Liebaert has developed Warpspeed, a new family of aerodynamic performance fabrics built on its Nanostitch platform. Designed around different speed profiles rather than individual sports, the technology combines engineered surface structures with four-way stretch and a second-skin feel — with aerodynamic performance tested not only at fabric level, but in finished garments.
For brands developing apparel where aerodynamic performance can make a measurable difference, selecting the right fabric is only part of the challenge. How that material performs once it has been cut, seamed, positioned on the body and exposed to real airflow can be equally important.
Belgian textile manufacturer Liebaert has set out to address both sides of that equation with Warpspeed, its latest development on the Nanostitch fabric platform.
Built on the finest warp knitting machines in the world
Warpspeed is built on the Nanostitch platform, produced on custom-made warp knitting machines that Liebaert has spent decades refining — widely regarded as the finest in the world for this class of construction.
This equipment is central to the aerodynamic structure. Warpspeed's engineered jacquard geometries are knitted directly into the fabric itself, achieving a level of surface uniformity and dimensional control that standard knitting machinery simply can't replicate.
Rather than adding a separate aerodynamic treatment or component, the surface structure is integral to the textile itself and is engineered to deliver aerodynamic benefits across different speed profiles.
The same dense, precisely controlled knit that is used to manage airflow also delivers the four-way stretch and second-skin hand feel for which Nanostitch is known. The objective is to deliver aerodynamic performance without compromising the close fit, freedom of movement and comfort required in high-performance apparel.
Tested at the fabric level — and the garment level
Wind-tunnel testing is standard practice in aerodynamic fabric development, but Liebaert's work on Warpspeed demonstrates just how sensitive aerodynamic performance can be to changes in textile construction.
Testing carried out at Bike Valley in Belgium on a 110mm cylinder showed that CS 2915 WATT, a polyamide-based construction, recorded a 23.1% lower CdA than the naked reference at 10 m/s.
But the development programme revealed something equally significant: changing the yarn can change the aerodynamic characteristics of the fabric. Liebaert found that the polyamide (PA) version of WATT outperformed the polyester (PES) version tested, demonstrating that aerodynamic performance cannot necessarily be attributed to surface geometry alone.
Testing of the TRCK construction produced another interesting result. The polyamide and polyester versions of CS 2324 TRCK delivered broadly similar results, suggesting that the influence of fibre choice can itself vary according to the textile construction.
Perhaps most intriguing is a further development currently being explored by Liebaert. When the polyester CS 2324 TRCK fabric was tested inside out, effectively changing the surface presented to the airflow, it produced a substantial reduction in CdA at higher speeds. The construction does not yet have a commercial code and remains under development.
Taken together, the results underline the complexity of engineering textiles for aerodynamic performance. Yarn selection, knitted geometry, surface orientation and operating speed can all influence the outcome — supporting Liebaert's decision to develop Warpspeed around speed profiles rather than simply assigning one aerodynamic fabric to a particular sport.
Testing carried out at Bike Valley in Belgium on a 110mm cylinder showed that CS 2915 WATT, a polyamide-based construction, recorded a 23.1% lower CdA than the naked reference at 10 m/s. ==>CS 2324 TRCK, a polyamide-based construction, recorded a 23.1% lower CdA than the naked reference at 8 m/s.
Liebaert's testing also extends beyond fabric swatches to completed garments.
Garments constructed using Warpspeed are validated in the wind tunnel as complete pieces, allowing factors including seams, panel transitions, garment construction and body position to be taken into account.
That distinction matters. A fabric that performs well in isolation can behave differently once it is cut, sewn and worn in motion. Seam placement and panel geometry can influence airflow and potentially reduce gains demonstrated during fabric-level testing.
Testing at finished-product level is intended to close that gap, giving brands aerodynamic data that more closely reflects the conditions encountered by an athlete in use rather than relying solely on measurements from an isolated fabric sample.
A full Warpspeed report covering Liebaert's wind-tunnel methodology and results is available to brands on request.
WATT and TRCK: built around speed profiles
Rather than developing separate fabrics for individual sporting disciplines, Liebaert has organised Warpspeed around two principal constructions — WATT and TRCK — each engineered for a distinct speed profile.
WATT has been developed for sustained high-speed effort, including road racing, triathlon and time trial, where athletes maintain high speeds for extended periods and aerodynamic drag becomes an increasingly significant consideration.
TRCK is designed for more variable speeds and riding conditions, including track and gravel applications, where airflow and the interaction between the athlete, textile surface and surrounding conditions present a different set of requirements.
Defining the fabrics according to speed profile rather than sport also opens possibilities in other performance categories.
Speed skating, for example, shares characteristics with the sustained-speed profile addressed by WATT and could therefore potentially employ the same construction principles.
For brands, this means development can begin with a conversation about the garment's intended speed, conditions and use case rather than requiring an entirely separate fabric development process for every sporting category.
Made in Europe, backed by 135 years
Warpspeed is produced entirely at Liebaert's facility in Deinze, Belgium, with knitting, dyeing and finishing brought together on one production site.
This vertically integrated approach gives the company control over the different stages of manufacture while providing customers with traceability through the production process.
Liebaert holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certifications, with its sustainability performance further supported by STeP certification and a top-level DETOX TO ZERO assessment.
The fifth-generation, family-owned company says it reinvests more than 10% of its annual revenue in technologies aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, alongside continued investment in manufacturing and textile innovation.
That combination of long-term manufacturing knowledge and continued investment has also allowed Liebaert to develop its own specialised machinery and processes rather than relying solely on standard textile production technology.
One platform, three performance directions
Warpspeed sits alongside two other performance technologies built on the Nanostitch platform: Graphecool™, a graphene-based cooling technology developed for hot-weather performance, and Thermal, designed for heat retention in cold conditions.
All three share the same underlying Nanostitch construction and Liebaert's Belgian manufacturing operation.
For brands developing performance collections, this creates the possibility of working across aerodynamic, cooling and thermal applications through one fabric platform and manufacturing partner.
Rather than sourcing completely separate textile solutions for each environmental or performance requirement, a brand can potentially develop different pieces across a collection while maintaining a common underlying platform.
From Performance Days to product development
Warpspeed will make its soft launch at Performance Days in Munich in October, where brands and product developers will have the opportunity to see and handle the WATT and TRCK fabrics and discuss potential applications directly with the Liebaert team.
Following the launch, brands developing aerodynamic apparel can request WATT or TRCK samples and technical data sheets, with consultation available to help match individual applications to the appropriate construction and speed profile.
The full Warpspeed report, including further information on the wind-tunnel methodology and results, is also available on request.
Further information: nanostitchfabrics.com
