TYR Tactical

Posts Tagged ‘Polartec’

PCU Levels 1 & 2 Available Now from Massif

Thursday, January 8th, 2015

Although Massif is well known for their FR garments, many do not realize that they were called upon by USSOCOM in 2011 to help modernize the multi-level Protective Combat Uniform. In addition to the Level 7 garments we recently featured, Massif also manufactures the non-FR Level 1 and 2 items. Although the designs remain simple, they achieve functionality and comfort due to the little things. For example, across the span of garments in the system, seams don’t fall one atop the other despite their ergonomic shape. Additionally, the Polartec fabrics chosen for these garments revolve around moisture management featuring excellent wicking and air permeability properties.

Now, the actual garments issued to SOF, are available to individuals as well as units and agencies not included in the original program.

PCU Level 1 Top

PCU Level 1 Top
Made from Polartec Powerdry 3.4oz/yd, the old 1/4 zip polo style has transitioned to a crew neck to reduce bulk.

PCU Level 1 Pant

PCU Level 1 Bottom
Made from Polartec Powerdry 3.4oz/yd.

PCU Level 2 Top

PCU Level 2 Top
Made from Polartec Powerdry Grid Fleece 3.9oz/yd, this is a 1/4 zip design. The waffle pattern fabric compresses to half the size of its predecessor.

PCU Level 2 Pant

PCU Level 2 Bottom
Made from Polartec Powerdry Grid Fleece 3.9oz/yd. The waffle pattern fabric compresses to half the size of its predecessor.

Massif will be attending SHOT show this year and will be available for private meetings. For an appointment please email Sales@massif.com.

SOCOM Adopts Polartec Alpha as Insulation for PCU Level 3a

Friday, January 11th, 2013

This isn’t the first time that we’ve mentioned SOCOM’s Block 2 PCU Level 3a or its use of Polartec’s materials. Polartec has a long history of providing innovative fabric solutions for not only SOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform program but for all of DoD. What’s more, their manufacturing partner is Patagonia. They too have a long history of supporting SOF and other specialized units going back to the 80s. In 3ID LRS I was issued blue Patagonia polypropylene long underwear and pile jacket and overalls in Germany in the late 80s. Later, Patagonia developed the Military Advanced Regulator System. Now, they are responsible for the design and manufacture of PCU. Below is the press release on this new insulation technology option for USSOCOM.

Polartec and Patagonia Collaborate to Provide Breakthrough Fabric Technology to Every Special Forces Operator
Patagonia PCU L3aJanuary 8, 2013 – (Lawrence, Mass.) – Polartec, the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec performance fabrics, has worked closely with the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) to develop Polartec®Alpha, a new synthetic insulation technology that creates the first-ever breathable “puffy” garments for active warmth. The Special Forces are the first adopters of this breakthrough fabric technology and are presently fielding Polartec Alpha jackets designed by Patagonia to all SOF operators.

POL_Alpha_smallUnlike down and existing synthetic insulations, Polartec Alpha provides active warmth that allows air exchange for breathability and comfort in more dynamic situations. It was developed to meet the specific performance requirements of the United States Military Special Operations Forces. The development brief required materials that are warm, wind resistant, highly durable, quick drying and more breathable than any existing insulation products. In field and lab testing, Polartec Alpha received the highest testing results of any Polartec product ever tested by the Special Operations Forces evaluation team. The garment will replace two to three layers, reducing costs, saving weight in the field and improving combat effectiveness.

In close collaboration with Polartec, Patagonia designed and developed the overall garment design for SOF. The company spent months maximizing the details of the design to take full advantage of the performance characteristics of Polartec Alpha. The final product is the SOF Protective Combat Uniform Level 3A Jacket, a standard issue piece fielded to every Special Forces Operator in the service.

“Polartec Alpha is a significant technical achievement that has created an entirely new class of fabric technology,” says David Costello, Polartec’s Military Business Manager. “This fabric innovation has been made possible due to our longstanding relationship with the Special Forces and has come to fruition in a final garment through the creativity and drive of the Patagonia design team. The demanding mission profile of the SOF operators requires absolute performance from every element of the operator’s ensemble. Polartec Alpha meets this test and has tremendous potential as a platform for future development.”

“Patagonia constantly works with suppliers to push the limits of what is possible. We have been pushing these limits with Polartec for several decades now; the result has been many groundbreaking products over the course of those years, culminating into this pinnacle innovation. This technology allows technical product designer/developers an interesting new challenge for the next several years; to ‘dial in’ the perfect CFM (or breathability) of a low loft garment,” says Eric Neuron, Patagonia’s Director of Strategic Product. “Without the demands and feedback from Special Forces Operators, this jacket and technology would not exist. We are very proud to support their needs. ”

Polartec Announces New Senior Management Team

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

Polartec, a Massachusetts based manufacturer of performance fabrics just announced the appointment of Gary Smith as CEO and Joe Robinson as CFO.

Polartec, LLC, a leading global supplier of performance fabrics sold under the Polartec brand, announced today the appointment of Gary Smith as Chief Executive Officer, and Joe Robinson as Chief Financial Officer, successfully completing the management succession process announced in July.

Mr. Smith, 49, brings to Polartec a distinguished track record in business, including extensive expertise in the outdoor and apparel industries. He previously served as President of the Outdoor Group for The Timberland Company, and as a Partner with McKinsey & Company. A life-long New Englander and an accomplished entrepreneur, Gary is also a passionate cyclist and avid mountaineer.

Mr. Robinson, 46, joins Polartec after serving most recently as Vice President, Corporate Finance with inVentiv Health. He previously served as Vice President, Global Finance, and Vice President, North America Finance, for the Converse division of Nike. Additionally, his career includes 18 years of progressive growth in financial and operational roles with Procter & Gamble’s Gillette group.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Robinson, together with Jon Adelman, Polartec’s current Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, comprise Polartec’s new senior leadership team.

Board member Gregory Segall, CEO of Polartec’s owner Versa Capital Management, LLC stated, “We are delighted to attract an executive with Gary’s business acumen, strategic perspective and operational experience to Polartec as the CEO. The board is highly confident that the new senior management team, working with Polartec’s dedicated employees in North America and around the world, will continue the company’s successful growth trajectory and capitalize on Polartec’s many strengths and competitive advantages, including its leading edge product portfolio and world class customers.”

Mr. Smith’s appointment is effective November 1, 2012, at which time he will succeed current CEO Andrew J. Vecchione whose transition decision was also previously announced in July.

Mr. Segall added, “We thank Andy Vecchione for his years of service and success with Polartec and for assisting with this leadership transition. Andy’s knowledge of Polartec and its industry and his continuing interests as an equity participant and senior advisor with the board positions him to be a valuable contributor going forward, and we wish him the best with his future plans.”

Polartec.com

Polartec Integral Technology for SOF PCU Lvl 9 Combat Shirt

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Polartec, the developer, manufacturer, and marketer of Polartec performance fabrics, has worked closely with US Special Operations Forces and one of their fabrics was chosen for use in the first standard issue combat shirt developed specifically for the needs of SOF.

Designed by Patagonia, the Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) Level 9 Shirt is currently being fielded to all US SOF users, and will enhance their combat advantage in the world’s most hostile conditions.

Designed to be worn next-to-skin, the new PCU level 9 combat shirt integrates Polartec Power Dry fabric in the shirt’s torso to provide moisture management, breathability, stretch, quick drying and comfort. Power Dry features a patented bi?component knit construction with two yarns. One picks up the sweat from the skin and the other disperses the sweat to the outer layer to rapidly dry it. It moves 30% more moisture than single component fabrics.
The Power Dry used in Level 9 is printed in a variety of camo patterns and also offers FR properties.

“Polartec is very proud of our longstanding development relationship with the Special Operations Forces. We are constantly challenged by the extreme performance that Operators demand of their clothing and equipment. These men are the tip of the spear of our country’s projection of power and always exhibit remarkable ability and patriotism. To be selected by this very demanding customer is a tribute to the abilities of the research and development team at Polartec who are honored to help support our warfighters.” said David Costello, Polartec Business Manager.

Polartec fabrics are found throughout PCU; in levels 1, 2, 3, 3A, and now 9. Additionally, Polartec offers numerous fabric solutions including wicking base layers, to insulation layers, to extreme weather protection and are utilized by the best clothing brands in the world

polartec.com

Polartec CEO Andrew J Vecchione Announces He Is Stepping Down

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Andrew J. Vecchione, President and CEO of Polartec, LLC, a leading supplier of performance fabrics sold under the Polartec brand, announced today that he has decided to step aside, effective upon the appointment of his successor. Mr. Vecchione will remain with the company as a senior adviser, board member and equity participant.

“After eight years with Polartec, including the last five at the helm, I’m proud of all that the team here and around the world has accomplished to enhance the Polartec brand and its reputation for innovative products,” said Vecchione. “The company has grown and prospered in the face of dramatic developments and trends affecting the apparel industry. Thanks to our world-class customers, our dedicated and loyal workforce, and a portfolio of industry leading products that continue to enhance the importance of the Polartec brand, I’m comfortable that we’re positioned for continued profitable growth.”

“When I took the reins five years ago, my goal was to put the Company on firm footing and to do so in a way that did justice to the brand and our people. Having accomplished that, this is the right time for me to step aside and make room for the next generation of leadership. I look forward to my new role supporting Polartec and its team and to working closely with the board and my successor to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted transition,” he concluded.

Board member Greg Segall, CEO of Polartec, LLC owner Versa Capital Management, LLC offered, “Under Andy Vecchione’s leadership these last five years, Polartec has achieved historic sales, earnings and customer satisfaction levels, along with market share growth and success in new product innovation. Not only has Andy guided the profitable growth of the company but he has also overseen growth into new markets such as industrial work wear and breathable waterproof with the launch of NeoShell.”

“Our investment in Polartec has been extremely successful, in large measure due to Andy’s efforts with the support of the management team and all Polartec employees worldwide. For this we are extremely grateful and we wish Andy the very best as he moves on to his next big challenge. We appreciate that Andy will continue his association and share the benefits of his years of experience with the company as an advisor and board member.

The company has retained the firm of Korn/Ferry International to conduct the executive search process and anticipates that a new President and CEO will be on board by the end of this year.

www.polartec.com

ADS Underway UniformADS Tactical

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

You’ve heard rumors about this uniform for years and now here it is. The ADS Underway Uniform is manufactured exclusively for ADS by Bluewater Defense from Tweave softshell combined with Polartec Power Dry fabric. There have been some additional uniforms manufactured from 50/50 NYCO and other materials in this cut for special applications such as ADS internal testing of their US4CES family of camouflage.

ADS Underway Uniform

Pocket configurations and fit were driven by the user community and have been refined over multiple generations. Available in a full variety of sizes in MultiCam and Black with other colors available upon request.

www.adsinc.com

PCU Block 2 Preview

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

SSD recently had an opportunity to check the latest prototypes from USSOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform Block 2.

Designed to be worn in temperatures ranging from 40 deg to -50 deg F, PCU is a 8 level environmental clothing system consisting of a variety of performance clothing items that can be configured based on conditions. For PCU, moisture management is a key feature driving its development. Keeping Operators dry, keeps them in the fight.

The original Block 0 configuration was fielded beginning in 2003 based on gear selections from PEPSE (Personal Environmental Protective Survival Equipment) and espousing wear principles from Mark Twight‘s seminal work on climbing, “Extreme Alpinism“. In 2006, USSOCOM charged their support office at Natick to make incremental improvements to the system based on user feedback and streamline the production process, facilitating a partnership between major outdoor manufacturers and National Industries for the Severely Handicapped.

Recently, to further modernize the system for the evolving needs of the SOF Operator and to insert the latest outdoor technologies, Natick’s PM-SOF sat down with representatives from the various stakeholders and went through Block 1 level by level. Based on these meetings, and some field trials of the new designs by 10th SFG(A) and NSW Det-Kodiak, the upcoming Block 2 system will feature a few changes.

(more…)

Win an Arc’teryx Strato Hoody Jacket

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

According to Arc’teryx, Polartec is giving away a Strato Hoody Jacket. Just visit their Facebook page and leave a comment. Ok, so it’s not a LEAF product, but Arc’teryx makes some cool civy stuff too.