LOUISVILLE, Colo. (BRAIN) — Pearl Izumi has a three-year exclusive in the bike market on a new knit fabric technology that repels precipitation and road spray, the company said.
PI DRY is the brand's name for a hydrophobic fabric technology, which coats individual fibers, so technical yarns maintain their wicking performance, without compromise to the flexibility, stretch and comfort of the fabric. The company said that unlike standard DWR coatings applied to the surface of a garment, PI DRY's coating method prevents the inside of the garment from saturating.
The company also said PI DRY lasts the lifetime of the garment and will maintain performance after 100 wash cycles.
"Extending the useful range of our thermal fabrics to riders dealing with varied weather conditions is a huge bonus for everyone," said Alex Strouthopoulos, senior product line manager at Pearl Izumi. "The permanent finish of PI DRY means that the benefit is there for the life of the garment, so riders don't need to worry about diminishing performance if they happen to ride a lot."
Pearl Izumi will introduce the feature in road cycling bibs, tights and warmers for the Fall 2017 season.
A highlight includes the P.R.O. Escape Thermal Bib Short and ¾ Bib Tight, which will retail for $175 and $185, respectively. The Fall line will be available at Pearl Izumi retailers in September.
