🚀 go-pugleaf

In message <7uv1xibgxpl.fsf@ipana.research.nokia.com>, MB <*@*.*> writes
>Chris Townsend >
>> I've tried garments with alu layers inside and they do impair
>> breathability.
>
>Typically, I think, shiny alu coatings are found on
>non-breathable fabrics, tarps, 'space blankets' and such. I
>think it's possible to make shiny coatings highly breathable
>too, applying the coating in small enough particles, or whatever.
>I guess thermal efficiency and durability might be lowered
>though. Radiant barriers within insulation, such as the multiple
>ones within some synth sleeping bags [Randall, again] must
>obviously be highly breathable in order for the product to be
>usable.

Unfortunately in my experience radiant barriers in sleeping bags and 
synthetic filled jackets aren't breathable enough. I've tried several 
examples of both and found them sweaty (and one of the sleeping bags was 
quite noisy too). There may be models that perform better of course.

>
>> Alu on the outside would make for a highly visible
>> garment.
>
>Indeed so, in most conditions at least. I wouldn't typically
>want to wear alu-coated clothing because of the visual
>signature. My point, though, was that the outdoor garments
>industry, making the "technical" gear, doesn't seem to
>choose colour for some functional rationale: not minimal
>visual impact, not max visual impact, not thermal efficiency.
>Instead I strongly suspect that "technical" designs follow
>fashion too. I certainly agree though that availability and
>price are problems for small specialized companies, not to
>mention for making gear oneself.

I agree here. The outdoor industry doesn't generally give much if any 
thought to the function of colour even for technical gear. How it looks 
in photographs is much more important :-).  As well as availability 
consumer choice comes into it of course. Some colours sell well, some 
don't.  Different markets like different colours. Hunters need 
camouflage and dull colours, mountaineers like bright reds and yellows. 
Hikers like me prefer greens and browns.
>
>Btw, in a snowy landscape, the shiny silvery colour might
>not stick out that badly in overcast weather at least.
>Eg Stephenson "warns" that their silvery tents blend into
>the shadows in snowy conditions. I haven't really tried
>much shiny stuff though, but (snow) white, perhaps the
>second best from a thermal point of view, is often
>excellent winter camouflage too.