Polartec® Spring/Summer 2013 Update

(Lawrence, Mass.) – In the spring of 2013, the world’s leading outdoor apparel manufacturers will introduce a multitude of new garments featuring the latest Polartec® fabric creations. From new ultra-wicking baselayers, to the most effective waterproof breathable jackets on the market, to high performance eco-friendly recycled fabrics, Polartec® continues to offer the world’s most innovative fabrics.

Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, continues to gain momentum with the launch of Marmot’s men’s and women’s Nabu Jackets and Rab’s men’s and women’s Myriad Jackets. The Nabu Jackets are fully-featured hooded softshell jackets made of a new version of Polartec® NeoShell® with stretch, a nylon woven face and a silkweight High Efficiency grid back with a wicking treatment. The Polartec High Efficiency grid back accelerates wicking and provides optimal temperature regulation. The 14 oz men’s and 12 oz women’s Rab Myriad Jackets are lightweight technical shells designed for performance in the harshest conditions, with clean style for casual wear. Rab employed a lightweight version of Polartec® NeoShell® with mechanical stretch for increased range of motion in a regular cut that will accomodate layers without being too boxy.

Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency, a version of the popular Polartec® Power Dry® fabric designed to keep your skin dry when you sweat, is differentiated with 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 than most other fabrics in their class. Marmot is using Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency in its men’s and women’s Thermo Hoodies and 1/2 Zips, which will be available in Europe spring 2013. The Thermo Hoodies and 1/2 Zips are designed to provide superior moisture management, breathability and warmth without weight in an athletic fit for high aerobic activities.

Outdoor Research, Millet and The North Face are introducing technical shirts made of lightweight Polartec® Power Dry® fabrics to provide superior moisture management and breathability for optimal next-to-skin comfort. Outdoor Research’s men’s and women’s Torque LS and SS Tees are designed to deliver best-in-class moisture management fabric technology for aerobic pursuits in hot conditions. Outdoor Research employed a stretchy version of Polartec® Power Dry® that blends polyester yarns on the outside with polypro construction on the inside in a patented bi-component knit for exceptional moisture transfer and quick dry times. Millet’s Alpine Zip TS long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts, along with the new Altitude and Alpi short-sleeve shirts, part of Millet’s “Low Impact” collection, are made of an 82 percent recycled Polartec® Power Dry® fabric that provides the same look, feel and performance as a virgin polyester product. The North Face’s S/S Nihon 1/4-Zip is a technical fleece top made of an exceptionally soft Polartec® Power Dry® fabric with a 1/4 zip neck for rapid ventilation. These Polartec® Power Dry® fabrics used by Outdoor Research, Millet and The North Face are all treated with Polygiene to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

“We’re seeing partner brands build more garments using lightweight versions of NeoShell, partly because in warmer weather the benefits of air permeabiliy can be even more pronounced,” explains Allon Cohne, Polartec global director of marketing. “The demand put on shells in warmer, more humid conditions can be even greater, when there’s less differential between the outside and inside of the jacket to push moisture vapor transport. That’s where the benefits of air permeability are fully recognized.”

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.