Winter 2020 - Inside Outdoor Magazine

Inside Outdoor | WINTER 2020 16 It’s not the number of vents that determine how well a waterproof ski jacket manages body temperature and moisture; it’s where those vents are located, said designers at KJUS. Strategically located on the lower arms of the jacket, near the pulse points of the wrists, the patented and adjustable KJUS AC zippered venting system is optimally located, from a physiological perspective, to allow ex- cess heat and moisture to escape and cool air to enter, said the company. The technology taps into the body’s natural cooling system by enhanc- ing convection – the body’s use of its circulatory system to warm and cool itself. By opening the vents at the wrists and lower forearms where blood vessels run nearest to the skin, the trapped heat can escape quickly and the outside air is able to cool the blood before it is taken from the extremities and circulated back to the body’s core.  The AC Vent not only overcomes thermal stress, which is how physiolo- gists describe heat and perspiration trapped inside a jacket, but also avoids extreme speed cooling. Unlike tradition- al vents on the torso or under the arms, which can cool the core and the vital or- gans too quickly and too intensely, the AC Vent provides a steady, adjustable flow of cool air that cools the body ef- ficiently and safely. The unique position of the vents also takes advantage of the frontal wind that comes into play while skiing. Research in the lab showed that cooling the lower arms and wrists had a significant physiological cooling effect on the entire body, especially the high sweat zone of the back, said KJUS. “Keeping skiers warm is not our greatest challenge. Our greatest chal- lenge is to keep them warm without overheating,” said Ken Kurtzweg, head of innovation at KJUS. Ultimately, said Kurtweg, “the AC Vent is founded on the simple, physi- ological fact that cooling down the inner forearm has a dramatic effect on cool- ing the entire body. In the same way that in everyday life we naturally pull up our sleeves to cool ourselves down, the AC Vent allows the skier to quickly and easily expose the temperature sensitive inner forearm to the cool air.”  Rethinking Venting Ingredients PrimaLoft Inc. and adidas are taking their long-standing collaboration to a new level. Moving forward, the two brands will join in the stra- tegic development of high- performance, sustainably conscious products. A key focus will be the introduction of adidas apparel that features Pri- maLoft insulation made with Parley Ocean Plastic. As the first insulation provider to partner with Parley, PrimaLoft is us- ing plastic waste intercepted from remote islands, beaches and coastal communities to manufacture high- performance insulation products. In addition, both adidas and PrimaLoft have committed to the Parley AIR strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) to further reduce each company’s plastic footprint and fight together against the increasing pollution of the oceans. Adidas is a founding member of Parley for the Oceans. Since 2015, the brand has supported Parley in its efforts to increase awareness and protect the beauty and fragility of the oceans. In support of these efforts, adidas has developed a robust product line of shoes and apparel using Parley Ocean Plastic. The company introduces apparel fea- turing PrimaLoft x Parley insulation at this winter’s trade shows. “Adidas is an innovative, global partner, and we are excited to strengthen our established partner- ship,” said PrimaLoft president and CEO Mike Joyce. “Both of our brands are pioneers in their fields and impor- tant drivers of innovation in the textile industry, especially when it comes to sustainability. We strongly believe that together we can push the boundar- ies of material science forward, while continuing to further our Relentlessly Responsible mission.” PrimaLoft, adidas Collaborative to Reduce Ocean Plastic