Nordkraft Wear New Zealand: Swim School Programme Comparison Test
Nordkraft Wear is a New Zealand-based brand whose swim school programme is one of its most demanding programmes. We tested the new recycled nylon interlock against the fabric Nordkraft Wear used last season. Both were made into identical garments and evaluated side by side for swim school programme.
Nordkraft Wear: Recycled Nylon Interlock in use during daily pool sessions for children and adults
Evaluation background
The programme covers training swimsuits, swim shorts and rash guards, used for daily pool sessions for children and adults. The environment is chlorinated water and repeated drying cycles and the requirement written into the brief was chlorine resistance with reliable shape retention. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Recycled Nylon Interlock |
| Composition | 78% GRS recycled nylon / 22% spandex |
| Weight | 250 GSM |
| Width | 165 cm |
| Primary function | stays fully opaque under tension while carrying a recycled claim |
| Target | opacity above 96% at 30% extension |
| Test method | AATCC 183 |
| Additional note | GRS chain of custody documents |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Recycled Nylon Interlock close-up showing the fabric surface
What was compared
Construction, weight and colour were held constant. The only difference was the fabric, which is the only way a comparison tells you anything useful.
Laboratory comparison
The new fabric reached opacity above 96% at 30% extension against AATCC 183, while the previous material missed the same target. Comfort measurements were closer, which is expected because hand had already been approved.
Evaluation session with the Nordkraft Wear team
Wear comparison
Over four weeks the difference appeared during chlorinated water and repeated drying cycles. Wearers described the new version as cleaner and lighter in use, even though the scales said the two garments weighed the same.
Cost comparison
The upgrade adds a modest amount per garment. Measured against the return rate of the previous season, the change pays for itself within a single drop.
Test records and inspection notes for the Swim School Programme
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Function | 4.7 / 5 |
| Comfort | 4.4 / 5 |
| Durability | 4.8 / 5 |
| Appearance | 4.6 / 5 |
| Cost efficiency | 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 New Zealand
Verdict and recommendation
The new recycled nylon interlock outperformed the previous fabric on every measured criterion and we recommend switching the whole programme over. 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.
