FUTURELIGHT
TECHNOLOGY
At the heart of Athlete Tested. Expedition Proven.™ is the philosophy that authentic
athlete insights push our design and engineering teams to propel our products
forward. Our FUTURELIGHT™ technology is no different. One athlete insight born in
the mountains sparked a revolution.
DISCOVER THE PRODUCTS
AIR PERMEABILITY
ON A NANO-SCALE
THE SCIENCE
For the first time ever, we’ve added air permeability to a waterproof membrane. Unlike conventional membranes, the nano structure of the FUTURELIGHT™ membrane allows air to pass through for better venting and breathability without sacrificing waterproofness and durability
This new nano-fiber structure has enabled us to create our most lightweight, breathable membrane to date. An ultra-thin, nimble garment that feels just as comfortable and provides the protection needed against the elements in the harshest environments
:NANOSPINNING
A NEW KIND OF TECHNOLOGY
THE PROCESS
We tapped into a unique production method called nanospinning which creates nano-sized fibers that allow improved air permeability while maintaining waterproofness.
This nanospinning process deposits a polyurethane solution from over 200,000 nozzles onto a surface where it’s collected in a randomized matrix to create the membrane. The solution is then used to create a breathable-waterproof film that is bonded to backer and face fabrics.
Creating a nano-sized fiber small enough to allow air to flow through a membrane while keeping water out has helped us achieve air permeability levels unique to our FUTURELIGHT™ fabric.
One of the most unique aspects of our FUTURELIGHT™ technology is its tunability. Our designers can now adjust weight, stretch, breathability and even durability during the manufacturing process to meet the needs of any athlete’s end use.
RIGOROUSLY TESTED
IN THE LAB & IN THE ELEMENTS
IN THE LAB
To set a new standard in the outerwear industry, we had to test our FUTURELIGHT™ technology under an entirely new standard. In the past, we would use hydrostatic testing and moisture vapor transmission rate (MTVR) to evaluate whether a garment is waterproof and breathable. With FUTURELIGHT™ fabric, air permeability also comes into playWe worked with an independent third party, Underwriter Labs, a world-renowned, safety science company with more than 120 years of expertise testing fire and hazmat suits
Underwriter Labs put our FUTURELIGHT™ fabric through the same extreme liquid integrity testing standards used with firefighter gear, dumping over 200 gallons of water per hour on the garment. Our FUTURELIGHT™ fabric withstood the challenge, receiving a 100 percent waterproof certification from Underwriter Labs while demonstrating high levels of air permeability
ON THE MOUNTAIN
Our elite athlete team was integral in the prototyping, development and testing of FUTURELIGHT™ products. Every element of the products went through the scrutiny of world-class athletes who pushed our design and engineering teams to rethink the future of technical outerwear
From the top of Mt. Everest to the first ski down the Lhotse Couloir, our breathable-waterproof FUTURELIGHT™ technology was extensively tested for over 400 continuous days by our elite athlete team in the toughest conditions on Earth
