Smart, Waterproof, Breathable Sportswear – A Review

This paper reviews the various works done in the development of waterproof, breathable sportswear. The moisture transport properties and various factors affecting it, in the sportswear fabrics are also discussed. More on that, the limitations of conventional waterproof breathable fabrics are overcome by redesigning the textile material surface, operating at a microscopic level using stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs), phase change materials (PCMs), Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) etc., in the form of smart technology that facilitates active comfort to the wearer is also discussed. Special functionality imparted in sportswear by incorporating smart material in the form of smart coatings is also presented.