Fabric Technology
Bioceramic Compression | Far Infrared Athletic Wear | Cooling Compression Technology
The complete guide to Virus's proprietary performance fabrics—how they work, the science behind them, and which technology is right for your training.
Technology-First Athletic Apparel
The Virus® brand isn't a clothing company—we're a technology brand that makes clothes. We've pioneered the integration of natural minerals into performance fabrics, creating gear that actively works with your body rather than just covering it.
Our mission to serve underserved individual athletes has grown into a global community across 40+ countries. Our proprietary technologies—Bioceramic®, CoolJade®, EcoNuve®, and Magmatic Thermal®—represent over a decade of research, athlete testing, and material science innovation. Each technology addresses specific performance needs: recovery acceleration through far infrared energy, temperature regulation through jade mineral cooling, environmental sustainability through recycled materials, and cold-weather protection through volcanic rock insulation.
Unlike generic athletic wear that simply wicks moisture, Virus® fabrics contain functional minerals infused at the molecular level during the yarn manufacturing process. These minerals interact with your body's natural energy—heat, moisture, movement—to deliver measurable benefits that support your training goals. The technology is permanent and won't wash out, providing consistent performance throughout the garment's lifespan.
Every feature we design, every fabric we create, every sensation we engineer—it's all done with one purpose: to unlock your full potential. This page serves as your complete guide to understanding how each technology works, the science behind it, and which options best match your training style and environment.
B | FAR INFRARED RECOVERY TECHNOLOGY
Bioceramic®: Far Infrared Recovery Technology
Natural minerals that increase circulation and accelerate recovery through far infrared energy.
What is Bioceramic Technology?
Bioceramic® is Virus's flagship technology and the foundation of our compression line. The fabric contains far infrared (FIR) emitting minerals—derived from natural ocean elements including calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals—infused directly into the yarn at the molecular level during manufacturing. Unlike surface treatments that wash out over time, Bioceramic technology is permanent and maintains its effectiveness throughout the garment's lifespan, even after hundreds of wash cycles.
Far infrared rays are a specific wavelength of light (typically 4-14 micrometers) that penetrates the skin up to 4cm deep, reaching muscle tissue and blood vessels. This deep penetration is what sets FIR technology apart from simple heat application. When FIR energy interacts with your body's tissue, it promotes vasodilation—the widening of blood vessels—which increases blood flow, delivers more oxygen to working muscles, and removes metabolic waste products more efficiently.
The Bioceramic minerals are so safe and pure that they're actually edible—the same natural elements found in ocean water. This purity ensures no skin irritation or adverse reactions, even during prolonged wear and intense activity.
How Far Infrared Technology Works
When you wear Bioceramic® fabric, your body's natural heat energy activates the embedded minerals. These minerals absorb that thermal energy and re-emit it as far infrared rays back into your body. The FIR wavelengths cause a resonance effect in water molecules within your tissue, which generates gentle heat and promotes vasodilation at the cellular level.
This process creates a positive feedback loop: increased circulation brings more warm blood to the area, which the Bioceramic minerals convert to more FIR energy. The result is enhanced recovery during and after exercise, reduced muscle fatigue, and improved performance over extended training sessions. Athletes report feeling a subtle warming sensation, particularly noticeable during rest periods or low-intensity activity.
The fabric construction uses a tight open-loop knit design that creates graduated compression while allowing the Bioceramic minerals to maintain consistent contact with your skin. This compression works synergistically with the FIR technology—compression improves venous return while FIR promotes arterial dilation, creating optimal conditions for recovery. The 4-way stretch ensures unrestricted movement while maintaining the supportive, second-skin sensation that athletes associate with high-performance gear.
Who Should Wear Bioceramic?
Bioceramic® technology is ideal for athletes who train frequently (4+ days per week), engage in high-intensity or strength-focused activities, or prioritize recovery as part of their performance strategy. It's particularly beneficial for CrossFit athletes, powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, MMA fighters, and anyone whose training creates significant muscle stress and inflammation.
Many athletes wear Bioceramic during training for performance support, immediately after for recovery acceleration, and even during sleep for overnight recovery optimization. The technology is year-round appropriate, with a slight warming effect that's comfortable in most training environments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bioceramic®
Does Bioceramic® wash out over time?
No. Unlike topical treatments, Bioceramic minerals are infused into the yarn during manufacturing, not applied to the surface. The technology remains effective for the life of the garment with proper care (cold wash, air dry).
Can I feel the far infrared rays?
Most people notice a subtle warming sensation, especially during rest or low-intensity activity. During high-output training, you likely won't notice it consciously—but the recovery benefits accumulate regardless of sensation.
When should I wear Bioceramic® for best results?
During training for performance support, immediately after training for recovery acceleration, and during sleep for overnight recovery optimization. Many athletes own multiple pieces for all three use cases.
What's the difference between BioFlex, BioPoly, and BioFleece?
All contain Bioceramic technology. BioFlex is our stretchy nylon blend for maximum mobility. BioPoly is our polyamide compression fabric with supportive feel. BioFleece combines Bioceramic with comfortable fleece cotton for casual/recovery wear.
CJ | COOLING COMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY
CoolJade®: Cooling Compression Technology
Jade stone particles that actively reduce skin temperature up to 10°F cooler during activity.
What is CoolJade Technology?
CoolJade® is Virus's cooling compression technology, designed for athletes who train in hot conditions, naturally run warm, or simply prefer a cooler feel during activity. The fabric contains jade stone particles—a mineral prized for centuries in Eastern cultures for its naturally cool touch and therapeutic properties—integrated into the yarn structure at the manufacturing level.
Jade has been used throughout history as a cooling stone, placed on the body during meditation or healing practices. Virus has taken this ancient knowledge and applied modern textile engineering to create a performance fabric that delivers genuine cooling benefits. The jade particles are ground to nano-scale and embedded throughout the yarn, ensuring consistent cooling across the entire garment surface.
How Jade Cooling Works
Jade has exceptionally high thermal conductivity—it pulls heat away from your skin on contact, creating an immediate cooling sensation. When jade particles are distributed throughout the fabric, they create millions of cooling points against your body. Each particle acts as a tiny heat sink, absorbing thermal energy from your skin and dispersing it through the fabric structure.
As you sweat, the moisture accelerates this effect through evaporative cooling. The jade particles help spread moisture across a larger surface area, increasing evaporation rates. In controlled testing, CoolJade® fabric has demonstrated the ability to reduce skin surface temperature by up to 10°F compared to standard athletic fabrics—a significant difference during high-intensity training. Real-world results vary based on humidity, activity intensity, and airflow.
The fabric construction uses an open-loop knit design that maximizes breathability while maintaining the soft compression feel athletes expect from Virus. The result is our softest compression material—combining cooling performance with a buttery hand feel that's comfortable for extended wear. CoolJade® garments are also quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant.
Who Should Wear CoolJade?
CoolJade® is perfect for athletes who train in hot climates, poorly ventilated indoor gyms, or during summer months. It's ideal for obstacle course racing (OCR), hot yoga, outdoor cardio, and any activity where overheating limits performance. Athletes who naturally run warm or experience excessive sweating will particularly benefit.
The Hydro variant of CoolJade includes 30 UPF UV protection, making it excellent for extended outdoor training where sun exposure is a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions About CoolJade®
Is the cooling effect immediate?
You'll notice CoolJade® feels cool to the touch immediately. The full cooling effect activates once you begin sweating and air flows across the fabric, typically within 5-10 minutes of activity.
Does the cooling wear off over time?
Like Bioceramic®, the jade particles are infused into the yarn—not applied topically. The cooling effect remains consistent throughout the garment's life with proper care.
Can I wear CoolJade® in cold weather?
You can, but it's not optimal. The cooling effect is most beneficial in warm conditions. For cold-weather training, consider Bioceramic® or Magmatic Thermal® instead.
EN | SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGY
EcoNuve®: Recycled Athletic Wear
94% recycled polyester with a cottony-soft feel—6-8 plastic bottles per garment.
What is EcoNuve Technology?
EcoNuve® represents Virus's commitment to environmental sustainability without compromising performance. The fabric is composed of 94% recycled polyester derived from post-consumer plastic bottles, with each garment diverting 6-8 bottles from landfills and oceans. Since launching EcoNuve, Virus has helped remove thousands of plastic bottles from the waste stream.
But EcoNuve isn't just about sustainability—it's about creating the best possible fabric for everyday training and casual wear. The recycled polyester undergoes a proprietary texturing process that creates a cottony-soft hand feel, making EcoNuve our second-softest material after CoolJade compression fabrics.
How Recycled Performance Fabric is Made
The EcoNuve process begins with collecting post-consumer PET plastic bottles, which are cleaned, sorted, and processed into small flakes. These flakes are melted and extruded into new polyester fibers. The magic happens in Virus's proprietary texturing stage, where the recycled fibers are processed to create a soft, brushed texture that feels nothing like traditional recycled materials.
The result is a 4-way stretch fabric with excellent breathability, quick-dry properties, and the soft hand feel of premium cotton—but with the performance characteristics athletes need. The open-loop knit construction provides soft breathability while maintaining shape and durability through countless wash cycles.
Who Should Wear EcoNuve?
EcoNuve® is perfect for daily wear, yoga, Pilates, light training sessions, travel, and anyone who wants environmentally responsible athletic wear without sacrificing comfort or performance. It's ideal for athletes who prioritize sustainability and want their purchasing decisions to reflect their values.
EcoNuve garments work year-round and transition seamlessly from gym to casual wear, making them versatile additions to any athletic wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions About EcoNuve®
Is recycled polyester as durable as virgin polyester?
Yes. The recycling process produces polyester with identical molecular structure to virgin material. EcoNuve® garments have the same lifespan and durability as our other performance fabrics when properly cared for.
Does EcoNuve® have any performance technologies like Bioceramic® or CoolJade®?
EcoNuve® focuses on sustainability and softness rather than active performance technologies. For recovery benefits, choose Bioceramic®. For cooling, choose CoolJade®. For sustainable everyday comfort, choose EcoNuve®.
How many bottles are in each EcoNuve® garment?
Approximately 6-8 standard plastic water bottles are diverted from landfills or oceans to create each EcoNuve® garment, depending on the size and style of the piece.
MT | VOLCANIC HEAT TECHNOLOGY
Magmatic Thermal®: Volcanic Heat Technology
Volcanic rock nano-particles that provide lightweight warmth without bulk for cold-weather training.
What is Magmatic Thermal Technology?
Magmatic Thermal® is Virus's cold-weather technology, designed for athletes who refuse to let dropping temperatures limit their training. The fabric contains volcanic rock nano-particles that provide exceptional heat retention without the bulk and weight of traditional thermal layers.
For too long, athletes have faced an impossible choice: stay warm with heavy layers that restrict movement, or maintain mobility while freezing. Magmatic Thermal eliminates this tradeoff by using volcanic minerals with exceptional thermal mass to trap and retain body heat in a lightweight, flexible fabric.
How Volcanic Heat Retention Works
Volcanic rock has exceptionally high thermal mass—it absorbs heat slowly and releases it slowly. When volcanic particles are integrated into fabric at the fiber level, they create thousands of tiny heat reservoirs throughout the garment. As your body generates heat during activity, these particles absorb and store that thermal energy, then gradually release it back to your body when needed.
Unlike traditional insulation that simply traps dead air, Magmatic Thermal actively manages heat flow. The secure knit channels distribute insulation evenly across the fabric, eliminating cold spots and maintaining consistent warmth. During high-intensity bursts, the fabric allows excess heat to escape, preventing the overheating that plagues conventional thermal wear.
The construction maintains a lightweight, flexible feel that moves with your body. Athletes can maintain full range of motion for dynamic movements while staying warm in temperatures that would normally require bulky layering.
Who Should Wear Magmatic Thermal?
Magmatic Thermal® is ideal for trail running in cold weather, outdoor CrossFit or functional fitness, skiing and snowboarding as a base layer, training in unheated garages or outdoor spaces, and any cold-weather activity where you need warmth without sacrificing mobility.
It's particularly effective for activities with variable intensity levels—where you might generate significant heat during exertion but need insulation during rest periods or lower-intensity segments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magmatic Thermal®
How cold does it need to be for Magmatic Thermal® to be effective?
Magmatic Thermal® provides meaningful warmth when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C). The colder it gets, the more you'll appreciate the technology. It's designed for temperatures from cool fall mornings down to freezing winter conditions.
Can I layer Magmatic Thermal® under other gear?
Absolutely. The slim, technical fit is specifically designed for layering. Magmatic Thermal® works excellently as a base layer under ski shells, running jackets, or any other outerwear without adding bulk or restricting movement.
Will I overheat if my activity level increases?
The technology is designed for variable activity levels. While Magmatic Thermal® provides warmth during lower-output moments, it allows heat release during high-intensity efforts better than traditional insulation. It's ideal for activities where your effort level—and heat output—fluctuates.
TECHNOLOGY COMPARISON
Which Technology is Right for You?
Each Virus technology serves a specific purpose. Use this quick comparison to identify which fabric technology best matches your training style, environment, and performance goals.
BIOCERAMIC®
Primary Benefit: Recovery & circulation
Best For: Heavy training, post-workout
Season: Year-round (slight warming)
Activities: CrossFit, weightlifting, MMA
COOLJADE®
Primary Benefit: Temperature reduction
Best For: Hot climates, indoor gyms
Season: Summer / warm environments
Activities: OCR, hot yoga, outdoor cardio
ECONUVE®
Primary Benefit: Sustainability + softness
Best For: Daily wear, all-purpose
Season: Year-round
Activities: Yoga, light training, casual
MAGMATIC®
Primary Benefit: Lightweight warmth
Best For: Cold-weather training
Season: Winter / cold environments
Activities: Trail running, skiing, outdoor
Care Instructions for All Virus Technologies
All Virus technology fabrics share the same care requirements to maintain their performance properties and maximize garment lifespan:
Wash: Cold water, gentle cycle. Avoid hot water which can stress the fibers and embedded minerals.
Dry: Air dry recommended for best results. Low heat machine drying is acceptable if needed, but avoid high heat.
Avoid: Fabric softeners (they coat fibers and reduce performance), bleach, and abrasive materials during washing.
Storage: Fold or hang loosely—avoid prolonged compression which can affect the fabric's memory.
Following these guidelines ensures your Bioceramic®, CoolJade®, EcoNuve®, and Magmatic Thermal® garments maintain their performance benefits throughout years of use. The technologies are infused at the molecular level and won't wash out, but proper care protects the overall fabric structure and ensures optimal function.
For athletes investing in performance technology, these simple care steps protect that investment and ensure you receive the full benefits every time you train.
