What Makes Millet’s "DRYNAMIC" Innerwear Exceptional in Pursuing the Ultimate Dryness?

As May ushers in the start of summer, it is no longer surprising when extreme heat days arrive. This is a trend we've seen in recent years. From July, there’s an increase in extremely hot days, and even after the start of autumn in August, temperatures often remain high, lasting with sweltering days into September. In July 2023, the United Nations raised awareness of the phenomenon dubbed "Global Boiling," which we are likely to feel every day this year.
 
Choosing the right innerwear is crucial for comfortably enduring the extreme heat. Previously, "Millet" was renowned for its innerwear "DRYNAMIC" designed to keep the skin dry during mountain excursions, but it has also been proving its effectiveness against urban heat in recent years. Therefore, I visited Millet Mountain Group Japan Co., Ltd. to talk in detail with developer Hisao Sakurai.

Nearly the entire garment is made of mesh. Wearing "DRYNAMIC MESH," a sweat-wicking innerwear developed by the acclaimed French alpine brand "Mllet," surprisingly alleviates the discomfort of sweat. It provides a completely different wear experience compared to typical moisture-wicking garments. Why is that?
 
"While there are mesh and woven varieties in moisture-wicking functional wear, 'DRYNAMIC' uses a stretchable mesh fabric that employs capillary action in the gaps to first pull sweat away from the skin and then spread it across the garment, utilizing the thickness of the mesh fabric to swiftly distance moisture from the skin. The effect is fast and reliable since it draws sweat away effectively.
 
"Most moisture-wicking wear has a simple composition of functional materials, focusing more on sending moisture from the inside to the outside, which can often lead to pooling when sweating profusely. Sweat pooling causes the skin to feel sticky and can lead to sweat chilling due to evaporative cooling. The advantage of 'DRYNAMIC' is that it spreads sweat and keeps it away from the skin."

Indeed, wearing "DRYNAMIC" while hiking and sweating heavily gives a feeling of sweat spreading across the entire garment, accumulating on the outside rather than inside the fabric. The inside remains dry and comfortable, causing no stress. Outside sweat can be left to dry naturally. Even on scorching hot days in the city, wearing it beneath a short-sleeve shirt ensures quick sweat management, allowing you to stay cool.
 
"To achieve a mesh fabric with high elasticity, hydrophobic properties, and low thermal conductivity, we went through numerous trials and errors before discovering the golden ratio of functional materials consisting of 66% polypropylene, 28% nylon, and 6% polyurethane. Initially, this golden ratio was kept a secret, but we decided to make it public once we concluded that revealing the ratio would not allow others to replicate the same fabric.
 
"We constructed a sweat management structure utilizing capillary action with three types of functional materials. By mixing polypropylene and polyurethane threads with different tensions, we created a mesh height that keeps the skin away from sweat when worn.
 
"Polypropylene fibers are hydrophobic and repel moisture. We use capillary action to distribute sweat within the gaps in the 66% polypropylene fibers. Nylon, which feels good against the skin, is intertwined with the polyurethane threads, influencing overall comfort. The technology to knit this specialized mesh fabric using computers was uniquely developed by 'Millet' and is highly advanced and distinct, making it challenging to replicate easily."

Amazing Effectiveness Not Only with Functional Materials but Also in Combination with Everyday Clothes

Many functional underwear suggest layering moisture-wicking garments on top. What sets "DRYNAMIC" apart is that wearing it under cotton or 100% wool products does not compromise skin dryness.
 
"Since it quickly disperses moisture and prevents the formation of sweat pools, you can naturally dry it even when layered with natural fiber garments, minimizing skin discomfort or chills from sweat. Short items like short sleeves, sleeveless tops, or boxer shorts keep you comfortable too. You might feel even more comfortable wearing long tops and bottoms in summer, so feel free to give it a try."

In the entertainment industry, it seems to be spreading the practice of wearing "DRYNAMIC" under stage costumes to minimize performance decline due to excessive sweating. In business settings where formal attire is required, comfort can greatly differ with just this one piece of underwear. Of course, in outdoor scenarios, combining it with functional materials for maximum effect is also a great idea.

Unlike the tight-fitting "DRYNAMIC MESH," the slightly looser "DRYNAMIC THROUGH" keeps comfort by minimizing the contact between the skin and the fabric where sweat is dispersed through the textured surface on the inside. While the sweat management function is higher in "DRYNAMIC MESH," the "DRYNAMIC THROUGH" is easier to incorporate into daily wear.
 
"Originally developed as underwear, we have seen an increase in people wearing 'DRYNAMIC THROUGH' alone like a T-shirt due to the recent heat. While 'DRYNAMIC MESH' is designed as functional underwear that assumes layering, 'DRYNAMIC THROUGH' allows for more freedom in styling."
 
Both men's and women's options, along with variations in length, provide a wide range of choices. As the seasons change, selecting items that are easy to use both outdoors and in the city to stay dry and comfortable might just be your secret gear.