While American workers are becoming more aware of high performance flame-resistant (“FR”) and moisture-wicking technologies, it’s even more important to understand the science behind them. This is especially true if you work in outdoor or higher-risk industries. Our combined past experiences as oil rig workers, scientists, fabric technologists, outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen offers us unique insights on why you should be wearing high performance FR garments.
High performance fabrics were originally created to boost athletes’ performance in extreme outdoor situations by keeping them drier and cooler in hot conditions and warmer in cold weather. There are both physiological and psychological effects at play. Keeping the body cooler by facilitating thermoregulation (your body’s cooling mechanism) is a physiological advantage. The psychological advantage comes from knowing garments won’t become more uncomfortable by being weighed down with excessive moisture.