Garments with variable moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) at 5, 360, 670 and 864 MVTR (g m - 2 24 h - 1 ) were studied. Thermal resistances and evaporative resistances were tested using a copper manikin. Subsequently, eight men and six women were exposed for 4 h, while resting in two environments: (T a ) = 29.4 o C, 52% r.h., (2.12 kPa)/V = 1.1 m s - 1 and 18.3 o C, 50% r.h., (1.05 kPa)/V = 1.1 m s - 1 . Rectal (T r e ) and eight-site skin temperatures, heart rate and skin wettedness (w) were recorded; w was elevated > 0.8 with MVTRs of 5 g m - 2 24 h - 1 ; women had lowered w (P < 0.05) and men had significant body cooling in the cooler environment (P < 0.05).