Fabric and Geometry

Ok -- so I was talking about Fabric... And thinking about Fabric Geometry. (Takes me right back to High School, with Mr. Dillard telling me to stop looking out the window... Geometry. Geez.)

Basically, Geometry has to do with space between the fibers in the softball pant fabric. Imagine the difference between a window screen and chicken wire. Both allow air through, but certainly the chicken wire with the bigger gaps is more "breathable". In the same way, a mesh fabric is going to allow more air through than a woven fabric or a knit.

And to make it even more complicated, those little air gaps in the fabric can change while being worn. You sweat a little bit and the fibers swell up, and the "gaps" gets smaller. For instance, cotton fibers can expand 60% beyond their initial size -- just from sweat.

Okay -- I know you're saying "Brian, you moron, I'm not going to put my pants under a microscope. I struggle just to wash them every 5th game."

Fair enough, so here's a simple test: Hold a pant up to your mouth, and breathe through it. Take a second pant and breathe through it. Which is easier? Most likely, the easier one is significantly more breathable.

(By the way, before you try that little test... wash the pants. Voice of experience.)