Every year around this time people start preparing for the hot summer months.
They’re looking for ways to stay cool and/or prevent the inevitable sweat-through that occurs when perspiration marks seep through to the outer side of clothing.
The problem areas are usually isolated to where there are more sweat glands: Underarm, back, chest, butt, hands, feet, etc. For many of us, wearing thin, lightweight undershirts is our solution to protect our outer shirts from sweat through, sweat marks and stains. For others, undershirts may not be enough protection, and of course there are others who just prefer not to wear undershirts.
In recent years, there have been advancements in many fabric technologies that provide a variety of water protection. They range from high absorption, wicking, repelling, sweat-through resistance, and most recently super/smart diffusion.
Enter SmartWeave, one of the first commercial super/smart diffusion fabric technologies that prevents visible sweat marks from reaching the outside of the fabric. In other words, the fabric prevents sweat-through.
SmartWeave Technology Explained
From the company’s website:
SmartWeave draws perspiration away from the skin, and via a preset route, transports it across the shirt’s inner surface. the moisture is spread very finely over a large surface area, encouraging it to dry quickly, keeping you feeling fresh throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the weave actively re-directs the perspiration away from the outside of the shirt, preventing unsightly sweat marks from appearing.
SmartWeave is the light-weight, single layered, 100% cotton fabric that keeps you feeling dry and looking crisp, fresh and in control.
SmartWeave Technology Images
SmartWeave Shirts
SmartWeave has just officially announced the launch of their Men’s and Women’s woven shirt lines. Their initial offer is pretty impressive. On the men’s side, there are about 504 different options and on the women’s, there are 39. They also have collections to designate where they’re available (United States, UK)
Men’s SmartWeave Shirts
- Pricing: $99.50 – $114.80
- Colors: Black, Blue, Brown, Grey, Pink, Purple/Lilac, White
- Cuff: Double cuff, Single cuff
- Fit: Slim, Tailored, Traditional
- Fabric Pattern: Check, Solid, Stripe
- Collar: Button down collar, Classic collar, Cutaway collar, Round collar, Small collar, Wing collar
- Occasion: Business, Casual, Evening/Tuxedo
Women’s SmartWeave Shirts
- Pricing: $99.50 – $114.80
- Color: Blue, Pink, Purple/Lilac, White
- Cuff: Single Cuff
- Pattern: Solid, Stripe
- Collar: Classic collar, Round collar
Hoping I can get my hands on at least one of these shirts so I can put it to the sweat-through test.
One thing I’d love to personally try is to see if back sweat would reach the outside of the shirt after sitting in the car with your back pressed to the seat. Maybe I’ll get the chance to find out (:
Visit SmartWeaveStore.com for more information.
SmartWeave Sweat Mark Protection Not Permanent
I’ll have to admit, I was pretty surprised when I heard this.
Although they do not say it outright, the information SmartWeave provides about their technology implies their sweat-mark prevention is a permanent characteristic of their fabric.
SmartWeave draws perspiration away from the skin, and via a preset route, transports it across the shirt’s inner surface.
The moisture is spread very finely over a large surface area, encouraging it to dry quickly, keeping you feeling fresh throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the weave actively re-directs the perspiration away from the outside of the shirt, preventing unsightly sweat marks from appearing.
In my opinion, when you claim your “weave” redirects perspiration in a manner that “prevents” sweat marks from appearing, it definitely leaves you [me] with the impression of permanency.
Yet, I received the following email from a reader recently:
Hi Tug,
Congratulations for your web site, great work.
I am interested [in purchasing] shirts that block moisture [prevent sweat through].
I bought a few months ago SmartWeave shirts.
I was really impressed by the results, no stain whatever the situation but…after one washing machine, according to the process recommended, stains appeared.
after 3-4 [washings] there is almost no difference with a classic shirt.
You mentioned that you wanted to experience SmartWeave.
Any feedback?
I wrote to them and they pretended that it works after 20 cleanings.
Really expensive for one day proof sweating [sweat proofing].
Ministry of Supply is much efficient but the it does not prevent stains, just make them disappear much more quicker.
Any new technology in the USA ?
Best regards, Bruno
Preventing Visible Sweat Marks
Heya Bruno,
Good to hear from you buddy and thanks for touching base!!
Wow, that is very big news about SmartWeave shirts.
I was under the impression that their sweat-mark (sweat through) prevention was a permanent part of the fabric’s weave, and not some component that could be washed out of the fabric.
It’s a shame, because they softly imply it’s permanent when they say the fabric is woven a special way.
If the solution can be washed out, and sweat marks appear after, then there is nothing “smart” about their “weave”.
I do have a SmartWeave shirt, but i can’t say that I’ve been in a situation yet where I would sweat through the shirt, so I couldn’t really test it for that very well.
As far as I know, there are no other new technologies available to prevent sweat through, on a more permanent basis, other than what I’ve mentioned on my site.
At the time I’m writing this to you, the only two companies that make sweat-through resistant undershirts with all-over protection are:
- Sutran
- Nanodri
Even so, neither of the products above offer permanent sweat-through prevention.
I believe around 50 washes is how long the products will be effective.
They do, however, offer longer term sweat-through prevention.
There are some companies making super-hydrophobic clothing, but they are generally designed to prevent getting stains on the outside of the clothing — plus, the treatment is not permanent.
It doesn’t really help with preventing sweat-through though, because the coating on the fabric generally repels liquids altogether, but not permanently.
Where do you sweat the most? Underarms, or chest/back/shoulders?
Sweat-Proof Apparel
I haven’t heard back from Bruno yet, but I’ll be continuing the dialog with him to see if I can help him out.
While I mentioned Sutran and NanoDri above, there are several other sweat-blocking undershirts that can also help with preventing sweat through in the underarm area.
Be sure to check out my Top 9 Sweat Management Solutions article. It contains information about sweat blocking undershirts, sweat proof underwear, various antiperspirant & sweat-reducing options, and much more.
I have recently heard of a fabric that is permanently super-hydrophobic, but I’m still waiting for more information about it.
More to come on this subject soon.