Polyester producer Teijin Fibers is supplying its high-strength polyester Nanofront nanofibre
for use in running socks made by New Balance. Frictional force, one of the noteworthy properties of Nanofront, creates outstanding slip resistance to help prevent the sock
from sliding inside a shoe, thereby reducing blisters and shoe sores. Nanofront also boasts
high absorbency for added comfort.
The socks are being marketed by New Balance Japan and sold in its own shops in Tokyo
and Osaka, as well as other sports retail stores nationwide from this month. Nanofront is also used in shoelaces made by New Balance Japan.
Nanofront is a high-strength polyester fibre with a thickness of just 700 nanometres, or
7500 times thinner than a strand of hair. The nanofibre is used in most of the sock, except
the toe, heel and cuff.
According to Teijin, nano-sized bumps on the surface of Nanofront raise frictional force
and produce a surface area dozens of times greater than that of regular fibre, giving
the material outstanding slip resistance. The ultra-fine fibre is also soft and stretchable and
is said to have excellent absorbency and opaqueness.
