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Basic Terminology

Before you can learn about Nike's various types of performance apparel and their unique uses, you must first understand a few basic terms that will make your comprehension and learning that much easier.

- The ability of a hydrophilic material to take water into itself, moving it through the actual structure of the fiber, as well as over, along and around the fiber surface for evaporation.

- A term used to describe the functionality which allows water vapor and excess heat to penetrate through a material, allowing it to work more efficiently in evaporation of moisture and relasing heat.


- The process by which liquid moves through the narrow spaces along and between fibers in a yarn by surface tension.

- Finishing process where a substance is spread  or sprayed on one side or both sides of a fabric and permanently bonded to the fabric chemically, thermally, or both.

- A combination of fibers woven or knit together.

- Either natural or synthetic, anything capable of being made into fabrics.

- Water hating. Materials, fibers, and finishes that repel water and do not allow water to penetrate them.

-Water loving. Materials, fibers or finishes that absorb or take water in.

- Chemically placing a positive or negative electrical charge in a fabric to make it able to keep sweat molecules in a vapor state for easy evaporation.

KNIT FABRIC CONSTRUCTION - One or more yarns formed into a series of interlocking loops. This construction technique is faster than weaving, is typically stretchy, is porous, resilient, and may be bulky.

MICROPOUROUS TECHNOLOGY - A barrier system with such tiny holes that wind and the smallest raindrop cannot penetrate it, but it is still porous enough to allow moisture vapor and heat to escape.

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT - The process of removing excess moisture (perspirations) away from the skin for maximum evaporation.

MONOLITHIC TECHNOLOGY - A barrier system that is non-porous (solid) with a hydrophilic coating added to one or more fabric layers, which allows for controlled (limited) breathability, while keeping wind and rain out.

PUSH-PULL MOISTURE MANAGEMENT - A two-process action that occurs at the same time to help with moisture management. A fabric (that is hydrophobic) in direct contact with the body "pushes" and moisture to the outside layer of fabric (that is hydrophilic) that "pulls" the moisture and spreads it out for evaporation to take place.

SEAM SEALING - The process of sealing all stitch lines and seams in a garment to insure that no water penetrates the finished garment.

SPECIAL FINISHES - Affecting a materials performance and aesthetics by the application or treatment of a material either through applying repellents, coatings, laminates, or sanding, brushing, and shearing, or through printing.

WATERPROOF - The ability to resist water and moisture penetration even when pressure is applied.

WICKING - A term used to describe the ability of a hydrophobic fabric to move moisture quickly through itself for moisture control and evaporation.

WINDPROOF - The ability to be totally impervious to air penetration.

WOVEN FABRIC CONSTRUCTION - Two or more sets of yarns interlaced at right angles to each other. Allows yarns to be interlaced in different patterns to create interest.

APPAREL TECHNOLOGY

NIKE FIT (Functional Interactive Technology)

A family of fabrics, designed to keep athletes comfortable in all conditions. Dri-FIT and Dri-FIT UV keeps you dry and comfortable in a variety of moist conditions, and Clima-FIT, Storm-FIT, and Therma-FIT lets you play outdoors in comfort any time of year.

NIKE SPHERE

A  system of apparel technology that creates a personal atmosphere around an athlete under extreme conditions. Nike Sphere consists of four technologies: Nike Sphere Cool, Nike Sphere Dry, Nike Sphere Thermal, and Nike Sphere Pro.

NIKE SEAMLESS

Are garments that are constructed with very few seams, resulting in less chafing, rubbing, and those nasty garment lines.

NIKE FIT

Nike FIT (Functional Interactive Technology)

A system of revolutionary fabric technologies designed for performance.

DRI-FIT

The most widely used of the NIKE-FIT fabrics, Dri-FIT manages moisture to keep you warm and dry during workouts. Wear it right next to your skin.
- An inner layer of fabric grabs moisture and pulls it away from your skin.
- An outer layer of fabric pushes moisture to the surface of the garment.
- Moisture is spread out over the large surface area of the fabric face so it can quickly evaporate.

DRI-FIT UV

Dri-FIT UV (Ultra Violet) has a UPF(ultraviolet protection rating) of 30 built into the garment. This product has been tested on skin, proves non-irritating and offeres protection even when wet. Unlike sunscreen, UV Protection fabric provides permanent sun protection without fear of being washed off.
- The fabric keeps the covered parts of your body protected from the sun.
- the UV Protection comes from a chemical treatment that is housed in fiber pockets along with fabric dye and diffuses solar radiation.

CLIMA-FIT

This tightly-woven fabric offers great wind-blocking protection and water resistance. Wear it as an outer layer in moderate conditions.
- Tightly woven microfiber yarns create spaces between the threads that are too small for water to enter, yet large enough for perspiration vapors to exit.
- Water-repellent finish provides additional protection against rain or snow.
- Breathable fabric keeps youcomfortable during highly aerobic activities.



THERMA-FIT

A soft, streamlined fleece that provides warm insulation and wind resistance. Wear it over Dri-FIT apparel as an insulation layer.
- Revolutionary fabric keeps cold air out and warm air in.
- Densely knitted microfiber yarn traps tiny pockets of warm air to insulate your body.
- Lightweight, low-bulk material remains comfortable even during highly aerobic activities.

STORM-FIT

For all-weather athletes. Made to stand up to the elements, this outerwear fabric is windproof, waterproof, keeping you dry from the outside-in, and extremely breathable keeping you dry from the inside-out. Wear it as an outer layer in extreme conditions. Through the use of microfiber fabrics, lamination or coating techniques, seam-sealing, and a water-repellent finish applied to the outside, Storm-FIT provides optimal protection and comfort.
- Waterproof and windproof, even in extreme weather conditions.
- Garment is completely seam-sealed t prevent leakage.
- Water repellent finishes on the outside make water "bead up" and "roll off". This will not allow the garment to become soaked where moisture can freeze which in effect blocks it micro-porous layer to allow it to breathe.
- Micro-porous, Monolithic, and Bicomponent coatings and laminates are used to achieve various levels of waterproofness and breathability.

There are 3 types of Storm-FIT: Storm-FIT V, Storm-FIT X, and Storm-FIT XX each with different levels of waterproof-breathable performance. Storm-FIT V offers a minimum of 5,000mm of water-resistance, Storm-FIT X offers a minimum of 10,000mm of water resistance, and Storm-FIT XX offers a minimum of 20,000mm of water resistance.

NIKE SPHERE TECHNOLOGY

NIKE SPHERE COOL

Allows you to create your own personal atmosphere. Structured fabric stands off the body to increase airflow between skin and the garment, while the open hole mesh promotes rapid evaporation and cooling.
- Structured 3-D pattern holds fabric away from your skin, creating a micro-climate where air can circulate.
- Moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from your body.
- Strategically placed mesh increases airflow for maximum evaporation, maximum cooling.

NIKE SPHERE DRY

Say goodbye to soggy workout gear. This lightweight, structured fabric minimizes contact between skin and garment to significantly reduce cling while it keeps you dry.
- Textural fabric minimizes contact with your skin to reduce annoying cling.
- Loose fit increases airflow to maximize cooling.
- Incredibly lightweight design won't weigh down your game.
- Pulls sweat away from your skin to the face of the material where it dries quickly.

NIKE SPHERE THERMAL

The warmth of a second layer without the weight of an extra layer. Inside the fabric, a textural pattern creates insulating pockets of air, warming your body with your own heat.
- Structured fabric creates tiny insulating pockets of warm air.
- Streamlined fit holds warmth next to the body.
- Tightly woven fabric prevents the body's natural heat from escaping.
- Prevents the need for an extra, bulky layer.

NIKE SPHERE PRO

Nike Sphere Pro is a fabric that combines the benefits of Nike Sphere Technology - Dryness, thermal regulation, and cling reduction - with wind and rain resistance. The athlete still gets comfort and thermal regulation from a 3D structure, but a breathable outer protection layer repels wind and rain.
- Material face repels wind and rain.
- Structure creates air space for thermal regulations and reduced cling.
 - Breathable fabrication allows sweat vapor to escape.

SEAMLESS TECHNOLOGY

SEAMLESS

Seams can cause chafing, irritation, and discomfort. Nike's Seamless Technology does not completely eliminate seams, but reduces the problems associated with the seams, by reducing the number of seams. Nike's Seamless Technology creates a streamlined garment, reducing bulk and banishing abrasion from your workout. You get more comfort, better fit and increased freedom of movement. In one method, special circular knitting machines produce a tubular component  that eliminates the need to cut and sew pieces of fabric together on the sides. Or, an all-in-one knitting process allows support and stretch to be built into the places where they are needed.

- Built-in function - thanks to the all-in-one knitting process, features like support and stretch can be built  in right where  you need it most.
- Comfortable - The one-piece construction eliminates the need to cut and sew pieces of fabric together - which means the end of chafing side seams.
- Superior fit - The seamless design creates an enhanced fit that adapts to your unique body.

OTHER APPAREL FABRICS

COTTON

A natural fiber, cotton has a soft, dry, comfortable feel. Cotton is comfortable because it absorbs moisture readily, is easily dyed and printed, and can be woven or knitted into a variety of fabrics. Cotton fabrics lack elasticity and resilience and wrinkle easily if untreated.

LYCRA

A registered trademark of DuPont, Lycra, is the Dupont company's brand name for spandex which is polyurethane based elastic fiber. Spandex is very thin, elastic and expensive. It is the most expensive fiber used commercially. The knit structure of swimsuits and tights allow them to stretch but it is the spandex that pulls them back into shape.

NYLON

A man-made fiber, which is strong, resilient, and elastic. It does not absorb moisture readily and dries quickly.

POLYESTER

A man-made fiber, which plays an important technical role in athletic apparel. It is wrinkle-resistant and resilient while being both strong and durable with low moisture absorption characteristics.

FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF NIKES AND NIKE AIR JORDANS ON EBAY, PLEASE VISIT

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