Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance

Due to constantly shifting environmental and personal circumstances, humans have a wide range of thermal comfort needs. Cold intolerance (CI) is a personalized thermoregulation disorder characterized by a persistently cold-feeling problem, regardless of weather conditions. Improvements in clothing t...

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Main Authors: Amare Abuhay, Melkie Getnet Tadesse, Baye Berhanu, Benny Malengier, Lieva Van Langenhove
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Fibers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/2/13
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author Amare Abuhay
Melkie Getnet Tadesse
Baye Berhanu
Benny Malengier
Lieva Van Langenhove
author_facet Amare Abuhay
Melkie Getnet Tadesse
Baye Berhanu
Benny Malengier
Lieva Van Langenhove
author_sort Amare Abuhay
collection DOAJ
description Due to constantly shifting environmental and personal circumstances, humans have a wide range of thermal comfort needs. Cold intolerance (CI) is a personalized thermoregulation disorder characterized by a persistently cold-feeling problem, regardless of weather conditions. Improvements in clothing thermal comfort can help maintain proper insulation levels, hence reducing excess heat loss brought on by thermoregulation disorders since the wearer’s thermal comfort is impacted by controllable environmental and personal factors. Despite extensive research on cold-proof clothing, no studies have examined the current status of cold protective clothing systems when taking individual considerations into account, particularly those who use them and have cold sensitivity. There is a significant study gap in research on cold intolerance discomfort and advancements in appropriate cold protection apparel applied to individuals with thermoregulation disorders. Accordingly, this paper reviews the occurrence and severity of cold intolerance and its comfort challenges. It also addresses recent developments in cold protective clothing design, aimed at opening pathways for further investigation into adopting this cutting-edge technology for cold intolerance wear design. This review also aims to clarify the existing opportunities for enhancing the thermal insulation capabilities and other comfort factors of cold protection apparel, which are conducted during the stages of garment design and clothing material/textile manufacture. A thorough assessment of the research on introducing novel surface finishing methods in the pretreatment section and modifying the structural properties of garment materials at the fiber/yarn or weaving stage is conducted. Furthermore, we systematically discuss the potential design solutions regarding fit and size as well as stitching technologies during garment development for thermal insulation enhancement of cold protective clothing design.
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spelling doaj-art-bf4d6dfd9e7a473390052b4ddf94e3242025-08-20T03:12:00ZengMDPI AGFibers2079-64392025-01-011321310.3390/fib13020013Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold IntoleranceAmare Abuhay0Melkie Getnet Tadesse1Baye Berhanu2Benny Malengier3Lieva Van Langenhove4Department of Materials, Textile and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumEthiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 1037, EthiopiaEthiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 1037, EthiopiaDepartment of Materials, Textile and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Materials, Textile and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Ghent, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumDue to constantly shifting environmental and personal circumstances, humans have a wide range of thermal comfort needs. Cold intolerance (CI) is a personalized thermoregulation disorder characterized by a persistently cold-feeling problem, regardless of weather conditions. Improvements in clothing thermal comfort can help maintain proper insulation levels, hence reducing excess heat loss brought on by thermoregulation disorders since the wearer’s thermal comfort is impacted by controllable environmental and personal factors. Despite extensive research on cold-proof clothing, no studies have examined the current status of cold protective clothing systems when taking individual considerations into account, particularly those who use them and have cold sensitivity. There is a significant study gap in research on cold intolerance discomfort and advancements in appropriate cold protection apparel applied to individuals with thermoregulation disorders. Accordingly, this paper reviews the occurrence and severity of cold intolerance and its comfort challenges. It also addresses recent developments in cold protective clothing design, aimed at opening pathways for further investigation into adopting this cutting-edge technology for cold intolerance wear design. This review also aims to clarify the existing opportunities for enhancing the thermal insulation capabilities and other comfort factors of cold protection apparel, which are conducted during the stages of garment design and clothing material/textile manufacture. A thorough assessment of the research on introducing novel surface finishing methods in the pretreatment section and modifying the structural properties of garment materials at the fiber/yarn or weaving stage is conducted. Furthermore, we systematically discuss the potential design solutions regarding fit and size as well as stitching technologies during garment development for thermal insulation enhancement of cold protective clothing design.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/2/13clothing thermal comfortcold intolerancethermoregulation disorderclothing insulation improvement
spellingShingle Amare Abuhay
Melkie Getnet Tadesse
Baye Berhanu
Benny Malengier
Lieva Van Langenhove
Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
Fibers
clothing thermal comfort
cold intolerance
thermoregulation disorder
clothing insulation improvement
title Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
title_full Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
title_fullStr Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
title_full_unstemmed Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
title_short Advancements in Clothing Thermal Comfort for Cold Intolerance
title_sort advancements in clothing thermal comfort for cold intolerance
topic clothing thermal comfort
cold intolerance
thermoregulation disorder
clothing insulation improvement
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6439/13/2/13
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