In outdoor gear, a garment’s performance depends on more than just materials. The cut determines mobility, moisture management, insulation, and even durability. A hardshell tested at 52,000 Schmerbers, an ultra-breathable t-shirt, or an active fleece only perform fully when their design respects the biomechanics of movement. At AYAQ, the cut is never just aesthetic: it’s functional, tailored for ski touring, trail running, mountaineering, and technical hiking.
1. Cut Directly Affects Mobility
Outdoor clothing must move with you without resistance. This is especially true for technical pieces:
- Raglan sleeves on LONAK hardshells (men’s / women’s): prevent shoulder strain when carrying a backpack or climbing steep slopes. Arms lift freely without pulling the jacket up.
- Baltoro, featuring an award-winning innovative design that offers unmatched freedom of movement for a warm down jacket.
- RIMO pants (men’s / women’s) and NUNATAK (men’s / women’s): darts, articulated knees, and seam placement minimize tension during ski touring transitions or climbing steps.
- Molveno, Tenno, Lévico t-shirts: armholes and fit engineered to prevent chafing over long periods.
A successful cut is one you forget: the garment disappears, letting movement take precedence.
2. Cut Influences Moisture Management
Sweat isn’t evenly distributed. Certain zones—flanks, upper back, chest—overheat and require a tailored fit:
- Closer-to-body fit on technical t-shirts (Molveno, Tenno) enhances moisture wicking to the exterior.
- Controlled volumes on active fleeces like KOKANEE (men’s / women’s) prevent vapor saturation during extended efforts.
- Raised, protective cut on AYAQ hardshells shields the chest area, highly vulnerable to rapid cooling.
The cut becomes a physiological factor, helping maintain body temperature.
3. Cut Affects Thermal Insulation
A down jacket’s performance also depends on how warm air circulates within its volume:
- ULTAR (men’s / women’s), AYAQ’s warmest down jacket, maintains stable volume around the body to preserve a uniform air pocket.
- BALTORO (men’s / women’s), with its unique geometry, retains heat while allowing wide movement.
- FORNO (men’s / women’s), a sleeveless down vest, frees the arms completely and enables effective layering.
A cut that’s too tight compresses insulation; too loose lets cold air in. Precision is key.
4. Cut Influences Weather Protection
AYAQ hardshells—SKORA (men’s / women’s), LONAK-XT (men’s / women’s), LONAK (men’s / women’s), BATURA—use a non-microporous hydrophilic membrane among the most waterproof worldwide, but their performance also relies on design:
- Low, stable cut prevents air drafts during skiing or strong winds,
- Thoughtful volumes ensure cords, zippers, and adjustments remain effective in motion,
- Sleeves designed for mountaineering and skiing avoid unwanted tension when arms work overhead.
An exceptional membrane performs only when paired with the right cut.
5. Cut Influences Mechanical Durability
Garments that pull, rub, or deform prematurely wear out quickly. A good cut mechanically reduces abrasion:
- less tension on critical seams,
- less friction against backpack straps,
- better distribution of stressed areas.
It’s a matter of longevity: well-cut gear lasts longer.
6. 100% European Manufacturing: Precision and Consistency
The cut is effective only if reproduced precisely. All AYAQ apparel is woven in France, Italy, and Germany and assembled in Portugal, ensuring:
- consistent quality from batch to batch,
- precise volume control,
- quality checks focused on functionality.
Cut precision is part of performance.
Conclusion
Whether in the mountains or the city, a technical garment’s cut determines its true behavior: freedom of movement, thermoregulation, weather protection, and durability. That’s why AYAQ designs every piece—hardshells, down jackets, fleeces, pants, technical t-shirts—as a biomechanical tool engineered for the field. The cut is a technical choice, never decorative.
