what's with microfiber?
#1
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what's with microfiber?
I'm shopping for a few articles of clothing for traveling to Paris and Italy. I'm seeing alot of shirts, pants and jackets made out of something called microfiber. It's polyester mostly, not my favorite and I'm wondering if it creates major static.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Lou
#3
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I bought a couple of microfiber travel blazers and pants (for women) from LL Bean, and have been delighted with them. I've used for trips to Paris and London in the fall and spring, and they are perfect weight. They pack beautifully and don't wrinkle. They look much nicer than than most polyester, which I don't like, either.
#8
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I thought microfiber was going to be the answer to my all-season travels to France, but the jacket I bought made me feel as though I was walking in a sauna. I don't get cold easily to begin with, but wearing this jacket even on crisp November days made me sweat buckets, which I hate - I'd rather be jacket-less and cold. It didn't wrinkle, but I'm not a wrinkle freak so that didn't make much difference to me. It also showed signs of wearing thin after just a couple of weeks of wear, which made me a bit dubious about its durability. It was also fairly expensive, given the results I had with it.<BR>I don't know about static - that never figured into my fashion equation.
#9
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I agree with Betsy. Maybe there are different qualities of microfiber, but in my experience with two manufacturers and two different articles of clothing, I don't like it. When the weather is hot it makes me sweat and when the weather is cold I freeze.
#10
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I have a BS in textiles so have studied this a little (although I work in a different field now) -- microfiber is the name of a technology for polyester, by definition. Some articles may includes a slight percentage of another fiber for durability, but I've only seen that with those travel towels (they have a little nylon). I don't really understand those towels but don't need one, so it's kind of moot--polyester is water repellant by definition, and microfiber refers to the technology which makes very very fine filament threads which are even denser so they are even more water repellant, so I don't see how a towel can be made of it to absorb water. <BR><BR>In any case, it is good for water-resistance and avoiding wrinkles, but I agree, somewhat uncomfortable because it cannot breathe and gets hot. It is lightweight and washes and dries quickly. I don't think there is much difference in the quality if the microfiber itself because it is a brand name for a technology of the fiber--perhaps construction of a garment will differ and if the manufacturer blends it with something, but I agree it's always hot IMO by definition because it is synthetic and has no breathability.<BR>It does have a nicer feel than regular polyester because the filaments are so fine. <BR><BR>I think it is great for waterproof outergarments and underwear, but not much else because it doesn't breathe. It is not a major static-producer that I've noticed, but polyester is subject to that a little more than natural fibers -- nylon and acrylic are much worst for static, though.
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Aug 5th, 2016 01:56 PM