p18,20 Base Layers 11/17/08 11:04 AM Page 20
BASELAYERS - Sports Retail
SGB
Sports and Outdoor
w w w. s g b - s p o r t s . c o m
launch a new product line, while Australian brand Skins
has recently introduced its CROM range, which stands for
Canterbury Complete Range Of Movement. Available in long
sleeves (RRP: £59.99) and short (RRP: £54.99),
the CROM garments have strategically-
positioned ‘motion tech’ panels on the upper
torso, and are being worn by the players
of Premiership rugby side Bath.
The Inner Muscle range from
Asics is worn by England rugby
players Toby Flood and Jamie Noon
and England cricketer Monty Panesar,
while Mizuno’s Virtual Body range has been
adapted for different sports by analysing the
movements of computer-generated athletes,
resulting in specific models for baseball and
golf.
As for American brand McDavid, Sherratt
believes they are a step ahead of their
competitors with their HexPad technology, Skins crom shortsleeve.
Under Armour has also launched a base layer of dozens of small hexagonal foam pads, bonded together
specifically for winter sports, the ColdGear compression to make light and breathable pads for base layer garments.
mock (RRP: £35), which comes with a brushed inner “HexPad is the next generation of base layers and it is
face designed to trap warmth while moving patented technology,” adds Sherrat.“The challenge for our
perspiration to the fabric surface. competitors is to come up with a protective base layer
Like Canterbury, Gilbert is a brand with a with compression fit, moisture management and
long tradition in rugby that has invested in the temperature control, yet without inserting great big slabs
base layer research and development of foam that would make you sweat like hell.”
considerably. Gilbert’s Xact Thermo
undershirt is designed for a compression
fit, with a view to reducing muscle
vibration, and hence reducing fatigue, The science inside the base layer
tissue damage and recovery time.
Made from a two-sided OP nylon-
polyester yarn, the skin-tight Skins crom
Key to a quality base layer is
undershirt allows perspiration to
evaporate faster.
compression fabric, as this will
Two more rugby brands to have provide greater muscle support and
entered the base layer market are which came to fruition when NBA star Shaquille O’Neal
protection. Compression stimulates blood
Kooga and Skins. Kooga is soon to was looking for protection while recovering from a rib
injury.
flow, which will increase the flow of
“We were approached by O’Neill at a time when we oxygen to the muscles. This means the
Mizuno were working with this HexPad technology,”
build up of lactic acid will be reduced
explains Sherrat.“O’Neill wore it, then
the following weekend his Miami
during and after exercise, which will
Heat played the Boston result in muscular fatigue
Celtics and they asked
being delayed and recovery
him if they could get
what he was wearing.
time will also be shorter.
It grew from there to If the compressive
the point where about
fabric is also anti-static
80% of NBA players
are now wearing
and breathable, to take
HexPad, with moisture away from the
padding on the ribs,
body and to ensure the
and shorts with
padding on the
athlete does not get too
thighs. hot or cold, then it is all
It is a massively
the better.
innovative
development.” Skins crom
HexPad is a system
20 NOVEMBER 2008
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