Nordkraft Wear Switzerland: Trail Running Programme Laboratory Test Report
Nordkraft Wear is a Switzerland-based brand whose trail running programme is one of its most demanding programmes. This report documents the laboratory qualification of the upf 50+ sun protection knit supplied to Nordkraft Wear for its trail running programme. Every figure below was produced on bulk fabric, not on an approval swatch.
Nordkraft Wear: UPF 50+ Sun Protection Knit in use during long off-road efforts on mixed terrain
Evaluation background
The programme covers trail shorts, technical tees and light shells, used for long off-road efforts on mixed terrain. The environment is mud, grit, wind and rapid weather changes and the requirement written into the brief was abrasion resistance with fast drying after stream crossings. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | UPF 50+ Sun Protection Knit |
| Composition | polyester spandex with UV absorber |
| Weight | 160 GSM |
| Width | 175 cm |
| Primary function | blocks ultraviolet radiation during outdoor sessions |
| Target | UPF above 50 with UVA transmission below 5% |
| Test method | AATCC 183 |
| Additional note | protection retained when wet |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
UPF 50+ Sun Protection Knit close-up showing the fabric surface
Samples and conditioning
Three bulk lots were sampled at random and conditioned for 24 hours before testing. Results are reported as the worst of the three, which is the number a brand should plan around.
Test methods
The primary method was AATCC 183, supported by dimensional change to AATCC 135, pilling to ISO 12945-2 and colour fastness to ISO 105-C06.
Evaluation session with the Nordkraft Wear team
Results
The fabric reached UPF above 50 with UVA transmission below 5%, with protection retained when wet. All supporting tests passed the agreed limits, and the report carries the lot numbers so the results can be reproduced.
Interpretation
Numbers only matter against the use case. For trail running programme the relevant result is that the fabric keeps blocks ultraviolet radiation during outdoor sessions after conditioning, which is what protects the wearer during long off-road efforts on mixed terrain.
Test records and inspection notes for the Trail Running Programme
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Primary function | 4.7 / 5 |
| Dimensional change | 4.4 / 5 |
| Pilling grade | 4.8 / 5 |
| Colour fastness | 4.6 / 5 |
| Consistency | 4.5 / 5 |
“Development was transparent from the first sample and bulk matched the approval exactly.” — Nordkraft Wear Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to Switzerland
Verdict and recommendation
The bulk fabric met every agreed target. The lot is released and we recommend repeating the same test set on each future delivery of the upf 50+ sun protection knit. For Nordkraft Wear the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue AATCC 183 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
