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Softshell Tech – Burly Double Weave

Friday, May 11th, 2012

In this third of four articles on softshell fabrics used by Arc’teryx LEAF in their garments, we will be covering Burly Double Weave.

The Arc’teryx workbook (kind of a catalog for retailers) describes the fabric as, “Breathable, weather- shedding Burly Double Weave works as high output outerwear or cold climate mid layer. The weight and slight loft of the double weave traps some air and provides some insulation and bulk.” It’s well named. Notice the term “double weave?” It’s two interlocking stretch weaves; a smooth, weather shedding face and a polyester moisture wicking liner weave, brushed for comfort next to the skin.

Burly Double Weave falls in the ‘soft shell’ category for apparel but is used extensively in many categories at Arc’teryx (Outdoor apparel, LEAF apparel, Outdoor harnesses and Gloves). Burly Double Weave features a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish and a fiber content of 50% nylon (face weave), 43% polyester (lining weave), and 7% spandex. Overall, it’s a robust fabric weighing 8oz/yd sq or 275g/m sq. Burly Double Weave is used in Crocodile, Urban Wolf, Rawhide (for gloves), and Black.

Consider Burly Double Weave a three-season (October-April) fabric. It’s just too hot for warm weather use, like any softshell. However, it features excellent breathability due to its construction so it’s great for high levels of physical activity. The inner, wicking weave just tags into the face weave every 10 warp yarns. Additionally, the face weave sheds snow well and is extremely durable. The two layers combined help out a bit with insulation during sedentary periods. The mechanical stretch associated with this fabric is very generous. When combined with the cut of the Drac Jacket and Pant, you may find yourself sizing down rather than up if you are on the edge. Additionally, the double weave construction will leave you feeling like it’s warmer than other softshell fabrics. Finally, one thing you are going to notice is price. It’s much less expensive than Tweave.

Look for Burly Double Weave in these LEAF products –
Drac Jacket
Drac Pants
Cam SV Glove

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF, Burly Double Weave
Posted in Arc'teryx, Materials | 3 Comments »

Arc’teryx LEAF Talks Wolf

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Arc’teryx LEAF colorist Kavan Cronin discusses the theory and reasons behind the new Urban Wolf color technology.

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx, Arc'teryx LEAF, Wolf
Posted in Arc'teryx | 7 Comments »

Arc’teryx Gear Protects Norwegian SF During SAR

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

Photo – Norrbotten Polis

There was a horrible plane crash during the NATO winter exercise earlier this year in Norway. A C-130 Hercules crashed into the highest mountain in Sweden in really bad weather conditions. Norwegian Special Forces, who are equipped with Arc’teryx clothing, assisted with the multi-day Search and Rescue effort. In the photo above you can see these troops wearing the Alpha Jacket and Pants.

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx, NATO, Norway, Sweden
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing | 2 Comments »

Arc’teryx LEAF Drac Jacket and Pant

Friday, April 27th, 2012

We’ve mentioned the new Drac Jacket from Arc’teryx LEAF several times, but they’ve just released the new Drac Pant. In fact, I literally purchased mine yesterday from Tactical Distributors.

Both are manufactured from Burly Double Weave softshell (look for an in-depth article soon). The thing about Burly Double Weave is that it’s a cold weather product so keep that in mind. You’re getting wind and water resistance along with a generous 4-way stretch. We’ve mentioned that the DRAC Jacket offers a generous cut and the same can be said of the pant. If you’re on the edge between sizes, go down rather than up with Drac.

The Drac Pant features an interesting combination of styling and features. It’s as if the Combat Pant and Sphinx Pant had a baby. All of the features of the Sphinx with the stretchy goodness of Burly Double Weave.

You get:
-Two slash hand pockets
-Two rear pockets with angled access
-Two tool pockets with Cordura reinforcement
-Two calf pockets with flaps
-Two cargo pockets with flaps that fit standard rifle magazines and are easy to access from a seated position
-Built-in gaiters
-Ingenious webbing covered kneepad pockets with access points for straps

Both the Drac Jacket and Pant are available in Crocodile as well as Wolf sizes Small – XXLarge.

LEAF.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx, Arc'teryx LEAF, Tactical Distributors
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing | 3 Comments »

Softshell Tech – Sphinx Giveaway

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

This is the second of four articles sponsored by Arc’teryx LEAF to educate readers on softshell fabrics used in their garments. In the last article we covered Tweave, a product of Gehring Textiles. What better way to learn about how Arc’teryx combines world class design and materials like Tweave Durastretch and Durastretch LT than to actually wear them? So, this time we are going to give away a set of Sphinx Halfshell and Pant.

The Sphinx Halfshell combines both weights of Tweave Durastretch. It is an armor compatible design that features articulated arms with roll up sleeves that stow for a short-sleeve option. A mandarin collar and bicep pockets top this technical version of a combat shirt off. The Sphinx pant also features softshell construction and an articulated fit for comfort and mobility. These pants are designed to be worn over the top of hiking and mountaineering boots so they incorporate an internal gaiter. The Sphinx pant also includes a knife/tool loop as well as an ingenious reinforced knee construction with an internal pocket for hardshell kneepads which allows you to still use the kneepads’ straps for added stability.

For your chance to win, in the comments section of this posting on SSD, tell us what product you’d like to see Arc’teryx develop. Use your real email address to enter because that is how you will be contacted in case you win. You posting may have to be approved so be patient of it doesn’t show right up. Only one entry per email address. The contest closes at 1200 GMT, 27 April, 2012. At that point, SSD will randomly draw a winner from the entries. We will then pass the name and email address of the winner to the Arc’teryx LEAF team and they will contact the winner and arrange shipment.

Void where prohibited.

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx, Arc'teryx LEAF, Tweave
Posted in Arc'teryx, Contest | 791 Comments »

25% Off All Arc’teryx at Tactical Distributors

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Get 25% off Tactical Distributor’s entire inventory of Arc’teryx, now through May 7th. Prices adjusted on the site.

www.tacticaldistributors.com

Tags: Arc'teryx, Tactical Distributors
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing, Deal of the Week | 4 Comments »

Softshell Tech – Tweave

Friday, April 13th, 2012

This is the first of four articles sponsored by Arc’teryx LEAF to educate readers on softshell fabrics used in their garments. In this article we will cover Tweave, a product of Gehring Textiles.

Specifically, Arc’teryx LEAF currently uses two types of Tweave in their clothing and equipment; Tweave Durastretch (520E) and its lighter weight counterpart Durastretch LT (536N). The Sphinx Halfshell you see here actually incorporates both fabrics. Both weights of Tweave boast Durable Water Repellant coating as well as a material content of 91% nylon and 9% Spandex. Arc’teryx offers products manufactured from Tweave in Crocodile, Black, Coyote, and Multicam as well as the new Wolf color.

Arc’teryx actually worked with Tweave to develop the Durastretch fabric in the early 2000s for outdoor alpine climbing, trekking and backcountry ski apparel. But, after a few seasons it became too pricey for those markets. With the advent of LEAF, Arc’teryx revived use of the fabric for their new customer base whose main emphasis is on performance. Tweave is recognized worldwide as the most durable stretch woven available.

Tweave combines several properties to protect you from the elements. It is a plain weave four-way stretch that has superior durability and abrasion resistance. The fabric is very tightly woven and you will notice this on windy days. Additionally, its smooth face sheds snow and DWR finish repels moisture. The construction of the Durastretch fabrics, using covered yarn technology, keeps the more vulnerable spandex yarns protected from the elements by wrapping them inside the nylon, unlike many other fabric which feature exposed spandex without a sheath. Tweave chose nylon over polyester because of its superior abrasion properties and the yarns are extremely compacted and tight, yielding a very abrasion-resistant surface. All of this is topped off with special finishing techniques that still allow ample stretch for comfort and freedom of movement.

Look for Tweave Durastretch and Durastretch LT in these LEAF products –
Chimera Shirt LS
Sphinx Halfshell
Sphinx Pant
Combat Jacket
Gryphon Halfshell
Gryphon Pant
H150 Rigger’s Belt
X350a harness

Keep your eyes peeled for information on an upcoming application of Durastretch 520P which features superior tear resistance and slightly more bulk and stretch.

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF, Tweave
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing, Materials | 5 Comments »

LEAF Bravo Jacket

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

The Bravo Jacket from Arc’teryx is the first of their LEAF products I ever owned. It was a Black prototype with these big, pleated shoulder pockets but the style has remained one of my favorite jackets. In addition to being very functional, it not only features a great fit, but it’s stylish as well. If you’re searching for a softshell that doesn’t look “tactical” then the Bravo Jacket is the one for you. Just when I thought it was perfect, Arc’teryx improved it. Not only did they introduce a new color (Wolf), but they’ve also updated the articulation for improved motion under arms and in elbows.

Manufactured from Fortius 3.0™ the Bravo Jacket features an internal chest pocket as well as two large, zippered (with zipper garages) hand pockets on the chest. My experience is that the DWR finish is great at shedding water in all but torrential downpours. The Bravo Jacket is available in sizes Small – XXLarge. And, now there are three color options available; Black, Crocodile and Wolf that help you melt into the background of any situation.

leaf.arcteryx.com

Tags: Arc'teryx LEAF
Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing | Comments Off on LEAF Bravo Jacket