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Leading US footwear brand adds ion-mask technology
23 Sep '10
3 min read
K-Swiss is the latest premium sports footwear brand to announce that it has teamed up with P2i, the world leader in liquid repellent nano-coating technology, in a move which is set to revolutionize the performance of its two latest product lines – Kwicky Blade-Light and California, debuting at retail in February 2011.
Kwicky Blade-Light, the company's top-of-the-range super-light, super-cushioned, training shoe and California, a lightweight stability running shoe, have both been developed with P2i's ion-mask technology, which applies a nanoscopic protective polymer layer to the whole shoe so that when liquids hit the surface they simply roll off, instead of being absorbed by the shoe fabric.
David Bond, Vice President of Product for K-Swiss Inc, explained: “The ion-mask technology blew our elite athlete wear testers away, and they're a pretty tough crowd to please. They found that our running shoes, when treated, stayed dry and light even in extreme conditions. They also noticed that ion-mask kept their shoes cleaner.”
Since ion-mask gives the whole shoe (including the stitching) superior water repellency, it delivers two crucial benefits; it stops external water getting in and it encourages evaporated perspiration to flow out. As a result, shoes dry out more quickly, won't get heavier over time, and maintain the natural airflow of their construction material.
Although the presence of ion-mask is imperceptible to wearers – its protective layer is one thousand times thinner than a human hair – it is molecularly bonded to the whole shoe surface and thus is extremely durable. In practice ion-mask lasts as long as the shoe material itself and is not compromised by everyday flexing during wear. By contrast, traditional water repellency techniques, such as dip-applied chemicals and taped seams, have been shown to swiftly lose their effectiveness under 'real-wear' conditions. Plus, by resisting the absorption of water, ion-mask helps guard against stains and dirt residue.
Bond added: “The addition of P2i's ion-mask technology, which we believe to be the most innovative moisture management technology available on the market, positions the latest additions to the K-Swiss family at the cutting edge of sports footwear.”
Stephen Coulson, CTO of P2i, comments: “The recognition, by this prestigious footwear brand, of the benefits which can be achieved with our revolutionary liquid repellent nano-coating technology further validates the effectiveness of ion-mask. The previous generation of membrane and thick chemicals simply cannot match the amazing levels of performance that it has been shown to deliver.”
Kwicky Blade-Light and California from K-Swiss will be available (at retail) from February 2011.
Kwicky Blade-Light, the company's top-of-the-range super-light, super-cushioned, training shoe and California, a lightweight stability running shoe, have both been developed with P2i's ion-mask technology, which applies a nanoscopic protective polymer layer to the whole shoe so that when liquids hit the surface they simply roll off, instead of being absorbed by the shoe fabric.
David Bond, Vice President of Product for K-Swiss Inc, explained: “The ion-mask technology blew our elite athlete wear testers away, and they're a pretty tough crowd to please. They found that our running shoes, when treated, stayed dry and light even in extreme conditions. They also noticed that ion-mask kept their shoes cleaner.”
Since ion-mask gives the whole shoe (including the stitching) superior water repellency, it delivers two crucial benefits; it stops external water getting in and it encourages evaporated perspiration to flow out. As a result, shoes dry out more quickly, won't get heavier over time, and maintain the natural airflow of their construction material.
Although the presence of ion-mask is imperceptible to wearers – its protective layer is one thousand times thinner than a human hair – it is molecularly bonded to the whole shoe surface and thus is extremely durable. In practice ion-mask lasts as long as the shoe material itself and is not compromised by everyday flexing during wear. By contrast, traditional water repellency techniques, such as dip-applied chemicals and taped seams, have been shown to swiftly lose their effectiveness under 'real-wear' conditions. Plus, by resisting the absorption of water, ion-mask helps guard against stains and dirt residue.
Bond added: “The addition of P2i's ion-mask technology, which we believe to be the most innovative moisture management technology available on the market, positions the latest additions to the K-Swiss family at the cutting edge of sports footwear.”
Stephen Coulson, CTO of P2i, comments: “The recognition, by this prestigious footwear brand, of the benefits which can be achieved with our revolutionary liquid repellent nano-coating technology further validates the effectiveness of ion-mask. The previous generation of membrane and thick chemicals simply cannot match the amazing levels of performance that it has been shown to deliver.”
Kwicky Blade-Light and California from K-Swiss will be available (at retail) from February 2011.
P2i Ltd
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