Invista, one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and fibers and owner of apparel brands Lycra fiber and Coolmax fabric—is unveiling its newest product offering, Coolmax Air fiber technology, at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, UT, from July 31-Aug. 3. Coolmax Air fabrics are made from high-performance fibers engineered to maximize consumer comfort with excellent moisture-management performance, breathability and faster drying times.

“One of the key differentiators of Coolmax Air fibers from other standard wicking fibers in the marketplace is its patented cross-section that is propeller shaped,” says Heather Stefani, Invista’s global segment leader for Activewear. “This fiber shape allows for fabrics to deliver superior performance and comfort through the use of modified polyester fibers with special micro-channel cross-sections. The combination of moisture management and increased air permeability helps improve drying time so that wearers can perform at their best.”

Coolmax Air fiber technology works by actively drawing moisture away from the skin’s surface and dispersing it so that it can evaporate rapidly, thus keeping the wearer feeling cool and dry. This is accomplished through the propeller cross-section whereby the wicking channels within the fiber and between fibers quickly move sweat to the surface of the garment where it is evaporated. In addition, the high air permeability results in the exchange of the microclimate, adding the potential for additional cooling.