Moisture Management
Consumers prefer the comfort and softness of cotton over synthetic fibers, however cotton’s natural absorbency can often be a negative in performance apparel. Through the adoption of moisture management innovations for cotton, like TransDRY® and WICKING WINDOWS™ technologies, consumers can enjoy the fast-drying and moisture-wicking performance of synthetic fabrics and the comfort and softness of natural cotton.
WICKING WINDOWS™ technology brings you new possibilities in moisture management with performance that beats the strongest competition in the market.
A moisture management finish that works as hard as you do – without showing it.
WICKING WINDOWS™ technology brings you new possibilities in moisture management with
performance that beats the strongest competition in the market. Go from a tough workout to
the store, or even coffee with friends, while staying dry, comfortable and looking fresh. What
other technology or ber can say that? So don’t sweat it – managing moisture and looking
good has never been so easy.
STICK TO YOUR WORKOUTS,
NOT YOUR CLOTHES.
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Print pattern example
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
WICKING WINDOWS™ technology offers three variations for a wide range of
performance. The technology allows moisture to move to the outside of the
garment through a single print process on the inside of the fabric. By using a
double print process, the WICKING WINDOWS™ technology offers sweat-hiding
properties coupled with moisture management. Finally, a phase change material
(PCM) can be incorporated into the WICKING WINDOWS™ print paste to provide
temperature regulation and additional cooling properties. The best thing is, all
of these variations last the life of the garment. The possibilities and benets are
endless with this versatile, moisture management solution.
MOISTURE MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE THAT TAKES
COTTON TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL
• Reduced fabric cling
• Moves moisture away from the body
• Keeps wearer cooler and drier
• Washes clean of odors
• Keeps sweat marks hidden
• Applicable on knits and wovens
WHAT IS WICKING WINDOWS™ TECHNOLOGY?
The WICKING WINDOWS™ technology is a unique moisture management application
for cotton that helps eliminate the feeling of wet, saturated fabric against the body.
This performance technology, developed by Cotton Incorporated, forces the transfer
of moisture away from the skin to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate —
keeping you cooler, drier and more comfortable during exercise, errands, or wherever
the day takes you. The WICKING WINDOWS™ technology is applied through the print
application of chemistry to create repellent areas, producing "windows" or an allover
print. The print pattern is colorless and can only be seen once moisture comes into
contact with the fabric.
STICK TO
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Print pattern example
WORK HARD. NO SWEAT.
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WICKING WINDOWS™ TECHNOLOGY
The WICKING WINDOWS™ technology is printed on the skin-facing side of the fabric. As the
wearer begins to sweat, the printed areas remain dry against the skin while small absorbent
“windows” pull moisture to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate and dry quickly.
The print pattern can be a simple coverage effect or can incorporate a stylized design, which
adds a greater level of versatility to the functional performance.
57% of consumers say they
prefer their activewear to be
cotton-rich.¹
Up to 50% reduction in
cling force.²
Print pattern example
PROVEN PERFORMANCE
During exercise, fabrics can become saturated and cling to the skin, causing irritation and chang. The WICKING
WINDOWS™ technology greatly reduces the amount of cling force by minimizing the amount of wet fabric that
comes into contact with the skin. Less wet fabric against the skin means a drier, more comfortable experience.
Many synthetic fabrics claim to move moisture away from the body to the garment’s outer layer, however most
do nothing more than absorb water within the fabric structure. Fabrics treated with the WICKING WINDOWS™
technology have the ability to move moisture away from the skin better than most performance fabrics and
exhibit signicant performance advantages over untreated cotton, cotton blends and synthetic fabrics.
MOVEMENT OF MOISTURE WITH WICKING WINDOWS
™
TECHNOLOGY
SKIN
PERSPIRATION
NON-ABSORBENT AREAS
PRINTED ON FABRIC
EVAPORATION
60% Cotton,
40% Polyester
60% Cotton,
40% Polyester
100%
Polyester
95% Polyester,
5% Spandex
100% Cotton
Untreated Control
100% Cotton
WICKING WINDOWS™
7.81 27.08 -38.75 -9.61 53.37 344.157
Brand 1 Brand 2
WICKING WINDOWS™
ACCUMULATIVE ONE-WAY TRANSPORT INDEX
AATCC 195 as measured by SDL Atlas MMT
Negative rating is obtained when fabric retains more moisture on the inside of the fabric.
Neutral rating is obtained when fabric is equally wet on inside and outside of the fabric.
Positive rating is obtained when fabric transfers moisture to the outside of the fabric.
Print pattern example
SWEAT HIDING TECHNOLOGY
The WICKING WINDOWS™ print application not only helps move moisture to the outside of
the fabric, preventing cling and improving dry time, but the technology and process can also
be applied to prevent sweat marks from showing during or after a workout.
The Sweat Hiding Technology is a multifunctional innovation for cotton that wicks sweat from
the skin and keeps unwanted sweat marks from showing. The dual application process prints
a high-performance wicking nish on the inside of the fabric and a breathable moisture barrier
on the outside. The inside of the fabric absorbs and spreads moisture to enhance comfort and
reduce fabric cling, while the outside creates a breathable barrier to prevent sweat marks from
showing through.
WORK HARD. PLAY HARD.
_
92% of consumers say they
wear activewear for purposes
other than exercise mostly
due to comfort.¹
15
+78.50
UNTREATED COTTON
25
27
DUAL PERFORMANCE — HOW SWEAT HIDING TECHNOLOGY WORKS
MEASURING SPREAD DISTANCE
ACCUMULATIVE ONE-WAY MOISTURE TRANSPORT INDEX
MOISTURE BARRIER
FABRIC
WICKING FINISH
PERSPIRATION
SKIN
UNTREATED COTTON
SWEAT HIDING
95% COTTON, 5%SPANDEX
SWEAT HIDING
100% COTTON
AATCC 195 as measured by SDL Atlas MMT (measured in mm, single knit fabric)
AATCC 195 as measured by SDL Atlas MMT (single knit fabric)
-1006.30
SWEAT HIDING
95% COTTON
5% SPANDEX
-951.25
SWEAT HIDING
100% COTTON
WICKING WINDOWS™ TECHNOLOGY +
COOLING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL
The WICKING WINDOWS™ technology provides moisture management benets by reducing
fabric cling and moving moisture to the outside of a garment for a more comfortable workout.
Combined with a cooling phase change material (PCM), the technology can also keep the
wearer cooler as the temperature heats up and workouts get harder.
A phase change material absorbs energy (heat) to regulate the body temperature as the
external temperature rises. A microencapsulated PCM makes it easy to integrate this
technology with the WICKING WINDOWS™ print paste and last the life of the garment.
The unique combination keeps the wearer cool in warmer environments and still provides
moisture management benets.
WORK HARD. KEEP YOUR COOL.
_
69% of consumers seek
odor resistance, 68% seek
out moisture management,
and 63% seek thermal
regulation while shopping
for activewear.¹
100% Polyester Pique
70
WARM UP ACTIVE WORKOUT COOL DOWN RESTING
60
50
40
30
20
10
100% Cotton WW + PCM Jersey
92% Polyester, 8% Spandex Jersey
100% Cotton Untreated Jersey
Workout simulated by applying steam to fabric. Temperature measured using thermal imaging technology.
ELEVATED PERFORMANCE
When exposed to heat and moisture, the WICKING WINDOWS™ + cooling PCM successfully keeps the fabric at least ve
degrees cooler than an untreated cotton fabric during application. Thermal imaging tests show the treated fabric is not only
signicantly cooler, but it was also performed as good as or better than competitive synthetic phase change fabrics.
THERMAL IMAGING OF WICKING WINDOWS™ + PCM
Untreated cotton control fabric
after steam applied
WICKING WINDOWS™ + PCM
technology after steam applied
SWEAT ZONE
FABRIC TEMPERATURE (ªC)
HOTTEST
COLDEST
NE W Y ORK , N Y
CARY, NC
OS AK A , J AP AN
SH AN GH A I, CHIN A
T SIM SH A T SU I, HONG K ONG
M E XI C O C I T Y, M E X I C O
• Hangtags and other point-of-sale collateral
• Knit and woven fabric developments
• Licensed technology logo on products that meet fabric performance criteria
GLOBAL AVAILABILITY.
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WE CAN ENGINEER A SOLUTION FOR YOU
WICKING WINDOWS™ technology was developed by Cotton Incorporated. We work with
suppliers around the world to implement the technology within existing supply chainss
and we make it easy for brands and retailers to use the technology on cotton products.
Marketing resources available for use and inspiration:
• New York, NY, USA
• Cary, NC, USA
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Osaka, Japan
• Shanghai, China
• Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
• China
• Colombia
• Hong Kong
• El Salvador
• Indonesia
WICKING WINDOWS™ technology suppliers available in:
• Mexico
• South Korea
• Thailand
• United States
To become a supplier or to feature the WICKING WINDOWS™ technology and logo on your products, contact your Cotton Incorporated account representative.
Learn More at cottonworks.com.