Outdoor brands flock to Polartec innovations
20/01/2012
Garments in the collections include ultra-wicking baselayers, new insulation products for weather resistance without sacrificing breathability, waterproof breathable jackets, and products made from what Polartec calls high-performance eco-friendly recycled fabrics.
Its NeoShell breathable waterproof fabric continues to gain momentum in the market, the company said, with 66North, Alpine Pro, Alpinus, Cloudveil, Direct Alpine, Eider, EMS, Flower Gloves, Flylow, HiMountain, Lafuma, Malachowski, Mammut, Marmot, Montura, Nepa, NFM, Rab, TAD Gear, Ternua, The North Face, Under Armour and Westcomb all using it in autumn 2012 collections. Development of the product continues, and Polartec has told its customers to expect new textures and weights for 2013 and beyond.
Power Shield Pro, Polartec's weather resistant and breathable soft shell fabric, is being used by 66North, Alpinus, Easymain, Eider, Mammut, MEC, Millet, Norrona, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Rab and The North Face.
Both Outdoor Research and The North Face have pioneered the use of a new Power Shield fabric with a high loft back. These outdoor brands have said this option makes the fabric 25% warmer and 25% lighter than any other versions, making it possible for them to present garments that they say offer the warmth of a puffy and the protection of a softshell. The Outdoor Research Lodestar jacket and pant, and The North Face Polar hooded jacket are built for ice and alpine climbing in cold climates. With the Lodestar, Outdoor Research is blending this new fabric with Power Shield Pro in critical areas of the jacket that require the highest levels of weather protection.
With the Polar, The North Face has employed a new version of Polartec Thermal Pro that is sandwiched between two woven fabrics for increased warmth and breathability where it's needed most.
Patagonia is introducing an apparel collection made of new Power Shield Stretch woven fabrics, which are single-layer woven fabrics that deliver weather protection, high breathability and lasting durability for harsh use. The Alpine Guide jacket and pants, Guide pants, Mixed Guide hoody and pants, and Backcountry guide pants use these new fabrics to make bomber climbing or touring apparel with increased abrasion resistance and enhanced durable water repellency even after abrasion, thanks to Polartec's proprietary Hardface technology.
Patagonia has also redesigned its Capilene 4 Expedition Weight baselayers with new Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency fabric. The result, Patagonia says, is its warmest and most breathable synthetic baselayer designed to keep you dry and comfortable in cold conditions. Power High Efficiency, a version of the Power Dry fabric designed to keep skin dry when you sweat, is differentiated with a grid back that maximises warmth, minimises weight and enhances breathability. The contention is that High Efficiency fabrics weigh less, take up less space, and deliver more insulation and breathability than most other fabrics in their class. Oakley and ski brand Armada are using similar versions of the fabric in their autumn 2012 collections.
In addition, Polartec's internal programme to reduce waste and increase the amount of recycled content used in production continues, with over 50% of 2012 domestic production estimated to be recycled. Together with partner brand Norrona, Polartec has built fabric using REPREVE 100 yarn from recyclable plastic bottles deposited in Norway last spring. The resulting Polartec Wind Pro fabric will be available to consumers in autumn 2012 in Norrona's /29 warm4 Up-Cycled Jacket, which the brand says is its most breathable, windproof and weatherproof fleece jacket to date.
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