Wakasazhi™

Green and hydrophilic...

Not only will you be one of the first to have an environmentally friendly jacket. You will also be one of the few using a hydrophilic non-porous membrane technology.

Wakasazhi™ is maximum quality and highly sophisticated technology packed into a layer/membrane just five micrometres thick.

With precisely tailored functions and the non-porous polyether ester structure of the membrane gives it its unique characteristics:

• • Optimal breathability
  • 100% waterproof
  • 100% windproof
    
  • 100% ecologically degradable (only membrane )
    

Causes no harm to either you or "mother nature."
Virtually everything from sewing thread to the fittings are Oeko-tex certified.



29 prototypes were required to achieve the outcome that we in all modesty would call a small revolution.

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Zippers: YKK® AquaGaurd water repellent zippers.



Taylor made cuff straps.

Inner cuff is lined with a tiny piece of latex rubber - prevents water to come up through the wrist part when hand landing a fish or paddling in a kayak.



15mm brushed tape. Requires skilled workmanship!



Collar lined with Ren-Tex - recognized as the only material to withstand stubble.



Tailor-made eyelets. Fit perfect with the light material. The Oval shape gives a better angle for the elastic cord, in other words it makes tightening easier. Rust-proof.



Left front box pocket is fitted with an elasticated pocket inside the pocket. Keeps your tacklebox in place.

Both front pockets are fitted with YKK® AquaGuard water repellent zippers.
These pockets are box-shaped (only visible from inside) and hold most tackleboxes even the bigger C&F.

The pockets are designed not to disturb your fishing;  no matter what you put in them, the bulk will only appear on the inside of the jacket and not on the outside like traditional jackets .

No matter how much water you let in the pockets the jacket will stay dry.



Welded inner pocket water resistant zipper. Fits most cell phones.

Pre-launch TEST – tough but fair.

In this test, the Wakasazhi™ is literally ‘taken apart’ and examined in great detail.

Particular attention is paid to how strong and waterproof the seams are. The quality of workmanship of key functional components, such as zippers, hoods, pockets, seams, etc., and the hydrophobic capacity of the outer materials are also tested. All of these tests are performed in three states: unused, after washing and after dry cleaning.

The EDGAR (Enhanced Dynamic Garment Rain Tester) system simulates standard rain conditions. Wakasazhi was tested in continuous rain for up to three hours (unused, after washing and after dry cleaning).

Jacket in the EDGAR rain testing facility

Testing the laminates (Technology of Wakasazhi™)

THERMOREGULATION MODEL OF HUMAN SKIN

The independent Hohenstein Institute developed the so-called ‘skin model’ in order to measure the breathability of fabrics during varying degrees of physical exertion. The results convinced the testers – and delighted our developers: the Sympatex membrane provides optimal breathability, with an especially low R_et value of 1.5.

By the way, the R_et value is a measurement of water vapour permeability. It describes the force exerted by the test sample against the water vapour in the ‘skin model’ test. In this case, less is more. The less resistance there is, the more comfortable the material is, and the lower the R_et value.

CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO HOHENSTEIN:

R_et 6 optimal breathability
R_et 6-13 very breathable
R_et 13-20 breathable 
R_et 20 not breathable

The membrane of Wakasazhi is: R_et 1,5

The 3 ply fabric is: R_et 9

OUTSTANDING:

The R_et values for Wakasazhi™ fall within the optimal breathability.

Skin model test of breathability

 

THE WATERPROOFING TEST DEMONSTRATES: THERE’S NOTHING DRYER

Always nice and dry: Wakasazhi™ is 100% waterproof.

This test is performed on each product in three states: unused, after washing and after dry cleaning. All laminates are subjected to a pressure test and must be able to resist extreme water pressure levels well in excess of the required standards.

 

The pressure test

Control of waterproofness.

THE SEAM SEALING TEST SHOWS: WEAK POINTS ARE OUR STRENGTH

The seams must also be 100% waterproof. That is why Wakasazhi™ is sealed using a special Sympatex tape. Seams are often a weak point, so the testers pay especially close attention to the seals during the laminate pressure tests. Here too, the tests are performed in three states: unused, after washing and after dry cleaning. And the results speak for themselves.

Sealed seam pressure test

 

TEAR TEST RESULTS: AS ELASTIC AS A BUNGEE CORD

Sympatex laminates are highly elastic (Bi-Stretch), which means they move with the wearer. In tear tests, the materials are tested to determine their tear thresholds and thus their robustness.

Elasticity test

 

THE ABRASION TEST:

Sympatex laminates are hard-wearing, something that has been proven by abrasion tests using the Martindale method.

Wear resistance test for materials

 

THE SPRAY TEST – NO CHANCE FOR MOISTURE

Whatever happens, Wakasazhi™ stays dry. Because all outer materials used are given a hydrophobic treatment. Moisture simply beads off rather than being absorbed by the outer material. The spray test checks the effectiveness of this hydrophobic treatment, which helps ensure the constant breathability of clothing and footwear.

Hydrophobic treatment test

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Wakasazhi™
Product information:

LAMINATE: 3 ply

CONSTRUCTION:
1st Layer: 86% PES/ 14% EL
Membrane: 100% PES
3rd Layer: 100% PES

WEIGHT:
Size small: 440gram.

TEST CRITERIA TEST METHOD RESULTS
Resistance against water vapour transmission ISO 11092 ≤ 9 [m²Pa/W]
Resistance against water penetration ISO 811 < 200000 [Pa]

Tensile strength ISO 13934-1 Warp: 350 [N] Weft: 300 [N]
Tear strength ISO 4674-1 1B Warp: 10 [N] Weft: 10 [N]
Abrasion / Martindale Test ISO 12947 waterproof after 40.000 [cycles]

The indications are average results. They are subject to normal variations in production. 

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