Gear Technology

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

For forty years, scientists at Wacoal Human Science Research Center in Kyoto, Japan have studied kinesiology, the science of human movement. They have tested over 35,000 people and analyzed injuries relative to warm-up and cool-down periods. They have come to understand the mechanics of joints and muscles in minute detail. This exhaustive study of body movement has culminated in over 15 U.S. patents and CW-X® Conditioning Wear®.

In a study in Kyoto, Japan, electrical pulse activity of the muscles (muscles firing into motion) was measured electromyographically. Unsupported and partly supported legs both show frequency decrease during exercise, indications of fatigue. Legs supported by CW-X® showed negligible frequency decrease.

In a study in Montpelier, France, differences in fatigue in runners wearing shorts, regular spandex tights, and CW-X® Conditioning tights were measured comparing VO2 oxygen uptake levels over 15 minutes of running at 80% of maximal effort. When wearing CW-X® tights the results showed 26% and 36% lower oxygen usage compared to regular tights and shorts respectively, indicating lower energy expenditure in CW-X® tights.

Performance Fabrics

Healtha+

Healtha+® is a multifunctional, lightweight, quick-dry fabric developed by Ventex. Nanotechnology has been used in the development of Healtha+® which consists of 90% polyester/10% spandex yarns. This combination facilitates comfortable fit and freedom of movement, as well as quick-dry moisture wicking capabilities. The 6-channel shape of Healtha+® fibers results in a capillary action pulling the sweat away from the skin’s surface to the exterior of the fabric. Healtha+® yarn’s wide surface area is also an intrinsic advantage over regular fibers. A wider surface area allows for greater moisture evaporation. This makes Healtha+® one of the fastest drying textiles available. Healtha+® is also antibacterial and odorless through the application of silver dioxide fiber technology, preserving garment freshness. Finally, integrated titanium oxide fiber technology protects against ultraviolet rays providing UPF 50+.
Lycra® and Coolmax® The genius at the heart of CW-X® is an obedience to the structure of the body, made possible by two extraordinary fibers: LYCRA® and COOLMAX®. COOLMAX® is the fastest drying fabric known to man.It moves moisture instantaneously from the body out to the fabric’s outer surface where it evaporates at twice the speed of cotton. So with CW-X® Conditioning Wear®, you remain cool at even the highest temperatures. When less energy goes toward cooling the body, more energy is left to help you excel. LYCRA®, on the other hand, possesses the unique ability to stretch yet retain its shape.
Auto-Sensor®
Auto-Sensor® is a nanotechnology fabric with patented features that has been developed by Ventex. The fabric itself is a breathable three layer polyester (80%) construction with polyurethane spandex (20%) for 4-way stretch comfort. The two primary functions of Auto-Sensor® are moisture transport and temperature regulation. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic fibers suck perspiration moisture away from the skin and disperse it across the exterior fabric face for evaporation.The temperature regulation function maintains the next-to-skin temperature of the garment at a constant comfortable level keeping the athlete warm in cool conditions and cool in warm conditions. Auto-Sensor® fabric is also antibacterial through application of silver dioxide fiber technology.
Dry-Zone®
Dry-Zone® R506 is a lightweight, breathable 4-way stretch performance fabric developed by Ventex which delivers quick-dry moisture movement and evaporation through a unique 3-layer capillary action, keeping the athlete dry and comfortable. Dry-Zone® R506 also features fiber nanotechnology incorporating antibacterial silver dioxide for antibacterial freshness and titanium oxide for UPF 50+ UVA/UVB sun protection.
Fieldsensor™
Fieldsensor™ is a high-performance knitted polyester mesh fabric with a unique multilayer structure that whisks sweat rapidly to the fabric’s outer surface with a capillary-effect. Once there, the dispersed sweat quickly evaporates away. The sweat moves outward, leaving the wearer fresh, dry and comfortable, no matter how strenuous the sport. Fieldsensor™ fabric also provides UPF 50+ UVA/UVB sun protection.