Waterproof Sympatex membrane
Mountain sportsmen and women are bound to encounter the elements on their outings and excursions to the summits. It's even a powerful experience of communion with nature to find yourself in torrential rain or being caressed by a powerful wind, as long as you're well equipped with the right clothing.
In order to provide effective and comfortable outfits in any weather, AYAQ has carefully selected the most technical materials.
Guided by these performance requirements and our desire to protect the environment, we have selected the German SYMPATEX® waterproof, breathable and windproof membrane.
The laminated fabrics we use for our 3-layer garments (such as the Lonak Hardshell Jacket or the Nunatak Trousers) are equipped with this German membrane which offers extreme protection and outstanding environmental performance.
This is called a "3-layer" laminated fabric, because the membrane is inserted between 2 fabrics. This very thin layer of ultra-technical fabric ensures waterproof, breathable and windproof performance.
ULTRA-PERFORMANCE
- 100% waterproof
- 100% windproof
- Optimal breathability thanks to the molecular structure
- Sustainable, thanks to the use of recycled or recyclable materials
- Dynamic air conditioning
- Poreless, ultra-thin and highly stretchable membrane
- High strength to reliably withstand the most ambitious excursions
MAXIMUM ECOLOGY
- 100% climate neutral membrane
- 100% recyclable membrane
- 100% recyclable and recycled laminate
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certification, bluesign® approved
- PTFE-free diaphragm and laminate
- Fluorocarbon-free (PFC) treatments
- Total carbon footprint compensation
To go further:
100% Waterproof :
Our protective membrane has outstanding waterproof performance, ≥ 45,000 Schmerber.
Waterproofing is the ability of the textile to prevent water from passing through it, up to a certain pressure.
To test and evaluate this waterproofness, measurements are made in the laboratory. The test consists of a water pressure induced by a water column on the fabric, and therefore the membrane. Depending on the level of water pressure applied, the test measures the moment when the water starts to penetrate and pass through the membrane.
1 Schmerber = 1 mm water column = 0.1 mbar.
To illustrate this performance of ≥ 45,000 Schmerber, it is useful to know that the average pressure exerted by rain is around 1,000 to 2,000 Schmerber, SYMPATEX® membrane withstands at least 25 times the pressure naturally exerted by rain. This ultra-high performance of SYMPATEX®membrane's ultra-high performance means that it retains a margin of waterproofness to guarantee its effectiveness in certain particularly demanding cases, such as when wearing a backpack, where the water pressure exerted on the shoulders is significantly increased.
Breathability :
RET < 12 (m²Pa/W).
Breathability is the ability of a fabric to let water vapour through. The perspiration that allows our body to regulate its temperature is in the form of water vapour. Thanks to this breathability performance, the SYMPATEX® membrane allows an efficient evacuation of perspiration and the feeling of heat.
The TER is a laboratory measurement. The lower the RET value, the better the breathability.
A textile with a TER of less than 12 is considered very breathable, in line with human sensitivity.
100% Windproof:
Wind cools the layer of warm air on the surface of our skin. As a result, the temperature felt is lower than the actual temperature. This is the wind chill that every mountain sportsman is bound to experience.
The Sympatex membrane is 100% windproof, so you are simply not chilled by the wind.
PFC-free water-repellent treatment:
The water-repellent treatment is a protective surface veil. It allows water to form balls on contact with the fabric, so that drops roll off and do not penetrate the fabric.
AYAQ selects fabrics with an eco-friendly water-repellent treatment to help protect the environment. To find out more, see our PFC-free water repellent treatment information page.