Correction of the heat loss method for calculating clothing real evaporative resistance

•The heat loss method for calculating clothing real evaporative resistance needs to be corrected.•We proposed a model to correct the heat loss method and this model has been successfully validated.•Depending on the clothing type, different amounts of heat were drawn from the ambient environment.•We found no statistical difference between Retheat, Retmass.

In the so-called isothermal condition (i.e., Tair [air temperature]=Tmanikin [manikin temperature]=Tr [radiant temperature]), the actual energy used for moisture evaporation detected by most sweating manikins was underestimated due to the uncontrolled fabric ‘skin’ temperature Tsk,f (i.e., Tsk,f