The Lifa stripes have become a long-standing icon in the world of high performance base layer, and for good reason. The Lifa Sport Stripe Crew is known worldwide for providing lightweight comfort and effective moisture management over years of outdoor abuse. Launched as the first ever performance base layer in 1974, this fabric has only gotten better and is still "the" most popular high activity base layer available.
Helly Lifa wear is made from Polypropylene which is a hydrophobic fibre. This means that - unlike cotton or wool - it does not absorb moisture so the fabric stays dry next to your skin. Also, in many lab and field tests over the last 30+ years, polypropylene has been proven to be as much as 40 times more efficient than the likes of polyester, at transporting moisture. Which means you stay drier!
Unlike other synthetic fabrics, which use Capillary action to transport moisture, Lifa works by using body heat to push the moisture along its fibers to the outside of the garment. From here the moisture is dispersed quickly into a larger surface area and evaporates or is taken up by the secondary layer. This means, other than through complete saturation (i.e. falling in a river), the fabric not only continues to operate no regardless of how hard you work, it operates even more efficiently!
Main benefits of Polypropylene
Tests have proven polypropylene to be up to 40 times more efficient than polyester at transporting moisture away from your body. Polypropylene is highly inert to chemicals and therefore is impervious to degradation caused by salt, oil, etc. Polypropylene was awarded the Nobel science prize for its development and subsequent contribution to manufacturer. Highly anti-microbial. Polypropylene has superb elasticity properties and therefore not only hugs the body's form better than polyester, it also holds its shape very well over time and washing.
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