Primaloft stretch solutions are said to eliminate the need for repeatedly changing layers during outdoor activities.
PrimaLoft Inc. will expand its active platform with the launch of PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Active, providing breathable four-way stretch and optimal warmth designed specifically for high-output adventures in the biggest apparel trend for 2016. Engineered for activities such as running and skiing, the soft, packable and water-resistant insulation regulates wearers’ comfort levels during intense activity.
Gold Insulation Active builds on the success of PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, which debuted at Outdoor Winter Market 2015, as well as the introduction of Performance Down Blends, which merged the benefits of goose and duck down with synthetic PrimaLoft fibers.
Like Silver Insulation Active, Gold Insulation Active features a proprietary finish and manufacturing process that prevents fibers from migrating through fabrics – allowing for use with more breathable, open weave materials. But the biggest difference is its ability to work with stretch materials.
Mike Joyce, President and CEO, PrimaLoft
At a launch event at PrimaLoft’s headquarters in Latham, NY, Mike Joyce, president and CEO, said adding a stretch component addresses the ever-increasing demand for adaptability as well as lighter fabric. “Versatility is a big deal,” said Joyce. “People don’t want to be layering up and layering down. They want a universal piece that does a lot more.”
For its branded partners, the formulation, which is Bluesign approved, allows designers to use a wider variety of stretch shell, breathable outer, and liner fabrics resulting in more year-round choices retailers and consumers. Joyce said brand partners are looking to provide more differentiation in the marketplace. Launch partners for PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Active include L.L.Bean, Marmot, Merrell, Under Armour, Eddie Bauer, Filson and Scott USA.
AJ Curran, director of outerwear at L.L. Bean, said in a statement that the fabric technology represents another step toward helping consumers enjoy the outdoors without having to constantly worry about the weather. “PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Active is ideal for today’s outdoor customer engaging in more activities for shorter time spans,” said Curran. “We appreciate having a choice of insulation technologies; it gives us the flexibility to create extensions in our line for a wider variety of activity-based apparel. We look forward to continuing our partnership that started in 1988, when we introduced the first PrimaLoft jacket to the market.”
PrimaLoft insulation was originally developed in 1983 for the purpose of providing the U.S. army with a water-resistant, synthetic alternative to down.
L.L. Bean jacket with PrimaLoft
L.L. Bean became its first branded partner in 1988 and continues to be one of its primary partners in exploring innovations. That was followed by its entry into footwear solutions in 2000 – again first with L.L.Bean. The introduction of its own proprietary yarn fibers in 2005 extended PrimaLoft’s reach into a wide range of knits, wovens and socks.
But a turning point for the company was its spinoff from Albany International Corp. in 2012. As an independent company, PrimaLoft was able to ramp up its R&D investments and that helped lead to the breakthrough launch of Performance Down Blends in 2014. At the time, PrimaLoft claimed the insulation provided the weight and compressibility of down could retain 94 percent of its warmth when wet and dried four times faster than conventional down.
Joyce said that while synthetics continue to run through PrimaLoft’s product line, the breakthrough in blends as well as the spinoff has led the company to think of itself as a materials science company and overall think outside-the-box more.
PrimaLoft’s new Gold Series
“It doesn’t always have to be synthetic,” said Joyce. “We know down has good properties. So let’s break the paradigm and see if we can go in there and combine two really great materials and see if we can boost it up to another level.”
PrimaLoft is also testing a wool-blend insulation, which it expects to see on apparel in stores by 2017.
Longer term, Joyce said that due to its ramped-up R&D investments and demands for newness by its branded partners, PrimaLoft has an extensive innovation pipeline set in place for the next few years. Joyce said PrimaLoft is even exploring ideas for 2020.
“There are great companies that are leading edge and there are great companies that are trailing edge and following,” said Joyce. “We’ve elected to be leading edge.”
Photos courtesy PrimaLoft and L.L. Bean
