Technology - Materials & Brands
ABOUT HALLY STEVENSONS
We like Halley Stevensons because… They are the World’s leading manufacturers and innovators in waxed cotton and weatherproofed fabrics. All their dyeing and finishing is "under one roof" based at their Baltic Works in Dundee, UK.
While fashions have changed throughout the years, waxed cotton fabric has remained as a practical, durable and stylish solution for many purposes, motorcycling being just one of many. Halley Stevensons supply many of the world’s leading clothing and luggage brands. Their products are exported around the world and are show cased each season at London, Paris, New York, Munich and Milan.
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ABOUT MARTON MILLS
We like Marton Mills because… They are a traditional family owned weaving mill in the heart of West Yorkshire. Their in house design team delivered a bespoke service to Merlin Bike Gear to enhance and reinforce the high standing of both companies’ products. Consistent quality and exemplary service has led to Marton Mills being the largest supplier of kilt fabrics in the UK.
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ABOUT D3O
We like D3O because… They are a collective of engineers, chemists, product designers and industry experts who work to find and solve the problems that matter. They are a game changer in the world of protective armour for motorcyclists. D3O® is the thinnest and most flexible impact protection on the market for urban motorcycle gear and apparel. They make outstanding impact protection products that won’t add bulk to your gear or change the lines of your apparel. Feel comfortable on the bike and at the bar with D3O®.
D3O armour helps manufacturers achieve CE level?? approval. Among their customers are Merlin Bike Gear, Route One Jeans Rokker Jeans, Hood Jeans, Belstaff and Triumph.
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ABOUT DUPONT™ KEVLAR® TWILL
We like Dupont™ Kevlar® because… It’s light in weight, high in performance. Versatile and strong, Kevlar® fibre is more than just a series of threads. DuPont™ Kevlar® fibres are used in a variety of clothing, accessories, and equipment to help make them safer and more durable. With five times the strength of steel based on an equal weight basis, it’s the go-to fibre for protective apparel and accessories.
Kevlar® fibre and filament come in a variety of types, each with its own unique set of properties and performance characteristics for different protection needs. As motorcyclists, we’re glad of it.
Better, safer and stronger with Kevlar®. Want to know why?
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ABOUT COVEC
We like Covec® because… A) they’re a British company but also, COVEC® Fabrics are engineered to meet and exceed the needs of the finished product and it’s most rigorous end use, whether in apparel, footwear, backpacks, tents or marine sails. COVEC® Fabrics combine varying reinforcement and outer finish fibre types to deliver unparalleled levels of tear strength, cut resistance, slash resistance and burst resistance depending on the specific end use. Highly desirable for us biker types.
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ABOUT CORDURA ®
We like CORDURA® because…Field-tested over the last five decades, Cordura® fabric has built its name on durability. Utilised by manufacturers of high-performance gear, as well as a number of the world’s leading militaries, CORDURA® offers best-in-class performance for today’s top brands, making any product it's stitched into that much tougher and longer-lasting. They know that we know that you never know when your fabric will be tested in the extreme. They use advanced fabric technologies to create performance-driven fabric: ready to handle whatever you're into, and look good too. Cordura® is an advanced fabric, are both strong and versatile. Cordura® is comfortable, fashionable and great for combating the daily grind to surviving some of the world's toughest environments. Cordura® challenges the definition of fabric with advanced solutions that help protect against tears, scuffs, and abrasions.
Stop. Go. Repeat. CORDURA® knows all about making fabric that endures and performs at a high level on and off the motorcycle, come rain or shine. We, in the UK get plenty of one and not enough of the other.
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ABOUT COTEC
Halley Stevensons have worked with Merlin Bike Gear to advance waxed cotton to modern levels of abrasion resistance required to achieve CE approval. Cotec is unique in bringing this high level of protection, low weight, weather proofing, breathability and comfort without losing the traditional style and lines of a classic waxed cotton motorcycle jacket.
Cotec has a finished weight of 8 ounces compared to traditional wax cotton at 12ounces without any loss of functionality or style. Forma nd function in equal measure.
ABOUT REISSA
We like Reissa because… It’s an advanced material with a breathable and waterproof membrane. The membrane is made of specialized hydrophilic polyurethane which gives higher vapour transmission and waterproofness via a very thin, comfortable and durable material. Reissa is used in much of the motorcycling world’s leading brand high performance clothing. It’s what makes the waterproof jacket waterproof and the breathable gloves breathable. Sounds great, even fair weather bikers get caught in the rain. Well they do in the UK.
ABOUT HIPORA
We like Hipora® because… HiPora® is a waterproof, wind resistant, breathable film with polyurethane coating. Micro pores are throughout the polyurethane coating, shutting out water ingress, while allowing the moisture from the body to exit. This lightweight material helps keep the motorcycle rider dry, warm and comfortable. Sounds like a longer happier ride doesn’t it?
ABOUT OUTLAST®
We like Outlast® because… It was originally developed for NASA astronaut’s suits. Brave claim but true.
Outlast® utilizes phase change materials (PCM) that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort. Outlast® technology is comparable to ice in a drink; as it changes from solid to liquid, it absorbs heat and cools the drink, keeping that drink at the desired temperature for longer. Outlast® phase change materials work in the same way, but are microencapsulated to be permanently enclosed and protected in a polymer shell. They call microencapsulated phase change materials Thermocules™.
This encapsulation process makes the Thermocules™ exceptionally durable for motorcycling. The Thermocules™ can be woven into fabrics and fibres to absorb, store and release excess heat. This gives motorcycle clothing that contains Outlast® technology the ability to regulate the skin’s microclimate continually. As you get hot, the heat is absorbed, and as it cools, that heat is released.
Outlast® technology is not wicking technology, which manages moisture by reacting to your sweat and pulling it away from the skin. Outlast® technology will proactively manage heat while controlling the production of moisture before it begins. That's the Outlast® difference.
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ABOUT 3M THINSULATE
We like Thinsulate™ because… 3M™ invented it, in their words, to make living life in every season more enjoyable. Since then, they've chipped away at the boundaries and bulk that prevent pure, unbridled joy of the outdoors. Sound like that’s good for the British motorcyclist.
There’s Thinsulate™ Original which is warm yet lightweight, powerful yet thin. It helps trap body heat, while allowing moisture to escape. There’s also Thinsulate ™ Water Resistant which opens up a whole new world of warmth and comfort. Made with hydrophobic fibres for advanced water resistance, it will help keep bikers warm, comfortable and dry without unnecessary weight.
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ABOUT PRIMALOFT
We like Primaloft® because… Primaloft® uses unique fibres and technologies to create high-performance synthetic insulation that is light-weight, effective, water-resistant, and durable. It is made to insulate effectively without awkward bulk and its quick-drying hydrophobic fibres work even when wet.
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ABOUT COOLMAX
We like Coolmax® because… It’s really clever stuff. Fabric made with COOLMAX® AIR technology uses yarns with propeller-shaped cross-sections to deliver the combined performance of superior moisture management, breathability, and quick dry time. It provides comfort to help bikers optimise performance.
The summer will come again, the sun will be beating down and us bikers will be wearing a helmet, armoured jacket, jeans and boots, oh, and a smile. All but the latter will make us as hot as a rocket’s rear end. That’s where Coolmax® makes a difference. With excellent moisture management it wicks away sweat, lets cool air in and it’s easy to wash too.
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