New motorcycle gear is awesome. Manufacturers are constantly improving their products with new technologies and materials. There’s just one problem. Most of us have no idea what the heck those materials are and how they are supposed to benefit us. “Oh that jacket has D30®, Gore-Tex®, and Clarino™? Cool… I have no idea what that means.” This is a sentiment that is shared among many riders. Listed below is an explanation of some of the most common materials and technologies that we see in motorcycle gear today. With a little knowledge of what these materials are, you can make a more informed decision the next time you look to buy new gear.
Carbolex® & CarboFlex®- A synthetic construction that claims to be twice as durable vs. other nylons and polyesters in Wyenbeek Abrasion testing. It is waterproof, breathable and abrasion resistant, needing 150% more energy to rip in tongue tear testing where the fabric is partially slit and then further torn apart. Carbolex is featured in many Fieldsheer, Tour Master and Cortech textile jackets. Carboflex is an updated version that is extremely flexible.
Clarino™- This material is a high-performance synthetic leather. It is durable, comfortable, soft, light and breathable. It will even retain these characteristics when wet, unlike real leather. Clarino is most commonly found in the palms of motorcycle gloves from many brands. It can also be found on the inside collars of jackets like the Oildale from Icon.
COOLMAX®- Fabric that helps you stay dry and energized in hot conditions. COOLMAX pulls moisture away from your skin and spreads it out across the fabric to enhance evaporative drying. It is highly breathable so the air can move in and cool your body. It also works great in base layers by removing perspiration before it can become cool on your body. You will find it in many base layers, riding socks, balaclavas and helmet liners.
Cordura®- Ranging in different weights, this fabric is suited for heavy duty use and is highly abrasion resistant. The fabric is densely woven, which gives it a nice appearance while making it very durable and long lasting. This highly durable fabric is used in many Klim products and can also be found on many Motocross and motorcycle pants and jackets.
D3O®- Motorcycle body armor that has made armored apparel much more comfortable to wear. D3O armor stays soft and pliable until it encounters an impact. Once impacted, the molecules of the armor lock together to make it hard and absorb the impact. The molecules become soft again once the impact is over. You will see D3O armor in many different brands, including Klim, Moose Racing, Icon and Firstgear.
Exkin Air®- A multi-layer thermal liner used in motorcycle jackets and pants. Exkin Air repels water and dries very quickly. It is as soft and lightweight as down and maintains warmth even in wet conditions. It is very thin making it an effective liner without the bulk. Many Fieldsheer jackets and pants feature the Exkin Air thermal liner.
Gore-Tex®- The first truly breathable waterproof material. Gore-Tex is able to accomplish this because it contains microscopic pores that are 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times larger than a molecule of moisture vapor. This allows the vapor to escape, even in wet conditions. Gore-Tex comes with a “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry®” promise. Klim and Alpinestars integrate Gore-Tex into their products to remain breathable and waterproof.
Hitena™- Long-lasting and durable material that has a breathable coating which protects the body in extreme weather conditions. It is made from a mixture of technical polyamide fibers. It is also dirt resistant. Joe Rocket and Powertrip have integrated Hitena into their jackets and pants.
HyperKewl™- Fabric designed to take advantage of a unique chemistry to achieve rapid water absorption and stable water storage along with enhanced evaporation. The rapid evaporation can provide temperatures that are 10-15 degrees cooler than ambient temperature. HyperKewl offers riders many hours of cooling relief.
Maxtena-Pro- A 500 denier nylon fabric used in Fieldsheer jackets and pants. This fabric is unique because it features a smooth hand finish, but remains just as durable as other high abrasion materials.
Phoslite®- A retroreflective material consisting of wide angle, exposed retroreflective lenses with a polyester cloth backing. Used in Fieldsheer, Cortech, Tour Master and Pokerun to make the rider visible in daylight and under the illumination of a car’s headlights.
Scotchlite™- A reflective material that helps you to be seen at dawn, dusk, or night in all weather conditions. Scotchlite is popular among motorcycle apparel designers because it is so easily integrated into the clothing. These garments are easily seen and remain attractive. Missing Link, Mossi and Klim are among some of the companies that use it.
Thermolite®- From the same producers of CoolMax, Thermolite is a lightweight fabric that provides warmth and comfort. The lightweight construction of this insulation allows for there to be more freedom of movement in the garment. It is made with hollow-core fibers to trap in air for greater insulation. Thermolite also helps moisture evaporate quickly and is used in products from Icon, Joe Rocket and Tour Master.
Windstopper®- Windstopper fabrics are made by laminating membranes together to make the garment 100% windproof and breathable. This will eliminate the effects of windchill and protect the warm microclimate around your skin. Windstopper products are claimed to be 2.5 times warmer than comparable garments without the Windstopper membrane.
He continues to enjoy learning and sharing about powersports with others in his role as a Web Content Analyst and writer for Dennis Kirk, a role he's been in since 2015. You'll find articles written by Ryan that range from product overviews, how-tos, tech tips, lifestyle articles, and more.
When he's not writing about powersports, Ryan is often enjoying them himself. It doesn't matter if the machine has four wheels, two wheels, or a track, he finds enjoyment in it all.
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2 comments
Very Good – what about Kevlar and the comparisons for abrasion of the various fabrics.
Keep me updated on this blog please