Under Armour infrared

Under Armour's new infrared range is breaking new ground. We go to the Swiss Alps to test it out.

Under Armour's new infrared range is breaking new ground. We go to the Swiss Alps to test it out

With the seasons changing and the usual predictions of a miserable winter, UK golfers are already bracing themselves for the tough months ahead.

But, thanks to some wonderfully creative thinking from the design team at Under Armour, the age-old problem of trying to keep warm whilst still being able to swing the club freely suddenly has a solution.

The answer lies in the new Infrared range whose name immediately hints at something rather revolutionary.

Kyle Blakely (Director, Materials) at Under Armour explains:

"The product team was gathered in a meeting to specifically discuss how we could make Under Armour ColdGear more effective without adding a bunch of weight or changing the textile.

"My wife has a blow-dryer that says 'ceramic' on the side. Turns out the ceramic in the blow-dryer keeps (or at least slows) the hot air from escaping through the sides of the blow-dryer.

"This makes it much more efficient and less likely to burn your hand. I'm guessing since I saw the word 'ceramic' every day, it stuck in my subconscious, and during the brainstorming session the idea popped in my head.

"After much trial and error, we decided to coat (or print) ceramic powder onto the back of our ColdGear fabrics to prevent heat from escaping our garments.

"This created much more insulation, and after product testing at two very reputable textile research institutes, we achieved our goal of creating a product that was better than we could have ever anticipated."

Of course, keeping warm isn't just something to make the round a bit more pleasant. It's fundamental to the actual score you might produce as well.

JJ Rivet - the famed biomechanist, who acted as a consultant for the European Ryder Cup team - explains why in an article he wrote titled: "The science of heat loss".

He notes: "By moving, your body is increasing in temperature. It is important that your body retains the heat it is creating in the cold, otherwise the transfer of energy between the cold and the warm will reduce your temperature."

He concludes: "Ultimately, the less energy you are using to perform your golf swing, the best it will be to increase your efficiency during five hours on the course. The more your clothing saves the thermic energy you've created, the less energy will be required by your muscles to keep it, therefore saving energy to perform to your optimum level."

Testing it out

Theory is one thing but seeing it work with your own eyes is far better....

It's late September and Under Armour have taken the extreme measure of hauling a group of journalists high into the Swiss Alps where temperatures will be well below freezing.

To show off the science, Under Armour have brought along brand ambassador Richie Ramsay who, a few days later, will be defending his Swiss Open crown at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Richie has been decked out in new Infrared gear and, after riding a train to Jungfraujoch - "Top of Europe", the Scot is hitting golf balls off the mountain.

The setting is stunning but this isn't just about the pretty views; it's a scientific test to see whether Richie's Under Armour clothing is doing what it claims.

A special Infrared camera is now taking readings. It's comparing Richie in his special Under Armour gear with his assistant who isn't wearing any Infrared clothing. Both are stood still.

I'm sat with the camera operator awaiting the big reveal and, lo and behold, there it is.... the readings show that Richie is a full five degrees warmer!

We, too, are wearing the same gear and, as someone who feels the cold, I'm already sensing things are working well as I feel pleasantly warm.

But it's certainly very interesting to see numbers back up the feeling - and to such impressive levels.

However, there's the second part of the equation to act out as well.

With the gear on, is it easy to swing the club?

I try various combinations over the base layer (there's no way I'm taking that off) and the answer is an overwhelming yes.

The British winter?... bring it on!