Media Informa on – July 2011
Polartec Announces 2011 European APEX Design Award Winners
Polartec, LLC, the developer, manufacturer and marketer of Polartec® performance fabrics, announces the European APEX Award winners for 2011. (Click here to see the North American winners). This pres gious honour goes to the finest Polartec®‐based garments that will be available to consumers from autumn 2011. A panel of judges selected the winners based on the style, func on and fit of the garments as well as the most innova ve and appropriate uses of Polartec® fabrics in the designs.
Out of the dozens of garments submi ed, the judges selected 13 European APEX winners ranging from thermal‐mapped baselayers and insula on layers, to high‐tech flame resistant tac cal garments, to the latest and most innova ve extreme weather protec on garments. And the winners are:
• Peak Perfomance Black Light Mid Semi Pants and Mid Zip Long Sleeve Baselayers ‐ Polartec® Power Dry® • NFM GARM® Combat Clothing System ‐ Polartec® Power Dry® FR, Polartec® Power Stretch® FR, Polartec® Power Shield® FR • Norrona Lofoten Warm2 High Lo Jacket ‐ Polartec® Thermal Pro®, Polartec® Power Dry® • Mammut men's Eiswand and women's Schneefeld Jackets ‐ Polartec® Thermal Pro® • Odlo Via Calma ‐ Polartec® Thermal Pro® • Peak Performance Gunsight T‐neck ‐ Polartec® Thermal Pro® • ISBJÖRN of Sweden Polartec® Wind Pro Jacket® #131 ‐ Polartec® Wind Pro® • Astore Tracy Jacket ‐ Polartec® Wind Pro® • Ternua Kilbeg Pant ‐ Polartec® Power Shield® Pro • Mammut Gipfelgrat Jacket ‐ Polartec® NeoShell® • Rab Stretch Neo Jacket and Pants ‐ Polartec® NeoShell® • Vaude Alpamayo Jacket – Polartec® NeoShell® • Montane Sabretooth Gloves – Polartec® Power Shield® Pro
A selec on of North America winners
•Marmot Zion Jacket ‐ Polartec® NeoShell® •Patagonia Northwall Jacket and Pants – Polartec® Power Shield® Pro
In addi on to a Tiffany crystal award and bragging rights for a year, manufacturers can par cipate in a custom hangtag program promo ng the winning garments at the consumer level. Polartec® also provides addi onal marke ng support through product placement with media and events. Past winners can tes fy that the Polartec® APEX Award drives sell‐through.
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected] Peak Performance Black Light Mid Zip Long Sleeve Baselayer Made from Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency fabric, the Black Light collec on is a sleek, highly stretchable and long las ng base layer system with superior thermal performance. Each layer offers a high warmth to weight ra o, and Polartec’s patented structured grid that reduces weight while enhancing breathability and moisture management. Smart panelling of two different weight Polartec® Power Dry® fabrics means more thermal protec on at the core, thighs, knees and seat, and more breathability at the sides, underarms, elbow, calves and waist. MSRP: €170
Peak Performance Black Light Mid Semi Pants Made from Polartec® Power Dry® High Efficiency fabric, the Black Light collec on is a sleek, highly stretchy and long las ng base layer system with superior thermal performance. Each layer offers a high warmth to weight ra o, and Polartec’s patented structured grid that reduces weight while enhancing breathability and moisture management. Smart paneling of two different weight Polartec® Power Dry® fabrics means more thermal protec on at the core, thighs, knees and seat, and more breathability at the sides, underarms, elbow, calves and waist. MSRP: €100
NFM GARM® Combat Clothing System ‐ Polartec® Power Dry® FR, Polartec® Power Stretch® FR , Polartec® Power Shield® Providing a high degree of func onality, the GARM® System was designed using Polartec® Power Dry® FR, Polartec® Power Stretch® FR and Polartec® Power Shield® FR fabrics to provide comfort and protec on against environmental condi ons and burns for law enforcement and military personnel.
• NFM GARM® Thermal HSO Zip Neck FR, MSRP: $175 Combining next‐to‐skin protec on with a high degree of func onality, the Thermal HSO Zip Neck FR, made from Polartec® Power Stretch® FR is designed to wick moisture away from the skin and dry rapidly, preven ng the fabric from s cking to the user’s skin and greatly increasing comfort under body armour.
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected] • NFM GARM® Combat Shirt FR, MSRP: €114,75 The Combat Shirt FR is a stand‐alone shirt designed for use under body armour in warm and hot weather using lightweight, moisture wicking, and breathable Polartec® Power Dry® FR fabric with permanent flame resistance.
Norrøna Lofoten Warm2 High Lo Jacket, MSRP: €189 Norrøna designed this lightweight mid layer for big mountain and backcountry enthusiasts to keep them warm and dry. The jacket uses a hybrid of Polartec® Thermal Pro® high lo fleece for insula on and Polartec® Power Dry® fabric on the sides and underarms for flexibility and increased moisture management. Designed to move with you, the Lofoten Warm2 High Lo Jacket features integrated hand gaiters and ar culated sleeves for full range of mo on. The high lo Polartec® Thermal Pro® fleece offers so much compressibility that the jacket stuffs into a packable pocket.
Mammut men's Eiswand Jacket, MSRP: $250 Constructed from Polartec® Thermal Pro® high efficiency fabric with Hardface® technology for increased durability, these technical fleece jackets are a bomber second layer for ac ve mountain sports in cold condi ons. Thumb loops prevent sleeves from riding up while climbing, and the use of Gorilla tape reinforces pocket openings. These are two of the most striking fleece jackets on the market today.
Mammut women's Schneefeld Jacket, MSRP: $250 Constructed from Polartec® Thermal Pro® high efficiency fabric with Hardface® technology for increased durability, this technical fleece jacket is a bomber second layer for ac ve mountain sports in cold condi ons. Thumb loops prevent sleeves from riding up while climbing, and the use of Gorilla tape reinforces pocket openings. This is one of the most striking fleece jackets on the market today.
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected] Odlo Via Calma, MSRP: €130 Made from Polartec® Thermal Pro® fabric and featuring a unique knit surface texture, the Via Calma is a beau ful blend of style and func on. Polartec® Thermal Pro® fabric is highly breathable and quick drying with a high warmth‐to‐weight ra o, making the Via Calma appropriate for use in mul ple outdoor ac vi es and everyday street wear.
Peak Performance ‐ Gunsight T‐neck, MSRP: €150 Peak Performance designed the Gunsight T‐neck using a unique rugby‐ inspired striped Polartec® Thermal Pro® fleece that’s so , quick drying, breathable, and provides warmth to the core. The Polartec® Thermal Pro® sweater knit fabric creates a technical yet sophis cated appearance, making this versa le and stylish piece perfectly suited for on‐mountain warmth and apres style.
ISBJÖRN of Sweden Polartec® Wind Pro Jacket® #131, MSRP: $175 ISBJORN designs true outdoor gear for children, with the idea that kids need to be protected from the weather the most. Incorpora ng styles and features typically found in gear designed for adults, ISBJORN made this hooded jacket from recycled Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® in fun prints to create a versa le, stretchy, breathable and comfortable jacket that provides year round comfort. Polartec® Wind Pro® is four mes more wind resistant than tradi onal fleece, and the water repellent Hardface® surface sheds rain and snow and increases durability.
Astore Tracy Jacket, MSRP: €96,95 Constructed from Polartec® Wind Pro® fabric, Astore designed the Tracy Jacket with current fashion trends in mind. Polartec® Wind Pro® with Hardface® is four mes more wind resistant than tradi onal fleece while s ll remaining breathable, and the water repellent Hardface® surface sheds rain and snow and increases durability, crea ng an everyday jacket for modern women who demand style and performance.
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected] Ternua Kilbeg Pant, MSRP: €189 Constructed from Polartec® Power Shield® Pro fabric which offers an industry‐leading combina on of weather resistance and breathability, Ternua designed a mountain pant with welded pockets and ar culated knees for ac ve outdoor ac vi es in a wide range of condi ons. The unique combina on of a breathable elas c outer shell for uninhibited movement and mesh on the inside for increased moisture vapor transport, creates a high performance all mountain use pant.
Mammut Gipfelgrat Jacket, MSRP: €450 Constructed from a stretchy, durable Polartec® NeoShell® fabric, which provides the most breathability of any waterproof fabric on the market, the Gipfelgrat Jacket was designed for technical alpine use. Suitable for adventures in a wide range of condi ons, the Gipfelgrat provides superior protec on and comfort, including a reinforced hood shield to withstand strong gusts of wind, ergonomically tailored front reach sleeves, and front access pit zips for op mized thermal regula on.
Rab Stretch Neo Jacket and Pants, MSRP: €250 [jacket]; €200 [pants] Rab used a lightweight Polartec® NeoShell® stretch waterproof/ breathable fabric to make these do‐it‐all jackets and pants for men and women. Perfect for harsh alpine environments, the jackets incorporate a foldaway hood and well‐placed pockets sealed with YKK Aquaguard® zippers. Polartec® NeoShell® is the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, offering a combina on of full protec on and dynamic two‐ way air exchange that helps to keep the user dry and comfortable, no ma er what the condi ons.
Vaude Alpamayo Jacket, MSRP: €240 Constructed from a stretchy and durable Polartec® NeoShell® fabric with a fleece back for added insula on, the Alpamayo was made using ultrasonic seam welding with exterior taping to reduce bulk while op mizing strength. The combina on of Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market, and features like a technical hood, well‐placed pockets with water resistant zippers and vents for thermal regula on, this jacket is ready for the harshest condi ons.
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected] Montane Sabretooth Gloves, MSRP: €50 Constructed from Polartec® Power Shield® so shell fabric which is both highly breathable and water repellent, the Sabretooth gloves were designed for high exer on ac vi es in cold condi ons. Taking advantage of the stretch and durability offered by Polartec® Power Shield®, the close‐fi ng Sabretooth gloves feature roll p finger construc on for improved dexterity, a seam‐free inside lower wrist for comfort, and a brushed tricot lining throughout to increase wicking and drying.
Marmot Zion jacket [for men and women], MSRP $375 Made from all‐new Polartec® NeoShell® fabric, the Marmot Zion is a waterproof and highly breathable so shell jacket designed for ac ve use in harsh condi ons. This version of Polartec® NeoShell® fabric has a so brushed tricot back, which provides thermal insula on and allows users to take just one garment for cool weather ac vi es by combining the thermal quali es of a so shell jacket with the weather protec on of a hardshell. Added features include a s ffened laminated hood brim, water‐resistant zippers and screen prin ng on the shoulders to keep packs and skis from slipping.
Patagonia Northwall Jacket and pant, MSRP $449 [jacket] $399 [pants] The Northwall Jacket and Pants are Patagonia’s go‐to so shell collec on for cold condi ons. They’re built from highly weather resistant Polartec® Power Shield® Pro fabric with a high lo interior which is extremely breathable, provides great stretch, and has a high warmth‐to‐weight ra o to create a minimalist and elegant insula on‐shell combo. An advanced sonic‐welded seam construc on with reinforced s tching reduces seam bulk while op mizing strength, and full‐reach gusseted underarm panels and ar culated knees and seat enhance mobility while climbing long routes in big mountains. Ideal for cold weather climbing, ice climbing and alpine pursuits.
Polartec, LLC is the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec® performance fabrics. Polartec® products range from lightweight wicking base layers to insula on to extreme weather protec on and are u lized by the best clothing brands in the world. For more informa on, visit www.polartec.com
Info: Spring PR Ltd, tel. 01249 750819 Stephanie Briggs, [email protected]