DESCENTE TECHNOLOGY
Concepts
Aqualibrium™ High-tech fabrics and products only work well if they allow the body to achieve an equilibrium between the input and output of heat and moisture. Many products don’t accomplish this. The correct balance of breathability, moisture management, wind resistance, and CLO factor are critical for maintaining optimal temperature and dryness during activity. We, at Descente, call this "Aqualibrium." Functional design for all of our products is guided by the concept of "Aqualibrium". No other manufacturer of sports apparel understands this dynamic more, or puts it to better use, than we do.
RPF: Ride Position Fit. As you know, there is a fine line between "rack appeal" and how a garment fits when used for it’s intended purpose. At Descente we’ve always been concerned about never sacrificing functionality for rack appeal and instead maintaining product integrity. While Ride Position Fit is a design and product development guideline, it’s also an effective sales and marketing concept. Let’s face it, we don’t design cycling products for store changing rooms, standing straight up, facing a mirror. Examples of RPF can be found in our front and back rise differentials, our contoured collars, extra sleeve lengths, tapered and contoured front panel constructions, extra-long index fingers on gloves and in many other features.
Fit
These icons will help you determine how each of our tops and jerseys fit. Since we try to accommodate a wide variety of body styles, this guide should help you understand the subtle differences.
MATERIALS AND FABRICS
AERO-X uses two different deniers of Nylon for advanced moisture management, durability and softness with 16% Spandex content for perfect compression and stretch. An advanced fabric for the world’s most comfortable cycling shorts.
AERO-XT is a unique fabric that is highly aero/hydrodynamic thanks to the highly textured and unique interior. The 86% micro-denier Nylon and 14% Spandex is an effective blend that allows for a soft hand, a great fit and quick drying. The "high-amplitude" structure of the interior creates "low-amplitude" dimples on teh surface, allowing the right amount of turbulence across the fabric surface, thus lowering drag. This structure also facilitates evaporation.
BLISS is a Nylon/Spandex fabric that offers a buttery soft hand, great compression and durability. It is made of 88% Nylon and 12% Spandex.
BLISS LITE is a Polyester/Spandex fabric with a soft hand and a geometric, jacquard knitted pattern that offers rapid-drying, a super-soft hand, durability and comfort for any athletic application.
CHINOOK is a 100% microfiber Polyester fabric that provides the finest balance of water resistance, wind proofing, breathability, weight, noise, durability and value. This fabric is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish.
COLDOUT is a 87% Nylon and 13% Lycra™, fabric that provides durability, warmth, compression, stretch and moisture management. It’s perfect for applications in accessories, tights, knickers and shorts for cool and cold weather.
COOLMATIC is 100% Polyester with a slightly open surface structure for an advanced wicking capability and cooling feature. This light weight hot-weather fabric is soft and extraordinarily comfortable in the most extreme conditions.
D-LUX MESH is a micro-denier Polyester/Spandex mesh fabric that is brushed on the inside, yielding a soft feel next to the body along with superior breathability, compression and moisture management.
THERMAL D-LUX. Soft and silky, mid-weight micro-denier Polyster/Spandex fabric uses vapor-channel construction for great moisture management and is brushed inside for enhanced thermal properties.
D-PLY combines a Polyester interior with a Nylon exterior to form the world’s lightest "push-pull" moisture management fabric. The Polyester wicks away moisture by "pushing" it from the skin –and the nylon helps evaporate the moisture on the fabric surface as it "pulls" it from the polyester. The exterior Nylon helps reduce odor build-up and provides a very light and supple hand.
D-VENTE is a Polyester/Spandex micro-denier mesh that delivers an uncanny equilibrium between the input and output of heat and moisture. Whether hot or cold outside, D-Vente helps maintain a constant body temperature and superior moisture control while delivering a great body-hugging fit.
H2ZERO™ is 100% Polyester dual-denier yarn. It employs "denier-gradient" and "vapor-channel" technology to provide best-of-class moisture management. This lightweight fabric has a great hand and moves with the body and breathes, providing a level of moisture management and unsurpassed comfort in medium to high temperature ranges.
THERMAL H2ZERO™ is 100% Polyester, "denier-gradient" fabric with vapor-channel technology. This is the thermal version of H2Zero, with a soft brushed interior. It’s heavier than H2Zero and Orbit and provides a high level of thermal protection and comfort. The advanced knit construction provides unparalleled moisture management capability.
ORBIT is a slightly heavier-weight 100% Polyester fabric that provides the same level of moisture management and comfort as H2ZERO. Using vapor-chamber construction, for cooler temperature applications, this fabric features a beautifully textured surface and provides a unique look and outstanding comfort.
HYGIENIC is the patented, permanent anti-bacterial protector from Christian Eschler AG. This solution will combat the effects of retained moisture, body lotions, oils and perspiration, which can encourage the growth of bacteria causing unpleasant odors in textiles and their premature disintegration.
CLASSIC NYLON/LYCRA™ is 80% Nylon, 20% Lycra. Descente’s Nylon/Lycra for cycle short applications has the ideal weight, compression, stretch and durability. Treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) and wicking finish.
PRO-V MESH: This knit on a "crochet" machine from the world’s "driest" yarn, called Meraklon™. A new generation of Polypropylene, Meraklon is super-hydrophobic and does not develop odors, shrink, or pill as older versions of "polypro" did. PRO-V MESH can be used in any condition including extreme heat and cold weather climates. Our PRO-V fabrics offer a dramatic improvement and evolution in the world of baselayer fabrics.
PRO-V MID: At about 200 grams per square meter, this highly functional fabric is 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex. It’s a spun yarn fabric that is "low pill," deceptively warm for its weight and very soft. This is a "cozy" fabric that is form-fitting and has a wide temperature range application. It also provides unsurpassed moisture management. Our PRO-V fabrics offer a dramatic improvement and evolution in the world of baselayer fabrics.
PRO-V MAX: At about 300 grams per square meter, PRO-V MAX 91% Polyester, 9% Spandex. It’s also a spun yarn fabric that is "low pill," as warm a baselayer as you’ll ever need but deceptively lightweight and operates through a huge temperature and activity range. It’s a "cozy" fabric that is form fitting and provides unsurpassed moisture management. Our PRO-V fabrics offer a dramatic improvement and evolution in the world of baselayer fabrics.
ELEMENT TRI-COMP is a three layer, bonded fabric with 63% Polyester and 37% permeable PU membrane. This technical, mid-weight fabric is waterproof, breathable and stretches with the body. This fabric is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) outside and wicking finish inside.
SHELTER TRI-COMP is a three layer, bonded fabric with 89% Polyester and 11% PU. It has a moisture permeable PU stretch membrane middle layer for a high level of protection and breathability, and a bonded, fleeced interior for additional warmth. This outer fabric is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish and the interior is treated with a moisture-management wicking finish.
THERMAL SPY (Stretch Polyester Yarn) is a 94% Polyester yarn with 6% Spandex for a great fit that moves with any position on the bike. A high-performance fabric, this is a versatile fabric with dense exterior and a fine, brushed interior. Thermal SPY offers some wind resistance on the outside, comfort on the inside and an unusually high warmth-to-weight ratio.
VELOM is a super-lightweight, micro-denier woven Nylon fabric. It allows us to make an entire jacket that is, incredibly, less than 2 ounces. The fabric is water-resistant, wind-proof, very breathable, durable and quite. And of course it’s unbelievably packable.
CHAMOIS
Micro-Fuse: The MicroFuse™ chamois is welded, molded, anatomical and state-of-the-art. The shape and fit has been minimized to provide the exact amount of protection necessary for better comfort and cycling performance. Our research proves that you only need protection in the critical areas – the contact points between you and your saddle. Reducing the excess bulk facilitates the compression, fit and function of our technically advanced shorts. We’ve welded the chamois directly to the interior of the short for a smooth transition between materials to prevent chaffing. The pre-shaped, open-cell, perforated foam reduces pressure points and breathes for dryness and comfort while our SpeedFree™ stretch polyester fabric is perfect for eliminating skin friction and moisture build-up. The Micro-Fuse chamois is also treated with a HYGIENIC® anti-microbial product.
Stealth HDI: Our new Stealth HDI (High Density Insert) chamois takes the monocoque design used in our Stealth chamois one step further. With enhanced padding and a perforated high-density insert in the three critical contact points the Stealth HDI covers all the bases. And with perforation in the wing and front sections the chamois is cooler than ever. The Stealth HDI chamois is treated with HYGIENIC® anti-microbial solution. And on top of all this, the chamois stretches the perfect amount so that it conforms to your body and to your bike shorts.
Stealth: Utilizing new molding
technology, we developed the Stealth chamois for a wide range of prices and uses. It is formed in an anatomical mold with few components, providing a simple yet advanced, lightweight pad for great protection and comfort. The seamless "monocoque" design works because it is preshaped to fit your anatomy. For this year we have increases the thickness and density of the foam for even greater comfort. The different levels and foam thicknesses will optimize protection at pressure points and the 100% stretch polyester Micro-X-Fine fabric is anti-microbial and highly breathable. The open-cell foam and perforation promotes rapid evaporation of perspiration, a key to the comfort of any chamois.