Microfiber is a very fine manufactured fiber. A microfiber can be about 100 times smaller in diameter than a strand of human hair. A microfiber is often defined as a fiber of less than 1 denier. A denier is the weight in grams of 9,000 meters (9,843 yards) of a filament (continuous strand) of the fiber. For example, a fine silk fiber is about 2 denier. A microfiber can also be defined as a fiber of less than 1 decitex. A decitex is the weight in grams of 10,000 meters (10,936 yards) of a filament.
A number of manufactured fibers are made into microfibers. However, most microfibers are polyester or nylon. A fabric may consist of a single type of microfiber or a blend of more than one type. Microfibers may also be blended with regular-sized fibers in a fabric. Microfiber fabrics are used in many products, such as rainwear, athletic wear, everyday clothing, cleaning cloths, tents, sleeping bags, and medical bandages.
Microfiber fabrics are soft, lightweight, and flexible. They can be made into clothes and other products that are resilient—that is, they spring back to their original shape after being stretched or compressed. The yarns in microfiber fabrics can be packed together tightly, which makes the fabric resistant to water and wind. The spaces between the yarns are small enough to keep water beads from getting in. However, the spaces are large enough to let moisture vapor escape. Thus, a person wearing microfiber clothing can perspire and still remain comfortable.
