In outdoor sports, 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 if their design respects the biomechanics of movement. At AYAQ, the cut is never aesthetic: it is functional, designed for ski touring, trail running, mountaineering, and technical hiking.
1. Cut Directly Affects Mobility
An outdoor garment must move with you without resistance. This is especially clear in technical pieces:
- Raglan sleeves on LONAK hardshells: prevent shoulder strain when carrying a backpack or climbing steep slopes. The arm lifts without pulling the jacket up.
- Baltoro, featuring an award-winning innovative design that offers unmatched freedom of movement for a warm down jacket.
- RIMO and NUNATAK pants: darts, articulated knees, and seam orientation minimize tension during ski touring transitions or climbing steps.
- Molveno, Tenno, and Lévico t-shirts: carefully designed armholes and volumes reduce chafing over long periods.
A successful cut is one you forget: the garment disappears in favor of movement.
2. Cut Influences Moisture Management
Sweat is not evenly distributed. Certain areas—flanks, upper back, chest—overheat and require a tailored cut:
- A closer fit on technical t-shirts (Molveno, Tenno) enhances moisture wicking to the outside.
- Controlled volumes on active fleeces like KOKANEE prevent vapor saturation during prolonged effort.
- The high, protective cut of AYAQ hardshells shields the chest area, which is particularly vulnerable to rapid cooling.
The cut thus 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 volumes:
- ULTAR, AYAQ’s warmest down jacket, maintains stable volume around the body to preserve a uniform air pocket.
- BALTORO, with its unique geometry, retains heat while allowing wide movement.
- FORNO, the sleeveless down jacket, 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 Elemental Protection
AYAQ hardshells — SKORA, SKORA-XT, LONAK, BATURA — use a non-microporous hydrophilic membrane among the most waterproof worldwide, but their performance also depends on design:
- a low, stable cut that prevents air drafts during skiing or strong winds,
- carefully designed volumes ensuring cords, zippers, and adjustments remain effective in motion,
- sleeves engineered for mountaineering and skiing, without unwanted tension when arms work overhead.
An exceptional membrane performs only when paired with the right cut.
5. Cut Influences Mechanical Durability
A garment that pulls, rubs, or deforms prematurely wears out quickly. A good cut mechanically reduces abrasion:
- less stress on critical seams,
- reduced friction against backpack straps,
- better distribution of high-stress zones.
It’s a matter of longevity: a well-cut garment 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
In the mountains or the city, the cut of a technical garment determines its real-world performance: freedom of movement, thermoregulation, protection from the elements, and durability. That’s why AYAQ designs every piece — hardshells, down jackets, fleeces, pants, technical t-shirts — as a biomechanical tool tailored for the terrain. The cut is a technical choice, never decorative.