A couple of other interesting developments from the recent
Friedrichshafe OutDoors show, this time courtesy of Mammut and
Schoeller in the clothing area.
Black That's Cool In The Sun
One of these is black clothing that stays cool even in the sun.
Mammut has three new garments due out early in 2009 which use
Schoeller ColdBlack technology, so despite their black colour,
they are highly reflective and allow less heat through to the
user.
The top-end Logan Jacket is going to retail for a scary £450
and is described as 'top of the range', but there's also a Verglas
softshell jacket - £180 - that uses a Schoeller Dryskin outer
with a nano-sphere DWR and a pair of pants in Dryskin with a 3XDRT
finish and ActiveSilver antibacterial impregnations.
It's an interesting development, because despite lots of talk
about smart fabrics and nanotechnology, it's only now that we're
starting to see them appearing in outdoor clothing.
Fabric Like Pine Cones...
The
other interesting development from Mammut is the Cho Oyu jacket, an
alpine shell which uses a new waterproof Schoeller c_change membrane
which is said to open and close 'like a pine cone' depending on the
ambient temperature.
At higher temperatures or in response to increased heat from
physical exertion, the structure of the membrane opens up to release
excess water vapour to the outside, but at lower temperatures, the
membrane closes up to conserve heat around the body.
Mammut claims that not only is it very adaptable, but it 'offers
new levels of vapour permeability' despite having a 20,000mm
hydrostratic head. The jacket itself is claimed to be lightweight and
compact, has stretch panels and anatomical fit and all mod cons.
Definfitely looks interesting - bear in mind that some users find,
say, eVent fabric, while highly breathable, can feel cold when
stationary precisely because it is so vapour permeable, so the idea
makes a lot of sense.
Both new technologies will arrive in the UK in spring 2009.
Details of the current Mammut range at www.mammut.ch.
More information about Schoeller at www.schoeller-textiles.com.
tom van wauwe
