Abstract
This study evaluates the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of a waterproof and breathable garment system and determines the factors influencing its thermal performance. The experimental garments were composed of underwear (shirts with 100% wool and 100% polyester) and outerwear (jackets and pants with a vapor-permeable membrane and a vapor-impermeable membrane). Data on clothing insulation in a dry condition ($10^{\circ}C$) and a wet condition ($10^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H.), evaporative resistance ($34^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H., and $10^{\circ}C$, 40% R.H.), and microclimate vapor pressure were collected and analyzed. According to the results, the thermal insulation of the experimental garment system ranged 1.27~1.40 in the dry condition and 0.40~0.89 in the wet condition at $10^{\circ}C$. Evaporative resistance ranged $41{\sim}525m^2Pa/W$. A decrease in thermal insulation by wetting underwear ranged 31~67% in the cold condition ($10^{\circ}C$). The breathability of the outer garment influenced the decrease in thermal insulation by wetting. The type of underwear fiber influenced the decrease in thermal insulation only when it was used with breathable outerwear. The vapor-permeable outerwear sample with polyester underwear (P_Perm) showed a larger decrease in insulation than that with wool (W_Perm). The evaporative resistance of the vapor-permeable ensemble showed no effect of underwear in the warm condition ($34^{\circ}C$), but polyester underwear showed lower evaporative resistance than wool in the cold condition ($10^{\circ}C$). The vapor-impermeable ensemble showed no difference in evaporative resistance between polyester underwear and wool underwear in both conditions. Future research should consider various clothing ensemble combinations and environmental conditions and evaluate wear comfort by using human subjects.
