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.)

More on Fabric

I was talking the other day about our fabric. One of the things that's important is getting a fabric that is strong but also breathes. If I can put on my lab coat for a minute, let me give you a brief run-down.

There are multiple factors that affect breathability, but primarily it has to do with the fabric filaments ("What's it made of?") and the fabric geometry. ("How is it constructed?")

Under a microscope, fabric yarns or filaments can look different. For example, a filament can be pulled-out (extruded) in a solid filament like nylon is; or it can be made like a twisted ribbon as in polyester or cotton. Air cannot pass through a solid fiber but it does pass through those fibers with ribbon twists. Twisted filaments are more breathable.

Secondly, how the fabric is put together makes a difference. Next time: What everybody hated in high school: Geometry.

Fabric for Softball Pants

I got this as a PM on Softball Fans yesterday:

I received the RPN Black Labels... These are da bomb!!! My bro and wife absolutely love them too!!! The fit/cut are sexcellent...all I can say is that the material can be a bit more boombah like (deluxe material)....But I love them...just wanted to tell you that....can't wait to use em next season!!!"

Why don't we use a really "soft" material? Well, soft is good in your woman, and it's good in your toilet tissue, but in softball pants it's not necessarily so good. Softball pants need to protect and be durable, as well as be comfortable. So we chose a material that is optimal. Any softer, and it can burn out or get holes too quickly. Any stronger, and you'd lose some comfort. More on this later...