Performance Fabrics

Over the last 30 years we have worked with rowing clubs located in many different countries, who faced many different weather conditions during racing and training. For this reason DiBi is always looking for new performance fabrics to improve and optimise the rowing conditions of our customers. In addition to the prevalent fabrics currently being used for technical rowing clothing, we also offer a range of performance fabrics which are not used by any of our competitors; many of which have been developed by the leading Italian manufacturers of performance fabrics.

SUPPLEX ®------2 MERYL ® ------3 DUAL FIT STRONG ------4 ® ------5 THERMOLITE ® ------6 WINDTEX ® ------7 with RESPIRA membrane ------8 SYMPATEX ® Membrane ------9 LYCRA ® ------10 Micropile ------10 210 ------10 MeraKlon ® ------11 Terinda ® ------11 ® ------12 X-static ® ------12

1 SUPPLEX ®

SUPPLEX ® lycra is a dry fit technical fabric with superior stretch, durability and wicking properties. It is a combination of SUPPLEX ® nylon (89%) and LYCRA ® (11%) engineered by scientists at DuPont ® (INVISTA ®). This blend unites a cottony-soft feel with the gentle support, superb fit and great freedom of movement that only Lycra ® can provide. This exceptional flexibility will allow you maximum freedom of movement while rowing.

SUPPLEX ® is made using fine multiple filaments, which make this fabric flexible, lightweight, and 26% to 36% softer than standard nylon fabrics. SUPPLEX ® is as strong and durable as it is soft, resisting abrasions, punctures and tears thanks to its modern nylon technology. SUPPLEX ® doesn’t wrinkle, shrink or fade through vigorous exercise, sun exposure and repeated washings and dryings. As a result of this, kit made of SUPPLEX ® holds its shape and vibrant colour staying looking new for longer. SUPPLEX ® is also breathable and has high water, wind and odour resistant properties. When SUPPLEX ® gets wet, it dries in a flash: drying faster than by 56 minutes. All these qualities make SUPPLEX ® one of the ultimate performance fabrics, an ideal rowing partner that will keep you dry and comfortable, ensuring that you are always performing at your best while training and racing.

SUPPLEX ® is:

o Fully breathable

o Able to hold its shape

o Faster drying than cotton

o High wicking

o Durable

Applications: Supplex ® can be used for all-in-ones, technical tops, shorts, leggings and singlets. 2 MERYL ®

MERYL ® is a performance polyamide fabric produced by Nylstar. It has a natural look and feel and it is ideal for light garments in direct contact with the skin. MERYL ® controls the skin's moisture, eliminating the unpleasant feeling of perspiration on the body. The fabric's particular compactness increases protection from UVA and UVB rays, making it the ideal partner for long training sessions under the sun.

Tests carried out on tubular interlock knitted fabrics, weighing 300g/m2, processed on the same machine, under the same conditions, as at the laboratories of INSTITUT DE FRANCE. The qualities of this fabric ensure exceptional wearability while leaving the muscles free to move. MERYL ® is also easy to care for and has a good abrasion resistance (Low pilling).

MERYL ® is:

o Lightweight

o Able to hold its shape

o Faster drying than cotton

o High wicking

o Fully breathable

o Protects against UVA and UVB rays

o Durable

Applications: Meryl ® can be used for all-in-ones, technical tops, shorts, leggings and singlets.

3 DUAL FIT STRONG

A new generation performing fabric produced by M.I.T.I., one of the leading Italian producers of performance fabrics.

DUAL FIT STRONG offers higher elasticity and durability. Its particular reduces the contact points between the worn garment and the skin. This generates a micro-circulation of air, thus avoiding the unpleasant feeling of sticky fabric on humid skin; resulting in well-being and comfort. Furthermore, the DUAL weaving technology combined with the Interpower fabric treatment pull the sweat away from the skin thus leaving the skin dry. The greater comfort and the well-being sensation provided by DUAL FIT STRONG also result in improved performance and in a reduced sensation of fatigue.

DUAL FIT STRONG is:

o Durable

o Elastic

o Comfortable even when wet

o High Wicking

Applications: DUAL FIT STRONG can be used for all-in-ones, technical tops, shorts, leggings and singlets.

4 COOLMAX ®

COOLMAX ® is the fastest drying high-tech fabric; it pulls sweat away from the skin leaving the body dry, comfortable and ready to perform. It has been developed by scientists at DuPont ® (INVISTA ®) in 1986 as the first fabric to have a moisture management system. COOLMAX ® does not use chemically treated fabrics to create its moisture management system; it delivers performance and comfort through the use of proprietary four channel that are weaved together in cross sections to allow air to flow through the fabric. This means that the performance is in inbuilt into the fabric and does not fade with time. The comfort of COOLMAX ® is enhanced by the use of LYCRA ® elastane. ® Besides maintaining the body’s core temperature, COOLMAX is fast drying and resists fading, shrinking and wrinkling. COOLMAX ® ensures that the rower’s body stays cool and comfortable while training and racing; enabling him to perform under any weather conditions.

COOLMAX ® is:

o Fully breathable

o Fast drying

o High wicking

o Comfortable and elastic

o Durable

o Lightweight

o Temperature regulating

Applications: COOLMAX ® can be used for technical tops and socks

5 THERMOLITE ®

THERMOLITE ® is a performance fabric developed by INVISTA ®’s scientists.

It provides warmth without bulk, thus drastically reducing the number of layers needed to keep the body warm during cold-weather training. THERMOLITE ® consists of seven-hole fibers that hold more air and provide superior warmth and insulation even if the fibers are wet. THERMOLITE ® is exceptionally durable and is able to resist the strains of intense training and repeated washing. THERMOLITE ® is warmer than other fabrics at equal weight and has superior moisture vapor transport properties.

THERMOLITE ® is:

o Softer and warmer than other winter fabrics

o Ligthweight

o Machine washable and dryable

o Nonallergenic

o Durable

Applications: THERMOLITE ® can be used for leggings, technical tops, splash tops and gilets

6 WINDTEX ®

WINDTEX ® is a lightweight and elastic heat regulating membrane developed and produced in Italy by Vagotex. Although it repels wind and water, through its excellent breathing capacity it maintains the microclimate between the skin and the fabric. WINDTEX ® is 100% waterproof thanks to the heat sealing of the seams using Thermotape. WINDTEX ® fabrics, despite being exceptionally light, are very resistant and they maintain their elasticity and high quality even after repeated washing. WINDTEX ®'s light weight and elasticity make it an excellent rowing companion providing great freedom of movement.

WINDTEX ® is:

o Fully water- and wind-proof

o Lightweight

o Breathable

o Elastic

Applications: WINDTEX ® can be used for splash top, gilets, tech tops and pogies

7 Microfiber with RESPIRA membrane

A microfiber fabric coupled with the patented RESPIRA membrane resulting in an elastic, lightweight, fully waterproof and low maintenance fabric.

The microfiber is available in two finishes: sueded (manopesca) or glossy (ghiaccio). The microfiber fabric is naturally water repellent due to its construction process and it is made fully waterproof by the RESPIRA membrane.

RESPIRA was developed by the R&D department of Resinaturaveneta, one of the leading Italian manufacturers of waterproof, breathable membranes. The membrane has been widely used in technical clothing, for cycling, skiing, and biking and it has now been applied to technical rowing garments by Di- Bi. The water- and wind-proof RESPIRA membrane is a 3 rd generation breathable fabric that thanks to its patented composition wicks moisture away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate. This creates a comfortable micro-climate between the skin and the garment, which is always dry and in-line with the body temperature. RESPIRA is a real climatic system for the body’s well-being. In addition to this, RESPIRA is the only breathable fabric that stretches up to 6 times its normal size and as a result of this easily adapts to the body’s movements during the stroke.

RESPIRA ® is:

o Durable

o Lightweight

o Breathable

o Elastic

o 100% Water-proof

Applications: Microfiber coupled with RESPIRA membrane can be used for splash tops and gilets 8 SYMPATEX ® Membrane

The SYMPATEX ® membrane is the world's lightest and most flexible waterproof membrane. It's 100% waterproof and 100% windproof, yet extremely breathable. It is also completely recyclable and probably the most environmentally friendly waterproof membrane on the market. Unlike other waterproof membranes, SYMPATEX ® is a nonporous material providing high moisture transmission which allows the body to breathe whilst still remaining dry. The SYMPATEX ® membrane is usually coupled with WINDTEX ®, CORDURA ® or NYLON 210 although it can theoretically be coupled with any fabric.

SYMPATEX ® is:

o Highly flexible

o 100% Water-proof

o Breathable

o Lightweight

o Fully recyclable

Applications: The SYMPATEX ® membrane is usually present in splash tops and gilets

9 LYCRA ®

LYCRA ®, developed by DuPont, is made of elastane fiber. Lycra is very flexible; LYCRA ® can stretch up to 500% and then springing back to its original shape! It is light, durable and feels pleasant against the skin. DuPont Lycra keeps its colour, shape and size. It feels like “heavy ” and adds support to working muscles during activity.

Applications: LYCRA ® can be used for all-in-ones, shorts and leggings. Mixed with cotton it can be used for all-in- ones, shorts, leggings and singlets.

Micropile

A long lasting fleece which copes extremely well with the strains of training and maintains its appearance without pilling or deforming; providing light, quick drying warmth throughout the winter training.

Applications: Micropile can be used for splash tops and gilets.

Nylon 210

A durable, blade-laminated 210 Denier nylon which keeps out water thanks to a inner coating.

Applications: NYLON 210 can be used for splash tops and gilets. 10 MeraKlon ®

MeraKlon ® is a modified polypropylene fiber which appeared in the market in 1960 to overcome some of the drawbacks associated with pure polypropylene fibers. Its key characteristics are: good wickability and comfort, bulk without weight, quick drying, good mechanical and color fastness properties and non-allergenic and antibacterial characteristics. In addition to these, MeraKlon ® remains odour-free even if soaked in sweat and protects the skin from bacterial growth.

Applications: A MeraKlon ® insert can be placed at the back of all-in-ones, shorts and leggings for increased comfort, and to protect from bacterial growth.

Terinda ®

Terinda ® is an extremely soft and light fabric that does not pill or shrink. It keeps its appearance even when washed repeatedly. It has good wind-resistance and it is very comfortable against the skin. Terinda ® is abrasion-resistant, looks great and is easy to care for. The comfort, style and hardwearing characteristics of Terinda ®, make it the ideal choice for sports and activewear.

Fine Dacron ® are the secret of Terinda ®, its unique soft touch filaments are over thirty times finer than a human hair. Because of the softness of the yarn, this fabric drapes beautifully and retains its properties, even after repeated washing.

Applications: Terinda is used for tracksuits and tracksuit bottoms. A similar fabric called Full can also be used for the same garments. 11 CORDURA ®

CORDURA ® is the “Tough ”, it is a high-performance, super-durable fabric designed and developed by INVISTA ® for heavy-duty performance apparel. CORDURA ® resists tears and abrasions like no other fabric of its kind. Although extremely strong and durable, CORDURA ® is a lightweight and comfortable fabric. Products made with CORDURA ® are made to last and are also easy to care for.

Applications: CORDURA ® can be used for heavy-duty jackets.

X-static ®

The X-static ® fiber has a layer of pure silver (99.9%) permanently bonded to the surface of a textile fiber. The high-tech production process ensures that the fiber retains traditional textile and tactile characteristics. X-static ® is a 100% natural fiber with anti-microbial and anti-odour characteristics thanks to the known medical and therapeutic benefits of silver. Due to its heat conductive and heat reflective qualities, X-static ® is also able to keep you cool in the summer and warm during the cold winter training sessions.

Applications: X-static ® is usually used for socks.

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