Ironroot Performance New Zealand: School and University Sports Programme Comparison Test
Ironroot Performance is a New Zealand-based brand whose school and university sports programme is one of its most demanding programmes. We tested the new silver ion antibacterial knit against the fabric Ironroot Performance used last season. Both were made into identical garments and evaluated side by side for school and university sports programme.
Ironroot Performance: Silver Ion Antibacterial Knit in use during daily physical education and team fixtures
Evaluation background
The programme covers pe shirts, shorts and tracksuits, used for daily physical education and team fixtures. The environment is heavy use by growing athletes with shared laundry and the requirement written into the brief was value durability with easy name-tagging and care. Fabric was selected on that basis rather than on price alone.
Fabric under evaluation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Silver Ion Antibacterial Knit |
| Composition | nylon spandex with silver ion filament |
| Weight | 250 GSM |
| Width | 160 cm |
| Primary function | stops the bacteria that turn sweat into odour |
| Target | bacterial reduction above 99% |
| Test method | ISO 20743 |
| Additional note | performance retained after 30 home washes |
| Certification | OEKO-TEX Standard 100 |
Silver Ion Antibacterial Knit 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 bacterial reduction above 99% against ISO 20743, 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 Ironroot Performance team
Wear comparison
Over four weeks the difference appeared during heavy use by growing athletes with shared laundry. 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 School and University Sports Programme
Scorecard
| Criterion | Result |
|---|---|
| Function | 4.8 / 5 |
| Comfort | 4.6 / 5 |
| Durability | 4.5 / 5 |
| Appearance | 4.7 / 5 |
| Cost efficiency | 4.4 / 5 |
“Our athletes noticed the difference in the first week, and the test data explained why.” — Ironroot Performance Technical Team
Packed bulk rolls before shipment to New Zealand
Verdict and recommendation
The new silver ion antibacterial knit outperformed the previous fabric on every measured criterion and we recommend switching the whole programme over. For Ironroot Performance the practical next steps are to keep the current specification for the repeat, retain the shade standard, and issue ISO 20743 results with every lot so any claim can be supported with data.
