Gear by numbers: did you know…?

26 June 2008 15:30

Some quirky gear-related facts probably not coming to a pub quiz near you soon...

1.4psi
The pressure exerted by a rain droplet in 35mph winds. For a fabric to be called waterproof, this is the minimum pressure it must withstand.

15-18psi
The amount of pressure exerted by your knee when kneeling down. This is why many so-called waterproof trousers leak at the knees.

A4
The amount of taped seams in a waterproof jacket is roughly equivalent to placing an A4 panel of non-breathable fabric on the chest of your jacket. For maximum breathability look for minimal amounts of seams or those sealed with narrow tape.

2min 30sec
The extra amount of time needed to boil half a litre of water on a gas stove with a cylinder when used for the second time. As the gas pressure decreases expect the boil time to increase.

23x
Heat is lost 23x quicker in wet clothing than it is in dry clothing.

26
The number of bones in each foot. Eighty per cent of people ‘overpronate’ (foot rolls inward too much) while only 4 per cent ‘oversupinate’ (foot rolls outward too much). Both can lead to foot and leg problems, which could be cured by custom insoles.

5
The known number of different testing procedures used by gear manufacturers to test the breathability of their products. Companies often use the test methods for their marketing that show the most favourable results. That’s why Trail’s tests are so vitally important to you making the right purchase.

250,000
Number of sweat glands per foot.

200ml
How much sweat is produced in 8 hours by your feet when hill-walking, compared to just 20ml when sitting, or 50ml when walking normally.

60x
Polyester absorbs moisture 60x less than cotton, hence cotton T-shirts feeling cold and clammy by comparison. Polypropylene base layers absorb 40x less moisture than polyester.

12 weeks
The age of the ducks or geese that provide down for low-performance sleeping bags.

16-20 weeks
The age of the ducks or geese that provide down for better quality bags. This down is combined with that from 24-48-month-old birds.

75%
Three-quarters of budget-priced water-proofs leaked within 2 years, according to a test carried out by George Fisher’s gear shop of Keswick. Mid-priced waterproofs lasted 3 years or more, while higher-priced garments remained waterproof for 5+ years.