The Drôme-based SME, CimAlp, has developed the AERODRY — a patented system exclusive to the outdoor brand that guarantees maximum breathability regardless of weather conditions and activity intensity. This one-of-a-kind innovation is the result of several years of research.
How do you guarantee maximum breathability in a membrane while effectively protecting the outdoor enthusiast from the elements? That was the question Lionel Marsanne, CEO of CimAlp, asked himself in 2016. Having already patented the high-performance Ultrashell® CimAlp membrane, waterproof to 20,000 Schmerbers and breathable to 80,000 MVP, the 1st in the CimAlp team set himself a new challenge: develop a technology capable of ventilating a garment more effectively without compromising on waterproofing.
Years of R&D research
In collaboration with ENVEHO, a Scientific and Technical Research organisation, CimAlp's R&D team carried out several tests before reaching a final conclusion: the perfect balance between breathability and waterproofing rests on a 3 cm diameter opening in the membrane. The AERODRY was born! An optimal ventilation system offering permanent active ventilation unlike a zip. « It works with the body's movements. For example, when the arms move during hiking or trail running, pressure and depression zones are created, like squeezing a balloon, explains Lionel Marsanne. On current garments, air escapes at the neck, wrists or zips often placed under the arms — and only if you've opened them. With the Aerodry, air circulation is continuous and you can position this system in more relevant places. »
The story behind the AERODRY
There remained the question of design: what shape to give this innovative system? CimAlp's CEO first thought of the Sydney Opera House, an iconic symbol of Australia recognisable by its white shells or sails, which had shaken up the architectural codes of the 1950s. In the end, without borrowing the avant-garde look of the opera house that had so captivated people at the time, the AERODRY adopted a 3D shape. This flexible pad placed on the upper sleeves of the jacket facilitates moisture evacuation while protecting against external humidity. The AERODRY: the guarantee of optimal membrane breathability, twice that of products currently on the market.
A patented system available on the market
This innovative system is found on the waterproof and ultra-breathable Ultrashell® jacket COSMIQUES. This patented system could be applied to all membranes on the market. Its key strengths:
- Efficiency
- Instant breathability
- Responsiveness
- Lightweight
