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March, 2004
from The Province Newspaper
New High-tech Fabrics Eliminate Cling Factor
By Kerry Moore - Staff Reporter
Fashion may be what you see but high tech is what you wear.
Jane Cotter, co-owner of Heavenly Bodies active wear in Vancouver, recalls the '80s and the popular Jane Fonda-style aerobic workouts.
"Those stretch pieces used to smell, the fabric absorbed sweat and the bacteria trapped in it caused the odour.
"The new microfibre fabrics don't absorb, they wick the sweat through to the outside where it will evaporate."
Cotter uses the term "Kool Wyk" to indicate that process. Her Kool Wyk mesh bra top, for example, will stand up to popular Bikram Yoga, where room temperatures are kept in the 80s. "You can really sweat in it."
Innovation starts with a need. Nike's Sphere Cool line began with marathon runners at the Sydney Olympics. The ringlet was made with a 3-D-structured fabric that held it away from the skin, creating an airspace between body and garment.
It was an engineered environment that made the runners feel cooler in the Australian summer, explains Nike's innovation director, Carrie Davis.
Davis says each new fabric relates to human function. "Ever see tennis play err plucking at their damp sleeves?" That "cling factor," she says, led Nike to create its non-cling Sphere Dry wear.
Davis says all fabrics are tried and tested in an "environmental chamber" in Portland, where Nike headquarters are located.
The chamber replicates conditions active people and athletes face. Out of this "tank" came Nike's Sphere Thermal for running in cold weather, and Sphere Pro for running, biking and cross-country skiing in wind and rain.
"Yes, technology drives up price," says Heavenly Bodies' Cotter. "And each new added step means more money on the price tag."
Is it worth it?
"Absolutely," she says.
Heavenly Bodies prices for yoga, basic aerobics and golf wear start at $28 and are found at Just Ladies fitness and on the web: www.heavenlybodiesport.com
Nike Sphere lines are in Nike stores from April 1. Prices start at $55. Nike.com carries a list of retail outlets.
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