Athletes thrive in comfortable gear. Fashionistas thrive in show-stopping designs. Environmentalists thrive when creating products that help Mother Earth. So what does an environmentally conscious, fashionable athlete wear while cycling?
“What does an environmentally
conscious, fashionable athlete
wear while cycling?”
Danny Shane.
Launched in 2009, this Texas based company caters to cyclists who want sleek, luxurious clothing that is also eco-friendly. With the dark storm cloud of climate change lingering above, brands that can create attractive and comfortable apparel without exploiting or destroying the earth’s resources deserve recognition.
In this article, we take a look at how their apparel performs in three categories: eco-friendliness, performance and style.
Fabric Eco-Friendliness Review
Danny Shane crafts cycling apparel with an interesting and innovative approach. The company prides itself on its unique blend of Bamboo White Ash (BWA) and recycled polyester, where the two fabrics are sewn together in a 50/50 ratio to create one cohesive material.
Each component has its own benefits which add to the fabric’s overall effectiveness.
Polyester is made from petroleum which is a byproduct of processing oil, making it far from eco-friendly. However, polyester is the most common fitness fabric as it is almost perfect for athletes. Although making polyester is harmful for the environment, Danny Shane at least recycles the material.
Polyester is not perfect for performance and so most companies balance out its weaknesses by mixing in other environmentally harmful materials.
However, this is where Danny Shane shines as an eco-centric brand. As previously mentioned, the polyester they use is recycled. And their secondary material is what really sets them apart from other brands. The Bamboo White Ash (BWA) is perfect for balancing out polyester’s performance weaknesses and it is eco-friendly.
Overall, by using recycled polyester and weaving in BWA as a secondary material, Danny Shane lives up to its eco-friendly pledge.
Performance Review
Here’s a quick recap of why polyester has become the most popular fitness fabric. It is strong, flexible, wrinkle resistant and it dries fairly quickly. These qualities make it nearly perfect for athletes. However, it does its performance disadvantages. Polyester is not a breathable material, is temperature sensitive, tends to stick to the skin and its color fades over time. For these reasons, it is almost mandatory that another material be mixed with polyester to balance out its weaknesses.
Danny Shane’s BWA are resistant to odors, static, and moisture. The breathable texture allows the body to conquer any workout without irritation, making it superior to any synthetic cotton or wool workout gear. The unparalleled softness of the eco-friendly BWA will not wash out or disintegrate over time, and the clothing will last longer than conventional, chemical-ridden fabrics.
Overall, the bamboo white ash weaves in perfectly with the recycled polyester.
Style Review
Danny Shane’s apparel appeals to fitness fanatics who want to live a sustainable lifestyle, and look good doing so. The gear is sorted into three main categories: Classic, Competition, and Tartan Plaid. The latter truly stands out, as plaid cycling jerseys in a variety of colors are starting to appear on athletes everywhere. The unique and colorful designs are unexpected and captivating to the eye, yet they are not tacky enough to distract attention from the cycling journey at hand.
In addition to the signature plaid, traditional plain colored jerseys are also available. Regardless of pattern, the cycling tops are practical as well as appealing, with multiple accessible pockets and full zippers.
For athletes who do not want to sacrifice style in hopes of enhancing performance and protecting the environment, Danny Shane is a beacon of hope. Cyclists can take to the roads while looking and feeling their best with all natural fabrics clinging to their bodies.
How do you choose eco-friendly cycling apparel?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
Apparel images: https://dannyshane.com/
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