Buying outdoor clothing that proves to be unsuitable for the outdoors is not sustainable. The Hohenstein Performance Index enables an objective assessment of the suitability of textiles for their planned use even before buying them.

Anyone who likes spending time outdoors knows that there are certain pieces of clothing that are essential to have before heading into the weekend or holidays: Pieces that fulfill their purpose perfectly, keep you warm and dry, wick moisture away from the skin and are simply comfortable to wear. Outdoor clothing that is worn again and again over long periods is more sustainable than bad purchases that are disposed of in clothing banks after being worn just two or three times.

But how can good items of clothing be identified reliably in advance and bad purchases avoided? The Hohenstein Performance Index provides the answer.

An objective benchmark for subjective perceptions

Hohenstein has been researching the interaction between the body, climate and textiles for over 60 years. The company is a forerunner in the development of scientific methods for the objective evaluation of the comfort of textile products correlated with human perception. The Hohenstein Performance Index (HPI) lets you identify the properties of outdoor textiles even before buying them – on an objective level. This makes it clear from the beginning what a textile can do and what uses it is best suited for.

What does the index assess?

The HPI assesses the basic function of outdoor clothing, which includes temperature regulation, moisture management and protection from external influences such as rain and wetness. Hohenstein determines thermophysiological comfort using a standardized measuring device that it partly developed itself. This device reliably calculates the material-specific, physical parameters of the textile’s temperature and moisture management abilities.

The HPI in practice

For outdoor clothing, it is commonly recommended to use a three-layered clothing system, where the various layers each fulfil a different function and together ensure optimal comfort for the wearer. If there is an HPI for every piece of clothing, the pieces can be easily evaluated and compared before purchase – both individually and collectively. Manufactures also use the HPI to improve textile performance and optimize their portfolio.

For this, Hohenstein offers fine-tuned test processes that are oriented to the goals of the customer. Sustainable outdoor clothing is a goal with many facets that can be reached systematically. The Hohenstein Performance Index provides valuable orientation and support in this regard.

Photos: Hohenstein