“Excursions” series
All over the year, especially during summer season, mountains, valleys and pine forests become a popular destination for plenty of excursionists. “Excursions” is a series of 5 weekly articles to prepare yourself optimally for your outdoor activities from trekking to camping, with suggestions on clothing and equipment: which are the best fabrics to wear, which backpack model to choose, the necessary technologies for footwear, the many functionalities of the multi-tools. The series will end with an article on a topic you asked us to cover, i.e. how to prepare your survival kit - that we wrote taking a cue from the precious suggestions of professional military operators.
Article 1 of 5
"Cool things": fabrics and technologies to keep you cool & dry
During summer season, or while operating permanently in hot climates, whether it’s trekking or service, modern technologies nowadays allow a better management of personal comfort in clothing. In this article we will see three ideal technologies to fight the heat and the garments to which they are applied.
Key Points
• Coldblack® technology
• 37.5® technology
• Coolmax® technology
3' reading
• Coldblack® technology
The first technology refers to external garments such as polos. All fabrics absorb both visible and invisible sunlight, i.e. both heat and light. Compared to light colors, especially dark colors absorb more heat in direct sunlight; this heat absorption can be minimized with Coldblack technology. In all types of fabrics, in fact, Coldblack® technology reduces the absorption of thermal radiation. This function is particularly effective with darker colors, allowing a significantly better heat management. In case of light colors, however, Coldblack® offers reliable protection from UV (Ultraviolet) rays. In addition, a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of minimum 30 is guaranteed for all colors and fabrics, without the product being affected to the touch and the eye. As a result, fabrics equipped with this technology can give an effective contribution to protection against harmful UV rays. Our garments endowed with this technology are the Coldblack® Polos by Vertx, available with both short and long sleeves in our website section Low Visibility; among the product pluses, it is worth highlighting the fabric with high breathability and antimicrobial treatment for long-lasting odor control.
Image 1: infographic on Coldblack® technology
• 37.5® technology
Another technology that works to keep your body temperature stable in both hot and cold climates is 37.5® technology, part of the VaporCore™ line. Many of the common fabrics, to counteract sweat in perspiration, tend to distribute liquid sweat on the fabric; the 37.5® system, on the other hand, reduces moisture near the skin to maximize evaporative cooling. This technology incorporates ultraporous volcanic mineral materials, activated carbon and other insulators. Temperature regulation materials, thanks to 37.5® technology, work by absorbing radiant energy (heat) that the body emits naturally; this process excites the active particles to accelerate evaporation and remove moisture near your skin. The billions of micro-pores of active particles work to remove moisture at the vapor stage, before heat is formed. Unlike breathable materials that simply distribute moisture, fabrics and moisture control materials with 37.5® technology actually remove it: removing sweat vapor before it turns into liquid sweat is a key for maximum comfort.
Why is it called 37.5®?
Because performance and comfort depend on maintaining an ideal internal temperature of ~37.5°C; this technology, regardless of the intensity of the effort, aims precisely at maintaining this temperature.
Image 2: infographic on 37.5® technology
The products equipped with 37.5® technology available on our website are part of the Vertx line: for the Outerwear, there’s the Integrity Shell Jacket. This jacket allows you to face any weather condition, both in winter and summer season, including classic summer storms. In fact, it has a zipped collar and front flap - both rainproof -, a hand warmer pocket and a practical adjustable and removable hood, which moves with you without obstructing the field of vision, and equipped with a special back pocket where it can be stored when not in use. In addition, the two-way zippers on both sides allow quick access to your gear, and – above all – an opening for ventilation. All seams are taped for maximum protection from rain and wind.
Image 3: Details of Vertx Integrity Shell Jacket
For a complete look, the jacket can be combined with Integrity Shell Pants, which present the same functionality in terms of fabric and technology, and are also equipped with a series of practical waterproof pockets and zippers at the ankles to easily wear / remove boots.
Images 4 and 5: Details of Vertx Integrity Shell Pant
For the Low-Visibility, we suggest the Cutback Short 11", equipped with 37.5® technology as well and perfect for the summer season. These practical shorts by Vertx are suitable for low-profile missions, everyday life and outdoor activities, with 8 pockets to hold essential items and a comfortable stretch fabric that adapts immediately to the body. The Cutback Short 11” are currently available on Tactyka in three classic colors: Ranger Green, Shock Cord and Exahust.
Image 6: Vertx Cutback 11” shorts
• Coolmax® technology
Another interesting technology used in both casual wear and technical clothing is the Coolmax®, which is breathable and sweat absorbent. This technology involves a moderately hydrophobic polyester fiber fabric, which absorbs less sweat than other fibers – such as cotton – and dries relatively quickly. In fact, if sweat does not evaporate quickly, the internal temperature of the body tends to increase producing even more sweat. The engineered fibers used in Coolmax® fabrics are therefore designed to transport sweat away from the body by capillarity to the surface of the garment, where it can evaporate rapidly. At the same time, the unique structures of the fibers guarantee maximum breathability even when wet; in addition, breathability (technically air permeability) further enhances the thermoregulation effect, keeping you cool and dry. An item equipped with Coolmax® technology is the Defiance jeans by Vertx. With 11 pockets to keep your essentials at hand, it is an ideal garment for low-profile missions, as well as for days in the office and in the city thanks to their urban style, and for excursions, given its extreme comfort from the first use. Defiance Jeans are available in different colors, sizes and inseams in the Low Visibility section on our website.
Click here for our Low Visibility section, or here for our Outerwear section.
Image 7: Vertx Defiance Jeans, Blackheart wash color
This is the first article of the “Excursions” series, which continues on our blog Tactykal Tips with four more not-to-miss articles! Coming soon: 3 Vertx backpack models to choose when you need extra-space. If you have any curiosity, send us an email to info@tactyka.com with the topic you want to know more about.