule

Seeing a new, unfamiliar name do not rush!
The manufacturer, seeking to capture the attention of the consumer, comes up with its own (trade) names for heaters.

Consider the label on your jacket or overalls. Do not be surprised if you see the inscription: “insulation - 100% polyester”. And where, do you understand, is that "fiberskin", or "polyfiber"?

Almost any synthetic insulation consists of polyester fibers. Thus, on the label you will read what the material for the insulation is made of, and more detailed instructions or a sales consultant should tell you what the insulation itself is called, what technology it is made by, and what this technology gives. Products of reputable companies have a special booklet, where all materials are described in detail and their qualities are indicated.

Second rule

In children's colds, 80% are not to blame for immunity, but parents who do not know how to dress a child. For example, a baby who often has colds should never be tied up, and it is absolutely forbidden to wear thick hats and tie tight scarves.

Not a single seller can explain to you whether your child will freeze in just such clothes. All new generation synthetic fillers work according to the same principle: they retain heat well. Look for (ask) an indicator of the permissible temperature (up to -10 ° or up to -40 °).

Third rule

Remember that it is not the insulation that heats, but the air in its cavities. The lighter the fibers, the more cavities inside, the lower the temperature at which this garment can be used. The best thermal insulator is air.

A real down jacket should say "down" on the label. This means that inside is exactly the down - eider, swan or goose. 100% "down" is quite rare. Most often they add feathers to it and write "feather". If the label says "cotton" - in front of you is not a down jacket, but just a jacket with a lining. The inscription “wool” means that there is woolen batting inside this jacket, and the word “polyester” or “waltern” denotes a synthetic winterizer or its modern varieties.

TYPES OF INSULATIONS

Sintepon

The synthetic winterizer is divided into two types: old (dense) and new (hollow). Both are made from polyester fibers. Fibers are bonded together thermally. Previously, the synthetic winterizer was laid in parallel layers. Because of this, it had very low rates of heat conservation and moisture conductivity. Now a dense synthetic winterizer (thick, glue) is used only in cheap products. In the new synthetic winterizer, the fibers are not glued, but rather hold to each other with the help of silicone needles. Such insulation is more durable, does not lose its shape. Still, the synthetic winterizer continues to yield to modern inventions. After exposure to sweat and washing, it loses up to half its thickness. And for cold winter it is not suitable - maximum, for temperatures up to -10 °. Care: washable at30 ° C using only soft powders that do not contain bleaching agents; do not soak or bleach.
Thinsulate

It is considered one of the best heaters for this moment, by its thermosaving properties is equal to down. Consists of very thin fibers that perfectly retain heat, overalls and jackets with thinsulite are light, thin and warm. It does not deform during washing, it is able to warm in severe frosts, provided that the person moves, preferably actively. Clothes on thinsulite are sewn for athletes, oil workers, climbers. Usually clothes on Thinsuleit are not cheap. Permissible temperature range for thinsulate: up to -30 °. Care instructions: Machine wash at 40 °.

Holofiber, Fiberskin, Fibertech, Polyfiber, Isosoft ...

Synthetic insulation made from fibers shaped like balls, springs, etc. Balls, spirals or springs do not communicate with each other and contain cavities, so the product keeps its shape well. For a small price, you buy a good overalls that can withstand frosts down to -25 °.Care instructions: Machine wash at 40 °.

Kerry - children's overalls on polyester (isosoft).

NATURAL INSULATIONS

Goose down

A luminary among heaters. Lightweight, durable, withstands severe frosts, restores its shape after creasing. The down of waterfowl has a natural lubricant, it does not allow moisture to be absorbed. The best down: eider, then goose. Duck down clothing is the cheapest and is not designed for frost. Correctly sewn and lined with natural fluff, a thing weighs no more than half a kilogram and can easily be folded into a standard plastic bag. Unfortunately, down is a highly allergic material, an ideal breeding ground for mites. Down clothes take a long time to dry. If you buy a down jumpsuit (envelope) for our Ural winter (not for moving to the north) - remember that an active child on the street will definitely be hot in it at temperatures above -15 °.

Care: to keep your garment looking longer, do less complete washing of the garment. We recommend washing in a mild mode, with a detergent without bleach at a temperature of 30 °. Machine washable. After washing, immediately dry and "break" the pockets with fluff so that it does not fall off. Cannot be ironed. It is only recommended to tumble dry for several hours at low temperatures.

Wool

Or the so-called sheepskin. Very durable, wear-resistant material. Microbes do not like wool, so it is considered a hypoallergenic insulation. Perfectly retains heat down to -25 °. It happens that the jumpsuit is equipped with a removable lining made of sheep wool, which is convenient for suspicious parents who think that the child is cold. The lining allows you to turn the jumpsuit into a demi-season version. Overalls with sheepskin, due to their considerable weight, are now produced mainly only for children under one year old.

Care: clothes with sheepskin can be deformed from washing, so it is better to take them to dry cleaning.

As a conclusion:

Membrane overalls have become popular now. If you hear about such, know that this is a jumpsuit with good insulation, the top of which is covered with a thin mA membrane that protects against any moisture and allows air to enter.

Overalls with "polyester" filling and with inserts made of Cordura fabric and Teflon impregnation are considered universal. (This is just about Kerry's clothes: polyester, teflon, cordura). Benefits of synthetic We have already examined the heaters, it remains to clarify that Cordura is a durable waterproof fabric (inserted into those places that suffer from falls - knees, butt, elbows), and Teflon® is a treatment for the same fiber skin so that the jumpsuit does not get wet even under the snow, nor in the rain.

In general, the choice is yours. Remember that you are not buying a children's winter overalls for yourself, but for a baby who should be comfortable in your favorite hiking outfit.

based on site materials