Clothing brand moves away from “excessive” waterproofing with NeoShell
Cycling apparel brand Santini has launched two special collections to celebrate the Paris-Roubaix road race in April, one of the sports Great Classic events.
Each collection consists of a cycling jersey and a technical T-shirt, for women and for men, which combine with jackets, baselayers, vests, bibshorts and accessories. One collection imitates the colours and patterns of the markings competitors see painted on the famous cobblestones along the route to indicate the level of difficulty. The other uses fiery colours to reflect the race’s nickname, The Hell of the North.
For the jackets, Santini has chosen to use Polartec NeoShell, calling it “the world’s most breathable waterproof fabric technology”.
According to the cycling brand, the outerwear industry has, for years, prioritised “excessively high waterproof ratings”. As a result, Santini has said, a “sacrifice in the breathable performance needed during physical activity” has been necessary.
Its assessment of NeoShell is that it provides the strength and durability of a weather-protective fabric, while still allowing dynamic air exchange and full-range motion. “By engineering optimal pore size,” it said, “NeoShell releases heat and perspiration without high-pressure build-up. Continuous air exchange enhances natural thermoregulation, while still providing the required protection from all outside elements.”
