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Field Report
Four seasons: Sunderland’s UV Range (above) extends the company’s expertise beyond rainwear (far right and below)
“We will continue to distribute his current technology, but the feel is very soft.“
product, but will delay bringing in new product Following Warren Sunderland’s return to the
while we see what happens over the next few company in 2007, you can sense a renewed zeal
months.” for the company to create and innovate –
The UV range fits neatly into Sunderland’s X4 although for now it'll clearly have to be tempered
Protection product line for 2009, covering rain, with some realism. Moving the brand into
wind, cold and sun – which itself is encapsulated sunwear appears to be a sufficient reach into the
by Sunderland’s current ‘Never Weatherbeaten’ unknown for now, though the brand is not
marketing strap, delivered to the trade last July. necessarily expecting the coconut-husk UV line to
Elsewhere their 2009 range is essentially a deliver a … well, bounty.
continuation of the Autumn 08 catalogue. “We have realistic expectations on sales,”
However, the familiar GT Pro, Player and Club Mair concludes. “I have every sympathy for the
ranges have been joined by two suits, launched club pro in the north of Scotland trying to sell a
last autumn in Munich. sun-protection message to his members. I can
Top of the range is the Tournament suit, a hi- almost hear him groaning: ‘Sun-protective
tech offering currently retailing at £250, which clothing? Give me a break!’ But we are looking
aspires to achieve climate control thorough to change the perception of what our brand
micron-sized aluminium particles within its stands for to both the trade and consumer.
polyurethane membrane. Independent testing That’s important to us. Sunderland wants to
shows these particles react differently at different be seen as a brand that’s moving on from simply
temperatures: in the cold their glinting properties a suit that will keep you dry in the rain.”
reflect body warmth and so reduce heat
conduction away from the body; in warmer
conditions the membrane becomes breathable, promoting cooling.
Designed by a Swedish Company and aimed at the slightly younger, better
The UV range:
player, this suit sticks with what some will see as a more contemporary look
for Sunderland.
Why coconut husks?
Joining the Tournament Collection is the WhisperDry, an impressively Coconut shells are apparently a fantastic natural source of activated
comfortable and soft-feeling suit of sealed seams and stretch fabrics carbon, whose properties include moisture wicking and odour-control, as
originally developed by Sunderland’s US partners. “We saw it in Orlando last well as absorbing UV rays. Sunderland’s UV range consists of
year,” says Mair. “It was getting very good feedback, so we put it out for a cocona/polyester blend polo shirts, available in eight colours, with long-
wear test and had a very positive reaction on waterpoof effectiveness, sleeved versions in four colours. Trousers are also on the way, while
weight, noise and comfort. The only thing we changed was the design, for a convertible windshirts and windvests, manufactured using Kolon’s high
European market.” density X20 fabric, with natural UV protection, complete the sun-
Basically that means taking it down a size, removing some of the bulk in shielding line-up.
the arms and trouser and lifting the collar. This suit is more about feel than
SGB GOLF FEBRUARY 2009 25
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