Tag: wicking

DeFeet Warms the Toes with Thermeator Winter Cycling Socks

DeFeet-ThermeatorYou can wear all of the appropriate clothing to arm yourself against the cold, but if your feet are cold, it’s all lost. That’s why we’re excited to see the new Thermeator cycling socks from DeFeet. The Thermeator sock is lighter in weight than knit socks, and actually claims to be 30 percent lighter than comparable merino wool socks. It has a faster drying rate, and quickly wicks moisture away from your feet. DeFeet says the Thermeator is flexible and thrives in cold, damp climates. While we will use these on any winter rides, we may take a few more opportunities to wear these warming socks this winter. Such as when we go for a hike, shovel the driveway, or even just go out to the store.

DeFeet Official Website
via [Bike Rumor: Found: DeFeet Thermeator Winter Cycling Socks]

Speed Squat Short Makes Running, Stretching Easy

The Speed Squat Short from Lululemon offers a flexible stretch and a little bit of modesty in one short. The short has an inner layer, bicycle-style short that fits snugly to the mid-thigh. A second layer of a lighter material layers over that tight short for a little cover so you don’t feel exposed when you’re on your run, or hanging about afterwards. Continue reading Speed Squat Short Makes Running, Stretching Easy

High-Tech Fabrics to Get Softer, Lighter

Technology influences fashion with enhancements to microfiber. In the coming seasons, the fabric is said get softer and lighter. Israeli-based Nilit Fibers released its trend concepts for bodywear and active-sportswear for Fall/Winter 2013-2014. With a preview of garments ranging from bodywear to activewear, the company illustrated four trends in yarn innovations.

Nilit Super Microfiber provides “ultra-lightness” and a soft touch. Comfort is the emphasis. The company suggests fabrics shouldn’t hinder the wearer. This couldn’t be more important than in activewear, which needs to give the wearer full freedom of movement for a particular sport or activity. Nilit has developed a nylon Super Microfiber that is 6.6 filaments. The company reports this thin filament creates fabrics with maximum lightness and ultra-light, soft handle.

Nilit Britex and Nilit Brillion provide “glamorous” shine. The two fabrics are used to create garments with a “gleaming second-skin” appearance. While both fabrics lend themselves to lingerie, they can also have applications in the activewear category as baselayer garments and other performance gear.

Nilit Ecocare and Nilit Innergy give garments the ability to slim and shape. These fabrics provide body shaping to hide bulges. We hope they’ll also be used for compression garments that enhance our workouts. Nilit boasts that its EcoCare recycled yarns offer wellbeing as well as environmental responsibility.

Sport Protection is the aim with Nilit Aquarius and Nilit Innergy. The fabric combines elements of style, comfort and high performance. Garments made from these materials will have a multifunctional ability, though fitness and training are the main goals. These fibers offer breathability, compression and moisture management. The Aquarius yarns wick moisture and provide thermal protection. Innergy yarns used in compression-fit garments protect and warm muscles during physical activity.

[via Knitting Industry News: Nilit Bodyfashion & Activewear trends AW 2013-2014]

Columbia Thinks Corn is so Cool

Corn is a summer favorite. Recommended servings include grilled, steamed and cooked in the microwave as long as there’s a dollop of butter to melt over the kernels. But would you think about wearing corn? The Omni-Freeze Ice Baselayer from Columbia Sportswear coming out next year is made from a corn or maize-based fiber.

The shirt does well to keep the wearer cool in hot weather. Tiny crystals in the fiber undergo a change from solid to gel when they become wet. Sweat causes this reaction. The result is that the gel cools the skin, or “sucks heat from the surrounding environment,” Columbia claims.

This is called a baselayer, however even with the cooling functions it’s going to be the only layer.

Columbia Sportswear Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: ‘Maize-Based’ Compound Adds Cooling Effect to Columbia T-Shirt]