range started with some bold and straightforward goals.
outstanding and those testing the new items have described them as being absolute game changers when it comes to comfort.’ But the new range from North Sails Performance is about far more than the issue of damp backsides. When it came to specific design principles there are several details that stand out from the start and can easily be seen across the new range. External stitching has been kept to a minimum with modern bonding technology which means less clutter and less potential for failure and leakage. All of which leads to not only better performance, but far greater comfort.
So, the new Performance range is aimed directly at racing sailors with outer wear for both offshore and inshore racing alongside seriously insulating mid-layers and full men and women’s deck wear range. But what triggered the move to create this new range of specialist clothing and why now? With such considerable and broad ranging experience in fabrics and laminates it is perhaps not surprising that the company should be so acutely aware of developments in fabric technology. ‘They could see the advances that were being made in other industries such as mountaineering where there had been huge leaps forward,’ continues Nigel. ‘They could also see how the development in marine clothing had slowed down and fallen behind the industry leaders.’ Consequently, their overall strategy for the new
North Sails has used its unrivalled laminate and fabric sailmaking expertise to develop a range of new technical
materials that are said to be tougher, lighter, more breathable and more comfortable. Among these are 4DL, a four-layer durable laminate
thatʼs 30 per cent lighter than
traditional materials, and TightWeave, a naturally water- repellent fabric that doesnʼt rely upon a water- proof coating. External stitching is minimised to eliminate leaks
‘Our overall mission was to make the best foul weather gear in the world,’ he says. ‘We were set on making no compromises. If there was a fabric, construction method or detail that we felt would improve the performance of the wearer then we wanted to ensure that we included it. ‘We also didn’t want to create any hero pieces. Every garment from Ocean Smock to Fast Dry Shorts have received the same intense scrutiny and design focus.’ For the foul weather gear, Gore-Tex
is at the heart of these items. With over 25 years on the racecourse this product is the industry benchmark. Another key advance in the new range is the development of TightWeave, a new fabric that uses thinner threads packed in a much tighter weave. This makes it more naturally water repellent and more durable than is achieved with traditional fabrics coated in Durable Water Repellent (DWR).
‘The trouble is that with DWR, the coating that is applied to stop water absorption doesn’t last for more than a couple of days offshore. The kit then starts wetting out which makes it heavier, less comfortable and reduces the fabric’s breathability.’ Furthermore, because it is the TightWeave fabric and not a coating that is providing the water repellent properties there is nothing to wash off and reduce its performance. Neck and wrist seals also came in for a closer look by the design team who developed DuraSeal, a super thin, stretchy neoprene material that is easy to get into and out of and doesn’t split or need replacing every six months as experienced with traditional latex seals. While performance sailing was the primary overall focus, when it came to breaking down the key areas and the requirements within them it became clear that there were advances to be made in the inshore
racing scene where the weight of the kit, its flexibility and even its aerodynamic drag were all important factors. Here, a new fabric, Pertex Shield Air has been developed. This extremely breathable material relies on moisture moving through the fibre filaments of the fabric via capillary action. The result is a light, supple material with impressive stretch properties. As an example of just how light and advanced the new material is, a GP Aero Waterproof jacket weighs in at just 300gms. The overall result of this extensive study and development programme is three core ranges of outerwear constructed in Gore-Tex- Pro and the innovative GP Aero range in Pertex. For the outerwear the categories fall into four areas, each speaking largely for itself. Ocean is the most breathable, waterproof and durable kit in the range designed for the most extreme conditions.
Offshore has been designed for classic medium-distance offshore races such as the Fastnet, Sydney- Hobart, Newport-Bermuda and many others like them where the combination of durable waterproof, breathable gear coupled with comfort and lightness is key. The third category is Inshore where weight and flexibility are important factors as is the ability to vary the combinations of items. Here, a choice of smock and jacket to pair with trousers provides the level of versatility required for events such as Cowes Week, round the cans in Chesapeake Bay or any of the wide range of inshore regattas and events. And the fourth category is the innovative GP Aero range which is for those who view yacht racing as a truly athletic sport, with design inspiration from cycling jackets rather than traditional foulies. GP Aero’s home is on the high-performance race circuits of the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or sometimes even the Solent (in summer anyway).
northsails.com/PERFORMANCE q SEAHORSE 75
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