Apex
Awards.

With its sleek style and Polartec^® Thermal Pro^™ fabric, the Satu Isothermal Skirt makes a fashionable yet functional travel companion for outdoor adventures. The technical skirt fabric offers exceptional durability, pill resistance, and warmth without weight. The Thermal Pro^™ innovative insulation material makes this skirt an ideal choice for chilly conditions while maintaining a lightweight, stylish look.

Judges’ Verdict:  Indyeva’s Satu Isothermal Skirt shows creative use of technical fabrics, expanding choices for the female outdoor enthusiast without renouncing style.

Santini is the first cycling brand in the market to introduce the recently upgraded Polartec^® Power Shield^™ with Biolon^™ Nylon plant-based membrane. The Adapt Multi Jacket is a versatile, weatherproof cycling jacket that provides a jersey-like fit and feel, offering thermal balance in diverse climates thanks to the Power Shield^™ breathable and waterproof fabric. The full inventory of Adapt Multi Jackets made from plant-based Power Shield^™ will be available starting from Fall 2024.

Judges’ Verdict: Santini’s iconic Adapt Multi couples intelligent design and next generation plant-based, weather protection fabric with no compromise.

Spoonflower offers Polartec^® 200 Series Fleece fabric by the yard, digitally printed on-demand in the USA using water-based inks. This high high-loft, pill-resistant, durable fleece can be printed with the customer’s own surface design or one from over 1 million designs by Independent Artists available in Spoonflower’s Marketplace. Spoonflower requires no minimum purchase, allowing customers to order only the quantity necessary for an at-home sewing project or business needs. Polartec’s 200 Series Fleece is easy to sew, which makes it an optimal choice for both DIY and business customers.

Judges’ Verdict: We love the Print-On-Demand aspect of Spoonflower. No over over-production, just creative, bespoke fabric offering responsibly-sourced, cozy comfort.

Just the ticket for cool weather, this lightweight Polartec^® Alpha^™ mid-layer delivers the versatility needed for wherever the day may go. Roomy enough to fit over a base layer, but still comfortable under a jacket or vest, its stretchy knit Polartec^® Alpha^™ fabric feels ultra-soft and airy, helping regulate body heat and drying quickly.

Judges’ Verdict: Nike ACG produces sport specific products with appeal and this hoodie ticks all the wearability boxes, plus it uses recycled content.

A technical mid-layer jacket designed for demanding outdoor and mountain activities, the Trangoworld TRX2 Hybrid LT Pro Jacket uses Polartec^® Alpha^™, a superior insulation system for extreme temperature variations, combined with Polartec^® Power Air^™ revolutionary knit construction that encapsulates air to retain warmth, while reducing microfiber shedding to produce a technical garment for high performance activities.

Judges’ Verdict: Trangoworld used multiple sustainable Polartec^® fabrics cleverly placed for an enhanced mountain experience.

This full suit made of Polartec^® Power Wool^™ blend has been developed together with Millet’s top athletes to offer an insulating first layer for use when ascending the highest peaks and exploring extreme cold destinations. Polartec^® Power Wool^™ utilizes a hybrid design with a soft, odor reducing, merino wool base and a highly durable synthetic exterior. The advanced knit construction places each distinct fiber where it maximizes its highest potential, making a perfect base layer for outdoor excursions.

Judges’ Verdict: All-in-ones are trending for a reason – no cold spots.  A sport specific base layer offering continuous protection for high altitude activities where reliable warmth is crucial.

The Alpha 60 Hoodie is the lightest, most breathable, and packable active insulation fleece on the market. A go-to minimalist fleece that offers a simple and efficient design without bulk or unnecessary additions. The essential mid-layer offers everything an adventurer needs and nothing they don't. Optimal for high-output activities in warmer conditions, or a perfect supplemental piece for added warmth for cooler temps. The Polartec^® Alpha^™ fabric provides an ultralight, high warmth-to-weight ratio with natural moisture-resistance for incredibly fast drying

Judges’ Verdict: A hoodie that’s thought of everything: made from recycled content fabric, it’s light, warm, and packable. We loved this unique multipurpose jacket.

J117-HL hoodie sets new standards in physical comfort, support, and adaptability. Key to this approach is the equal parts technical and sensual Polartec^® High Loft^™ fabric, a semi-mesh fleece with remarkable thermal properties. It is cozy and elastic, yet also lightweight and compressible, featuring the greatest warmth to weight ratio of all Polartec fleece fabric technologies, ideal for use both when stationary and in transition.

Judges’ Verdict: Acronym’s J117 strikes a great balance between style and function. We loved this very wearable approach to keeping the wearer cozy whether in the city or up a mountain.

Stay incredibly dry in rabbit’s Fuel n’ Fly 4” shorts made with Polartec^® Power Dry^™ and Fresh Face^™ technology. Incorporating two Polartec^® innovations, the impressive moisture-wicking fabric features a metal-free, mint-based deodorizing solution in the liner for comfort and odor control. The bluesign^® certified mint extract oil used in Fresh Face^™ is easily renewable, highly sustainable, and biodegradable. The performance style liner is built with an elastic waistband maintaining comfort on long runs.

Judges’ Verdict: Performance lined shorts have a place in any discerning runner’s closet. Using the latest Polartec^® technologies, this is an outside-the-box solution to an age-old issue.

Crafted with Polartec^® Power Grid^™ fabric, this cozy full-zip hoodie delivers exceptional warmth, making it an ideal companion for various outdoor pursuits. The innovative Power Grid^™ pattern not only enhances breathability but also provides superior flexibility, ensuring freedom of movement during intense activities. Designed with the needs of outdoor enthusiasts in mind, the hoodie's Polartec^® Power Grid^™ fabric effectively wicks moisture away, keeping you dry and comfortable even during the most demanding physical endeavors.

Judges’ Verdict: We loved this Mountain Martial Arts hoodie for its technical attributes and stylish appeal. A likely staple in the discerning outdoor/urban warrior’s closet.

The Ciesse Piumini Race Jacket, an anorak-style windbreaker designed for adaptability in diverse climates, stands as a pinnacle of performance and sustainability. Constructed of Polartec^® Power Shield^™ fabric featuring a certified plant-based membrane derived from 48% non-food and non-GMO vegetable biomaterials, ensures both breathability and water-repellency while reducing the impacts on the environment. With laser-cut Ciesse Piumini logos and internal heat-taping accentuating the advanced capabilities of Polartec^® Power Shield^™, this limited-edition jacket exemplifies a perfect synthesis of cutting-edge technology, functionality, and environmental consciousness in outerwear.

Judges’ Verdict: We loved the modern aesthetic of this race jacket that uses the latest Power Shield^™ weather protection fabric with plant-based contents.

Versatile, comfortable, efficient. The Kyanite is the layer you grab for chilly climbs, snowy ski days, cool hikes, and to cut the cold when you roll out of your sleeping bag after a night under the stars. This award-winning product, crafted with Polartec^® Power Stretch^™ Pro, is designed to provide a comfortable, relaxed fit with unrestricted freedom of movement, thanks to its four-way stretch fabric and abrasion-resistant nylon face. Inside, the garment is brushed for thermal efficiency and outstanding softness. Worn as a mid-layer or standalone piece, the Kyanite is an easy choice for any mountain adventure.

Judges’ Verdict: In the quest to keep our gear going for longer, Arc’Teryx has employed an iconic Polartec^® fabric and incorporated it into a well-loved design for apparel that you’ll want to last.

The MTN Guide MW Hoody is a performance mid-layer that manages the delicate balance of warmth, breathability, and moisture. By using different weights of Polartec^® Power Grid^™, the garment removes the bulk for a better fit and increased breathability in high heat areas. The addition of an innovative Polartec^® Power Wool^™ internal neck gaiter provides custom-tuned warmth that can be easily used with the hood up, down, or tuck it out of the way when not needed. Due to Polartec Power Wool’s unique bi-component construction, combining the properties of both natural and synthetic fibers, you get the ultimate in next-to-skin fabric performance. 

Judges’ Verdict: Berghaus was thoughtful in its use of multiple Polartec^® fabrics, both in terms of genre and weight.

An incredible convergence of design, inspiration, and upcycling innovation blends seamlessly between vintage Millet styling curated with deadstock Polartec^® 200 Series Recycled Fleece and Element’s artistic touch blends in this cozy collection. Millet and Element’s teams breathed new life into leftover fabrics, creating a unique color-blocked look while providing unparalleled comfort and warmth. With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and fast dry times, Polartec fleece remains the industry standard for outerwear performance since its inception in 1981.

Judges Verdict:We loved the sustainability story through Element and Millet’s use of discarded fabrics.

Built for super rugged conditions, the L.I.M Series Z|T is a truly synchronized layering system challenging the common perception of expedition gear. The versatile new approach to layering elevates the “less is more” wisdom, utilizing a combination of Polartec^® Alpha^™, Power Air^™, and Power Dry^™ technologies. Through meticulous design and a selection of innovative Polartec fabrics, the pieces supply outstanding functionality when worn individually, but true ingenuity shines when they are combined, producing an average of 30% lower humidity within the layering system compared to that of conventional systems, according to Haglöfs. The result: reducing the feeling of being too hot or too cold and keeping body temperature stable through a wide range of activities and intensities.

Judges’ Verdict: Haglöfs delivered an innovative concept made possible through the multiple use of Polartec^® fabrics.

Constructed of Polartec^® Power Dry^™ - a superiorly advanced next-to-skin moisture management fabric - the super versatile Pace Flow Houdi offers high insulation, low weight and exceptional breathability. The open mesh fabric allows air to flow through and vent out any excess heat or moisture and when used in a layering system, will encapsulate a powerful layer of warm air - akin to the new generation of Polartec^® Power Air^™ fabrics - that provides an exceptional level of insulation and thermal efficiency to create the perfect microclimate for high pace activities.

Judges’ Verdict: Houdini is known for its strong sustainability credentials and has delivered outstanding results with this new, recycled Polartec^® technology.

An ideal blend of style and performance, this modern designed fleece tunic featuring Polartec^® Thermal Pro^™ for core body warmth is highly durable and pill resistant. With technical fiber compositions that maintain a soft texture and air pockets for thermoregulation and breathability, Thermal Pro^® advances fleece fashion with premium yarns for a cozy, resilient, and stylish finish. The thin and soft Toga tunic can be worn as an outer layer or an insulating intermediate layer under a shell without added bulk. 

Judges’ Verdict: Indyeva’s unique application of Polartec^® fabric also features attention to detail and undeniable style.

Dead quiet, low-sheen, and highly wind resistant, the first-of-its-kind printed Polartec^® Wind Pro^™ fleece hunting jacket is versatile as an early-season outer layer or as a late-season mid-layer that achieves high-level protection without a noisy windproof membrane, ensuring unrestricted breathability for maximum comfort. Engineered with a compact knit surface structure for up to 4x greater wind resistance than regular synthetic fleece, Wind Pro adds brawn to deflect the elements while still maintaining soft comfort and lightweight warmth.

Judges’ Verdict:Kuiu presented us with a challenge that led to innovative results for both brands.

Designed for an active lifestyle in a retro inspired mountaineering silhouette, this ripstop hooded jacket & shorts are made with a wind-proof lining and hydrophobic Polartec^® Alpha^™ that regulates warmth and provides exceptional breathability. Alpha continuously releases excess body heat before it builds - an adaptive quality that is made possible through Alpha’s lofted fibers connected to a solid mesh core. This active insulation resists all moisture, is incredibly fast drying, and highly compressible, making it the ideal piece for on and off the mountain.

Judges’ Verdict: Moncler Grenoble’s Peyrus Hooded Jacket and Shorts offer technical excellence for outdoor adventures with their exceptional breathability.

Reimagining the esteemed cardigan silhouette as a high performing technical garment, utilizing Polartec^® Alpha^™ Direct fabric providing warmth while continuously releasing excess body temperature to maintain comfort and coziness. Alpha Direct active insulation technology allows for direct contact with skin and other fabric layers due to the refining of the shape and size of its lofted fibers - this new design ability not only increases breathability performance but expands versatile style options. Japanese label, Nonnative, has gained a following for its fresh takes on traditional American workwear, upgrading them with contemporary fabrications to blend practicality and style - an approach that gained attention through this inventive utilization of Alpha Direct.

Judges’ Verdict: Nonnative’s cardigan is on-trend and features high performance fabric – the perfect combination.

Designed for cyclists, this innovative midlayer featuring Polartec^® Alpha^™ Direct fabric transfers moisture with breakaway speed, keeping riders dry and comfortable throughout a wide temperature range in an extremely lightweight, packable, insulative, and thermoregulating garment with unparalleled breathability and drying times. By refining the shape and size of its lofted fibers, Alpha^® Direct active insulation continuously releases excess body heat before it builds to cause saturation and discomfort, and being hydrophobic, it resists moisture and dries incredibly fast for unparalleled performance and versatility.

Judges’ Verdict: We were impressed by Pearl Izumi’s focus on versatility through clever use of fabric for year-round appeal.

A revolutionary new garment designed for gravel cyclists seeking protection from cold and wind, the pack vest combines a unique version of Polartec^® Alpha^™ with Wool for superb moisture management properties and natural thermoregulation. Alpha active insulation is engineered for consistent warmth while allowing for greater breathability and fast drying during activity, and maintains a highly packable, low-weight structure - all critical benefits for year-round, all-weather cyclists.

Judges’ Verdict: Santini has successfully adopted this new Polartec^® technology to create an on-trend garment for gravel cyclists around the world.

Applied for the first time to a trail running shoe, Polartec^® Windbloc^™ provides water resistant, breathable, and comfortable protection for seriously gnarly conditions in the Ribelle Run Kalibra G trail shoe. Designed for mixed terrain and extreme conditions, the shoe’s gaiter is constructed of a unique Polartec polyurethane membrane that defends against the harshest elements of wind, water, and cold temperatures, while still allowing moisture vapor to permeate outside for maximum comfort and breathability.

Judges’ Verdict: Scarpa’s developed an impressive trail running shoe. A world-first and genius pairing of Polartec^® technology for high performance.

A versatile technical softshell jacket incorporating a unique combination of two Polartec powered fabrics and one enhancing technology. Designed as a midlayer for advanced technical pursuits, the Centurion Alpine Jacket is forged with Polartec^® Hardface^® technology, fused at the fiber level to increase abrasion resistance and water repellency without compromising breathability. In addition to the resilient exterior, it also includes Polartec^® Power Stretch^® for ease of movement and Polartec^® Power Air ^™, capturing air to retain body heat in cool environments. Designed as the ultimate all-mountain piece, the Jacket is perfectly suited for a diverse range of outdoor disciplines.

Judges’ Verdict: ThruDark’s tried and tested Centurion Alpine Jacket uses multiple, sustainable Polartec fabrics to create a jacket that will withstand extreme use.