Sympatex® technology
Unique technology:
Our second to none Fabric is created in collaboration with our valued partner Sympatex®, which has supplied not only the thinnest and most breathable membrane available, they also managed to make it from recyclable polyether.
Polyether/-ester poses no health risk whatsoever.
This also means it is environmentally friendly as it is 100% ecologically degradable.
For this reason the membrane has been awarded the Oeko-Tex standard 100® certificate.
The membrane has also been awarded the bluesign® certificate yet another guarantee for the benefit of the environment and you.
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.
Pre-launch TEST – tough but fair.
In this test, the jacket/pants 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. 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)
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 Ret value of 1.5.
By the way, the Ret 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 Ret value.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO HOHENSTEIN:
- Ret 6 optimal breathability
Ret 6-13 very breathable
Ret 13-20 breathable
Ret 20 not breathable
OUTSTANDING:
The Ret values varies from style to style but always fall within the very breathable.
THE WATERPROOFING TEST DEMONSTRATES:
THERE’S NOTHING DRYER
Always nice and dry - 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 our garments are 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.
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.
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, you staysdry. 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
