Polartec Fall 2013/Winter 2014 Update

(Lawrence, Mass.) – In the fall of 2013, the world’s leading apparel manufacturers will introduce a multitude of new garments featuring the latest Polartec fabric creations. Along with the debut of Polartec® Alpha® insulation, Polartec continues to improve its entire offering of 300-plus weather protection, thermal, and next-to-skin fabrics, while increasing the percentage of recycled fabrics it makes to over 60 percent of total production.

Polartec® Alpha® continues Polartec’s streak of product innovation with a focus on breathability and versatility in performance textiles. Unlike down and existing synthetic insulation batting, Polartec Alpha is a highly stable layer allowing for the use of more open and breathable fabrics on the outer and inner layers of “puffy” style garments. As a result, Polartec Alpha provides active warmth that allows air exchange for breathability and comfort in more dynamic situations. Brands adopting Polartec Alpha for the initial launch include: 66º North, Eddie Bauer, Eider, Mammut, Marmot, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Rab, Ternua, Terry Cycle, The North Face, Trangoworld, Vaude and Westcomb. The consumer launch will continue in Spring 2014 with a number of additional adoptions already confirmed.

Award-winning Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, continues to gain momentum with 5.11 Tactical, 8848 Altitude, Brooks-Range, Budge Industries, Eider, Emporio Armani (EA7), Ferrino, Flylow, Marmot, Millet, Montane, Mountain Equipment, Orvis, Rab, Reebok, Rockport, Rossignol, Seirus, and Sugoi all using variations of the fabric for new Fall 2013 products.

Award-winning Polartec® Power Shield® Pro is being used by Oakley, Outdoor Research and Patagonia to create products with a unique combination of high weather resistance and breathability for active pursuits in variable conditions.

New variations of Polartec’s most advanced next-to-skin fabric, Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency™, are being used by Marmot for its new Alpinist Thermo collection and by Patagonia for its new Capilene 4 One-Piece baselayer. Polartec® Power® High Efficiency™ features a grid back that maximizes warmth, minimizes weight and enhances breathability. Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency fabrics weigh less, take up less space, and deliver more insulation and breathability.

One of Polartec’s new customers in 2013 is Vancouver-based bike and run brand Sugoi. Sugoi uses Polartec® NeoShell®, Power Shield® and Power Stretch® to create functional insulation and outerwear pieces inspired by and tested in the unforgiving conditions and harsh terrain of British Columbia.

Oakley worked with pro skier Seth Morrison to create the biOzone hybridized jacket which uses panels of Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface™, Windbloc®, and Power Shield® Pro to create a functional piece that maximizes weather protection, warmth, and breathability in key areas for ski mountaineering. 8848 Altitude, Emporio Armani (EA7), and Rossignol are using variations of Polartec NeoShell to build jackets and pants designed for skiing. Eider is becoming the first brand to use a combination of Polartec NeoShell and Polartec Alpha to create a backcountry skiing jacket that breathes on ascents and eliminates the need for an extra insulation layer on descents.

Rab, which won multiple awards for its Stretch Neo Jacket, is introducing several new products using some of the most innovative Polartec fabrics for F13, including new NeoShell jackets and pants, and a collection of men’s and women’s Polartec Alpha hoodies, jackets, and vests.

Polartec has also partnered with Black Diamond for its apparel launch. Black Diamond will use Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency®, Power Stretch®, and Windbloc® for minimalist alpine pieces designed for the utmost functionality and versatility.

About Polartec, LLC
Polartec, LLC is the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec® performance fabrics. Polartec® products range from lightweight wicking base layers, to insulation layers, to extreme weather protection and are utilized by the best clothing brands in the world. For more information, visit polartec.com.