Tag: Apparel

SHOT SHOW 2012: Under Armor Controls Smells

There is no denying that when heading to the great outdoors most people will come back home smelling worse for it. This is part of the outdoor experience, and in a way if you don’t smell bad you probably didn’t do enough. That’s true for fitness, but sometimes a strong scent won’t just have your loved one sending you to the shower, for hunters it can keep the prey away.

At SHOT Show in Las Vegas Under Armor, a leader in athletic performance apparel are introducing new Zeolite-based UA Scent Control Technology in its 2012 Whitetail Collection. This helps hunters remain undetected when in the field via a silver anti-microbial that promises to last 10 times longer than commonly used carbon-based technologies. There is a saying that some predators can smell fear, but now the hunted won’t smell the hunters! Press Release after the jump

Responsive Fabric To Help the Wearer

There is better health through technology, but what about better health through fashion? That’s the idea of Celliant, which prides itself on being the “Intel Inside of responsive textiles.” The company has actually been around for a decade, but has recently teamed up with major sportswear and fitness apparel companies including Reebok, Adidas and Saucony to create what is called “responsive fabric.”

According to a recent Fast Co.Exisit story this fabric may sound like something from science fiction, but it is actually very real, utilizing “a synthetic polymer that interacts with the body’s electromagnetic emission to induce increased oxygenation and blood flow.” The company claims that when worn as clothing Celliant can recycle energy back into the body by increasing blood flow and blood oxygen levels, and this means better athletic performance, potentially better strength and healing. Continue reading Responsive Fabric To Help the Wearer

Hands On: Flash Shopping Site The Clymb

While some of you don’t need an introduction to flash shopping sites, I think it’s required here. Over the past few years flash shopping sites have emerged to bring the “sample sale” experience to online shoppers. They generally focus on an area of luxury goods such as fashion, home goods and home décor. Shoppers generally have to subscribe to be granted entry to the site, and get email notifications listing the sales each day. These sales, like sample sales, are for a limited time of about two or three days, and the site might host three or 12 sales from different designers or manufacturers on any given day. Continue reading Hands On: Flash Shopping Site The Clymb

Made in America: Aero Tech Designs

Descente, Bike Nashbar, Terry Precision, Head and Giant are familiar names in cycling apparel, but a name you may not be familiar with is Aero Tech Designs, Inc. of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. For over 25 years these companies, along with many others, have contracted with Aero Tech Designs to design and manufacture cycling apparel – all happening from their facility in this Pittsburgh suburb.

Founded by Cathy Schnaubelt Rogers, an avid cyclist and former racer herself, Aero Tech Designs prides itself on not only producing cycling apparel in the U.S.A., but also sourcing all of the raw material from domestic suppliers. The 10mm Italian inspired chamois is American made; the fabric is knit domestically in South Carolina; the thread is from American company Efrid of North Carolina – even the paper labels are printed locally in a domestic paper facility. Materials are brought together and assembled in Coraopolis by American workers. The company then sells the goods under the Aero Tech Design name.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Made in America: Aero Tech Designs

Made in America: DiEM Sportsgear

Name one company that gives away 30-percent of its profits. There aren’t many out that that would dream of such an act, but DiEM Sportsgear is not a normal company. They are a company that was launched earlier this year to supply a non-profit fund with money to achieve its main goal of giving back to the community. The non-profit, David’s Fund, was started by the family members of the young athlete, David Scott Mueller, whose life was cut tragically short in 2009 by a drunk driver in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

DiEM Sportsgear, the name derived from David’s initials, not only is unique with its goal of giving back, but they also pride themselves on making their apparel in the U.S.A. Currently the line only consists of athletic t-shirts for both men and women. Every shirt except for the ‘Basic T’ utilizes fast-dry fabric technology, are tag-less and are 92-percent polyester, 8-percent spandex. All T’s sold by DiEM Sportsgear are made in America.

Video after the jump Continue reading Made in America: DiEM Sportsgear

Interbike 2011: Louis Garneau Rolls Out Mondo Evo Jersey and Bibshort

Proving again that performance doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, Louis Garneau is rolling out its new Mondo Evo Jersey and Bibshort, both are designed for performance as the jersey offers an aerodynamic fit, and the ibs have been clinically tested to increase blood flow and blood oxygen levels in the body.

The Mondo Evo Jersey features Aero Lazer Band sleeves that are laser-cut and hemless for a smooth transition from fabric to the skin, while also being superlight and thin to provide a second-second feel. The Mondo Evo Bib is made from a Cell-Ion fabric, and in addition to providing better flow, it has been clinically proven to relieve pain, increase comfort and actually aid in healing. The bib reportedly balances body temperature to help athletes achieve maximum performance. The 4Motion chamois combines 3D pre-shaped wings and a deep split at the back to provide multi-direction motion, while the central channel is shaped to help relieve pressure, plus the chamois has a high-tech baceriostatic carbon top sheet.

Both the bib and jersey feature reflective accents to add a level added visibility while riding or training in traffic. So you can feel good and feel a better safer still. The Mondo Evo Jersey will be available for $159.99, while the Mondo Evo Bib will be available for $189.99, and both will arrive in stores in October.

Louis Gareau Official Website

Keeping Water Off of a Cyclist’s Back in Style

The British company, Water off a Duck’s Back, is set to release this fall a new men’s cycling rain coat designed to be both functional on the bike as well as fashionable after the bike is parked. Currently Water off a Duck’s Back has three different styles of coats for the ladies, but none for men. The new men’s coat is approximately the length of a peacoat, but is tailored to allow movement in the shoulders and arms where needed for cycling.

Along with style and cut designed for use while cycling, this British manufactured coat also has a‘hidden’ feature. When the cuffs are folded down, the collar is pooped up and the button strip on the back of the coat is turned over, wide reflective strips are revealed to hopefully allow the rider to be seen easier in low light situations. Continue reading Keeping Water Off of a Cyclist’s Back in Style

Made in America: Swami Sportswear

Finding athletic apparel that is made in the U.S.A. is actually not too terribly difficult if you read enough labels. Yoga pants, cycling clothing and even t-shirts are still made in America, but most of these items are well over $20. Sometimes a simple pair of sweatpants or shorts to bike around town is all that is needed and not breaking the bank is a bonus. Swami Sportswear of Temecula, CA is manufacturing a line of pants and shorts for men, women and children that are all 100 percent Made in America and all for under $20 – even for custom made sweatpants.

The line of clothing includes Capri pant for the ladies, sweatpants, sports shorts and non-padded cycling shorts. The material is a fleece cotton and polyester blend with a fabric weight of 400 grams. Most of the adult bottoms are available in nine different colors and seven different sizes, all using the same thickness of fleece. There is one pair of sweatpants specifically made for the girls out there, but you only have the choice of two different colors. There is no specific section for boys, but the men’s wear is offered in some fairly small sizes. Continue reading Made in America: Swami Sportswear

Interbike 2011: Think you know style?

Clothes they say make the man, but do clothes make the rider? We’ll find out in September as Interbike, the largest bicycle trade show in North America, is once again hosting the Interbike City Style Fashion Show. This is not a show of Lycra-clad racers, but a show of stylish, lifestyle types of clothing including many entries which can be worn on the bike as well as stroller around town to run errands.

Presented by Momentum Magazine, this year Interbike show attendees will get to enjoy two shows. On September 14 and 15, at 2 p.m., both shows will happen in the Urban Lounge which is in the Hall ‘G,‘ on the street level of the Sands Convention Center. Different from other fashion shows is how the catwalk is setup…instead of pouty looking models stomping down the runway, an indoor road loop is laid out so that the models can ride around in the clothing submissions and best display the cycling apparel and bikes in action – giving each attendee a front row seat.

Even though Interbike is an ‘industry only’ trade show, companies and fashion designers are invited to submit clothing and accessories for consideration. Represented clothing, accessories and bikes will include a variety of lifestyle categories including Work, Daytime Casual, Weekend Casual, To the Gym, Semi Formal and Formal. Companies and designers interested in potential inclusion should return the completed submission Interbike Fashion Showform and clearly labeled low-res product photo to Mia Kohout at mia@momentumplanet.com or via fax at (604) 669-9870. Product submissions are due on or before August 1, with accepted companies being notified of inclusion on August 8. Below you will find a link to the submission form.

Submission Forms
Interbike Official Website

Look Buff in the Summer Sun

Everyone likes to get a little “buff” in the summertime, but too much time in the sun can leave you burnt and blistered instead. One solution is a large hat, or you could put on sun screen with a trowel. The other solution is to look a little Buff, as in put on a headwrap.

The Buff High UV Protection headwrap can be used as a bandana, scarf, headband, mask, neckerchief or even ponytail holder. Made of a cloth material that blocks up to 95 percent of the UV rays it will also wick sweat and features an active-odor control that actually resists odor-causing bacteria. It can keep you cool, dry and a bit fresh.

The wrap is made of a single piece of cloth, and yet is elastic. Since one size, 21×9.5 inches may fit all, but colors certainly won’t it comes in a variety of patterns and colors. And of course it is machine washable and needs no ironing. Time to Buff up.

Buff Official Website

Islabikes Clothing Now in Kid’s Sizes

Bikes come in children’s sizes, so why not bike attire? Now Islabikes, the maker of bikes for children ages two and up, have introduced a line of children cycling attire reports our friends at BikeRadar.com. The line, which is currently available in the U.K., includes short-sleeved jerseys (£24.99), a winter jacket (£59.99), bib shorts (£26.99), thermal bib tights (£39.99), and leg (£19.99) and arm warmers (16.99).

Least a parent worry that their young rider will outgrow the clothing too quickly, it is noted that the clothing is designed with room for growth, while still including features and functionality that you’d see in adult cycling kits. These include breathable fabrics, reflective details and of course child-friendly zippers.

Company founder Isla Rowntree, a former British national cyclo-cross champion, said that the company introduced the children’s attire after getting many requests from their customers. It seemed the kids had the bikes and wanted to dress the part too.

[Via BikeRadar.com: Islabikes release children’s clothing range]
Islabikes Official Website

Woolrich Adds Agion Odor-Fighting Tech

Like Levi’s, Woolrich is a bit of Americana fashion that’s well recognized around the world. The familiar red-and-black flannel shirt is quintessentially Woolrich even to those who don’t own a piece of outdoors clothing. The 180-year-old-plus brand is experiencing a bit of resurgence as of late, in particular in the high-end fashion market. Woolrich might be old, but it’s ably keeping up with modern times by incorporating fresh designs and technology.

At Outdoor Retailer earlier this year, Woolrich announced they have paired up with Wakefield, Mass.-based Agion to include Agion’s Active odor eliminating technology in Fall 2011 lineup of Merino wool and polyester blend base layers, the first company to do so in the outdoors industry.

Agion’s odor-busting tech is based on silver, and has been incorporated in a variety of products that include electronics and apparel. According to Woolrich, “Agion Active features a dual action technology that not only provides antimicrobial product protection and industrial-strength odor elimination, but also eliminates odors both on and around the fabric. Silver ion antimicrobial technology stops propagation of odor causing bacteria on the fabric, while a natural, proprietary odor-trapping solution captures molecules from ambient odors. Unlike previous odor control solutions, Agion Active eliminates odor from over 14 sources, achieving performance well beyond what has been offered to the consumer. Agion Active regenerates with each the wash and continues to perform for the life of the garment.”

The Agion Active gear is 50/50 polyester and Merino blend, available in crew and half-zip shirts for men and half-zip and V-neck shirts for women. Fibers are very fine so they should feel comfortable under the heavier stuff you’re packing on to your body. In addition to the smell-fighting tech, the apparel helps regulate body temperature and offers moisture wicking, quick drying, and UPF 40+ protection.

The Woolrich with Agion Active garments will be available this fall and sell for $59 to $69.

WOOLRICH

Antigua Brings Fashion to the Fairway

Fashion on the fairway this fall will be about a lot more than just plaid. And while it might be hard to consider that the fall golf season is just around the corner – especially given that for a lot of us it still feels like winter – it is never too early to think fashion forward.

We’re hearing about Antigua’s fall based outerwear, which is created to function in various climates and will incorporate the trend that focuses on layering. As the weather changes – and do we know it can change – clothing needs to be able to be taken off or put on, to adjust to comfort and function. This year Antigua is layering up beginning with base layers that can be combined with wind resistant or water resistant wind shirts and jackets as well as worn with fuller weight outerwear pieces to function against more inclement weather, and feature a proprietary Desert Dry moisture management technology. These are constructed with a hyper-micro poly fleeced backing against a super soft interlock face which has enough weight to be worn alone and is light enough that it layers remarkably well. Continue reading Antigua Brings Fashion to the Fairway