Many of today’s outdoor sports clothes and fabrics including the specialized garments and textiles described below reveal the attention to detail and style that makes them highly functional for outdoor sports in all weather and equally appropriate for après ski wear or casual use.
There was a time when the only option for winter mid-weight layers was a thermal top or a woolly sweater. Today many textile manufacturers are revolutionizing the outdoor sports clothing market.
Soft Shell Weather Resistant Mountainwear
Soft Shell is the term used to describe outerwear that is more breathable, flexible, and comfortable than the stiff, crunchy-feeling GoreTex and equivalent pants and jackets (called hard shells). Hard shells achieve many of their desirable features including the excellent water proof properties of Gore-Tex due to their laminate structure. They are also breathable but, for many outdoor athletes during rigorous exercise, hard shells are not breathable enough. Soft shell garments are made of stretch woven fabrics with tight layered weaves (to give a smooth finish) and durable water repellent (DWR) treatments to guard against wind, rain, and snow in all but the most severe weather conditions. Soft Shells combine many of the benefits of waterproof hard shells with those of the more comfortable garments like fleece.
An example of women’s soft shell: The North Face Women’s Cipher Jacket.
Marmot DriClime All Season Wicking Layers
Marmot, the outdoor sports clothing company that developed a specialized polyester lining refers to DriClime as “Marmot’s own moisture management technology.” Known as a ‘bi-component knit’ with significant moisture transport properties, DriClime is designed to move moisture away from the skin, keeping the wearer drier and warmer. The DriClime brushed tricot lining when combined with a DWR / Polyester / mix outer layer achieves wind resistance, water repellency and breathability in its garment range. DWR (Durable Water Repellent) is fluoropolymer coating added to fabrics during the manufacturing process to make them water repellent or water resistant. DriClime clothes which can be worn next to the skin as wicking base layers, come in three weights. A lightweight jacket, windshirt, vest and pants are available in both the men’s and women’s active range of outdoor clothes.
An example of men’s active sportswear is the Marmot Original DriClime Windshirt. This garment is suitable as a lightweight spring jacket, thermal layer or emergency insulation.
PrimaLoft and Synthetic Down Insulation
PrimaLoft is a form of insulation made of filament, yarn or microfibre that has applications in the home (e.g. bedding), yarn products and outdoor apparel. PrimaLoft was originally developed for the U.S. military in the early 1980s and is now one of the cutting edge insulation manufacturers that are revolutionizing the outdoor industry. Hundreds of companies producing outerwear, gloves, sleeping bags and footwear use PrimaLoft products. Some of these manufacturers include: Adidas, Degre 7, Helly Hansen, The North Face and Mountain Hardware. Key features of PrimaLoft’s products are that they are extremely soft, lightweight, and compressible and have water repellent properties. Addressing environmental concerns, PrimaLoft Eco is an earth-friendly insulation created for performance and comfort using 50% recycled material. Unlike traditional insulation materials such as down, PrimaLoft garments stay warm when wet — a critical feature for many outdoor winter sports men and women.
Women’s insulation and outdoor fashion: Patagonia Women’s Nano Puff Pullover. This wind blocking, moisture shedding PrimaLoft garment can be worn as insulation or outerwear in cold climates. When not in use it can be stuffed in its own chest pocket and stored as an emergency insulation layer. Down sweaters and synthetic 'puff' pullovers have become a staple of après ski fashion.
Consider whether a clothing article is suited as an all-season outdoor sports garment and for casual wear which will increase its versatility and cost value.
Other articles in this series about outdoor sports clothing include: How to Choose Specialized Winter Outerwear, Clothing Layers for Winter Sports and Choosing Thermal Underwear.
