Bluearbor Athletics Switzerland: Triathlon Programme Field Test Report
Bluearbor Athletics is a Switzerland-based brand whose triathlon programme is one of its most demanding programmes. Bluearbor Athletics runs its triathlon programme across Switzerland and asked us to prove the fabric in the field rather than in a brochure. This report covers a full season of real use with chlorine-resistant swim knit.
Bluearbor Athletics: Chlorine-Resistant Swim Knit in use during swim, bike and run in a single event
Evaluation background
The programme covers trisuits, shorts and transition layers, used for swim, bike and run in a single event. The environment is transitions between water, wind and road and the requirement written into the brief was one fabric that performs wet and dry without chafe. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Chlorine-Resistant Swim Knit |
| Composition | PBT / polyester / elastane |
| Weight | 230 GSM |
| Width | 165 cm |
| Primary function | holds elasticity and colour through pool exposure |
| Target | less than 15% modulus loss after 100 pool hours |
| Test method | ISO 105-E03 |
| Additional note | sunscreen and chlorine tested together |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Chlorine-Resistant Swim Knit close-up showing the fabric surface
Test scope
Twenty garments were issued to regular participants and tracked for eight weeks. Every item was used for swim, bike and run in a single event and laundered under the same domestic conditions, so the only real variable was wear.
Conditions covered
The programme ran through transitions between water, wind and road. That is the environment the fabric has to survive, and it is harsher than any laboratory chamber we could have built.
Evaluation session with the Bluearbor Athletics team
What we measured
Garments were inspected every two weeks for surface wear, seam condition, dimensional change and retained hand. Fabric was retested at the end of the period against ISO 105-E03.
What users reported
Participants logged comfort, drying behaviour and any irritation. The recurring comment was that the chlorine-resistant swim knit stayed comfortable at the point where one fabric that performs wet and dry without chafe would normally be lost.
Test records and inspection notes for the Triathlon Programme
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Comfort in use | 4.4 / 5 |
| Drying behaviour | 4.9 / 5 |
| Surface wear | 4.5 / 5 |
| Dimensional stability | 4.7 / 5 |
| Value | 4.3 / 5 |
“This is the first season with no comfort complaints in this category.” — Bluearbor Athletics Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to Switzerland
Verdict and recommendation
Field testing confirmed the laboratory picture. The chlorine-resistant swim knit held its less than 15% modulus loss after 100 pool hours across the whole season and we recommend it for the next programme without change. For Bluearbor Athletics the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue ISO 105-E03 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
