Wind does not make you cold by lowering the air temperature — it makes you cold by stripping away the warm air your body has trapped in and around the fabric. So the best fabric for windy weather is not the thickest one; it is the one with a closed outer surface that stops air passing through it.
How windproof is each fabric type?
| Fabric | Wind resistance | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Softshell / bonded scuba | Very high | Dense double knit, closed surface |
| Diving (dalgıç) fabric | High | Compact structure, holds shape |
| Welsoft with a woven face | High | Pile insulates, face blocks airflow |
| Polar fleece (unbonded) | Low-medium | Warm but air passes straight through |
| Sherpa / plush | Low alone, high as a lining | Insulates, needs a shell over it |
| Single jersey | Very low | Open knit structure |
How does layering work?
Fleece is one of the warmest fabrics per gram and one of the worst windbreakers, which is not a contradiction: it is designed to be a mid layer. The working combination is a moisture-moving base layer, fleece or sherpa as insulation, and a dense outer face — softshell, scuba or a bonded fleece — to close the system against wind.
Why do bonded fabrics do two jobs at once?
A bonded construction laminates a knitted or woven face to a fleece or sherpa back, giving a single fabric that blocks wind on the outside and insulates on the inside. For jackets and vests this cuts a two-layer garment down to one, reducing both cutting time and bulk.
Why do the openings matter?
Most of the wind that reaches the body does not come through the fabric — it comes through hems, cuffs and collars. Rib cuffs, an adjustable hem and a high collar do more for real-world warmth than a 50 g/m² increase in fabric weight.
How do you specify it for production?
For autumn/winter outerwear the practical range is 240-350 g/m² for the outer fabric with a fleece or sherpa lining at 240-310 g/m². Minimum is 50 kg per colour, stock colours in 2-5 working days.
Altunkaya Tekstil produces scuba, diving fabric, welsoft and sherpa for outerwear manufacturers — min. 50 kg per colour, manufacturer-direct from Zeytinburnu, Istanbul. WhatsApp: +90 536 304 67 29