Tag Archives: Ecoline® fabric

Coffee-powered athletic gear, courtesy ASICS

Describing the upcoming collection (2015) of athletic gear from ASICS as coffee-powered is a bit of an exaggeration but at least some of the new gear is derived from coffee beans according to a Sept. 22, 2014 news item on Yahoo Philippines news,

A workout fueled by caffeine, but not in the way you’d guess: Highlights of Asics’ newly announced collection include the patented new textile technology Ecoline, made of repurposed coffee beans which makes for a moisture wicking, breathable polyester.

The entire Sept. 18, 2014 ASICS America press release, available on a Reuters website, which originated the news item, provides more details,

… Exciting standout introductions this season include “ECOLINE®,” a new technology from ASICS utilizing recycled polyester fabric from repurposed coffee beans with sweat-wicking and climate-control benefits, and the new GEL-FujiRunnegade™ running footwear with an anti-gravel tongue to prevent debris from getting into the footwear during off-road runs. No matter the level of competitor or athlete, consumers will find the Spring 2015 collection an unmatched companion in their training, practice, and competition.

The press release doesn’t offer any more details about the repurposed coffee bean-based athletic wear but there is a reference to socks designed with NanoGLIDE® technology which have sweat-wicking and climate control benefits,

… Favorites of ASICS elite tennis athletes like Sam Stosur and Gael Monfils also appear in the collection, including the GEL-Solution® Speed 2, voted “Best Game Day Shoe” by Tennis Magazine, the ASICS Team Performance apparel line and the Resolution™ sock designed for court play with NanoGLIDE®1 technology.

The NanoGLIDE company produces textiles for athletic garments. Here is a bit more information about the socks and the technology from the company’s FAQs (frequently asked questions) page,

Is this technology permanent or a finish?

NanoGLIDE® technology is permanent because it is incorporated into the yarn or fiber from the very beginning of the polyester or nylon fiber manufacturing process. The benefits of the technology will be retained or improved over the life of the garment or sock. Unlike topical finishes, or nano chemistry which are added in the dye bath during fabric finishing or in the wash cycle when socks are laundered before shipping; NanoGLIDE® will not wash off or wear out.

What are the benefits of NanoGLIDE® technology when used in apparel and socks?

There is a large demand for performance fabrics and socks that provide multiple benefits in one product. To date, these performance features have largely been obtained through finishing fabrics or washing socks with various chemical additives.

In some cases, there are multiple finishing stages which end up costing additional dollars and sacrificing hand /aesthetics/performance and time. NanoGLIDE® fiber/fabrics were developed to provide multiple attributes (Hand-Loft-Softness-Evaporative Cooling/Moister Management-UV Protection-Friction-Abrasion-Heat Management) that are permanently in the fiber and will not wash out.

Getting back to ASICS and its Ecoline technology, there was an Aug. 2, 2013 press release on Global Newswire.com featuring Ecoline and a coconut-based technology,

Designed for the adventurous trail explorer who demands durable and sustainable clothing to match the elements, a revolutionary addition to the spring 2014 collection is the new Ecoline® fabric with Cocona®1 Technology, which uses natural active particles derived from coconuts and minerals to enhance the performance of the fabrics by increasing breathability, odor management and UV protection.

Whether or not those are nanoparticles being derived from the coconut and minerals is not revealed.