Abstract
This study examined the needs and factors that help explain the subjective texture and image sensibility of functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear. Twenty one checklist questions on the needs of functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear were answered by 340 consumers. In addition 14 different types of commercial functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear were assessed subjectively. The dimensions evaluating the texture and image sensibility of functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear were also developed using the multi-dimensional scaling method. Water absorbing & quick drying, absorption, hand, durability, wind proof, price, easy-care and color were important parameters to choose functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear. The texture sensibility was explained by the following five factors, thickness, surface, elasticity, durability and luster, as well as by three dimension scales, elastic-lustrous, thick-thin and smooth-rough. The image sensibility could be explained by six factors, attractiveness, diversity, mildness, functionality, modernity and impact, as well as by three dimension scales, functional-attractive, simple-diverse and impact-comfortable. A better hand was found in functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear with a thick, smooth and elastic texture. A higher preference was found in functional fabrics for outdoor sportswear with a simple, active, comfortable, attractive and luxury image. The correlation coefficient between the hand and preference was 0.349.
