- ClimaCool – Adidas technology that helps regulate body temperature
- Cool FX – Izod technology that disperses moisture across the garment
- Dri-Fit – Nike water-wicking system to keep the wearer dry
- StretchFlex – Bella-Alo’s stretch fabric
Current Apparel Buzz Words
[box type=”titled-box” title=”Performance Apparel and Performance Brands” variation=”blue”]What is your garment going to be doing? How will it be used? Begin with the end in mind. Corporate buyers and non-profit groups are now looking for form and function as a key consideration
100% Cotton is sharing the spotlight with many synthetic fabrics. Performance apparel has many attributes: Anti wrinkle, anti fade, anti pill, anti shrink, anti stretch, antimicrobial and moisture-wicking. Apparel makers add polyester to their fabrics to reduce wrinkling, fading, and pilling. This apparel can stand hard use and constant washing demands of activities like those of restaurant servers and construction workers. Many athletic and golf apparel lines use antimicrobial fabrics to reduce bacteria growth caused by perspiration.
Waterproof, water-resistant and water-repellant do not mean the same thing. Waterproof garments are seam-sealed, able to withstand a specific amount of water pressure and keep the wearer dry. Water Resistant apparel is chemically treated to resist water. To be considered Water Repellant, fabrics must resist penetration by passing tests before and after washing and dry cleaning. You may be hearing about a very popular performance fabric called Moisture Wicking. This apparel is made from synthetic materials designed to draw moisture away from the body
Be on the look out for different names for the same performance features. Apparel makers have branded their performance products. Here are just 4 examples:
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