RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Arktis was founded to innovate on existing designs to provide a higher quality alternative to the standard issue. We continue that mission today, constantly working to develop and improve on the technology and designs behind our gear to ensure we’re providing the highest quality equipment to frontline professionals.
Our design teams regularly consult with frontline experts from the military, law enforcement, and first responders when designing equipment to ensure they meet and exceed the exacting standards of functionality, durability, and support required.
MOCAP (Motion Capture)
Our R&D team’s lab work has developed new technologies to reduce musculoskeletal injuries associated with police vests. Significantly reducing the impact on the neck and lower back led to musculoskeletal injuries.
Undertaking a collaboration with the MoCap hub has allowed us to bring together expert scientific knowledge, experienced product users and our own expertise in design and manufacture to truly understand the performance of our products. As a result of working with the MoCap hub, we are bringing new and truly innovative products to the market, safe in the knowledge that their performance is backed up by rigorous scientific study.
Exercise Science & Biology
A subfield of kinesiology our research specifically focuses on the areas of exercise physiology, biomechanics, and anatomy. Our research and KTP projects are focused on the physical tole frontline professionals experience in the course of their duties.
V02 Max
V02 max or maximal oxygen consumption measures the amount of oxygen an individual can process during high-intensity training or activity periods. As part of our research, we’re measuring the impact load bearing products have on a person’s V02 max and what can be done to reduce its impact.
Gait Analysis
Utilising a combination of pressure platforms, our research was able to assess the impact load bearing products had on the gait or walking pattern. This is done by comparing the following parameters of an individual when burdened and unburdened.
- Step length.
- Stride length.
- Cadence.
- Speed.
- Dynamic base.
- Progression line.
- Foot angle.
- Hip angle
Hydrostatic head testing – Hydrostatic head testing is a mechanical version of the water column test. It uses a clamped fabric sample subjected to an incrementally increased water pressure until droplets begin to pass through the fabric. This is used to establish how waterproof the fabrics and our garments are, with Arktis’ standard for waterproofing being rated at 20k mm.
EN342 – Thermal testing – This standard meets the requirements for garments designed to protect the user from cold weather environments of –5C.
EN343 – Waterproof and breathability testing – To meet this standard, the garments must be resistant to wet weather and humidity. It must also be breathable enough to let moisture and sweat escape. Both aspects of this, breathability, and waterproofness, are graded 1-4, with 4 being the highest. Arktis can produce products to the highest 4:4 standard.
EN ISO 20471 – High-Visibility Clothing – This sets out the standard for high-visibility, with Class 3 as the highest standard. Three main components determine a garment’s class. The fluorescent materials, the size of reflective materials, and the contrast materials.
