Breathability Testing for Textiles
Airmid Healthgroup provides independent breathability testing for textile products — evaluating the ability of a fabric to allow water vapour to pass through while maintaining its protective or barrier properties. Breathability testing is essential for manufacturers of bedding, mattress covers, protective garments, and healthcare textiles seeking to validate comfort and performance claims.
What Is Breathability Testing?
Breathability refers to a fabric’s ability to transmit moisture vapour — primarily perspiration — away from the body, helping to maintain thermal comfort and reduce moisture build-up. A fabric can be an effective allergen or liquid barrier while still allowing sufficient water vapour transmission to remain comfortable in use.
This balance between barrier performance and breathability is particularly critical for bedding encasements, mattress protectors, medical textiles, and performance apparel — where both protection and comfort must be demonstrated independently.
Test Standards Used
Airmid Healthgroup conducts breathability testing in accordance with internationally recognised standards, including:
ISO 11092 / EN 31092
Measurement of thermal and water vapour resistance under steady-state conditions (sweating guarded hotplate test) — the primary international standard for breathability assessment of textiles and clothing.
ISO 9237
Determination of the permeability of fabrics to air — measuring the volume of air that passes through a defined area of fabric per unit time under a specified pressure difference.
ASTM E96
Water vapour transmission of materials — measuring the rate at which water vapour passes through a fabric specimen under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
What Breathability Testing Measures
Water Vapour Resistance (Ret)
Measures the resistance of a fabric to the passage of water vapour — a lower Ret value indicates a more breathable fabric. Reported in m²·Pa/W.
Thermal Resistance (Rct)
Measures the insulating properties of a fabric — how well it retains heat. Reported in m²·K/W. Often assessed alongside breathability to give a full comfort picture.
Air Permeability
Measures the volume of air passing through a unit area of fabric per unit time — relevant for ventilation, filtration, and comfort performance claims.
Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR)
Measures the quantity of water vapour that passes through a fabric over a defined time period — supporting “breathable,” “moisture-wicking,” and “comfort” product claims.
Products That Can Be Tested
- Mattress covers and protectors
- Bedding encasements and pillow protectors
- Performance and sportswear fabrics
- Protective and medical garments
- Healthcare and wound care textiles
- Woven, knitted, and nonwoven technical fabrics
- Coated or laminated textiles with breathability claims
- Baby and infant bedding and clothing
Why Independent Breathability Testing Matters
Breathability is one of the most important comfort characteristics for consumer textile products — particularly for products that are also required to function as allergen or liquid barriers. A fabric that blocks allergens effectively but traps heat and moisture will not perform well in real-world use.
Independent breathability testing gives manufacturers the scientifically validated data needed to substantiate comfort claims, meet certification requirements, and differentiate their products in a competitive market.
Request a Quote for Breathability Testing
Contact Airmid Healthgroup to discuss your breathability testing requirements and receive a tailored quote. Our team will recommend the most appropriate test standard for your product and target market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between breathability and air permeability?
Breathability refers specifically to a fabric’s ability to transmit water vapour — primarily perspiration — away from the body. Air permeability measures the volume of air that physically passes through the fabric. A fabric can be breathable (high water vapour transmission) while having low air permeability (minimal air flow through the fabric) — which is common in many barrier textiles and waterproof breathable fabrics.
Can a fabric be both a good allergen barrier and breathable?
Yes. Many modern technical fabrics are engineered specifically to achieve both properties — blocking allergen particles while allowing moisture vapour to escape. Independent testing of both allergen barrier performance and breathability is essential to demonstrate this balance to consumers, retailers, and certification bodies. Airmid can conduct both tests as part of an integrated testing programme.
Which breathability standard should I use for my product?
The most appropriate standard depends on your product type and target market. ISO 11092 is the primary standard for clothing and bedding textiles in European and international markets. ISO 9237 is widely used for air permeability. ASTM E96 is commonly required for the US market. Airmid can advise on the most relevant standard for your specific product and commercial requirements.
Can breathability testing be combined with other textile performance tests?
Yes. Airmid regularly conducts breathability testing alongside allergen barrier testing, antimicrobial efficacy, dust mite resistance, and water resistance assessments — providing manufacturers with a comprehensive performance dataset from a single testing programme.
What do I receive after breathability testing?
You will receive a full test report detailing the methodology, measured values (Ret, Rct, MVTR, or air permeability as applicable), and conclusions — ready to support marketing claims, certification applications, and retailer compliance submissions.
Related Tests and Services
- Air Permeability Testing
- Simulated Use Allergen Barrier Test (SP305)
- Allergen Barrier Test (SP304)
- AATCC 194-2013 — Anti-House Dust Mite Testing
- ISO 21326:2019 — House Dust Mite Efficacy in Textiles
- BS EN ISO 20743:2021 — Antibacterial Activity of Textiles
- Heat Escape Method
- Feather & Down Analysis
- Textiles Testing Overview
