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Outdoor clothing guide: advice & care tips

What is functional clothing? How do you take care of functional clothing?

Choosing the right type of clothing when playing sports or going to the gym is very important to make sure you are comfortable and can exercise properly. Functional clothing has therefore become very popular with anyone that enjoys outdoor activities. However, what exactly is functional clothing and what makes it so special? Which type of functional clothing is suitable for which sport? How do you wash and care for functional clothing? In our guide you can find answers to these important questions and lots of helpful information on outdoor clothing.

FAQs on functional clothing

If you enjoy being outdoors and/or keeping fit, you will need the ideal outfit that offers comfort and freedom to move about in. We will answer some of the most important questions about functional clothing below:

What is functional clothing?

The term functional clothing describes the special fabrics that have been developed to guarantee excellent temperature regulation and also to wick away moisture whilst keeping active or going on a hike. Compared to regular clothing, they ensure a comfortable fit even whilst working out. Functional clothing includes elasticated, breathable sportswear as well as weatherproof clothing that offers protection for challenging terrains or against extreme weather conditions.

What special properties does functional clothing have?

Functional clothing has different properties depending on the intended use. The material properties of functional fabrics, which are primarily designed to keep you warm and dry, differ accordingly from items of clothing that have an insulating layer. One thing that all functional fabrics have in common is that they ensure an optimum temperature and the ability to wick moisture away from your skin. This will help you to stay warm without feeling too hot and keep you dry on a rainy day.

When should you wear functional clothing?

There are many occasions where you can wear these types of clothes:

  • For outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing or skiing, functional clothing is the ideal choice to protect you from the wind and bad weather whilst still ensuring a high level of comfort.

  • If you enjoy jogging or aerobic workouts, then you should opt for functional clothing as it is breathable, comfortable and it effectively wicks moisture away from your skin.

  • Functional clothes are also great for low-impact sports such as yoga or Nordic walking, as they are comfortable to move about in.

Certain functional fabrics are also helpful in everyday life, such as waterproof jackets and coats. They are also the ideal choice for commuting to work, going shopping and also for travelling. They will keep you warm and dry in changeable weather.

Which items of functional clothing will you need?

Choosing the right functional clothing depends on what you need it for and where you will be wearing it. Intense workouts rely primarily on breathable and quick drying clothing. For outdoor activities in extreme weather conditions or on difficult terrains, you will need good thermal insulation and/or an item of clothing that is waterproof. The local weather conditions also play an important role when choosing the right functional fabrics. For example, you will need different clothing for a hiking holiday in a cool, windy region than somewhere that is warm and very humid.

How to take care of functional clothing

Sports and outdoor clothing are made up of special practical properties. Functional fabrics made from synthetic or natural fibres offer protection against moisture ensuring that your functional clothing is breathable, waterproof or even quick drying. However, in order to look after these special properties the fabrics must be washed and cared for properly.

Can you wash functional clothing?

As a general rule, always follow the washing instructions on the care label. This will show you at what temperature you should wash your functional clothing at. Below we have listed some general washing and care tips you can follow:

  • Fasten any Velcro and do up any zipsand turn your clothes inside out.

  • It is best to wash your functional clothing separately so that they do not get damaged in the wash, for example, from heavy fabrics such as denim. Washing your functional clothes separately will also help to avoid any fibre residues from other fabrics being deposited on the functional fabrics.

  • Use a mild liquid detergent or a special laundry detergent for sports and functional clothing. Powder detergents can clog and damage the special properties.

  • Do not use fabric softener, as this softens the fibre structure and clogs the special pores on the fabric.

  • Also avoid stain removers or detergents with bleach, as these can damage the delicate fibres.

  • Wash at the lowest possible temperature (depending on the manufacturer's instructions, max. 30°C - 40°C) and select a delicate cycle.

  • It is recommended to not use a spin cycle. If you would like to put your functional clothing on a spin cycle, make sure you choose the lowest speed, such as 600 revolutions.

Can you tumble dry functional clothes?

Make sure to double check the care label. Certain functional fabrics such as fleece jackets, functional underwear or functional T-shirts are made from merino wool, which should ideally be hung up on the washing line and left to dry.

However, there is also functional clothing that is suitable for tumble drying and it even benefits from being dried at a high temperature. If your functional clothing has special water-repellent properties, these can be reactivated in the tumble dryer on the lowest setting.

The same effect can also be achieved by ironing your functional clothing carefully and without any steam. When ironing make sure to put your iron on the lowest temperature and possibly place a cloth in between to protect the fabric.

Do you need to waterproof functional clothing?

In some cases, it may be necessary to waterproof your functional clothing from time to time. You can protect the waterproofing layer with a special detergent or waterproofing spray, but make sure to always follow the instructions on the product.

Properties of waterproof clothing

When looking for functional clothing you will need to look for terms such as breathable, waterproof and moisture wicking fabrics. They describe the special properties that characterise items of clothing specially developed for (outdoor) activities. Nevertheless, what exactly is the difference between water-repellent and waterproof clothing? How can you tell how breathable a functional jacket is? When should you opt for a softshell or hardshell jacket? In this article we have answered the most important questions about functional clothing and their special properties and weatherproof clothing.

Properties of waterproof clothing

Functional clothing for every type of sport

Depending on which type of sport you would like to practise, you will have to find the appropriate functional clothing. While breathable, quick drying and stretchy clothing is practical for going jogging cycling, hiking or skiing, they also look great and will help to keep you warm and dry. We will explain how you can find the perfect functional clothing for outdoor activities.

Functional clothing for every type of sport

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The image sources in this text are in chronological order:

Cover photo: iStock.com/AscentXmedia
1. Image in text: iStock.com/TFILM
2. Image in text: iStock.com/swissmediavision
3. Image in text: iStock.com/Anchiy