What do astronauts and athletes have in common? Although they may seem like two different professions, astronauts have one physiological indicator that requires special attention when moving out of the capsule and athletes when exercising - temperature.
If an athlete's body temperature is too high or too low, it can affect performance during exercise. The lives of astronauts may be in danger if the temperature regulation function of the suit malfunctions, as has happened before on the International Space Station when astronauts ended their scheduled spacewalks prematurely because the device inside the suit that regulates the temperature level failed.
▲ Image from: NASA
Therefore, it is quite important to keep the body temperature within a suitable range. The new collection "ASRV x Outlast" from technical sportswear brand ASRV combines space and sports in just the right way.
▲ Image from: ASRV
To enable astronauts to adapt to the extremes of space, beginning in the 1980s NASA began working with private companies to develop thermally adapted phase change materials, with which spacesuits and gloves are better able to withstand the intense cold and heat encountered in space.
After a period of research, the 'Outlast' technology, created using thermally adaptive phase change materials, was born. It has since been gradually applied to different products, such as Outlast Technologies' Adaptive Comfort bedding, which moderates temperature fluctuations throughout the night, creating an environment where you are less likely to wake up from cold or overheating.
▲Image from: Outlast Technologies
The most important feature of Outlast technology is its ability to absorb, store and release heat according to the needs of the wearer's body, maintaining the 'microclimate' of the body in perfect balance. When the body gets too hot, Outlast absorbs and stores the excess heat, and when the temperature drops, it releases it.
▲ Image from: ASRV
The ASRV x Outlast range of sportswear is made from 'Outlast Thermo' material. Using a Matrix Infusion Coating coating, an extremely thin layer of micro-encapsulated wax is printed on the inside of the four-way stretch fabric. The more contact with the skin, the more effective this technology becomes, reducing sweat by over 40%.
▲ Image from: ASRV
In addition to the excellent thermal adaptation and temperature regulation of these garments using Outlast technology, millions of microcapsules called "Thermocules" are also important. To ensure durability that can withstand daily wear and tear, these phase change materials, which look like miniature ping pong balls, are placed in Thermocules microcapsules.
▲ Image from: ASRV
Although only 1/2 to 1/20 the diameter of a human hair in size, it also does not melt because its shell is very stable and inert. Therefore, once the phase change materials are microencapsulated into Thermocules microcapsules, they can be blended into compounds suitable for fabrics, fibers and foam coatings.
▲ Image from: ASRV
The ASRV brand's website is now live with the new ASRV x Outlast collection, with hairbands available for $22, sleeveless tops for $68, short sleeves for $78, and long sleeve tops for $88.
The ASRV x Outlast line of sportswear isn't too expensive compared to apparel from other well-known sports brands, but you can experience the "spacesuit technology" developed by NASA.
▲ Image from: ASRV
More importantly, the ASRV x Outlast collection is the first sportswear brand of its kind to bring NASA-developed technology from space suits to athletes, reflecting both the changing consumer demand for adaptive clothing and setting a brilliant precedent for the future of sportswear.