The Nirvana protection vest, incorporates Dow Corning’s patented fabric, treated with a specially formulated silicone coating, which remains soft and flexible under normal conditions, but becomes instantly rigid when struck by high-impact force, thus protecting the wearer from injury. Once the impact is over, the material immediately becomes flexible again.

According to Sem Hediger, innovation and technology manager at Mammut, the vest protects skiers and snowboarders from impact injury without hindering their freedom of movement and performance.

Because it is a textile, the material offers a combination of features particularly suitable for use in high-performance protective apparel and equipment. It is breathable and flexible for comfort and freedom of movement; it can be stitched directly into garments, eliminating the need to insert and remove components; it is less bulky than hard armour, allowing for many design possibilities; and it can be layered, so the garment can be customised to provide increased levels of protection for specific areas.