Activewear is getting more and more technically advanced these days, and companies are constantly coming up with new ways to treat fabrics to fight the unfortunate by-products of a hard workout: sweat and odor. One startup from Vancouver is getting creative with its treatment processes, and what its doing might surprise you: instead of using chemicals to try to fight the funk, its using a substance derived from shrimp and crab shells.
Strongbody coats their garmets in chitosan, a fiber chemically processed from shells of the famously stinky crustaceans that actually has a number of other applications. It's naturally antimicrobial, and even safe for those with shellfish allergies to use. The pieces range in price from $68 for a tank top to $148 for a sleeveless hoodie.
Odor-control is a priority of many big activewear companies: Lululemon uses its patented Silverescent technology which fights the growth of odor-causing bacteria on its garments; and Patagonia uses a similar silver chloride treatment on its goods. Ministry of Supply has taken to treating its socks with coffee grounds to fight food odor.
And don't worry about the possibility of a lingering shellfish stench if you decide to pick up some Strongbody pieces: “Unless you are told that our fabrics have this technology, you would never be able to tell by looking at them or touching them,” Strongbody’s chief executive Meghan Conyers promises.
Check out the Strongbody Kickstarter page to learn more.
[via Business Week]
