(I'm)Perfect: the colorful chamois promoting sustainability

Elastic Interface, the maker of various cycling padding such as chamois and gloves, has released an all-new (I'm)Perfect pad that claims to have zero waste from its manufacturing process.

The Italian company supplies chamois pads to many of the big players in the cycling apparel industry, including Specialized, 7Mesh and DHB, so the new pad should stir up some competition among the best eco-conscious cycling clothing brands.

It's no secret that the apparel industry, cycling related or just generally, isn't the most sustainable sector in the world. In 2017, Americans alone created 16 million tons of textile waste, 11 million of which ended up in landfill. Yet almost 100% of textiles are recyclable — and that's where the (I'm)Perfect philosophy comes in.

The (I'm)Perfect project is Elastic Interface's commitment to a more sustainable future, and the company says it has two main goals: zero waste and a positive social impact.

Similar to Rapha's Excess Program, Elastic Interface is aiming to make better use of production left-overs, as well as utilizing fabrics with imperfections where they won't affect a chamois' performance.

Along with reducing waste, the company has also pledged to "support local non-profit organizations that run general interest and socially beneficial activities with disadvantaged people, together developing new items of clothing from fabrics that cannot be used for cycling pads."

To show off the new ethos, Elastic Interface is releasing a special edition 'capsule collection' patch work colored chamois. 

The special edition Endurance Anatomic HD I’mPerfect pads all conform to the same quality standards as normal pads and all receive the same bacteriostatic treatment — a process that should prevent skin irritation.

The pads are also standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, which means they have been tested for 100 toxic chemicals which.

Though the company hasn't made any numerical claims in terms of recycled materials, or time lines to a carbon neutral business like Rapha, here at Cycling Weekly we like to give eco-friendly credit where it is due — especially in the current climate where consumers are evermore eco-conscious.

For more information on the project, visit Elastic Interface's website.