Just as all sports gear hardwear has gone through, and is continuously going through enormous developments when it comes to performance and function, the same is true even for sports clothing. Not everyone uses the clothing in extremely competitive situations, but many of the materials and details that increase the garment´s functionality stand us in good stead as they also increase the comfort factor.
We are passionately interested in clothing, in part when it comes to creating clothes that are attractive and fit well, but also when it comes to the functional side. Together with fabric, laminate, lining and fitting manufacturers around the world we continually try to improve. We search for new solutions and functions. We study trade publications, visit trade shows, order laboratory tests and do our own independent tests on water repellency and breathability. We sew up samples and put them through their paces - not least by our professional wearers; competitive skiers and golfers, our multisport team etc. In one year they can put our gear through as much wear and tear as a normal person would do in ten!
Here's a look at some of our innovations:
FTX and FTX-Stretch
Waterproof and breathable fabrics have many decades behind them and the technique behind them is relatively simple to understand. An extremely thin plastic film is laminated (glued under pressure) to the inside of the outer fabric. This film contains microscopic holes that are large enough to release water molecules as steam (transpiration) from your body, but are too small to let in from the outside the 1000 times larger water drops found in rain or snow. The water drops are held together by a physical phenomenon known as surface tension. The difference in temperature and the so called steam pressure between the inside and outside of the fabric is what drives the steam (perspiration) out through the fabric.
According to the European Standard a fabric must tolerate at least 1500 mm water pillars in order to be termed waterproof - our FTX fabric holds between 15 - 20.000 mm! Not even if you weigh 300 lbs and sit in a wet ski lift or are on your knees in water will you come near to these levels.
That which is perhaps even more interesting is breathability. Unfortunately there are no overall standards or methods here for measuring this, the different manufacturers use varying methods. No matter which method is used our FTX fabric is always one with the highest values.
Cross is also a leading manufacturer of golfwear and the golfer is much more often out in the rain than the skier and also has very high demands when it comes to flexibility and freedom of movement - a way to solve this equation is to make the fabrics stretchable. The weaving and stretching of outer fabrics is nothing new, but a few years ago we were successful in creating an FTX film which was also elastic and which allowed us to begin to produce waterproof/breathable garments with extremely stretchable fabrics. Everyone who has worn such a garment says that the feeling is fantastic.
Quick-Dri
QuickDri is the general name we use for all our lighter technical materials for tops and trousers. It is a variety of types of functional synthetic material that by its construction helps to transport perspiration away from the body, thereby keeping you fresh, even if you are going full out. No matter if you are on the golf course or the mountainside .
And if you haven´t yet tried the new generation of functional materials we definitely recommend that you do it at once - many experience it to be an entirely new dimension - comfortable and fresh!
Soft Shell
Our product development in sports sometimes results in great new materials for day to day wear. One such material is the popular stretch Softshell. It has a 3-layer construction with surface lamination to block wind and water while at the same time it remains highly breathable. The side of the fabric which lies against the body is soft and comfortable.
MicroFleece
Cross microfleece stands for freedom of movement combined with unbeatable warmth. It is made of soft, lightweight, high-quality microfilament polyester. This fabric wicks moisture away from the body keeping you both warm and dry. It is sewn with comfortable flat lock seams and is a great base for layering.