(28 Dec 2024, 01:43 )MIWSTIUS Wrote: (27 Dec 2024, 15:29 )Iniga Wrote: those transparent/sheer models are not smooth/silky at all.
Interesting yet disappointing info.
Is this based on your own first-hand
experience with that material?
I guess the sheer effect is achieved in part by
lower thread density than the regular non-transparent Lycra. More space in between each thread of fabric will indeed create more micro grooves, ergo less smooth.
Having a coating on top of that might alleviate this a bit, but then all depends on how the coating feels.... probably similar to PU coating, ergo rubbery. Only slick if you would lube it.
I dunno, seems like a gamble.at those prices.
With the transparent/sheer, yes, I have the same transparent suit which Like Ra linked above, BUT keep in mind I am guessing with the new material based on the way it looks in the pics and videos, especially the weave and visually the texture - it
looks very much like the transparent suit material & weave. I have not felt the new (coated) material,
so I may be wrong, and they have used a new type of thread which feels different. I also have no idea what the coating feels like on these new models. I chose the leggings above on purpose, to my eyes at least, they look the same except that the new model has a coating. That flake metallic sheen on the new models appears to be due to the less dense weave and the light being caught at different angles (unlike their thicker PU coating, which is smooth and attached to a more densely woven material). But again, I'm guessing.
I pulled out my transparent suit & a shiny suit to compare, these two:
I am not a material expert, but I'll do my best to explain it in lay terms...
The weave on the transparent is much less dense, the suit is lighter and the material much thinner than on the "shiny" suits. The individual threads look thicker on the transparent. There is a sheen on the outside, but much lower than on the uncoated shiny models.
If you hold the transparent suit up to the light, you can clearly see a box like structure in the weave and clearly see through it due to those holes in the weave especially when held up to the light, a bit like on a window/insect screen but denser.
With the shiny suit I can just make out the weave structure with the help of reading glasses. When wet it is fairly transparent, when dry not so much in this color (mine is a bit lighter & a bit more pink than that picture appears on my monitor at least). If you were to use it as screen material in a window, you would not see much outside.
Both are smoother on the outside than on the inside.
The shiny model still feels silkily smooth on the inside & on the outside that wonderful silky/slippery smooth feeling we love.
The inside of the transparent model feels a bit like the insert layer often used as a liner in swim ware, but thinner, a very thin gauze. To be fair, the outside is smoother than most cheap swim ware, the individual threads are thinner, still feels nice. But you
do feel the weave texture when you run your fingers over it.
If I fold & clamp the material between two fingers and rub, the shiny suit offers no resistance on the outside and very minimally on the inside.
The material on transparent suit does not slide on the inside, there is a lot of resistance. On the outside it slides, but you can feel the resistance and even hear it a bit as the two weaves catch on each other.
I'm not unhappy with the transparent model, I bought a second one with long sleeves when it was on sale. I do much prefer the feeling and looks of the non-coated shiny material, though.
The price: I'm sure that will go down once they have been out for a while.
Hope this helps.