Kestrel Sport Switzerland: Medical Compression and Recovery Wear Field Test Report
Kestrel Sport is a Switzerland-based brand whose medical compression and recovery wear is one of its most demanding programmes. Kestrel Sport runs its medical compression and recovery wear 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 seamless circular knit.
Kestrel Sport: Seamless Circular Knit in use during recovery wear worn for long periods
Evaluation background
The programme covers recovery tights, sleeves and support tops, used for recovery wear worn for long periods. The environment is continuous graduated pressure against the skin and the requirement written into the brief was measured compression with skin-safe materials. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Seamless Circular Knit |
| Composition | polyamide / elastane seamless |
| Weight | 230 GSM |
| Width | 165 cm |
| Primary function | removes side seams so contact points stop rubbing |
| Target | above 20000 abrasion cycles without yarn breakage |
| Test method | ASTM D4966 |
| Additional note | zoned structure knitted directly into the tube |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Seamless Circular 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 recovery wear worn for long periods and laundered under the same domestic conditions, so the only real variable was wear.
Conditions covered
The programme ran through continuous graduated pressure against the skin. 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 Kestrel Sport 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 ASTM D4966.
What users reported
Participants logged comfort, drying behaviour and any irritation. The recurring comment was that the seamless circular knit stayed comfortable at the point where measured compression with skin-safe materials would normally be lost.
Test records and inspection notes for the Medical Compression and Recovery Wear
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Comfort in use | 4.7 / 5 |
| Drying behaviour | 4.4 / 5 |
| Surface wear | 4.8 / 5 |
| Dimensional stability | 4.6 / 5 |
| Value | 4.5 / 5 |
“Fifty washes later the fabric still performs. That is what convinced our buying team.” — Kestrel Sport Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to Switzerland
Verdict and recommendation
Field testing confirmed the laboratory picture. The seamless circular knit held its above 20000 abrasion cycles without yarn breakage across the whole season and we recommend it for the next programme without change. For Kestrel Sport the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue ASTM D4966 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
