Porous polyethylene fibers

Disclosed are porous polyethylene fibers without a central cavity extending along the longitudinal axis thereof, and having (a) a porous structure containing pores defined by lamellar crystal portions and a large number of fibrils interconnecting the lamellar crystal portions, the pores communicating with each other anywhere from the surface to the center of the fiber, (b) a porosity of 50 to 80%, (c) a tensile strength of 1 to 8 g/d, and (d) an elongation of 1 to 300%. These porous polyethylene fibers do not exhibit the waxy feeling characteristic of polyethylene, have very light weight and a soft feeling, and are useful as a high-strength fiber material for the manu­facture of clothing.