Missoula, Montana – Sun Mountain has introduced a revolutionary new line of outerwear for 2006 called RainFlex(. Uniquely, RainFlex is constructed from a knit fabric that is waterproof and breathable. Importantly, as the name suggests, RainFlex is a flexible fabric that stretches with the golfer’s movements and is virtually silent. The RainFlex men’s line includes a long sleeve rain jacket in both full-zip and 1/2-zip, a 1/2-zip short sleeve rain jacket, and rain pants. The women’s line includes long sleeve and short sleeve rain jackets, both with full-zip, and rain pants. RainFlex will be in stores April 2006 with full-suggested retail prices ranging from $130 for the short sleeve to $170 for the long sleeve jacket. For the retailer nearest you, call 800-227-9224 or visit www.sunmountain.com.
RainFlex is constructed from a knit fabric consisting of intertwining thread in a series of connected loops. The inherent flexibility of a knit fabric comes from the loops ‘flattening out’ and does not rely on the individual threads stretching. Further, Sun Mountain has identified a waterproof membrane that is applied to the inside of the RainFlex fabric. Sun Mountain founder Rick Reimers describes it like this, "Imagine other waterproof materials as being tape, and the membrane we use on RainFlex as being only the adhesive on the tape." The result is a lighter, more flexible, and extremely breathable waterproof membrane. This same membrane is applied to the seams, effectively eliminating the wide pieces of rigid ‘tape’ on most current rainwear.
The overwhelming majority of current rainwear is constructed from woven fabrics that consist of threads going over, under, over, under, … in a tight pattern with a waterproof membrane attached for added waterproofness. Typically, seams are covered with a waterproof tape and a smooth inner liner is added for ease of movement. By construction, woven fabrics are rigid and sometimes the pattern is so tight that the fabric alone is waterproof even before the waterproof membrane is attached. The result is a jacket that effectively keeps out the rain, but limits the wearer’s movement and is often hot in warm and active conditions. Any flexibility comes from the threads themselves stretching often as a result of Lycra(r) or some other stretchable thread being added to the weave. Rick Reimers sums it up like this, "Basically, woven fabrics are great for keeping rain out but are, and always have been, inadequate for the flexibility needs of a golfer. Until recently, woven fabrics were just the best option available. Now, RainFlex offers a better solution for golfers."
RainFlex stretches 100% across the shoulders, where the typical woven rain jacket, with Lycra, might stretch 25%. Reimers gives an analogy, "Imagine RainFlex is a sock and existing rainwear is a piece of paper. The paper is woven and thus rigid and stiff and does not stretch noticeably, and any movement produces noise. The sock is knit, so stretches easily and does so in virtual silence. Woven fabrics are necessary and indispensable, just not as golf rainwear."
In addition to outerwear, for over 20 years, Sun Mountain has been designing and manufacturing high-quality, lightweight golf bags for the serious golfer. Sun Mountain is responsible for many industry firsts, including being the first to use backpacking technology to produce a lightweight nylon golf bag, and being the first to develop a stand bag with integral legs. Sun Mountain Speed Cart(r) is the leader of the push cart market.
Sun Mountain Performance Outerwear is an officially licensed supplier of outerwear to the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Nationwide Tour, and the official outerwear of the American and International President’s Cup teams.
Contact:
Steve Snyders
steve@sublimepub.com
406/728-4180
