Activent
A windproof, extremely breathable, and water resistant fabric.
Outerwear made with Activent fabric is the ideal apparel for those
times when you stand a greater chance of getting wet from the
inside than from the outside. Activent fabric is a unique composite
of a microporous membrane and polymers specifically engineered
to maximize the performance characteristics required for short
duration, high energy activities. Activent fabric is a two-layer
or three-layer laminate with a water- repellent finish applied
to its surface.
CoolMax
A high-performance polyester fabric that moves sweat away
from the body to the outer layer of the fabric. Here the moisture
evaporates faster making the overall fabric of the garment dry
faster than any other fabric. Better evaporation means you spend
less energy to cool your body, which increases your performance
and endurance. And because CoolMax has better breathability, nothing's
more comfortable to wear.
Cordura
Cordura is an air-textured, high-tenacity nylon made only
by DuPont. This fabric allows some of your most used and abused
products to be lightweight, abrasion-resistant and durable. Cordura®
is available in 160-denier (the lightest), 330-denier, 500-denier
and 1000-denier versions. Cordura can be found in many products
including: backpacks and sport bags, soft-sided luggage, computer
cases and business cases, hiking, hunting and work boots.
Down
Down has a most impressive track record when it comes to
insulation. Down is the warmest, most compressible, and most durable
insulation, for it's weight. Down feels more comfortable than
any other insulation due to it's soft drape. The insulation value
of down is calculated by compressing 1 ounce of down and measuring
it in cubic centimeters. That number becomes the "Fill Power".
The higher the fill power of down equals a higher quality of down
and a better insulation to weight ratio for the down. Each of
the suppliers for down products with whom GearPro does business
uses only high quality down. Typical down fill power values are
500, 600, 750, 830.
DriClime
A "plaited" bi-component tricot knit made of two distinct
layers of 100% polyester yarns. The layer closest to the skin
has a brushed and looped surface, which decreases the surface
area next to the skin allowing for greater movement of perspiration
to the outer layer. The outer layer has a special filament yarn
with an open capillary structure, which powerfully pulls moisture
away from the body and allows it to spread out and evaporate.
Unlike Hydrofil® nylon or cotton, the moisture is never absorbed
into the fiber where it would take longer to dry.
Dryloft
Weatherproof yet breathable, this is W.L. Gore's newest and
lightest weight performance fabric that provides ultimate protection
against moisture and condensation. DryLoft™ fabric works excellent
in extreme or damp conditions to prevent moisture from reducing
down performance. The increased breathability of DryLoft™ fabric
reduces the threat of condensation while remaining plenty waterproof
for the needs of a sleeping bag.
Duraguard
Mountain Hardwear's Duraguard is a flexible, synthetic-impregnated
nylon whose original application was in truck tarps. Is it tough?
You bet! During testing for abrasion resistance, the testing machine
tired out before the Duraguard did. We subjected it to repeated
simulation of fast rapelling and it never came close to tearing
or melting. Duraguard is also permanently waterproof; it doesn't
become less so over time or with use. We put it in the high-abuse
areas of both our gaiters (inner ankle and calf surfaces) and
out gloves (palm and finger crotches) to make sure those products
outlast their more ordinary brethern.
Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex® Fabric - A microporous film of polytetraflouroethylene
(PTFE) which has billions of pores per square inch. These pores
are large enough to allow water vapor to escape out but small
enough to prevent water droplets from passing through from the
outside. This material is still the most commonly used combination
of waterproof and breathable properties in fabric available today.
Gore-Tex® fabric has one of the best blends of waterproofness,
breathability, windproofness and durability available. 100% windproof.
Microfiber
Microfiber fabric is one of the latest entries into the new
age fabrics for the outdoors. Microfiber fabric uses polyester
fibers which absorb less water than nylon and weave them very
tightly to form a wind and water barrier for a shell. The small
(30 denier) fibers are woven together to form a 350 count/1.7oz
fabric the just does not have the space in between the fibers
to allow moisture or wind to pass. The result is an ultralight,
weather protection that works well in sleeping bag shells and
jackets.
Nycott Oxford
Ex Officios Nycott Oxford has been used extensively in their
line to offer clothing that is designed for versatility in many
travel situations. The specially woven 100% Nylon fabric makes
these clothes very durable to stand up to the abuse of travel.
The material is breathable, dries quickly, requires very little
maintenance, is stain resistant and wrinkle resistant so you can
look your best. Just right for all of your travel needs.
Paclite
Paclite is the newest addition to the Gore family of waterproof/breathable
fabrics. This is now the lightest, most packable, breathable material
available. Raised dots on the inner surface of the Gore Tex membrane
protect it from abrasion, eliminating the need for an inner liner.
Weight is reduced and the pieces become more packable without
the liner. The pieces made from Paclite also are not as susecptible
to absorbing moisture, thereby increasing weight.
Polarguard
A longer continuous filament that is also made from polyester.
The continuous construction enables this synthetic to be laid
in any direction and aids the fill from shifting. This technique
creates an extremely durable bag by preventing tearing. Tears
in the filament can create cold spots, rendering the bag useless.
Polarguard is a mid-line synthetic good for the price conscious
buyer and/or beginner not willing to sacrifice any quality. Polarguard
also has a higher warmth to weight ratio than Hollofil. Polarguard
comes in two ways. Regular Polarguard and Polarguard HV. HV is
the newer filament that decreases weight and increases compressibility
and price. Because of the durability and price of this fiber,
many manufacturers experiment with this material and in 1996,
many companies have started to use Polargaurd 3-D, an even lighter
version of the fiber.
Polartec
Polartec Fabric - Polartec 100ESP - Double face polyester
fleece with ESP yarn for extra performance stretch. Not as tight
a compression stretch as Lycra.
Polartec 100 - 100% polyester double face fleece. Lightweight,
stretchy and warm, the ideal layering piece. Wgt: 6.3 oz/sq yd
· Ideal weight for layering · Napped both sides for comfort.
Polartec 100S - Single face polyester fleece with Lycra® stretch.
Wgt: 6.1 oz/sq yd · Lycra® fit for flattering look, no baggy knees.
Polartec 200PS Power Stretch - Single sided fleece blend of polyester,
nylon and Lycra Wgt: 6.6 oz/sq yd· Brushed polyester inside and
denser nylon outside work together to pull moisture away fast.
Nylon outer surface adds high abrasion resistance, tear strength
and wind resistance.
Polartec 200 Bi-Polar Technology - Shearling inside and velour
outside for maximum performance. Wgt: 7.8 oz/sq yd · Warmth without
weight - Shearling inside surface provides 10-15% greater warmth
per weight · - Denser velour finish with higher surface area outside
draws the moisture away from the body while maintaining a good
wind resistance. DWR finish.
Polartec 300 - Recycled double face fleece for soft feel and
maximum warmth. Wgt: 10.2 oz/sq yd.
Polypropelene
Polypropelene fibers have been surpassed by the use of polyester
fibers in their ability to perform as outdoor insulating clothing.
Capilene, Thermion, Thermax and Thermastat are a few of the names
to look for that use the polyester fibers for wicking and warmth.
Powershield
Malden Powershield is a stretch woven nylon face laminated
to hyudrophobic Polartec inner fleece for an extremely durable,
snow and water shedding, highly wind resistant outerwear fabric.
Ripstop
Tighly woven, lightweight, and compressible with impressive
durability, water repellency, and wind resistance. Comes in a
multitude of weights and thread counts, and is visually recognizable
with a grid-like pattern. It is this pattern that prohibits rips
and tears from increasing in size, creating an intricate "fence"
effect.
Taffeta
Taffeta is a somewhat generic term used to describe any number
of materials used in outdoor equipment. Taffeta is a woven material
in which the threads that run both directions are generally the
same “denier” or size. Typically, it is a nylon material with
the weight stated in ounces per square yard. There are however,
with the advancement of lighter materials available, many other
materials being used. The taffeta may or may not be coated for
with a polyurethane coating for waterproofness. Coated taffeta
is not a breathable fabric. Used mostly in tent fly sheets, the
material has great strength to weight ratio. It also is used in
totally waterproof rainwear.
Triple Point Ceramic
Triplepoint Ceramic Fabric - A unique PU coating, containing
microscopic pores formed by ceramic particles. This coating is
applied to specially woven nylon face fabrics. The Triplepoint
Ceramic coating is not a straightforward microporous PU. Unlike
traditional microporous structures, the pores (holes) are smaller
and more numerous, giving better breathability. The coating is
applied to the face fabric, then covered by special secondary
coatings for increased durability. You could liken the process
to spreading butter on bread. As the coatings are applied, they
integrate into the weave of the face fabric. Once there, like
butter on bread you'll find it very difficult to remove! That's
the secret of Triplepoint Ceramic's durability.
Triplepoint Ceramic is available in five variants:
Triplepoint Ceramic 1600 (150gm2)
Triplepoint Ceramic Quad (150gm2)
Triplepoint Ceramic 1600PF (140gm2)
Triplepoint Ceramic 1200 (100gm2)
Triplepoint Ceramic 1000
Due to the extra weight, standard 1600 and ripstop Quad are more
abrasion resistant than 1200 and used in garments or areas where
high wear is anticipated. Triplepoint Ceramic 1600PF has a peached
finish, giving a soft and supple feel. And TP 1000 is the ultimate
in ultralight waterproof/breathability. As all Triplepoint Ceramic
fabrics use the same coating technology, breathability and waterproofness
are identical.
WERS
Marmot designers like to say that "WERS takes the handicap
out of a Mother Nature engingeered inequality". WERS is a double
flapped opening running through the crotch are of Marmot's DriClime
Women's underwear bottoms. WERS provides convenience, discretion
and speed for the backcountry bathroom breaks. This most-functional
women's fly can be used in conjunction with Marmot's WizZip.
WizZip
An extension of the main suit zipper or pant fly on Marmot
products that runs through the garments crotch area and up your
backside as high as the sacrum. The effect is that is allows one
to answer the call of nature without the hassle of traditional
clothing and the possible danger of removing a climbing harness.
Windstopper
WindStopper Fabric - To increase usefulness of fabrics in
conditions that do not require total waterproofness Gore created
a membrane to reduce heat loss and maintain breathabilility. The
membrane is laminated between layers of fleece or other insulating
fabrics to reduce convective heat loss and provide excellent protection
from the wind. The membrane still retains the benefits of Gore’s
breathability allowing moisture vapor to pass through uninhibited.
