Last fall/winter, DESCENTE launched its new performance wear "PRO" line. It seems that DESCENTE's technology and development capabilities have produced items that satisfy even professional athletes, but there is still a lot we don't know about them.
We have been looking at the new products released for the first spring/summer items at DISC OSAKA, our research and development center, and have been trying to find out the secrets behind them.
The "Pro" items are the most performance-oriented clothing from DESCENTE, pursuing functionality that exceeds athletes' expectations, using a special technology developed in 2018 called "Schematech," which allows a single piece of fabric to have different functions such as elasticity, durability, and breathability in different parts of the body. This is a special technology called "Schematech" that allows different parts of a single fabric to have different functions, such as elasticity, durability, and breathability.
Many of the comfortable garments are packed with DESCENTE's unique technologies, such as sweat mapping theory that takes into account areas prone to sweat and ultrasonic adhesive sewing technology, but the focus of this season's new products is on the discomfort caused by the heat and steam typical of spring and summer.
Schematech SOLAR BLOCK features SUNSCREEN, which lowers temperature by blocking near-infrared rays, UPF 50+ UV protection, and coarser knitting in areas prone to perspiration to reduce discomfort. The fabric is also made to reduce discomfort by coarsening the knitting in areas prone to perspiration.
The "Schematech AERO" focuses on the steaminess inside the garment. The ventilation system is designed to flutter with the movement of swinging arms during running and other activities.
These items were made possible thanks to the research conducted at DISK OSAKA, which we visited this time. DESCENTE's goal at DISK OSAKA is to "create the world's fastest wear. This means pursuing "speed" in order to win competitions and developing clothing "ahead" of other companies, and this is the place where research and development is conducted to achieve this goal.
, for example, the ventilation of the "Schematech Aero". When tested in a room in the same facility where humidity and temperature can be controlled, at a temperature of 30°C and humidity of 40%, the humidity in the garment at the back was reduced by approximately 201 TP10T compared to a 1001 TP10T polyester water absorbent and quick drying material.
By using mannequins that sweat like a human and simulating the conditions inside the garments with a thermal imaging camera, we were able to create sun-resistant clothing such as the "Schematech Solar Block". We have repeated experiments in different environments, in several rooms and facilities, including a 100-meter track where human movement can be measured .
. and fine, but about the ultrasonic adhesive sewing technology that enhances the comfort and ease of wear of the clothes.
The sewing at the factory for this technology, in which "DESCENTE" excels, is performed by technicians certified with national qualifications. We own the top-class number of adhesive sewing machines in Japan and produce items with high-quality adhesive sewing technology, and in order to promote the same development, we make it possible to do so not only at the factory but also at our research and development sites.
The procedure involves cutting the fabric with a laser cutting machine while bonding the fabric using a special technique called ultrasonic bonding, and then further reinforcing the area with seam tape. By using original seam tape that has elasticity in the vertical direction and does not stretch easily in the horizontal direction, they are able to reduce the skin contact of the seams while maintaining strength. The finished product seems to vary depending on the fabric, and it seems that discerning this is also an important factor.
Normally, one would be concerned about the ragged fraying of the seam allowance where the cut fabric is sewn together, but the accumulation of such techniques makes clothes comfortable even when exercising for long periods of time.
It is made to satisfy athletes , but it should be good for people who are not athletes to wear it. The cherry blossoms have just started to bloom and it is a pleasant season to go outside. If you try exercising in such wear, which Japan prides itself on, you may be impressed by its technical capabilities.
