Ironroot Performance New Zealand: Martial Arts and Grappling Range Field Test Report
Ironroot Performance is a New Zealand-based brand whose martial arts and grappling range is one of its most demanding programmes. Ironroot Performance runs its martial arts and grappling range across New Zealand 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 silver ion antibacterial knit.
Ironroot Performance: Silver Ion Antibacterial Knit in use during grappling and repeated mat contact
Evaluation background
The programme covers training tops, shorts and rash guards, used for grappling and repeated mat contact. The environment is high friction and frequent industrial laundering and the requirement written into the brief was tear strength with antibacterial protection. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Silver Ion Antibacterial Knit |
| Composition | nylon spandex with silver ion filament |
| Weight | 250 GSM |
| Width | 160 cm |
| Primary function | stops the bacteria that turn sweat into odour |
| Target | bacterial reduction above 99% |
| Test method | ISO 20743 |
| Additional note | performance retained after 30 home washes |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Silver Ion Antibacterial 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 grappling and repeated mat contact and laundered under the same domestic conditions, so the only real variable was wear.
Conditions covered
The programme ran through high friction and frequent industrial laundering. 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 Ironroot Performance 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 20743.
What users reported
Participants logged comfort, drying behaviour and any irritation. The recurring comment was that the silver ion antibacterial knit stayed comfortable at the point where tear strength with antibacterial protection would normally be lost.
Test records and inspection notes for the Martial Arts and Grappling Range
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Comfort in use | 4.8 / 5 |
| Drying behaviour | 4.6 / 5 |
| Surface wear | 4.5 / 5 |
| Dimensional stability | 4.7 / 5 |
| Value | 4.4 / 5 |
“Our athletes noticed the difference in the first week, and the test data explained why.” — Ironroot Performance Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to New Zealand
Verdict and recommendation
Field testing confirmed the laboratory picture. The silver ion antibacterial knit held its bacterial reduction above 99% across the whole season and we recommend it for the next programme without change. For Ironroot Performance the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue ISO 20743 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
