Custom team clothing is quickly becoming a popular choice among team sports. In fact, KineticShift recently had custom cycling jerseys made to wear during the Demo Days at Interbike. At the same show, 2Xu will be introducing its Teamwear line of custom performance garments. Continue reading Interbike 2012: 2XU Intros Teamwear Line
Tag: compression
Interbike: Kinetik Compression Gear Makes U.S. Debut
This year at Interbike, Paris-based Kinetik Compression Gear will make its U.S. debut, showing its compression garments for cyclists, runners and triathletes. You may have seen Kinetik in the Tour de France. The company is the official compression sponsor of Team Saxo Bank.
Kinetik strikes a balance between comfort and performance with a fabric mix called SupraKomp and XPower technology.
LYCRA Talks Three Tiers of its Stretch Fabric
LYCRA has been around since 1958. Since then we’ve had time to see what a revolutionary material it is. The company that owns LYCRA just developed a three-tiered system for its fabrics: LYCRA SPORT, LYCRA SPORT BEAUTY and LYCRA SPORT ENERGY.
LYCRA SPORT is a fabric for active performance. LYCRA SPORT BEAUTY is a fabric that combines performance with beauty and style. LYCRA says this tier is for “looking in shape while getting in shape.” LYCRA SPORT ENERGY fabric is innovated for compression fabrics. This top tier will be used in high-intensity and high-energy-sports garments. We bet we’ll see this label on a lot of cycling and running shorts as more and more of that is getting the benefit of compression. Continue reading LYCRA Talks Three Tiers of its Stretch Fabric
Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Offer Women-Specific Compression
When it comes to compression, it’s certainly not one-size-fits all. And the sizing also applies to men’s and women’s garments. Aspaeris makes women’s-specific compression wear, including the Pivot Shorts. The Pivot Short is actually two pairs of shorts bound together to provide the features women need to improve performance, speed recovery and prevent injuries. Continue reading Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Offer Women-Specific Compression
G-Form Intros Three New Protective Gear Garments
Suiting up for a sport takes on a whole new meaning when you’re talking about slipping into G-Form protective apparel. The flexible yet strong padding withstands a surprising amount of impact. Now there’s three new garments in the G-Form line to help keep you covered when out on the field, trail, or wherever your activities take you. G-Form just introduced the Sternum Shirt, Crash Shorts and Protective Compression Shirt. Continue reading G-Form Intros Three New Protective Gear Garments
Hands On: CEP Running Compression Socks
Compression technology has been gaining ground among athletes. Cyclists in the Tour de France (and all other bike races) use compression garments for recovery. Garments are also being worn for wear during competition and training. Runners and triathletes are also wearing the tight-fitting garments on runs and in competition. I was looking forward to trying a pair of Running Compression Socks after picking up a sample at SIA Snowshow in January. Yes, it’s taken me a while to test and then get my thoughts down.
I got the hot pink sock in a medium. The circumference of your calves determines the size. That’s where you get some of the real compression benefits. On the Classic model of the Running Compression Socks there’s fairly uniform compression up the leg and additional texture compression throughout the foot. Continue reading Hands On: CEP Running Compression Socks
Kick Back Quad Sleeves Combine Compression and Ice
Compression and ice are well known treatments for recovery, but also work well for endurance training and events. It’s also difficult to combine the two, though 110% has a line of garments that have a compression layer plus a layer that you can tuck ice packs in for cooling. The newest item in the line is the Kick Back Quad Sleeves.
Kick Back Quad Sleeves is a compression sleeve that goes over your quads, or thighs. While the sleeves work well for recovery, they can also be used during longer, hotter competitions. 110% company founder David Green said he used the Kick Back Quad Sleeves during the Brazil 135, a 135 mile run that has that grueling combination of heat and climbing over 30,000 feet over the course of the 135 miles. “The sleeves provided incredible stability to my quads, especially on the downhill. It wasn’t until I temporarily removed them that I realized how critical they were in helping me finish this incredible challenge,” he said in a statement.
The sleeves combine zoned, gradient compression with 360 degree pockets to insert reusable ice packs. You can use the Kick Back Quad Sleeves for training, race day or recovery so you’re ready for the next day’s events. They’re able to be worn with other garments, such as under shorts, and serve athletes well for spot treatment to help quads and hamstrings.
Kick Back Quad Sleeves sell for $100 and include re-usable ice packs with an insulated carrying sleeve.
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]
Craft’s New Bib Shorts use 3D Construction
Bike shorts are a very sensitive issue. They need to conform to the body and allow for a wide range of flexibility. They also need ample yet not bulky padding in the saddle area. For its Elite Bib Short, Craft used 3D construction and compression fabrics to make an even better short.
Compression fabrics apply pressure to muscles to keep them from fatiguing as you hammer your ride. 3D construction means the fabric panels designed specifically for the forward-leaning position on the bike. Yes, you can still stand up straight comfortably, but the shorts are somewhat molded to their purpose of time on the saddle.
Nalini’s New Clothing Line Gets Your Blood Flowing
The Nalini Summer Collection of cycling apparel features Nalini Compression, which will promote increased blood flow and physical performance. The line includes bibshorts and jerseys. The line has additional attributes including reversible and convertible jackets and jerseys and apparel crafted from recycled plastic fabrics.
Nalini cycling gear is often seen in the team kits of professional riders. All garments are made in Italy from the fabric to each stitch of the seams.
The compression line includes Lambro Bibshort ($155) and Drava Bibnickers ($165) as a tight-fitting pant with a silicon gripper at the leg hem, reflective tape and a Nalini ECP Print pad. A contrasting 4-needle stitching on the seams add strength to the garments. The Full Season Man line includes a collection of convertible and reversible apparel able to be worn all four seasons. The Sorbo Jacket ((355) is a stretchable, reversible design that provides warmth and is windproof. The Vormano Jersey ($250) uses the brand’s Quick-Burst sleeve removal system so it can be converted from a long-sleeve to a short sleeve jersey on the ride. Think of the jersey as having built-in arm warmers so you don’t get that gap where the sleeve meets the arm warmer where wind finds its way to chill your arms.
For the Nalini recycling line, the company has the Insonzo Jersey ($120) and Fortore Bibshort ($100). The line is made from an eco-friendly Re-Pet fabric made from the recycling of Pet plastic bottles. The Pet yarns have the same characteristics as polyester yarns.
The Insonzo Jersey features a cycling fit, mesh insert, silicon bottom gripper and cam-block full-length zipper. The Fortore Bibshort provides a cycling fit, mesh insert, reflecting logos and silicon leg grippers.
Nalini’s summer line is expected in stores later this month. Nalini is imported and distributed by Albabici in the U.S.