Columbia Sportswear Omni-Freeze ZERO

[wdwmagic]

This sounds really interesting - possibly a real break-through in cooling?

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Columbia Sportswear, a global leader in active outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories, today announced the upcoming Spring 2013 availability of Omni-Freeze ZERO, the company's latest groundbreaking apparel technology.​

"Historically, outdoor and athletic brands have looked at sweating as a problem...something to be wicked away with so-called 'technical,' decades-old polyester fabrics"​

Omni-Freeze ZERO is the culmination of a four-year effort to develop a new, revolutionary line of apparel that becomes cooler in hot, moist conditions. Distinctive little blue rings, embedded and visible in the fabric of Omni-Freeze ZERO apparel and footwear, contain a special cooling polymer. When exposed to sweat or moisture, these rings actually swell (similar to goose bumps) creating an instant and prolonged cooling sensation.​

"Historically, outdoor and athletic brands have looked at sweating as a problem...something to be wicked away with so-called 'technical,' decades-old polyester fabrics," said Mick McCormick, executive vice president. "Omni-Freeze ZERO is an entirely new approach, and unlike anything the industry has ever seen. We see sweat as a renewable resource that will allow athletes, outdoor enthusiasts or anyone that spends time in hot, humid conditions to sweat smarter, staying more comfortable."​

Columbia will release the new technology to consumers in the spring of 2013. Omni-Freeze ZERO will be integrated across a line of 40 styles that will include men's and women's shirts, performance layers, headwear, sleeves and other accessories. Columbia will also add Omni-Freeze ZERO to its Powerdrain footwear models to keep the shoes cool in hot weather. The full line is designed to keep consumers and athletes comfortable from head to toe, even as temperature records continue to rise.​

Omni-Freeze ZERO is the latest in a string of new technologies developed by Columbia's Performance Innovation Team (PIT). The PIT is the research and innovation division of Columbia Sportswear Company tasked with developing revolutionary consumer solutions for the company's entire brand portfolio, which includes Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, and Montrail.​

"We see Omni-Freeze ZERO as a real game changer in terms of how people think about performance and comfort in hot weather," said Woody Blackford, vice president of innovation and head of the Performance Innovation Team. "In general, people remove clothing layers to stay cool, but sponsored athletes using Omni-Freeze ZERO have noted that in hot, humid conditions, this is the first technology that feels cooler and more comfortable than wearing nothing at all. We're continuing to test the properties of this new technology in our lab and are sponsoring independent laboratory research."​

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[devoy1701]

Definitely will be buying some of these when they become available. Now that it's June, even running at 6am like I do every weekday morning becomes a major task when the evening temps are only dropping down to the high to mid 70s with 70-80% humidity.

I've actually been excited about a lot of the stuff Columbia has been releasing lately. That sweatshirt (and those sleeping bags) that use the reflective technology to retain body heat in cold conditions definitely makes hikes in the mountains or my winter runs more comfortable as well.

 

[JillC LI]

Very cool (pun intended!) If it works, I'll buy it.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Might have try this. Going to research now. Im a big fan of Columbia gear. I used to wear nothing but Patagonia... and then, I couldnt afford any of it. So I switch to Columbia.

 

[dreamfinder]

Wonder if there is a lifespan to the polymer. I would think that between repeated washings, and expanding/contracting it is only good for so long.

 

[lukacseven]

Craft Sports has had some cooling fabric products available for some time. I'm interested to do some research on the differences in technology. I've seen some print ads for Under Armour ColdBlack, but have yet to see the UA or any other brands using this technology in person.