A lot of outdoor jackets and other apparel uses technology, insulation, and coatings from other companies – think Gore-Tex’s waterproofing, Vibram’s outsoles or PrimaLoft’s insulation.
Now US and China-based PrimaLoft is back with a brand new synthetic fabric technology – PrimaLoft Active Evolve – designed to be used for various garments used for outdoor physical activity, whether skiing, hiking or climbing. The fabric – mostly developed from post-consumer recycled material – is now appearing in products from names such as Rab, Quiksilver and Sprayway.
Crucially, the fabric is designed to be as lightweight as possible yet still keep you warm and work in all seasons. So how does it do it?
Firstly, the fabric has been designed to manage moisture very well – so when it gets wet, it dries quickly. It’s also very breathable and can stretch well, too and has been developed over years of work in the company’s labs.
There are several different versions of the fabric, including one that can be used next to the skin, which is not only ideal for year-round use, it also removes the need for a separate liner fabric that adds to the weight and makes it more difficult for breathability.
“This product series was designed to evolve with you,” states Tara Maurer-Mackay, head of product strategy at PrimaLoft. “PrimaLoft Active Evolve’s breathability provides a thermoregulating system that maintains comfort and elevates performance year-round for any activity.”
Last year, PrimaLoft also debuted what it called the “pinnacle of performance insulation” called UltraPeak – its warmest insulation to date and it’ll also featured in many more products this coming winter. UltraPeak’s ‘architectural’ fibers intermingle with surrounding microfibers to create what PrimaLoft calls “a scaffolding effect within the insulation structure” and so the insulation is able to trap a greater quantity of air warmed by body heat and get a similar look and feel to a down jacket.
“By rethinking fiber architecture, we’ve developed an insulation that meets the performance standards that the most discerning outdoor adventurers expect when they’re performing at their peak,” said Andrea Paulson, head of technology and innovation at PrimaLoft at the time of the launch.
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