PV material and Perma Pleating

billmcc · 23rd June 05, 01:26 AM

Hi All,

I live in Florida and want a tartan kilt that is lighter and cooler than a wool kilt. Is PV lighter and cooler than wool?

Also, what exactly is Perma Pleating?

**KMacT** · 23rd June 05, 04:06 AM

PV will be lighter than wool if the PV in question is a lighter fabric that the wool. It's a simple matter of weight. A 13 oz PV will be heavier than an 11 oz wool.

As for whether one is cooler than the other, all other things being equal I would expect that a wool, which is a natural fabric and breaths very well, would be cooler than a synthetic like PV.

Kevin

**macwilkin** · 23rd June 05, 06:36 AM

As for whether one is cooler than the other, all other things being equal I would expect that a wool, which is a natural fabric and breaths very well, would be cooler than a synthetic like PV.

Well said, Kevin. wool, in my experience, does "breathe" more than synthetics do. I find that when I have worn my wool kilt in the summer with a synthetic polo shirt, my top half is always hotter than the bottom! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Dreadbelly** · 23rd June 05, 06:53 AM

Actually, let me in on this. I did a lot of looking in to this very subject.

PV has a better evaporation rate than wool does. So when you are hot and sweaty, the increased evaporation rate should (At least in theory) keep you cooler than wool.

I dunno about the rest of you, but my kilt gets wet down there. And when I sweat, it soaks, and feels noticeably cooler as the breeze blows up in there.

I will tell you what doesn't work in the heat, and that is arcrylic... I can't wear my 13oz Stillwater Heavy.

I am even more curious about hemp kilts... Hemp has an incredible evaporation rate... And from what I read, very breatheable. I would love to test drive one in this unbearable smothering heat.

**macwilkin** · 23rd June 05, 07:05 AM

Actually, let me in on this. I did a lot of looking in to this very subject.

PV has a better evaporation rate than wool does. So when you are hot and sweaty, the increased evaporation rate should (At least in theory) keep you cooler than wool.

KW, I'd be curious to see your source(s) on this statement. Where did you come across this information? I'd love to read them.

I've worn wool in the summertime for 15 years now in various forms of historical reenacting, as well as my kilt. It is been my observation that all of the tourists watching us in their synthetic tank-tops, shorts, etc. who thought we were all crazy and viewed themselves as "cooler" were actually sweating more & far more uncomfortable than we were.

The problem: AC. We have become so used to air-conditioning that we can't stand the heat anymore. My Dad remembers summer in Arizona without AC, folks today couldn't take that.

My money is on wool, linen or cotton -- natural fibers -- over man-made stuff any day.

T.

**Dreadbelly** · 23rd June 05, 07:12 AM

I found some info on the net when I was researching my little "health problem."

PV resists fungal infections better, has a higher evaporation rate, etc. It's because of the teflon coating on the fabric. Moisture doesn't seep in, it stays on the surface and evaporates away quickly. It dries quickly because of this feature.

In general though you are correct. Natural fibres are better.

Hemp is looking to be the best by far. At least from what I can understand of the high tech mumbo jumbo.

**macwilkin** · 23rd June 05, 07:28 AM

Did you find them on google? If you have the URL's, I'd love to read the evidence -- I'm not trying to start something, but as a historian & a librarian, I like to see sources -- just ask my students! ;)

Here are a few sources I found:

http://www.trailrunnermag.com/trail%...sted%2019.html

http://www.wool.com/about_education_natural.php

http://www.woolisbest.com/wool_explained/

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/6571.html

Granted, some of these are from the Wool Industry, which obviously wants to present a good image of wool.

T.

**jfellrath** · 23rd June 05, 07:40 AM

What exactly does PV stand for?

**Dreadbelly** · 23rd June 05, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Did you find them on google? If you have the URL's, I'd love to read the evidence -- I'm not trying to start something, but as a historian & a librarian, I like to see sources -- just ask my students! ;)

Here are a few sources I found:

http://www.trailrunnermag.com/trail%...sted%2019.html

http://www.wool.com/about_education_natural.php

http://www.woolisbest.com/wool_explained/

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/6571.html

Granted, some of these are from the Wool Industry, which obviously wants to present a good image of wool.

T.

I understand. I did my research about a year ago. Yes, I googled. I accidently stumbled on to it when I was trying to research exactly what PV was. In my searching I also stumbled over something about "Trench Rot" being a problem with wool in one of the great wars. I don't remember everything, but I believe I posted my findings in a long ago post I made here about the health problems that pants present.

I was warned against wool from my doctor over concerns about various infections and rashes coming back. PV seemed like a good choice at the time, but I have been busy looking up the teflon problem that I just thought about. I am starting to have second thoughts.

Bah. Hemp. The future is in hemp.