Skip to main content

Polartec unveils Powerfill, active insulation with greater warmth to weight ratio

polartec powerfill
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Insulation market innovator Polartec raises the bar with the release of the new active insulation PowerFill — a superior alternative to traditional synthetic fabrics. This spun polyester fabric provides the ultimate warmth to weight ratio while maintaining performance during active pursuits. 

Polartec engineers have been improving the quality of synthetic fabrics since inventing modern synthetic fleece in 1981. The company changed the game with the release of the Alpha, the first active insulation product on the market. Powerfill is designed to exceed the expectations of the Alpha, utilizing improved temperature-regulating technology.

Recommended Videos

Polartec Powerfill comprises a malleable grid of spun polyester fibers with a unique construction which encompasses thousands of air pockets that obtain and hold in body heat. An innovative melt process bonds the hollow fibers, serving for increased durability and strength. In addition, the fiber’s properties are extremely hydrophobic, working efficiently to wick moisture away from the body and dry quickly.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The innovative design eliminates the need for any stabilizers and maintains a thermal layer serving as protection from the cold outside elements. There is no additional weight or bulk and Polartec utilizes animal-free, 80% post-consumer recycled content. The warmth provided by the fabric is matched by its softness and pliability. The highlight feature of active insulation is the increased airflow allocated without sacrificing warmth.

“We’re proud to deliver an insulation technology to our customers that enables the design of better products with Polartec premium quality,” Polartec CEO Gary Smith stated in a press release. “Polartec created the category of active insulation with our industry leading range of Alpha temperature regulating product offerings, and now Power Fill continues with innovative fill solutions for the coldest conditions.”

The Polartec Powerfill will be available in 60, 80, 100 and 135 g/m2 weights. The first consumer products are set to hit the market in Fall 2017 from Triple Aught Design.

Amanda Ellis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amanda is an outdoor junkie and digital nomad with an insatiable hunger for gear. Based out of Raleigh, NC she travels to…
Juiced Bikes sold at auction for $1.2 million, report says
The Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 adds more power, upgraded tires, and an improved battery to the popular moped style e-bike.

Juiced Bikes, the San Diego-based maker of e-bikes, has been sold on an auction website for $1,225,000, according to a report from Electrek.Digital Trends recently reported how the company was showing signs of being on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and its executives had remained silent, while customer inquiries went unanswered and its website showed all products were out of stock. In addition, there were numerous reports of layoffs at the company.Yet, the most convincing sign was that the company’s assets appeared as listed for sale on an auction website used by companies that go out of business.Now, it appears that Juiced Bikes’ assets, including a dozen patents, multiple URLs, and the company’s inventory in both the U.S. and China, have been sold at auction, according to the report. It is likely that the buyer, who remains unknown, can capitalize on the brand and the overall value of the 15-year old company. Founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, a U.S. high-jump Olympian, Juiced Bikes was one of the early pioneers of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands in the U.S. market.
The company had quickly built a reputation for the versatility of its e-bikes and the durability of their batteries. Over the years, the popularity of models such as the CrossCurrent, HyperScrambler, and RipCurrent only bolstered the brand’s status.Last year, Digital Trends named the Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 as the best moped-style e-bike for 2023, citing its versatility, rich feature set, and performance.Juiced Bikes’ getting sold quickly might be a sign of what consulting firm Houlihan Lokey says is a recovery in the North American e-bike market.
The industry has had a roller-coaster ride during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A huge spike in demand for e-bikes had combined with disrupted supply chains to create a supply/demand mismatch of “historic proportions," Houlihan Lokey said.

Read more
Adventure time: SUPCASE has the ultimate gear for outdoor enthusiasts
A variety of outdoor gear options for the ultimate wilderness enthusiast.
Scenic view from inside a tent while camping.

You might know SUPCASE for its excellent collection of durable and rugged phone cases. But as it's in the industry of making tough gear for the adventurous sorts, it should come as no surprise that the brand also has a valuable collection of outdoor gear. Just to provide some examples, a multi-functional pocket tool, a rugged and water-resistant equipment case, a durable yet spacious backpack, or even a sleek yet reliable bottle opener.

In fact, there are quite a few options, so many that it could be tough to nail down just one tool or outdoor item you'd need. Naturally, we put together this guide to explore some of the ultimate gear, but you can always peep at them yourself, as well.

Read more
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more