Finished product tests
SYMPATEX STRESS TESTING – THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY’S BAPTISM OF FIRE
Sympatex works exclusively with professional clothing and footwear manufacturers who integrate these high-tech functional textile into their products. Licensing agreements, which include specifications for production and processing, ensure the continuous high quality of products containing Sympatex. In addition, Sympatex provides support for its partners to maintain their production standards, for instance with handling or sealing seams.
Our perfectionism makes the difference. This means that clothing, footwear and accessories with Sympatex are 100% waterproof, 100% windproof and provide optimal breathability – protection that lasts. They are tested in Sympatex laboratories and in independent testing institutions in accordance with the latest standards.
CLOTHING TESTS – HARD BUT FAIR
In these tests, the specific article of clothing is literally ‘taken apart’ and examined in great detail. Particular attention is paid to how strong and waterproof the seams are. The quality of workmanship of key functional components, such as zippers, hoods, pockets, seams, etc., and the hydrophobicity of the outer materials are also tested. All of these tests are performed in three states: unused, after washing and after dry cleaning.
The harder the job, the harder the test: protective workwear undergoes even more tests – in accordance with special standards and technical guidelines. This is done to ensure, for example, that firefighters can always rely on the full functionality of their clothing, even under the most extreme conditions.
The EDGAR (Enhanced Dynamic Garment Rain Tester) system simulates standard rain conditions. The clothing is tested in continuous rain for up to three hours (unused, after washing and after dry cleaning).
Trust is good, control is better: Sympatex also carries out test purchases from retail outlets. Here, in addition to quality control, the proper application of antitheft devices and price tags is also checked, as these may only be applied to the zipper or to the outer edges of the articles of clothing.
Jacket in the EDGAR rain testing facility
Jacket prototypes are subjected to up to three hours of continuous rain
THE GLOVE TEST – BRING ON THE WATER
We know by experience that hands cool down very quickly. Hands receive less blood flow and are therefore particularly dependent on reliable protection. Sympatex tests all its gloves with Sympatex glove inserts for waterproofness, thermal insulation and breathability. We use a rain test method that submits every Sympatex glove to intensive tests for hours at a time. The result is: warm and dry hands – even in extreme situations.
Gloves in stress test
Testing waterproofness with rain machine
THE FOOTWEAR TEST – TO THE LIMIT, AND THEN SOME
Footwear has to withstand tremendous stress every day, especially in the Sympatex test labs. Even before the product has been finished, Sympatex subjects its materials to intensive tests. The lining is tested for its abrasion resistance (using the Martindale method). Leather uppers are expected to demonstrate their flexibility and crease resistance in the crease test, while their water absorption is monitored in the Bally penetrometer test. Experts examine the waterproof construction of the entire shoe, concentrating in particular on the seam sealing, tongue construction, collar, etc. Because these are places where water can easily get into the shoe.
But the hardest is still to come. To finish off the tests, the shoes with Sympatex Laminate are subjected to up to 14 hours of walking in a water-filled walking simulator. For highest quality every step of the way.
The walking simulator
Testing waterproofness for up to 14 hours
