The eVent air permeable DVstretch ePTFE membrane technology will be used in Italian Northwave’s winter apparel for the first time this year. The high performance, competitively priced 2015 Northwave Arctic Jacket will be on the market in October 2015, just in time for the cold and windy weather, the manufacturers report. 

“eVent has grown into a very established brand in cycling apparel, with a well-deserved status due to the quality of its products and technology,” said Gianni Piva, Northwave’s founder and owner.

“On its own, Northwave has built a strong reputation in winter products by delivering protection and top-level performance to cyclists.  We’ve achieved excellent results with these products, and partnering with eVent fabrics is the next step forward in this successful strategy.”

Protection and comfort

The Arctic Jacket is said to offer top-of-the-line protection and comfort for winter riding thanks to eVent’s new windproof DVstretch membrane solution, which is used in a three-layer BP Puma laminate from ITTTAI-Bel Punto S.r.l, the exclusive agent of fabrics using eVent DVstretch technology.

The BP Puma laminate covers the whole front and back surfaces of the jacket to provide exceptional protection from the wind, very high breathability, and an unprecedented degree of elasticity. The BP Puma fabric is designed to stretch by 35% and fully recover. In addition, Northwave uses Lombardia fabric—a very soft gauzed fabric—under the arms to better fit the body.

Performance benefits

DVstretch features eVent fabrics’ Direct Venting (DV) technology, meaning that the ePTFE (expanded polytetraflouroethylene), membrane is air permeable and has a porous structure that lets heat and body moisture pass through the membrane instantly, the company reports.  Additionally, DVstretch is windproof and provides water resistant protection – both critical for winter cycling.  

“This combination of performance benefits is ideal for aerobically demanding sports like cycling,” said Chad Kelly, Global Product Manager for eVent fabrics. “Cyclists generate a lot of heat and moisture which needs to quickly escape through their clothing.   But they also require essential protection from the wind and weather.”

Be Visible Be Safe

The Arctic Jacket is in Northwave’s Be Visible Be Safe collection of products—all designed to have maximum visibility and safety for riding, particularly in winter when days are shorter, darker and may be foggy or rainy. 

The Arctic Jacket also features Pixel reflective inserts for greater visibility. This technology allows reflective elements to be printed directly into the fabric, so that a larger area of the jacket can be reflective, and is also said to be softer than typical reflective inserts. Northwave incorporates Pixel fabric in the collar, sleeves and back of the Arctic Jacket. 

eVent fabrics and membrane technology

The technology used to create eVent membranes was invented in the 1990s to improve the pollutant-capturing performance of air filtration systems and give superior protection to industrial machinery.

eVent fabrics—found in outdoor, winter sports, cycling and professional apparel and footwear—were the first air permeable and waterproof performance fabrics on the market that let the sweat out through Direct Venting technology, according to the manufacturer.

www.eventfabrics.com