Quality Control

Outlast employs the highest standards on every line, and continuously tests all products that contain Outlast® technology. Outlast also certify suppliers in every step of the supply chain to ensure the benefits of Outlast® technology are passed along to the consumer. There are three things that Outlast tests for:

Is Outlast® technology in a product?
This testing is done in the lab as part of the certification process. If a product is certified as containing Outlast® technology, that product does in fact include Outlast® technology at a level that has been demonstrated to work effectively. The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) gives a distinctive fingerprint allowing us to determine that Outlast® technology is included in the product at the appropriate levels.

Does the Outlast® technology work?
Yes. The American Society for Testing has established a standard test procedure (ASTM D7024) to measure the effects of changing temperature and a fabric’s ability to absorb, store and release energy. Founded in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest standards development organizations in the world. More information is available at www.astm.com.

Is the product safe?
Outlast is proud that its products have been in the market for over 20 years without any negative safety issues, and an expert team continuously tests every product to ensure it stays that way. Various Outlast® manufacturers have Oeko-Tex certification. The Oeko-Tex testing and certification system has become the uniform safety standard, and the entire textile supply chain profits from this safety certification. Please find more information at www.oeko-tex.com.

American Society for Testing and Materials

Physiological tests demonstrate that Outlast® materials outperform traditional materials. Further technical evidence that the dynamic thermal properties of Outlast® products are grounded in solid science can be found in the ASTM test procedure. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) approved a standard test procedure to measure the amount of heat retained in textile materials. Based on years of research and testing textiles containing "phase change materials" (PCMs) by Outlast Technologies, Inc., and Prof. Dr. Douglas Hittle, Director Solar Energy Applications at Colorado State University, the first "Test Method for Steady State and Dynamic Thermal Performance in Textile Materials" (ASTM D7024) was established by the ASTM in June 2004. If you are interested in more information, please contact us.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a technique that measures the thermal effects on materials as they are heated or cooled, and undergo thermal transitions. DSC makes it possible to analyze and quantify a material’s energy absorption and release in appropriate temperature use ranges. The instrument heats and cools a sample in a controlled manner and records the temperature of the phase transitions (melting and crystallization) of the material.
The machine also records the amount of energy required to melt the sample and amount of energy released when the sample crystallizes upon cooling. The DSC thereby provides quantitative information on the materials temperature buffering use ranges and, by integrating the melt and crystallization peaks, the amount of latent energy capacity or temperature buffering capacity in Joules that are absorbed, stored and released. If you are interested in more information, please contact us.

Climate chamber

Outlast Technologies has a variety of protocols for different environments, applications and garment types to be tested, which requires the use of a controlled environment. For this reason Outlast installed a Bally temperature and humidity controlled testing chamber. This chamber is capable of controlling from 0 to 100°F (-18 to 38°C) and 20% to 85% relative humidity. This allows Outlast to adjust the room for standard fabric testing conditions when testing versus ASTM or ISO norms.
The introduction of metabolic changes (i.e. running, walking, sitting, exercising) and controlled hot or cold environments, provides the ability to test the physiological effects of Outlast® garments on human subjects. Physiological testing in a controlled environment allows for quantitative and subjective proof of improved comfort and less sweat. If you are interested in more information, please contact us.

Field Testing

Field tests confirm real-life benefits, preferences and value. They identify product problems. They form the most relevant part of testing and are the true basis of valid product claims. Field tests require many data points to get a complete picture. For this reason Outlast has conducted comprehensive field-testing programs (picture: Deutsche Post) whereby Outlast® garments and products are provided to select consumers for certain trial periods. If you are interested in more information, please contact us.