Materials

The double fabric construction developed especially for active sports consist of synthetic fibres on the outside and function fibres on the inside for rapid moisture transport. This supports physical performance capacity during sporting activities.

Areas of use:
Jackets and pants for high-movement types of outdoor sports.

Basic properties:
Breathable
Wind and water repellent
Permanent elasticity
Hard wearing and durable
Moisture Transport
functional fibres
Fast drying
High level of comfort

Possible fabric components:
Cordura®, Lycra®, Coolmax®, functional fibres, polyamide, polyester.

Construction:
Woven-fabric-constructions: special functional fi bres on the inside for rapid moisture transport and hard wearing polyamide on the outside. Light summerweight versions with low packing volumes, winter-weight qualities with high heat retention.

Source: Website Schoeller Textil AG

The soft-shell-classic for year-round use. Two textile surfaces are bonded with a highly breathable coating in a special process. The coating in the middle ensures additional protection from wind and water. This produces soft-shell-fabrics for the most varied of requirements and for every season.

Areas of use:
Jackets and pants for outdoor, leisure and casual wear.

Basic properties:
Perfect weather protection
Wind and water resistant
Good breathability
Highly elastic
Cosy and comfortable inside

Possible fabric components:
Cordura®, Lycra®, polyamide, polyester, PU coating.

Construction:
The elastic, water- and wind repelling, woven fabric surfaces consist of synthetic fibres. The middle layer – a functional coating – ensures insulation and a high level of wind protection. The extremely breathable interior varies depending on the intended area of use.

Source: Website Schoeller Textil AG

Coatings

The feelgood technology 3XDRY® makes textiles water and stain repellent on the outside and water absorbent on the inside. Clothes finished with 3XDRY® keeps the body dry, minimizes perspiration marks and stimulates a cooling effect.

The function:
The 3XDRY®-Advanced Moisture Management-finish combines two technologies in one textile: on the outside the textiles is finished with a water repellent function (hydrophobic), whereas on the fabric’s inside it absorbs perspiration (hydrophilic). As a result, it reliably repels moisture from the outside. Moisture resulting from perspiration is quickly absorbed from the inner side of the textile, transported away from the body and distributed over a large surface area. The appearance, hand or the air permeability features are not influenced by the 3XDRY®-finish.

The benefits:
As a result of the widespread distribution of moisture over a large surface area, it can evaporate rapidly. Therefore, textiles with 3XDRY®-finish also dry noticeably faster than those without 3XDRY® and ensure a feel good effect in all activities:

Source: Website Schoeller Textil AG

NanoSphere®, the nanotech-based finishing technology allows dirt and water to simply run off the surface of the textiles. This mimics the natural self-cleaning effect of certain plants whose leaves always remain clean, because dirt simply cannot adhere to the finely structured surface, and is easily washed off when it rains..

The function:
The natural non-stick and cleaning process, also known as the self-cleaning effect, is transferred to the surface of textiles by means of nano technology. Compared to traditional textile impregnation processes, NanoSphere® achieves significantly better results with regards to:
• Water and dirt repelling properties
• Oil repelling properties
• Washing permanence
The protective function of NanoSphere® is still retained after frequent use and numerous washing cycles and has no effect on clothing comfort, look, feel, breath ability or elasticity.

The benefits:
Water or such substances as ketchup, honey, coffee or red wine run off. And if they don’t happen to run off of their own accord, they can easily be rinsed off with a little water. Cleaning or washing the textiles is significantly easier. The textiles require less frequent washing and are washed at lower temperatures.

Source: Website Schoeller Textil AG

Merino

MAPP fabric is produced using exclusive Merino fibres sourced from only the cleanest and purest New Zealand alpine environments. MAPP incorporates these 'natural performance' fibres into fabrics specifically designed for synergy within the active outdoors.

MAPP is your guarantee of source, process and functionality.

Source: Website MAPP

Mid and outerlayer fabrics designed for functionality and comfort. The non-pilling, superior knit-structure of MAPP Merino fine is the first choice to enhance both garment design and performance requirements.

Source: Website MAPP

The premium choice for base layer and 1st layer garment applications. The new global industry standard - our MAPP superfine will exceed all expectations.

Source: Website MAPP

A Micron is a unit of measurement used for wool fibre diameter. One micron equals one millionth part of a metre. The finer the micron (lower the number), the softer a fabric will be next-to-skin. Wool fibres vary in diameter from 11 - 60 microns (Merino fibre is the finest of all wool types), compared to about 100 microns for human hair.

Source: Website MAPP

Interview with Helene Andersson (R&D Riding Wear)

We want to produce technical wear and create sustainable designs not just quick fashionable items. With Schoeller Softshell and Merino fabrics we use some of the most sophisticated materials available. They offer bikers the highest standards of breathability, water repellency and thermal management between the body and the mother nature.

Merino is a natural high tech fiber which until now no chemical company was able to replicate. Its functions are unsurpassed especially when you take into account that it is not man made. We have designed Merino shirts and pullovers specifically for active cycling, but it can be also used for commuting to work by bike – you won’t annoy your colleagues with the typical synthetic odor. Merino feels perfect on the skin and is antibacterial so it doesn’t smell, I think we all know about these issues...

BIONICON has always sought inspiration from nature and to apply it to improving our everyday lives. Merino fits this concept perfectly. But of course there are excellent man made textiles like Schoeller Softshell which require incredibly complex chemical engineering. We know where and how our stuff is made; we can say with a clean conscience that it fits into our understanding of green wear. We are not eco warriors but we think a responsible view towards nature is important for the future.