Why is microfiber so much more absorbent than other fibers?

Microfiber is a man-made fiber that was developed in the 1950s in Japan. It is made of polyester and polyamide (a by-product of nylon). A microfiber strand is smaller than the diameter of a fine silk fiber which, itself, is 1/5 the diameter of a human hair.

When polyester and polyamide fibers are bundled together and treated with heat and chemical processes, the result is called a split microfiber which contains microscopic nooks and crannies that readily take in liquid and soil. A cross section of a split microfiber filament has the appearance of a star or asterisk whereas an untreated microfiber filament or cotton has a more or less smooth surface. (See the graphic cross section with this post). The presence of this additional surface area, combined with the polarity of microfiber filaments which helps attract water and soil, makes split microfiber material ideal for handling the task of absorbing perspiration. A split microfiber cloth can absorb 5 to 6 times more liquid than conventional cloth of the same weight.

The Dry-Run fabric is made from split microfiber filaments. Although microfiber weave is more expensive to manufacture than natural fiber materials it will last much longer, by some estimates nearly 100 times longer than conventional fiber materials. The trick is to avoid subjecting it to water softeners (including dryer sheets) and high heat which can – over time – diminish its ability to absorb liquid.

Split microfiber is an amazing material that is perfectly suited to the needs of runners and athletes who need to quickly and effectively remove dripping perspiration from their eyes, face, and neck. The waffle weave of the Dry-Run pad retains the absorbing qualities of split microfiber without the "stickiness" of microfiber which typically catches on microscopic imperfections of your hands or face.

This information was gleaned from a variety of sources on the Internet. Here are the main ones in case you are interested in reading further on the subject. http://www.parish-supply.com/microfiber-history.aspx, http://www.fabricationtoolsandmaterials.com/products/pcMicroFiber.htm, http://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/rcp/company/news/09-12-2006.jsp, http://www.incrediblydetailed.com/microfiber-manifesto-everything-need-know-microfiber-towels/, http://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/Understanding-Microfiber-Technology--3970, http://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/Understanding-Microfiber-Technology--3970#sthash.q1mLkD4t.dpuf, http://www.carwashmag.com/issues/feb-2011/detail-management.cfm

That one day out of the year is here. Shop Small, held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving encourages holiday shoppers to patronize businesses that are small and local. This year, Shop Small is Saturday, November 28. Dry-Run, produced in Rochester, New York, is made by hand, one at a time. The Dry-Run pad helps runners and athletes keep annoying perspiration away from face, neck, and eyes with a simple swipe of one hand.

Why does sweat sting my eyes?

Sweat contains chemicals that are not in your eyes. The worst culprit of any of these chemicals -- in terms of stinging -- is likely urea. The most common components of sweat are water, minerals, lactate and urea. (Lactate, an organic molecule, is a byproduct of the breakdown of glucose for energy.)

Urea is a waste product created by the liver in the process of metabolizing protein. When the liver breaks down protein or amino acids, the result is ammonia, CO2 and water. But ammonia is toxic to cells and so must be safely excreted from the body. The liver converts ammonia to a non-toxic compound, urea, which can then be safely transported in the blood to the kidneys, where it is eliminated in urine and to a lesser degree to the sweat glands where it is eliminated through perspiration.

Sweat is also more acidic than the moisture in your eyes with a pH as low as 4 where the pH of your eyes is typically 7 to 7.4, considered to be a neutral value. The presence of urea and the acidity of sweat are most certainly causes of stinging eyes.

(This information was gleaned from a variety of sources on the Internet. Here are the main ones in case you are interested in reading further on the subject. http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/688347-why-does-sweat-dripping-off-my-forehead-burn-my-eyes/#8  ELI5:   Why does sweat in the eyes burn even though tears are salty?    http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-urea.htm   http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/rzepa/mim/environmental/html/urea_text.htm     http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemicalcomposition/f/What-Is-The-Chemical-Composition-Of-Human-Sweat-Or-Perspiration.htm     http://lactate.com/questions/question_01a_what_is_lactate.html   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urea

For some people, perspiration dripping into the eyes can be a serious distraction especially if you are trying to concentrate on your breathing, pace, form or just trying to enjoy the experience of your exercise routine.

Dry-Run pads are an effective and convenient accessory a runner or athlete can use to keep sweat out of the eyes and away from the face and neck. A Dry-Run pad will absorb perspiration long after your handkerchief or shirt sleeve are soaked.

Stocking Stuffer

Here's an idea. Dry-Run stocking stuffer or just a simple inexpensive gift. For runners and athletes. On the treadmill, spinning, interval training. Use Dry-Run to keep your face, neck and eyes dry.

Introducing Dry-Run for the serious runner and athlete.

Love to run long distances but don’t love the sweat that can drip in your eyes or down your face? We’ve designed a new product that can help. Dry-Run™ is a hand-held pad for long-distance runners or anyone who practices high-intensity exercise. It absorbs dripping perspiration quickly and effectively and is easy to use, plus it’s economical.

Dry-Run is a multi-layer pad of super-absorbent cloth that attaches to your hand with an elastic strap. Measuring about 3" x 4", the Dry-Run split microfiber weave does not stick to skin like other microfibers and absorbs 5 to 6 times more liquid than cotton. Use it from the first hour of your run or other athletic activity to your last hour. It keeps absorbing sweat and wicks dry in between each use.

Dry-Run’s small, comfortable strap makes it easy to attach with one or two fingers on the back or inside of your hand. No need to hold it or tuck it away  it becomes a barely noticeable extension of your hand. Feel sweat coming down your face? Do a quick swipe like you normally would, only now with material that quickly absorbs the sweat and gets it off your face and out of your eyes.

Dry-Run is made in the U.S.A. We cut, baste, and serge each pad by hand in Rochester, New York. Dry-Run is machine wash and dry. Dry-Run material is recyclable. It comes packaged in a bio-degradable clear film envelope and can be mailed to any U.S. address. Purchase two or more in one order, and shipping is free!

We created Dry-Run because we were tired of trying to wipe sweat from our eyes and face with the back of our hand or sleeve of our shirt. Yet we didn’t want to carry one more accessory. We created Dry-Run for ourselves, but it works so well, we're ready to share it with other runners and athletes.