Fabric that generates heat when you sweat??

[Analog]

I was at the local running shop last night, and there was a demo fabric prominently displayed claiming that it heats up when exposed to water. I skeptically picked up a small swatch sample of the fabric and put it in my hand. It felt like wool. I then had the sales guy put some water in with it and squeezed. Low and behold, it surely did heat up! I was amazed. He claimed it was the rage of cross country ski types because all they need is a thin layer of this underware, and a light gortex jacket. It was expensive, $20 just for a pair of socks. Anyone have experience with this????

It was called "breath thermo" from a company called Mizuno.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

How the hell does that work?? I envision massive banks of heating fabric generators. Water would flow through, causing them to heat up magically!

 

[Geekbabe]

Hmmm.. I'll have to check this stuff out

 

[yowolabi]

don't you already have to be feeling hot to sweat? If you're already hot, why do you need the fabric to heat up. I forsee a vicious cycle that ends with the headline:

"Man burns alive on ski slopes"

Or are you supposed to carry a thermos of water and pour it over yourself every time you feel cold?

 

[FrustratedUser]

That sounds really bad.

Physical excercise ---> sweat ---> more heat ---> more sweat ---> meltdown

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: yowolabi
don't you already have to be feeling hot to sweat? If you're already hot, why do you need the fabric to heat up. I forsee a vicious cycle that ends with the headline:

"Man burns alive on ski slopes"

Or are you supposed to carry a thermos of water and pour it over yourself every time you feel cold?

well, not always. When your hunting, or ice fishing, you are not really that active, but your feet sweat and then get cold. That's where this comes in. Also, for ski types, it allows you to wear less clothing, making you lighter and less bulky.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

did he pour warm water on the fabric?

seriously, that sounds like marketing bullsh!t if you ask me.


link

follow the technical information link.

I have concluded it is a marketing spin for a old fabric which is some sort of polyester/lycra blend. Notice they only compare Breath Thermal to Polyester, rather than to other popular blended fabrics.

 

[dabuddha]

i think its more for the snow people
snow gets on clothes, makes them wet. But this time instead of freezing to death, you magically warm up

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
did he pour warm water on the fabric?

seriously, that sounds like marketing bullsh!t if you ask me.


link

follow the technical information link.

I have concluded it is a marketing spin for a old fabric which is some sort of polyester/lycra blend. Notice they only compare Breath Thermal to Polyester, rather than to other popular blended fabrics.

no, it was at room temperature. I can't seem to find any info on the net about this. I was really amazed.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

just type in breath thermo mizuno into google

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
did he pour warm water on the fabric?

seriously, that sounds like marketing bullsh!t if you ask me.


link

follow the technical information link.

I have concluded it is a marketing spin for a old fabric which is some sort of polyester/lycra blend. Notice they only compare Breath Thermal to Polyester, rather than to other popular blended fabrics.

From their warming comparison chart, at it's peak effectiveness, it keeps you 2 degrees warmer than 100% polyester. Doesn't sound worth the price to me.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
just type in breath thermo mizuno into google

Breath Thermo technology is a thermal material which absorbs moisture from the body to generate heat

The colder the conditions, the higher the heat generated by Breath Thermo

The Turtleneck harnesses Breath Thermo?s properties to generate warmth from a thin, unrestrictive garment

BREATH THERMO has extremely high moisture absorbing power to control humidity (water vapour) and heat between the body and the outside environment. It is a buffer against sudden environmental changes and changes underneath clothes

link

 

[Darein]

When I work out I sweat enough, thanks though.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: yowolabi

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
did he pour warm water on the fabric?

seriously, that sounds like marketing bullsh!t if you ask me.


link

follow the technical information link.

I have concluded it is a marketing spin for a old fabric which is some sort of polyester/lycra blend. Notice they only compare Breath Thermal to Polyester, rather than to other popular blended fabrics.

From their warming comparison chart, at it's peak effectiveness, it keeps you 2 degrees warmer than 100% polyester. Doesn't sound worth the price to me.

Like I said, they are also comparing to 100% polester, rather than the other modern blended 'sports' fabrics. This is pure marketing spin on an ordinary fabric.

 

[Analog]

sounds like marketing.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

How does it work??

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
How does it work??

the link has some info, but not really that clear. I think its a catalytic reaction, since there is no by-product, and it is reusable.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I guess it converts the water into oxygen and hydrogen?
Edit: Wait that would absorb heat not release it...

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
I guess it converts the water into oxygen and hydrogen?
Edit: Wait that would absorb heat not release it...

wow, if that happened, then don't go near a flame!!!!

 

[DigDug]

My question is whether it is a chemical reaction or just some sort of insulation effect.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: BlipBlop
My question is whether it is a chemical reaction or just some sort of insulation effect.

put it this way - have you ever held those hand warmers that you shake up? Well, this fabric was at room temperature when i held it, and when water was sprinkled on it, it heated up almost instantly to the temperature of those hand warmer things. I doubt its an insulation effect.

 

[ChrisIsBored]

So what happens when you wash it?

 

[Bullhonkie]

Originally posted by: ChrisIsBored
So what happens when you wash it?

It spontaneously combusts!

 

[ChrisIsBored]

Originally posted by: Bullhonkie

Originally posted by: ChrisIsBored
So what happens when you wash it?

It spontaneously combusts!

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: ChrisIsBored
So what happens when you wash it?

it warms the water for you?