Each year, Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand and premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, holds the Polartec Apex Design Awards, a platform which celebrates the science of fabric and the art of product design through the finest products made from Polartec fabric technologies. From hundreds of entries, 12 winning products are selected based on the skilled and creative uses of Polartec fabric.
This year, the Polartec Apex Awards center on the importance of versatility and functionality for today’s consumer. Bringing this concept to life is a creative campaign with the theme “Mountain to Bar and Back Again.” Each of the winning products is showcased on a model who has been styled as a character ready for both outdoor adventure and indoor amusement. For instance, the “Avid Arborist” is ready to chop down trees or grab a cocktail, while “The Casting Agent” is prepared for fishing or fun.
The Awards recognize the very best in garment design and fabric innovation, and it’s the freedom to play and perform in the same solution that makes many of this year’s winners stand out from the crowd.
Each winner will receive a coveted Malden Wizard trophy in celebration of their winning designs, in addition to joint marketing support. A “People’s Choice” winner will also be named via voting on Polartec social media.
The winners are:
66°North – Kría Neoshell® Power Fill Parka
Made with Polartec® Power Fill™, the first 100-percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) fill insulation, and Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric.
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ABSNT – theROBE
Made with 100-percent recyclable Polartec® Power Air™, an award-winning fabric technology engineered to minimize microfiber shedding with an innovative knit construction that encapsulates lofted fibers within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction. The product will release in 2022.
And Wander – alpha AIR T
Made with Polartec® Alpha®, a fabric technology originally developed for U.S. Special Forces that regulates thermal comfort in dynamic conditions due to its exceptional breathability.
Ariat – Rebar Polartec Elite Series
Made with a set of Polartec fabric technologies to create a unique thermoregulating layering system: Polartec® Power Grid™, the original grid fabric engineered to maximize warmth, breathability, wicking action and compressibility, while minimizing weight and bulk; Polartec® Power Stretch® technical fleece with durable stretch and recovery, treated with Polartec® Hardface® for added protection, abrasion resistance and water repellency; and Polartec® Power Fill™, made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content fill insulation.
Haglöfs – High Loft Wool Jacket
Featuring Polartec® High Loft™ lightweight insulation made with merino wool for its natural thermoregulation and comfort, and Polartec® Power Wool™ with a brushed grid fleece wool interior and a smooth jersey face synthetic exterior to retain wool’s natural properties, while increasing its performance.
Hikerkind – Midlayer_01
Made with Polartec® Power Air™, the award-winning future fleece technology specifically designed to reduce microfiber shedding. Featuring an innovative knit construction that encapsulates lofted fibers within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction, Power Air provides advanced thermal efficiency while shedding 80 percent less microfibers compared to premium fleece.
Moncler – Grenoble Collection – Softshell Jacket, Softshell Pants
Made with Polartec® NeoShell®, the world’s most breathable waterproof fabric, offering the superior breathability, ventilation and stretch of a softshell and the waterproof performance of a hard shell. The collection will release in January 2022.
Nike ACG – Therma-FIT “Wolf Tree” Allover Print Women’s ½-Zip Top, Women’s Pants, Men’s Pullover Top and Men’s Pants from Nike ACG Holiday 2021 Collection
Featuring Polartec® Classic 200 fleece made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyester. The resilient construction of Polartec Classic fleece technology creates air pockets for insulation, making it lightweight, warm and fast-drying, with maximum durability.
Norrøna falketind Alpha120 Zip Hood
Made with Polartec® Alpha® active insulation engineered for advanced breathability and thermoregulation and Polartec® Power Grid™ for optimized range of motion, promotion of moisture-wicking and decreased overall fabric mass.
Orvis – PRO Sun Hoodie
Made with Polartec® Power Grid™, utilizing a patented bi-component knit grid construction for excellent moisture management, optimal temperature regulation, breathability and versatile performance.
P.A.M. Liveable Recycled Shearling Coat
Made with 100-percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) Polartec® Thermal Pro® shearling Fleece. The warm yet lightweight performance fleece delivers the comfort and look of wool shearling, with the dramatically improved performance and durability of technical fleece.
Sportful – Total Comfort Jacket
Made with Polartec® Alpha® Direct, which regulates core body temperatures for advanced breathability, and Polartec® NeoShell®, the most breathable waterproof fabric technology, providing dynamic air exchange, comfortable stretch and weather protection.
Explore Polartec’s range of solutions here. Click here to learn more about the Apex Design Awards and shop the winning looks. To vote for your favorite design, follow Polartec on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.