i2runner

adidas ClimaCool 365 TEE review

In the past, I really never cared what I wore when I ran, normally just use an old beat-up shirt and rip-off the sleeves. Now that the running scene in Metro Manila is full of runners and races–in all shapes, sizes, and distances, I notice that it’s the newbies that mostly wear the free singlets, while most seasoned runners would often be found wearing branded fashionable high-tech running apparels. And among all the sport-apparel brands, I think the best in fashion should go to adidas. I mean, for example, nothing could be simply more stylish than their 3-stripe design, it looks really great on their jacket sleeves. 2 is too little, while 4 is too much. 3 is perfect. If you ever visit the adidas Trinoma Branch you’ll appreciate their sports fashion.

Last week adidas delivered to me a grey colored “ClimaCool 365 TEE” shirt for review, opened the package, and got excited to wear it right away. It was the most high-tech looking shirt I’ve ever seen, with fabric textures differing on one area to another. The neck and back areas were thinner and smoother while the rest were thicker and just a little bit rougher. (I thought the slogan in front “CLIMACOOL YOUR WORKOUT” just sounded cheezy). The next day, I wore it to work, curious of what my officemates would say about it. Well, all of them really liked it, that it was a great looking and fashionable shirt, and when I asked them how much they think it cost, most of them guessed it was P2,000.00. In reality, it’s just P1,295. After work, we went to play ping-pong for 3hours in Alabang, where I had to lot to sweat, but the ClimaCool helped me feel comfortable.

ClimaCooled Runner

So I did a little bit research about the ClimaCool shirt and technology, in the adidas store in MegaMall. It’s also available in white color and even in singlet, for P1,295.00. I was surprised to see that some ClimaCool are P2,000.00, even more expensive than some adidas shoes!

Now I understand the ClimaCool 365 was designed to keep us comfortable in our workouts for 365days. I wonder if it I could still use it for the 366th day… Let see… As with the other ClimaCool shirts, the fabric wicks out the heat and sweat from the skin to keep the wearer comfortable. However they had this new innovative technology at the back of the shirt that exhausts the heat from the back. The 2 kinds of ClimaCool fabrics — the smoother and thinner one, and the thicker and rougher one, are stitched into a U-shape at the back. The stitching raises the level of the thinner fabric to create an airspace with the skin for heat-convection. adidas calls this 3D fabric technology. Hotter air molecules would then travel upwards through this airspace chamber much like a chimney.

This morning the weather was quite hot and humid when I tried the ClimaCool 365 for a long run of 4miles. Ok I did a lot of walking because of my new knee injury… The ClimaCool 365 is now the coolest shirt I’ve ever worn in running, both in Form and Function! I love it more than the Milo Marathon t-shirt or my old Nike Shirt. However, it can’t replace any of my singlets, I still find it a bit warmer than any of them, probably because of the fact that it covers more of the skin. But this could be good for people who are sensitive to sunlight’s UV rays (or so tell themselves). For now, I will probably wear this for cool to moderately warm weather running, but will probably use the coolest yellow KOTR singlet for the hottest summer running.

But wait a minute… adidas didn’t say the ClimaCool 365 shirt was just for running. Turns out, this is also designed for sexy bodies in the Gym! Below are some pictures from adidas with their ClimaCool Promotion (check out that full ITB stretch):

Thirty-one-year old radio jock and health enthusiast Gelli Victor has been part of the fitness industry since 2002. With adidas ClimaCool technology, which conducts heat and sweat away from the body, Gelli achieves maximum performance in her workout. “ClimaCool® doesn’t add to the heat that my body is producing. It’s actually taking it away from my body and keeping me cool!” attests Gelli.

Gelli Victor

Gelli Victor

Born and raised in the U.S., 26-year old AJ Galang, a certified yoga instructor, moved to the country to share his passion for Bikram Yoga to Filipinos. Wearing his ClimaCool shirt, AJ starts his yoga session, stretching and twisting his muscles in seated position. ‘Comfort and confidence are two big positives I get from my adidas outfits,’ shares AJ. ‘They feel great and they make me look good, which gives me that boost to maximize my workouts.’

AJ Galang

AJ Galang

Radio jock Fran Tobias, 33, started Bikram Yoga with instructor AJ Galang just a year ago. In her ClimaCool top and leggings, which conducts sweat away from the body, Fran enjoys an air-cooled training in the heated yoga room. ‘In Bikram Yoga, we sit a lot and wearing leggings makes you feel hot and heavy. But my ClimaCool leggings feels comfortable and cool,’ notes Fran.

Fran

More on ClimaCool technology from adidas:

STAY DRY, KEEP COOL
Air-cooled training with adidas ClimaCool®

Keeping cool and dry are two of the most important factors in ensuring peak performance during workouts. Take charge of your body’s performance with adidas ClimaCool®, a new performance line, specifically engineered to optimize active performance by managing sweat and heat.

ClimaCool® is an integrated system of technologies that work together to regulate your body temperature better than any single-fabric technology can. ClimaCool® apparel conducts heat and sweat away from the body through a combination of heat and moisture-dissipating materials, ventilation channels, and 3D fabrics.

How does it work? Moisture-wicking fabrics transport moisture away from the body, keeping you cool and dry while, creating space between material and skin, 3D fabric allow cool air to circulate close to the body. Featuring hundreds of small indents on the body side of the fabric, 3D fabric also pulls sweat in all directions, both outwards from the body and across the surface of the garment. Also employed in ClimaCool® system, X-Static® or silver-coated fibers, conduct heat away from your body.

To create a more functional garment, body mapping has been used to identify key sweat and heat producing zones of the human body. By mapping the body’s critical sites, these technologies are placed exactly where they are needed, optimizing body temperature.

Want to experience ClimaCool® technology yourself? ClimaCool® your workout at Gold’s Gym! Borrow an adidas ClimaCool® gym shirt at Gold’s Gym clubs to get a cool, power-packed session. After your workout, return your ClimaCool® shirt to receive a voucher for a special edition ‘ClimaCool® Your Workout’ key chain, redeemable at participating adidas and Toby’s shops. This keychain entitles you to a 20 percent discount on selected ClimaCool® Training merchandise in participating stores.

Experience air-cooled training, between 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., at your nearest Gold’s Gym. Visit Gold’s Gym Galleria (East Wing, Robinson’s Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City) on Oct 23 and 27 and Nov 10 and 23; Gold’s Gym Alabang (BMW Building, Commerce Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang, Muntinlupa City) on Oct 26 and 30 and Nov 9, 16, and 24; and Gold’s Gym Glorietta (Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City) on Nov 13, 17, and 20.

‘ClimaCool Your Workout’ key chains can be shared with family and friends to avail of discount. Key chains and discount are redeemable at adidas shops in Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, SM Megamall, Podium, Power Plant Mall, Robinson’s Ermita, Robinson’s Galleria, Glorietta, and Gateway Mall and Toby’s shops in Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall Alabang, Robinson’s Galleria, and Glorietta. The ClimaCool® discount is available from October 16 to November 30 only.