The Effectiveness of Specimen Tactile Evaluation As a Predictor of Garment Tactile Acceptability for Garments As a Whole and on a Regional Basis

Tactile perceptions of five fabrics commonly used for protective clothing were made by four subjects from specimens using the hand and from garments using selected body sites. Results indicated there was considerable agreement among subjects on ratings of prickly-smooth, stiff-limp, cool-warm, thick-thin, and the five fabrics being assessed did not differ significantly. Regional variations in perception were not demonstrated.