Polartec Power Air is a new platform offering advanced thermal efficiency that is designed to reduce shedding. © Polartec

Polartec, the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, has been honoured with a 2019 Editors’ Choice Award from Backpacker for Polartec Power Air, the fabric technology engineered to reduce fibre shedding. One of the outdoor industry’s most coveted awards honouring best new gear and essentials for outdoor enthusiasts, the Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards are given annually to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials and performance.

Specifically, Polartec Power Air has received a Green Award, which is given to companies and products advancing environmentally friendly gear. By encapsulating lofted fibres within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction, Polartec Power Air is a new platform offering advanced thermal efficiency that is proven to shed five times less than other premium ‘mid-layer’ weight fabrics.

Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high-pile knit structures that hold warm air. Although Polartec is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recognised that any exposed fibre is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear.

As the first fabric construction to encase air with a continuous yarn, Polartec Power Air is a foundational technology platform that will eventually provide shedding reduction to all existing apparel categories (including insulation, lightweight next to skin, and extreme weather protection), according to the company.

adidas Terrex Polartec Power Air Fleece Jacket. © Polartec

“By using the efficiency of encapsulated air to shelter lofted fibres, Polartec Power Air will drastically improve how fabrics perform over their lifetime with respect to versatility, comfort, and sustainability,” said Gary Smith, Polartec CEO. “We’re only beginning to realise the potential for this new type of fabric construction.”

“Backpacker gear reviews set the benchmark by which all others are measured,” commented Dennis Lewon, Backpacker editor-in-chief. “That’s because no other magazine or website conducts field testing as rigorously or impartially as the crew led by our Gear Editor, Eli Bernstein. Our core testers each have years of backcountry experience and expertise. Our transparent process has earned an unrivalled level of trust from readers, retailers, and manufacturers. The result? Best-in-class reviews that lead consumers to best-in-class gear.”

Polartec also recently announced its Polartec Eco-Engineering commitment to using 100% biodegradable and recycled materials across its entire product line through a partnership with Unifi and CiCLO. This new standard for sustainable textiles will include the creation of the world’s first fully recycled and biodegradable fleece, other knits, insulation fills and breathable waterproof fabrics.

www.polartec.com

Further reading

Polartec commits to 100% recycled materials