Technology and materials glossary

At Kathmandu, we use a wide range of advanced technologies and ground-breaking materials in our outdoor products. You’ll find this comprehensive glossary organised alphabetically for your ease of use.

Durable Bionic™ DPX™ fabric addresses ocean plastic pollution in marine and coastal environments. It’s created from recovered ocean plastic which is:

• Collected and chopped up
• Melted down
• Spun into yarn
• Woven into an eco-friendly fabric

Combining recovered plastic material with other fibres means Bionic can develop a variety of textiles – one of which is DPX.

Find out more about Bionic DPX.

bluesign® is a system that provides solutions in sustainable processing and manufacturing to industries and brands. It encourages the textile industry to increase its efforts in sustainable processes, step by step.

bluesign aims to provide safer and more sustainable environments for people to work and live in. Products that meet the bluesign criteria:

• Have the highest degree of consumer safety
• Are manufactured with the lowest possible impact on people and the environment
• Ensure responsible use of resources

You can be sure that products on our website that are described as ‘bluesign approved’ have been made with the lowest possible impact on the environment, workers and you – our customer.

Find out more about bluesign

Circuitex™ is a smart fibre technology that enables us to integrate electronics into our apparel. Currently it lines the pockets of a select few pieces of our travel clothing to help protect your passport or credit card information.

Circuitex fabric is lightweight and flexible – and can be incorporated into wearable garments so it’s almost invisible.

Find out more about Circuitex.

Cordura™ fabric is a highly durable nylon that we’ve utilised in some of our packs and apparel. It’s well recognised for its long-lasting durability and resistance to abrasion.

Products with Cordura are generally easy to care for.

Find out more about Cordura.

For insulation with loftier aspirations, choose a down product with DownTek™ that will:

• Repel water
• Maintain loft, temperature range and packability

DownTek aims to shield insulating air-trapping down clusters from all things wet.

Find out more about DownTek.

Our driMOTION fabric technology is designed to:

• Wick moisture
• Dry quickly
• Keep you feeling cool, fresh and comfortable

Stay actively comfy when the heat is on.

A pioneer of textile technology, drirelease™ is part of the best performance fabrics and activewear in today’s marketplace. It’s what helps you move more comfortably – by wicking, drying, cooling and freshening.

drirelease pulls moisture away from your skin and dries fast. We’ve integrated it into a bunch of our travel and adaptable garments. In fact we have some history here, having won drirelease’s Summer 2017 Innovation Award.

Find out more about drirelease.

An eco-friendly version of drirelease™ – E.C.O. – also pulls moisture away from your skin and dries fast. It won’t wash out, diminish over time or release harmful chemicals into the environment.

Find out more about drirelease E.C.O.

Almost all our rainwear is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. DWR encourages water to bead off the surface of your fabric, preventing precipitation from soaking it.

DWR does become less effective over time – due to dirt, abrasion, body oil and washing. However, you can revive your jacket’s performance easily at home.

Find out how to maintain DWR on your jacket.

EarthColors™ dyes are made from natural waste materials that can be traced back to their source – both their location and the type of waste. They’re a more environmentally friendly way of dying clothing.

We’re excited to be utilising these high performing, revolutionary dyes that are made from non-edible agricultural waste.

Find out more about our Earthcolours Range.

ECONYL is a nylon that’s 100 percent regenerated.

Aiming for no waste and no new resources, ECONYL’s regenerated nylon comes from landfill and ocean waste. It’s indefinitely recyclable making it a closed loop regeneration process.

Find out more about ECONYL.

Ecoya fabric is created through an eco-dyeing process that adds colouration at the raw material stage, rather than traditionally at the yarn phase.

As a result, there are many benefits to creating Ecoya fabric. It:

• Saves water
• Uses less energy and fewer chemicals
• Has reduced CO2 emissions
• Gives a more colourfast fabric that stands up better to light, water and washing

Find out more about Ecoya.

Freshguard™ is a moisture transport and odour elimination technology that helps control odour. You’ll stink less and be able to wash your Freshguard clothing less often.

GORE-TEX® does a superb job protecting you against wind and rain. It’s a membrane that doesn’t let water molecules get through but allows moisture vapour and sweat to get out via the membrane’s microscopic gaps.

GORE-TEX offers you three core benefits. It’s:

• Waterproof – even in the heaviest storms, rain and snow can’t get through
• Breathable – water vapour can escape so you’ll stay cool when sweating
• Windproof – able to block out wind and keep the cold at bay

You can be sure of maximum protection even in the harshest conditions.

Find out more about GORE-TEX and Kathmandu.

GORE-TEX® PACLITE® PLUS 2-layer fabric is the ultimate backup for adventures that bring unexpected weather. It offers a number of benefits, including:

• Packable and lightweight – takes up minimal space in your pack
• Durably waterproof – will keep you dry even in harsh rain
• Highly breathable – sweat escapes easily so you stay comfy
• Totally windproof – keeps wind out which prevents you getting wind chill

Find out more about PACLITE PLUS.

GORE-TEX® SHAKEDRY™ is a revolutionary design that has eliminated the need for a face fabric. The membrane itself is the outer surface, so your jacket will be one layer less.

The result of this unique tech are jackets that are extremely light and breathable.

SHAKEDRY offers you the following benefits:

• Uniquely water repellent – the membrane works like an outer layer so light rain will bead up and run off the surface
• Super lightweight – due to the lack of a face fabric
• Extremely breathable – sweat escapes easily so you stay comfy
• Durably waterproof – ensures you stay dry even in harsh rain
• Totally windproof – keeps wind out which prevents you getting wind chill

Find out more about SHAKEDRY.

The GORE® WINDSTOPPER® membrane is an ultrathin protective layer that’s laminated to a lightweight textile layer – making in completely windproof.

Windstopper has plenty of benefits. It will:

• Block the wind
• Let perspiration escape
• Minimise the wind’s chilling effects
• Reduce the risk of overheating when you’re active
• Dry quickly

Find out more about WINDSTOPPER.

When you need your gear to perform in the outdoors, even under damp conditions, consider our insuLITE™ synthetic filled products. They’ll offer you:

• High thermal performance
• Low bulk insulation
• Comfort

kidsFIT is a technology we’ve created to specifically cater for children and their growing bodies. By choosing a kidsFIT pack you’ll get a:

• Harness that’s ergonomic and optimised to fit your child
• Backpack with contours that are particular to your kid’s body
• Technology that helps prevent overloading

The word Lavalan™ is derived from the Latin term ‘washable wool’. It’s a sustainably-sourced, highly functional wool insulation that’s made from:

• Renewable raw materials
• European sourced virgin wool
• A corn based synthetic fibre called polylactic acid (PLA)

At the end of its lifecycle, Lavalan doesn’t turn into waste because it’s renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.

Find out more about Lavalan.

Antimicrobial Meryl™ Skinlife is able to regulate the level of bacteria on your skin. It’s a soft yarn that feels like silk which:

• Uses permanent silver ion to eliminate smelly odours
• Maintains the natural balance of your skin

Meryl Skinlife doesn’t need frequent washing as the technology reduces the production of microorganisms, so you’ll also save water over time.

Find out more about Meryl Skinlife.

Moisture Control System (MCS™) is essentially a wicking finish on some of our synthetic fabrics that:

• Absorbs and wicks moisture away from your skin
• Releases this moisture on the fabric’s surface so it evaporates quickly
• Helps keep you cool, dry and comfortable

Our buzzGUARD range uses fabric containing an effective, long-lasting treatment called No Fly Zone™ that repels mozzies, ticks, flies, ants and midges.

No Fly Zone is an odourless, Permethrin-based technology that causes these insects to fly away without biting. It’s designed to hold onto the fabric and be effective for at least 70 washes – essentially the expected lifetime of your product.

Find out more about No Fly Zone and buzzGUARD in this Summit Club Member Review video.

Nuyarn™ is the world’s first performance stretch yarn. It’s a new way of making fabric that offers you incredible benefits such as being:

• Ultralight – with a unique open structure, Nuyarn technology crafts incredibly lightweight fabrics that will behave like heavier ones
• Stretchier – more stretch and regain* to withstand losing shape over time
• Stronger – with more resistance to abrasion, holes and damage, Nuyarn’s 47% stronger* making it suitable in varying conditions
• Comfier – a distinctive spinning method creates a completely twist-free yarn that’s 35% loftier* which greatly improves your next-to-skin comfort
• Drier – stays fresher for longer and dries five times faster* with the ability to wick moisture away from your skin
• Warmer – Nuyarn’s structure helps keep air trapped for 35% more warmth*
• Tougher – durably strong in both directions with 120% tougher seams* ensuring garments keep performing at their best after many uses and washes

Nuyarn is Ecotech 100 accredited which means it doesn’t use environmentally harmful chemicals anywhere throughout its process.

Find out more about Nuyarn.

*than conventional Merino Wool

Wouldn’t it be great to just get on with your day without unwanted smells caused by a hard day’s work?

Odegon™ uses ultra-porous technology to absorb body odour molecules. It’s an odour-absorbing fabric that will instantly neutralise smells. It’s also:

• Durable
• Chemical free

Find out more about Odegon.

Our extensive range of pack&GO gear is designed to pack away in seconds so you can quickly move on with your day.

A solution to the ongoing issue of limited space, pack&GO products:

• Pack away into their own attached pockets, or
• Come with compact packs, or
• Are packing cells.

Each of our pack&GO items features our signature pack&GO↗ logo.

Find out more about pack&GO.

Pertex™ Endurance technology is a perfect material as a top coat on down jackets and sleeping bags – which greatly increases their resistance to water.

This fabric technology is:

• Highly breathable
• Water and wind resistant

It’s ideal when you need a higher resistance to condensing moisture while still letting inner moisture (sweat) escape.

Pertex™ Equilibrium uses a unique double weave construction that balances weather protection with breathability.

This fabric technology is:

• Wind and water resistant – the tightly woven outer face protects against the elements
• Breathable – the openly woven inner face helps move moisture away from your body
• Tough and durable
• Fast drying

Find out more about Pertex Equilibrium.

Pertex™ Quantum uses a tightly woven structure to provide a light and soft fabric that allows insulation to fully loft. It’s precisely constructed from incredibly fine yarns that are designed to trap still air and improve the efficiency of your insulation.

This fabric technology is:

• Lightweight
• Windproof – to help you retain warmth and keep the cold out
• Soft to the touch

Find out more about Pertex Quantum.

Pertex™ Quantum Air is a fabric technology that gives you a balance between being breathable and wind resistant.

It allows airflow through the fabric to help regulate your body heat and keep you comfy in the mountains for longer.

This fabric technology offers:

• Higher air permeability
• A balance between breathability and wind resistance
• Weather protection during intense activity

Find out more about Pertex Quantum Air.

Pertex™ Quantum Eco technology is a fabric that utilises recycled yarns while allowing your down insulation to fully loft.

It represents a commitment to using sustainable fabric design, development and production.

Find out more about Pertex technologies.

Pertex™ Quantum Diamond Fuse technology is a fabric that’s made up of unique diamond-shaped filaments. These yarns are woven together to create an interlocking structure which can offer twice the abrasion resistant of a fabric woven with conventional yarns.

This fabric technology is:

• Durable
• Highly resistant to abrasion
• Stable over extended wear and washing
• Flat – which improves shedding of water

Find out more about Pertex Quantum Diamond Fuse.

When you’re planning an intense mountain pursuit, Pertex™ Shield fabric helps you move fast while staying comfortable. This fabric technology is:

• Waterproof
• Windproof
• Lightweight
• Highly breathable
• Packable

Find out more about Pertex Shield.

Remember polarfleece? Polartec™ was the inventor of the original synthetic fleece way back in 1981.

These days they create technical fabrics that are designed to be:

• Tough and durable
• Capable of effectively managing moisture

Easy to care for and ideal for outdoor activities when the weather’s changeable, Polartec fabrics are a superb addition to your outdoor gear.

Find out more about Polartec fleece.

Regulate your comfort in changing conditions with Polartec™ Alpha Direct™ insulation. It’s an evolutionary technology that eliminates the need for a backing fabric.

This fabric tech:

• Helps regulate warmth
• Is lightweight and fast drying
• Offers advanced breathability
• Compresses and is highly durable

Find out more about Polartec Alpha Direct.

Polartec™ Delta™ cooling fabric cleverly uses your own natural cooling process (sweating) to help cool you down.

It’s essentially a fabric cooling system that offers:

• Superior wicking through faster moisture dispersal
• Maximum breathability when its wet
• Odour control
• Natural cooling by elevating touch points to increase airflow

Find out more about Polartec Delta.

Polartec™ Power Dry™ is a fabric technology that efficiently manages moisture to ensure you get a comfortably cool workout.

It’s designed so that every fibre works with maximum efficiency. Moisture is quickly pulled away from your body and transferred to the outer surface to keep you dry.

Polartec Power Dry is also:

• Highly breathable
• Odour resistant
• Lightweight
• Fast drying

Find out more about Polartec Power Dry.

Polartec™ Power Stretch™ is a performance fabric that has raised the bar for what a stretch fabric can do.

The key benefit of Power Stretch is the ability of the fabric to stretch four ways and still recover its shape. But there are other benefits, like:

• High breathability
• Moisture wicking
• Fast drying

Find out more about Polartec Power Stretch.

Polartec™ Power Wool™ is a revolutionary knit fabric that combines the best of both natural and synthetic fibres.

It’s a hybrid design that’s made with a soft Merino Wool base and a highly durable synthetic exterior.

You’ll enjoy the best of both threads – warmth, comfort, durability and optimised wicking.

Find out more about Polartec Power Wool.

Polartec™ Thermal Pro™ is a fabric technology that embraces unique textures which are highly breathable and enhance overall efficiency.

It harnesses a diverse variety of knitting techniques that create unique surface structures without sacrificing performance.

This fabric technology offers:

• Warmth and comfort without weight
• Quick drying
• Resistant to pilling
• High durability

Find out more about Polartec Thermal Pro.

Polartec™ Windbloc™ is your barrier against bad weather. It’s a fabric that will keep out 100% of wind to give you maximum protection from wind, water and cold conditions.

Windbloc’s unique, durable membrane blocks out moisture at a microscopic level. It’s a technology that helps ensure apparel is:

• Windproof
• Water repellent
• Breathable

Find out more about Polartec Windbloc.

Polartec™ Wind Pro™ has been engineered to repel freezing winds. It has a compact structure that offers up to four times greater wind resistance than regular synthetic fleece.

Thermal air pockets help retain the warmth you need from an insulation layer, while the tighter knit construction deflects wind yet maintains comfort and breathability.

Dependable and versatile in unpleasant weather conditions, Polartec Wind Pro is:

• Water repellent
• Highly breathable
• Wind resistant
• Lightweight warmth

Find out more about Polartec Wind Pro.

Polygiene™ is a finish that’s applied to apparel which helps to control odours while you’re outdoors and active. It offers plenty of benefits, including:

• Body odour control – keeping bad smells at bay so you’ll be able to wear your clothes multiple times before washing
• Reduced environmental footprint – by using less water over your clothing’s lifespan
• Longer life – with less abrasion from less washing, your clothes will enjoy a longer lifespan

Find out more about Polygiene.

It’s becoming increasingly important that we address the amount of microplastics in our oceans and landfills. Primaloft™ Bio™ fleece is a responsible, sustainable fabric that’s designed to return to nature under certain conditions.

Help reduce microplastics by choosing a product with Primaloft Bio - made from 100% recycled fabric and best for the environment.

Find out more about Primaloft Bio.

Recycolor is a blend of recycled cotton fibres with new organic cotton. A unique process is used that keeps the original colour of the textile’s waste without requiring any additional dyeing.

Some of the benefits of using Recycolor include:

• A more eco-friendly product – that’s better for the environment than using conventional cotton
• Saving energy – while growing and dyeing the cotton
• Not needing water or chemicals for dyeing

Find out more about Recycolor.

Billions of plastic bottles go into landfills every year – but by choosing products made with polyester created from recycled plastic bottles (like REPREVE™), you’ll be actively making a difference.

At Kathmandu, we’ve been recycling plastic bottles into our gear for more than 20 years. We currently prefer utilising REPREVE which is a performance technology that’s heading in the right direction for a more sustainable future.

Find out more about REPREVE.

Our insulation products contain down that’s 100 percent certified under the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) – which protects an animal’s ‘five freedoms’.

What this means is that our down is followed closely from the farm to the final product. It’s a by-product of the consumption of geese and ducks, and as a customer you can be confident that due to RDS, these birds live healthy lives without suffering pain or distress.

Find out more about Responsible Down Standard.

At Kathmandu, we’re proud to be part of a collaborative industry group delivering the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). It ensures that the wool we use in our apparel comes from progressive approaches to land and sheep management.

The standard has two key areas which are:

• To protect animal welfare
• To preserve land health

Find out more about the Responsible Wool Standard.

If you decide to keep your valuables on your body, you may want the added security of RFID blocking accessories to help prevent digital theft. RFIDtech will help keep your passport and credit card information safe.

RFIDtech is used as a wireless way of transmitting information from a chip to a scanner (or reader). An RFID scanner needs to be in close proximity to a chip in order to read its radio waves.

Whether RFIDtech is hidden in a pouch, belt bag, travel wallet or a safe pocket in your clothes, it can be your extra barrier of protection.

Find out more about RFIDtech.

Ecodown™ is a synthetic insulation that can keep you warm, even in damp conditions – and Thermore™ is a leading player in the field.

Ecodown is created from 100% recycled polyester by breaking down plastic bottles into resin, then giving them a new life as polyester fibres.

Compared to traditional down, a jacket with synthetic fill has some significant advantages, such as:

• Keeping you insulated, even in slightly damp conditions
• Not clumping or getting cold spots after being washed
• Fast drying times

Find out more about Thermore Ecodown.

Some of our clothing carries a UPF rating which indicates how well it protects against the sun’s harmful effects, such as blocking solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

The higher a garment’s UPF rating, the more solar UVR is blocked by the fabric – and the less solar UVR exposure to your body.

We test our fabrics and give them a UPF rating if they have sun protection qualities. For instance:

• UPF 30 is defined as good protection
• UPF 50+ is defined as excellent protection

When we decide to use a UPF fabric, we aim to meet the UPF 50+ threshold to offer you garments with excellent protection from solar ultraviolet radiation.

Some of our beach equipment carries a UVE rating which indicates how well it reflects (or absorbs) solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to protect against the sun’s harmful effects.

We test our shade, shelter and beach umbrella fabrics in an accredited lab to determine their UVE rating. For instance:

• 80-90.9% UVE is defined as effective
• 91-94.9% UVE is defined as very effective
• 95+% UVE is defined as most effective

A number of variables need to be taken into account when considering the effective sun protection of beach equipment, such as size, position, sun angle and nearby reflective materials.

Shade, shelter and beach umbrellas provide you with shade ‘at a distance’ – so we can’t test them to Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) ratings as these are only applicable for next-to-skin clothing.

The Woolmark™ brand is the global authority on wool – it works alongside Australian woolgrowers to research, develop and certify Australian wool.

Woolmark is a commitment between woolgrowers, brands and consumers on the authenticity and quality of the wool. When you see products bearing the iconic Woolmark logo, you can trust that the wool has quality, is authentic and offers value.

Find out more about Woolmark certification.