Imperial Headwear recently launched a unique line of cooling products, powered by Coolcore technology. “This is the next generation of performance fabrics,” said Mike Wrightson, General Manager at Imperial Headwear. “Coolcore has unbelievable fabric innovations that not only wick moisture, but also lower the surface temperature significantly. This will be a game changer in golf headwear with strong consumer appeal.” A bold statement: Yes it is, but not without merit.
Unlike traditional sweat-wicking fabrics that rely on chemicals or polymer crystal treatments that degrade over time, Coolcore consists of a patented combination of chemical-free blended yarns that deliver three distinct functions:
- Wicking that moves sweat away from your body
- Moisture transportation to avoid saturation and accelerate drying
- Regulated evaporation for a consistent cooling effect
As long as Coolcore is wet or you are sweating, the garment will keep on cooling. Another benefit can be found it the hat’s make up; it provides a minimum Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 45. Clothing with UPF can protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, though it depends on the fiber content, weave, fabric weight, and color.
So what’s the difference between UPF and SPF?
SPF stands for the Sun Protection Factor, and is most commonly associated with sunscreen. This measures the amount of time it takes for skin to burn. UPF on the other hand, measures the amount of ultra violet (UV) radiation that penetrates a fabric and reaches your skin. For example, a fabric rated with a UPF of 20 will allow only 1/20th of the sun’s UV rays to pass through. Imperial hats have a UPF of 45 or greater.
According to the American Melanoma Foundation, a UPF of 40 or above offers excellent UV protection of nearly 98 percent. It should be noted that dark colors and tight weaves will have higher UPF ratings. As well, nylons and polyesters are better than plain cotton because they reflect radiation.
To recap (no pun intended), hypo allergenic Imperial Headwear provides up to 30 percent lower surface temperatures, drier garments that do not cling or saturate, and its cooling effect lasts the life of the product. Thus, when it is 90 degrees on the golf course, you might want to remember the benefits of Imperial and Coolcore technology.
Founded in 1916, Imperial Headwear is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality headwear for the golf market. For more information, visit imperialsports.com.
Rick Stedman is an avid golfer, RVer, and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. Rick writes a golf column, “The RV Golfer,” which is published every month in rvlife.com. He can be reached at rstedman@gmail.com.
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