Unbeknownst to many, technology in the fashion industry is continuously evolving
throughout the years. Outdoor clothing, most especially, has drastically been studied and enhanced to prioritize comfort, performance, and durability.
Many companies today see this as a marketable opportunity and continue to push the boundaries of what their outdoor clothing is capable of achieving. Most of the materials used by many companies today are innovations that were developed for different types of applications.
With so many choices available in the market today, it can be understandably difficult to find the right material that would suit your lifestyle. That’s why in this article, we’re breaking down the different types of materials used by popular outdoor clothing companies today and how they can be beneficial to you.
- PrimaLoft Bio
Considered as one of the most advanced and innovative materials to enter the market at present, PrimaLoft Bio offers a vast range of features that cater to today’s outdoor clothing standards. It’s also eco-friendly and is made up of 100% recycled fibers. With the fashion industry being the 2nd largest polluter on the planet, the engineers that developed PrimaLoft Bio designed the material to break down when discarded in landfills.
Once thrown away, it’s capable of disintegrating at an accelerated rate leaving only organic components like water, biomass, CO2, and methane. The product’s cutting-edge insulation technology is also capable of performing at extreme temperatures and is highly durable.
- Gore-Tex
Though not developed as recently as other materials, Gore-Tex remains one of the most popular choices among many outdoor clothing companies. It revolutionized the industry back in 1969 when it was first introduced to the market.
Since then, Gore-Tex has been inspiring many breakthroughs within the field of outdoor wear technology. It was the first-ever light, breathable, and highly durable outdoor clothing material capable of maximum performance. Gore-Tex is also capable of preventing excess moisture while at the same time allowing sweat and heat to clear out.
- Polartec
Just like Gore-Tex, though Polartec is not one of the most recently developed materials, it remains one of the most reliable materials within the outdoor clothing industry. Similar to synthetic wool, it provides maximum comfort without sacrificing performance.
Polartec mimics the same properties as organic wool but it’s much lighter and breathable. It’s also waterproof and is capable of insulating heat even when wet. Additionally, since some people can feel quite uncomfortable with woolen fabrics, Polartec is engineered to be hypoallergenic for maximum comfort.
- eVent
If you want optimum breathable comfort without sacrificing protection from external elements, eVent can provide both of these aspects in any outdoor excursion.
Unlike others, this material is completely porous which allows body heat to escape when necessary. It also prevents any kind of moisture buildup which is highly essential in extreme temperatures.
- Spectra
Spectra is extremely durable and lightweight which is why this material is commonly used in tactical gear. It’s ten times stronger than normal steel which is why it’s popularly used among law enforcement and military personnel.
Recently, however, companies that aim to revolutionize the outdoor industry incorporated Spectra within their products. This does not only include outdoor clothing but also different kinds of gear such as backpacks, gloves, and even base layers.