Bluearbor Athletics New Zealand: Cycling Team Kit Laboratory Test Report
Bluearbor Athletics is a New Zealand-based brand whose cycling team kit is one of its most demanding programmes. This report documents the laboratory qualification of the power mesh warp knit supplied to Bluearbor Athletics for its cycling team kit. Every figure below was produced on bulk fabric, not on an approval swatch.
Bluearbor Athletics: Power Mesh Warp Knit in use during road and indoor cycling blocks
Evaluation background
The programme covers jerseys, bib shorts and base layers, used for road and indoor cycling blocks. The environment is a forward position with continuous sweat at the back panel and the requirement written into the brief was a stable print surface with aerodynamic fit. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Power Mesh Warp Knit |
| Composition | 85% nylon / 15% spandex |
| Weight | 150 GSM |
| Width | 165 cm |
| Primary function | gives controlled support with maximum air exchange |
| Target | air permeability above 400 mm/s |
| Test method | ISO 11092 |
| Additional note | ventilation mapped onto the pattern |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Power Mesh Warp 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 Bluearbor Athletics team
Results
The fabric reached air permeability above 400 mm/s, with ventilation mapped onto the pattern. 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 cycling team kit the relevant result is that the fabric keeps gives controlled support with maximum air exchange after conditioning, which is what protects the wearer during road and indoor cycling blocks.
Test records and inspection notes for the Cycling Team Kit
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Primary function | 4.4 / 5 |
| Dimensional change | 4.9 / 5 |
| Pilling grade | 4.5 / 5 |
| Colour fastness | 4.7 / 5 |
| Consistency | 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 New Zealand
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 power mesh warp knit. For Bluearbor 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.
