Many functional fabrics such as vapor-permeating/water-repellent fabric and antibacteria fabric are commercially available. Especially sweat-absorbing/quick-dry materials are widely used for sportswear, which claims to provide comfortable wearing atmosphere while exercising. Since the sweat-absorbing/quick dry mechanism is based on the different principles in each functional fabric, the resulted wear may not function properly when used in combination with other wears. In this report, 11 functional fabrics are tested with respect to their physiological characteristics including moisture management and thermal properties, and the subjective (psychological) test is conducted on the various combinations of upper and under wear made of respective functional fabrics. The results indicate that the effect of the intermediate air layer between upper and lower wears should be taken properly into account for a generic design of sportswear in order to fully utilize the potential of the functional fabrics.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.28/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE