Bolton University teams up with local sportswear company in new material development

The University of Bolton has teamed up with a sportswear company in the city to develop a new material it hopes will revolutionise the cycling clothing industry.

Subhash Anand, a professor of technical textiles at the university’s Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, joined forces with Matt Tomkin, the MD and founder of Bolton-based retailer VO2 Sportswear, to create a new kind of chamois padding to be used in cycling and triathlon events.

Called Airide, the result of their research was designed to address health issues stemming from the use of traditional cycling shorts, which typically use polyurethane foam as padding in the areas where the body is in contact with the bicycle saddle.

According to Professor Anand, potential health issues arising from traditional cycling shorts pads include bacteria in the material, since it cannot be washed at a high temperature, and a lack of moisture-wicking properties due to the material not being ‘breathable’.

Matt, who met the university professor at a business networking event, commented: “I had experience of cycling, practising long distances for a charity event and I really didn’t like it; I just couldn’t get comfortable on the saddle.

“When I met Subhash and heard about his cushion, I could see how we could create a product together for my industry.”

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