What is the significance of Chevalier's Chevalite® label?
Chevalite-labeled garments are made of fabrics that feature our proprietary, PFAS-free, wind and waterproof PU membrane Chevalite®, laminated on the rear. Membranes offer the best waterproofness, the best strength and usually the best breathability in the different ways you can design waterproof textiles. The membrane, in conjunction with the garment’s structure being made to achieve the best water runoff, as well as taped seams, make the garment waterproof.
What is Chevalite®?
Chevalite membrane is hydrophilic and functions at the molecular level. This means that the cavities of the material are the openings between its molecules. The membrane expands as it gets hot, just like any other material, and then the openings between the molecules also become larger. This means that the material breathes better the warmer the environment, just as the user wants it.
How is the Chevalite membrane used?
The Chevalite membrane is laminated on the back of the garment's outer fabric, a very effective way to keep out wetness. This means that the membrane and outer fabric are fused together into one material in a two- or three-layer design. With this technology, only the outer material can get damp as the membrane on the inside is completely waterproof. To support the outer fabric and prevent it from getting wet, water-repellent impregnation is added. Chevalier's water-repellent impregnation is, of course, PFAS-free. A laminated outer fabric offers additional benefits when you can incorporate pockets and other features that are also waterproof.
The Chevalite membrane can also be used as a hanging liner inside the garment. Then the Chevalite membrane is used as an intermediate lining, placed between the outer fabric and the inner lining. It acts as a wind and waterproof barrier inside the outer fabric. The moisture can never come into contact with the skin as it is stopped by the Chevalite membrane, although the outer fabric of the garment can get wet. This type of garment design is often used for garments whose functionality needs to be quiet, as laminated fabrics often rustle more.
What does it take for a garment to be waterproof?
- Membrane: a high-quality membrane with proven performance regarding water columns and breathability, such as Chevalite.
- Design: our taped Chevalite products are designed to ensure waterproofness against the body. This is achieved by using waterproof designs for the exposed features of garments, taped seams and, on some products, even water repellent zippers
- Tape: Chevalier uses only adhesive tape from leading suppliers, customized according to membrane quality and fabric thickness.
- Good ventilation: Chevalite® has excellent breathability, making your waterproof garments really comfortable.
It is important that a waterproof functional garment has good vapor permeability. When you move a lot, you sweat. The sweat is transformed into water vapor by the body’s heat. It is this moisture that needs to be quickly ventilated and transported away from the body in order keep you dry and warm. Thus, the wind and water barrier/membrane should have excellent so-called breathability.
Accurate quality and performance tests are carried out regularly to ensure that production meets our high standards. Chevalite garments are genuinely waterproof.