You can’t hardly consider a military insulating layer these days without it being made from Polartec technology. Polartec, LLC, is launching a revolutionary new softshell fabric combining weather protection and breathability.
“Polartec helped launch the ‘softshell revolution’ over ten years ago with Polartec® Power Shield®, a fabric that offered superior breathability, durability and stretch with enough weather protection for everything but the wettest conditions,†states Karen Beattie, product marketing manager for Polartec. â€Polartec Power Shield Pro dramatically ratchets up the fabric’s water resistance, while retaining critical breathability.â€
Several characteristics make it a promising choice for tactical garments. It is quieter than traditional shells yet repels 99% of wind. Additionally, insulation, breathable membrane, and shell are laminated into a single fabric solution making for lighterweight and lower volume clothing.
Thanks to a new proprietary membrane technology and lamination techniques, Polartec Power Shield Pro allows true air permeability (8 l/m2/sec = 2CFM) for a controlled two-way air exchange that significantly improves moisture transport over softshells that do not allow airflow. At the same time, Polartec Power Shield Pro holds a water column of 5000mm, offering superior water resistance.
Polartec Power Shield Pro is a laminate that can offer a combination of poly or nylon woven face fabrics with excellent DWR and durability characteristics, paired with lightweight to high loft backs. Sandwiched in between is a proprietary new hydrophobic, microporous polyurethane membrane that allows actual airflow through the entire fabric package but stops water from penetrating.
Polartec Power Shield Pro will be launched at the January 2010 Outdoor Retailer and ISPO trade shows by multiple brands including 66 North, Eider, Lowe Alpine, Millet, Montura, The North Face, Norrona, and Trangoworld. Let’s start to see this fabric with some tactical brands…hint, hint.
