Some think that breathability prevents sweating or is about air permeability. Others believe that it is about freedom of movement. The truth is that the term 'breathability' is slightly misleading because it is used to describe a process where clothing allows water vapour - not air - to escape through the material to the outside. For firefighters, the challenge is to ensure their garments are breathable but also waterproof from the outside. When we get hot, the body's natural response is to cool itself by sweating. When liquid sweat on your skin evaporates it takes the heat away from your body, which helps to cool it. It is that process of sweat evaporation that does the cooling.
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