Aluminium specks

When Adidas sent me the new Adizero golf shoes to test, they also sent me through a couple of polo shirts. I didn’t think anything of it, apart from admiring the colours and thinking they must be the updated colour palette for their new shirt range.

It wasn’t until I got to my hotel room on the first day of my Costa Blanca testing trip, and was changing to go and warm up for the first round, that I slipped into one of the new shirts. And wow, what a surprise: the back of my shoulders and neck felt cold. Slipping the shirt off to see what was going on, I could see a lot of silver bobbles. I checked the other shirt and it was exactly the same – this was no mistake.

I put the shirt back on and went out to the range beneath the glaring Spanish sun. My usual routine is about ten easy wedges, twenty easy 7-irons, with the second ten balls interspersed with the big dog. I was subconsciously aware that the shirt was keeping me cool, and although it took a little while to adjust to the tingling sensation, I have to say that for someone who plays a lot in the summer months and in hot climates, I loved the feeling.

Technology

The Climachill fabric that the polo shirt is made from incorporates titanium fibres, which is where you get that cool sensation from. It works like an open mesh to increase airflow, which draws heat away from the body, allowing the colder air that is created in the gaps to keep your temperature down.

The small aluminium specks that you will see round the neck and shoulder area of your polo shirt – the bobbles I was describing earlier – are there because the engineers have pinpointed this area as one of the warmest parts of your body. These specks are what help keep you comfortable when playing in hot climates.

Conclusion

You may not get the same shock as I did when first putting on the new Adidas Climachill shirt, because you will be more aware of the technology and the thought process behind it. But, believe me, you will feel the sensation of the shirt as soon as it hits your skin.

Anything that keeps you cool in the sun while playing golf has to be a great help, and I think the guys at Adidas are onto a winner with the Climachill shirt. But you don’t have to take my word for it – go and try one on, you’ll feel the benefit straight away. We all know the old adage that the proof of the pudding is in the eating; well, with the Climachill it’s in the wearing – and you won’t feel like you’re still in the oven.