Solstice Athletics Finland: Trail Running Programme Laboratory Test Report
Solstice Athletics is a Finland-based brand whose trail running programme is one of its most demanding programmes. This report documents the laboratory qualification of the bonded softshell knit supplied to Solstice Athletics for its trail running programme. Every figure below was produced on bulk fabric, not on an approval swatch.
Solstice Athletics: Bonded Softshell 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 | Bonded Softshell Knit |
| Composition | polyester face bonded to a TPU membrane |
| Weight | 300 GSM |
| Width | 160 cm |
| Primary function | blocks wind while still allowing vapour to escape |
| Target | water vapour resistance below 6 m2Pa/W |
| Test method | ISO 11092 |
| Additional note | bond strength above 15 N after washing |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Bonded Softshell 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 ISO 11092, supported by dimensional change to AATCC 135, pilling to ISO 12945-2 and colour fastness to ISO 105-C06.
Evaluation session with the Solstice Athletics team
Results
The fabric reached water vapour resistance below 6 m2Pa/W, with bond strength above 15 N after washing. 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 wind while still allowing vapour to escape 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 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Dimensional change | 4.5 / 5 |
| Pilling grade | 4.6 / 5 |
| Colour fastness | 4.3 / 5 |
| Consistency | 4.7 / 5 |
“This is the first season with no comfort complaints in this category.” — Solstice Athletics Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to Finland
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 bonded softshell knit. For Solstice Athletics the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue ISO 11092 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
