Abacus develops new stretch measurement for fabric
05/04/2013
It describes the Barton StretchLite jacket as a lightweight waterproof golf jacket, while the Pitch StretchLite is a featherweight waterproof product, suitable for wearing next to the skin. Both jackets are unlined, making them easy to play in.
To add to standard scientific tests for measuring a fabric’s water resistance (water column test) and breathability (moisture vapour column test), Abacus Sportswear has introduced a new measurement for freedom of motion, which it calls the coefficient of stretch (CoS).
In independent laboratory tests at the textile and leather laboratory in Stockholm, a 25-centimetre strip of the Barton StretchLite fabric was expanded to 66 centimetres, Abacus said at the time of the launch, giving a CoS of 2.64. For its part, the Pitch StretchLite showed up in the tests to have a CoS of 1.90.
Head of design, Chris Mattsson, said of the Barton jacket: “The level of elasticity is extraordinary. Once on, it’s like wearing a thin waterproof skin that simply moves and stretches without resistance to the twists and turns of the golf swing. At just 99 grammes per square-metre, it is also incredibly light, highly breathable and packs conveniently into its own pocket.”
And of the Pitch StretchLite, Ms Mattsson said: “It’s a two-layer, unlined, high-performance stretch fabric that is both featherweight and feather-soft, making it quiet and supremely comfortable. Many waterproofs have stretch panels built in, but our jackets are stretchable all over and represent a complete new performance standard in technical golf wear.”
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