Salomon introduces face masks for outdoor sports
Salomon has unveiled two new protective sports masks designed to be worn by endurance athletes during outdoor training and competition. The lightweight masks—one for warmer weather and one for winter climates—were developed at Salomon’s Annecy Design Center in the French Alps and produced at the home of its French textile supply partner, Chamatex. The project stemmed from a request by athletes for a sports mask that could protect them from the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus while allowing them to train and race in comfort without sacrificing performance.
The unknowns surrounding potential running races in the coming months—including what might be required from a safety standpoint—and the desire to meet the needs of those who train in congested outdoor areas also led Salomon to undertake the project.
How is the mask made exactly?
The masks are designed with a structural mesh that creates a cavity over the mouth, making it more comfortable to breathe and preventing the material from being sucked into the mouth and nose when breathing in during activity. There are also adjustable, elasticated cords allowing the user to create just the right fit. Made from lightweight polyesters, the masks have been tested and proven filter at least 90 percent of 3µm particles in compliance with the tests of the inter-ministerial note of March 29, 2020 updated on January 28, 2021 in France and CWA 17553:2020 in Europe.
The winter sports mask features the same filtration panel around the face, coupled with a soft breathable neck gaiter for warmth. Work by the Salomon Winter Sports product development team ensures that the mask interfaces with goggles due to a small silicon nose bar that prevents the moisture from rising and fogging up goggles. Starting now, the masks will be available in Europe and Japan in limited quantities via Salomon.com, Salomon brand stores and via select retailer partners. Quantities and model availability online or in-store may vary by region. The cost of the sports mask will be €18 in Europe; the winter sports mask will sell for €38. The masks can be washed up to 50 times at up to 40°C.
“The result of this collective work is a mask that is worn as a natural and functional extension of the body, offering comfort and performance during the cardio-respiratory effort required by high intensity sports,” said Guillaume Meyzenq, Vice President of the Salomon’s Footwear category, which works closely with Chamatex on a number of projects. “Our knowledge of sport and our working relationship with the best mountain running athletes has allowed us to develop this mask quite quickly.”
How was the mask made?
For nine months Salomon worked alongside Chamatex to research the sports science needs of such a mask and discover an industrialization process that made production possible. The performance characteristics were tested by 18 Salomon trail running trail running athletes over the course of a month. The collaboration between Salomon and Chamatex allowed the product creation process to happen quickly, but not without its challenges. The first was physiological. The materials used needed to be able to filter the size of the virus molecules and pollution articles while allowing exhaled CO2 to pass through in multiple environments, from warm weather to cold winters days. After extensive material research, prototyping, airflow simulations, respiratory rate measurements and field test validations, the solution was a bi-component creation combined with a unique vertical origami construction that prevents the mask from sticking to the mouth when perspiring. The result is more comfort when high respiratory rates are involved. The masks also use an internal semi-rigid skeleton made with recyclable TPU and an external layer of ultra-light polyester. The assembling of all the parts was also an industrial challenge since traditional stitching is synonymous with permeability, something that had to be avoided due to the virus molecules. To solve this issue, Chamatex worked with the Bosch company in Rodez, France to design and install a fully automated production line using welding technologies to guarantee the safety and durability of the mask.