A major advancement in golf knitwear– increased water repellency through the application of bionics nanotechnology – has been used extensively in the new Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection from Glenmuir.
Four new lambswool sweaters from the Scotland-based company feature the outstanding Bionic-Finish®.
The technology features in the new Derwent and Hebden sweaters from Glenmuir’s Performance range of knitwear, shirts and weatherwear. Both are made from an 80% wool, 20% polyamide mix and feature striking diamond designs.
And Glenmuir further establishes itself at the forefront of golf knitwear design with the new 100% wool Kielder and Jupiter lined sweaters for men.
In these sweaters, the water, soil and oil repellency from Bionic-Finish combines with a lightweight StormBloc® windproof lining to provide additional warmth and protection.
So what’s different about the bionic technology? Many golf garments are ‘waterproofed’ with the application of a wax-based repellent finish, which over time can crack after repeated movement, lose its effectiveness and fade in colour.
But Bionic-Finish® uses nanotechnology and special star-like molecules known as dendrimers, which build an invisible, water-repellent protective shield due to complex crystallisation processes.
Applied directly to the base textiles, the end result is an integrated and flexible barrier to water, oil and soil that works due to the crystalisation process, the direction of the branches of the dendrimers and their connection to the textile surface.
Says Glenmuir marketing director, Brian Mair: “As well as increasing the natural water resistance of the wool, Bionic-Finish® adds more abrasion resistance, protecting the wool and making it much more effective and long-lasting.
“What the Derwent, Kielder, Jupiter, Wrexham and Hebden sweaters will offer golfers is advanced protection against light rain or occasional short showers without the need to scramble for a waterproof – only to take it off a few minutes later! This is very much the future of performance knitwear in golf.”
Bionic Finish® is inspired by structures in the natural world – like the microscopically small grooves in a shark’s skin that channel water in a controlled manner. It can be applied on fibres or yarns before the actual textile production rather than post-impregnated after garment production.
The technology is also available in the new Kelly and Jodie 100% wool acrylic lined sweaters for lady golfers, the latter featuring a gorgeous Fair Isle design panel across the chest.
Glenmuir www.glenmuir