Oakley to launch fire resistant clothin using O-CarbonX
Oakley, Inc. today announced plans to launch an exclusive line of highly fire-resistant clothing made with O-CarbonX, a proprietary blend of CarbonX, an invention of Chapman Innovations engineered specifically for the highly volatile world of motor sports. The co-branded base-layer apparel was demonstrated yesterday for media and NASCAR drivers at the Dodge/Save Mart 350 NASCAR event held in
"Building on the success of our footwear collaboration with Chapman, which yielded the most flame- and heat-resistant race boot ever made, O-CarbonX fabric enables us to pursue the same superior protection, comfort, and performance in racing apparel," said Jim Jannard, founder and CEO of Oakley. "This ultra-safe technology represents the next generation of innovative fire resistance and we believe that Oakley is positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities in future applications."
"Oakley's passion for innovation and understanding of real-world applications makes it a natural partner to push CarbonX into a broader range of products," said Tyler Thatcher, president of Chapman Innovations. "Working together, we are significantly advancing the industry's level of safety and performance for drivers and crews."
O-CarbonX is a proprietary blend of fibers developed by Chapman Innovations specifically for Oakley. The fabric offers unsurpassed protection against heat and flame, yet can still be worn comfortably next to the skin. O-CarbonX flame-resistant material provides a persistent protective barrier when exposed to direct flame reaching temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds without shrinking, charring, or losing structural integrity.
Oakley's O-CarbonX protective motor sports apparel will be available in long- and short-sleeve tops, bottoms, balaclavas, and high performance racing gloves. The products will be distributed by Speedware Motorsports, the largest distributor of motor sports apparel in
