Bluearbor Athletics Switzerland: Hiking and Trekking Range Laboratory Test Report
Bluearbor Athletics is a Switzerland-based brand whose hiking and trekking range is one of its most demanding programmes. This report documents the laboratory qualification of the brushed thermal knit supplied to Bluearbor Athletics for its hiking and trekking range. Every figure below was produced on bulk fabric, not on an approval swatch.
Bluearbor Athletics: Brushed Thermal Knit in use during multi-day walking with a loaded pack
Evaluation background
The programme covers trekking shirts, trousers and mid layers, used for multi-day walking with a loaded pack. The environment is sun, wind and abrasive contact at the shoulders and the requirement written into the brief was durability with sun protection at altitude. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Brushed Thermal Knit |
| Composition | 92% polyester / 8% spandex, brushed back |
| Weight | 310 GSM |
| Width | 175 cm |
| Primary function | traps warm air without adding weight |
| Target | thermal resistance above 0.08 m2K/W |
| Test method | ISO 11092 |
| Additional note | warmth held after 30 washes |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Brushed Thermal 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 thermal resistance above 0.08 m2K/W, with warmth held after 30 washes. 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 hiking and trekking range the relevant result is that the fabric keeps traps warm air without adding weight after conditioning, which is what protects the wearer during multi-day walking with a loaded pack.
Test records and inspection notes for the Hiking and Trekking Range
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Primary function | 4.6 / 5 |
| Dimensional change | 4.8 / 5 |
| Pilling grade | 4.3 / 5 |
| Colour fastness | 4.5 / 5 |
| Consistency | 4.6 / 5 |
“This is the first season with no comfort complaints in this category.” — Bluearbor Athletics 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 brushed thermal 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.
