Outdoor apparel brand Gramicci has introduced Evo-Tek knit, an innovative material that helps bring natural and organic fabrics to performance apparel.

Gramicci says that consumers have made it clear they want more ecologically-friendly products and according to a jrecently released report by researchers Frost & Sullivan, 73% of Americans say they are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to purchase products made of recycled materials in the future.The company also says that many consumers, however, have been disillusioned by the effectiveness of natural fabrics for high-performance needs. Gramicci claims to have solved that concern with Evo-Tek, the latest fabric innovation from the rapidly growing manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle apparel.

Offered primarily within the company's Greenicci collection of apparel made from organic or recycled fabrics,Evo-Tek is a two colour plated single jersey made from 55% organic cotton and 45% recycled polyester. The fabric is being used in both men's and women's products for Fall 2009.

"This is an important launch for us because we've taken a technical fabric and made it organic. There has been strong demand for a sport line to be made of sustainable materials," explained Susan Foster, menswear designer for Gramicci.She noted that garments with Evo-Tek knit serve as a superb base layer since they can wick moisture away from the skin to the surface of the fabric. That benefit makes Evo-Tek perfect for products such as the Greenicci Tail Gunner men's performance t-shirt. Because of such benefits, Evo-Tek is also being used in men's and women's jerseys in the company's new Urban Biking line.

Adding to the advantages inherent to Evo-Tek, the garments have such other performance features as kangaroo pockets, thumb holes for extra warmth and snap gators that can cover the wearer's face and mouth in severe weather. Innovations such as Evo-Tek are helping Gramicci post double-digit sales gains in a challenging retail environment. Other breakthrough products within the last year have included the Urban Biking line, a four-way t-shirt and extensions to the Greenicci collection, which now accounts for more than 35% of overall sales.