Porosity and pore size data have long been used for reconstructing (two directional) fibrous materials. The present study is aimed to explain the overlooked fact that pore size parameter, bundling several other geometric parameters together, cannot be directly used for the reconstruction and geometrical modeling of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of fuel cells. Instead, it has to be converted to fiber spacing, for which purpose it is a useful parameter. A technical approach is presented on how to reach fiber spacing from pore size (diameter) data. The reason why GDLs with the same porosity, fiber diameter and angle, but with unequal fiber spacing, may have different properties is also explained by providing physical evidence. The present study clearly demonstrates that the traditional notion that fibrous materials with lower porosity have higher thermal conductivity does not necessary hold. In addition, it is shown that GDLs with the same porosity and the same pore size may have different fiber spacing and thus, distinct properties. It is found that the thermal conductivity models based solely upon porosity can be off by several hundred percent and must be either discarded or used over the narrow range of conditions under which they have been formulated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.