Extreme comfort; Gear conquers elements
New fabric technologies, yarn selection, and construction techniques have created high-tech outdoor apparel that seems to be a chemical reaction between science and fashion.
Examples abound. The research and development team at Polartec LLC, a Lawrence-based fabric maker, has created an odor-resistant fabric by integrating silver fibers, which inhibit the growth of bacteria, with ultraviolet-protective materials that block the sun's damaging rays. Other fabrics from Polartec and other companies are engineered to be water repellent, flame resistant, and abrasion-proof.
"Top-line clothing has become more specialized and technical and does the same job while being lighter and thinner," says Andrew Jillings, director of the Outdoor Leadership Center at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., where avalanche and wilderness first responder courses are taught.
This new high-tech outdoor clothing might surprise workout newbies clad in heavy cotton sweatshirts and pants to combat the elements. But cotton, says Jeff Alt, a Cincinnati author and outdoorsman who spent five months hiking the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, absorbs sweat and can make you cold and clammy when the temperature drops. Instead, it's worth investing in advanced layering systems that wick away moisture, block wind, and insulate the body.
"Apparel has improved significantly over the years," Alt says. "The first generation of synthetic clothing -polypropylene - retained your body odor. Today's synthetics contain chemicals that eliminate odors. There are many other functional improvements as well."
Companies have also begun offering ecofriendly gear made out of recycled materials. A new quick-drying polyester fabric is also now available with carbonized bamboo, which removes moisture, protects against UV rays, and resists odors. Linen-like shirts are made from a breathable blend of organic cotton and hemp.
Some performance fabrics use microfiber technology, knitting fine fibers onto the surface, then incorporating larger fibers next to the skin. The result: a material that feels smoother against the skin and takes moisture away from it more efficiently. Other fabrics use an open-cell waffle construction, a knit mesh, or a "memory" knit that stretches but keeps its shape.
Chris Ranalli, materials manager at Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor specialty retailer based in Peterborough, N.H., says careful engineering, sourcing, and testing go into designing new apparel for each season. Garments are tested by athletes who provide feedback about which features work best.
Expect to pay more for high-tech fabrics because of their research and development. A wind-proof microfleece, for example, can cost $150 to $250; a long-sleeve base crew, $50-$80; and a waterproof shell as much as $450.
The high price tag for maximum-performance gear is worth it for such adventurers as Helen Thayer, the first woman to walk and ski to the North Pole, a feat she completed at age 50.
"In both cold and hot climates, the number one priority is durability and comfort," said Thayer, who is now in her 60s. "My apparel has to hold up under the worst of conditions. Everything has to last the journey, and then some." 