High-performance sock manufacturer Lorpen has announced a new performance sock with Tri Layer Technology for both men and women, for its North American markets. Lorpen’s Tri Layer Technology features three layers of yarn knitted together to create a sock that is comfortable, durable and has significant performance benefits for outdoor enthusiasts.

The new Tri Layer Women’s Fit design will provide improved comfort for women with a narrower toe and heel, and lower overall volume. The entire Tri Layer collection will be available in spring 2009 at major retailers in the U.S. and Canada.

“The Tri Layer technology is a result of Lorpen’s unique ability to combine natural and synthetic fibers,” said Colin Sanders, VP of sales and marketing at Lorpen North America.

 “Lorpen is a pioneer in knitting technology and has developed a knitting process that creates a sock with more density in the heel and toe, and less density on the top of the foot for premium fit and less bulk. Comfort is the guiding principle for all our sock designs and our Tri Layer Technology is going to make athletes and outdoor enthusiast’s feet more comfortable so they can perform better.” Sanders said.

Lorpen’s Tri Layer Technology features three layers of yarn knit together and the first layer, closest to the skin, being made of Coolmax, a polyester fibre that is designed to move moisture from the skin to the outer surface of the membrane, where it is passed on to the next layer. Coolmax also serves as a barrier to the wicked moisture.

The second layer, or middle layer, is made of Tencel, which is able to hold significant amounts of moisture once it has passed through the Coolmax layer. Lorpen stresses that it also features anti-microbial properties, as when moisture is produced it is directly absorbed to the inside of the fibre leaving little moisture available for bacteria to grow.

The third layer, made of polyamide, is highly durable making the sock resilient and long lasting. The polyamide fibres are concentrated in the toe, heel and shin where the sock gets the most abrasion.

“Footwear is a ‘closed system’ and unlike a shirt that can evaporate moisture into the atmosphere, socks have to provide a place for moisture to be stored,” continued Sanders. “Tri Layer Technology is the perfect blend of natural and synthetic materials. The Tencel stores the moisture and keeps it away from the skin to protect the foot.”

As women’s feet tend to be narrower than men’s feet, Lorpen has created a Tri Layer Women’s Fit sock that features a multi density knit. This unique knitting process makes the sock more open on the top of the foot so it does not feel bulky, and promotes heat and moisture release. The women’s Tri Layer socks also feature a wide instep arch band to support higher arches and reduce foot fatigue.

Tri Layer Technology will be in a variety of Lorpen socks for spring ’09, including the multisport socks for trail running, cycling and walking, and the hiking sock. Snowsports, trekking, and hunting socks will be added for Autumn  ’09 and Lorpen is currently evaluating Tri Layer performance using Australian Merino Wool as the middle layer for cold weather applications.

Founded in 1985, Lorpen is based in Etxalar, Spain, located at the base of the Pyrenees. Lorpen has been selling performance socks in the U.S. since 2004 and Canada since 2001. Lorpen’s philosophy is that comfort is the guiding principle to everything they do, and as such, creates high performance socks for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.