Polartec

From snowy peaks to city streets

Polartec is a world-renowned fleece fabric manufacturer. From the US military to Himalayan expeditions, Polartec and the history of fleece fabric are closely intertwined.

The story of fleece is far from ordinary. This fabric has revolutionized the outdoor textile industry and continues to flood contemporary wardrobes. Ultra-versatile, fleece has become essential for both everyday adventurers and extreme explorers.

We are thrilled to have turned to this industry pillar to equip our Polaris with their fabric : Polartec.

It all begins on a throne

Have you ever been struck by a brilliant idea that suddenly came to you while sitting pensively on the toilet? Well, let me tell you that in the competition for best ideas born on a throne, Yvon Chouinard would probably win.

While having dinner at friends' house, Yvon excuses himself to use the facilities. He sits on his friends' toilet. Good heavens! He's never been so comfortably seated on a throne in his life. And what about this comfort and softness, that he owes to a synthetic sock that his host had installed for the comfort of one's posterior. Yvon is genuinely intrigued and questions his friend about this fabric.

You should know that Yvon and his wife are outdoor enthusiasts, passionate about climbing and mountaineering. At the time, mountaineers mostly equipped themselves with thick wool sweaters or cotton rugby shirts. The clothes were warm but deteriorated quickly due to repeated friction against steep rock faces. As for the sweaters, they took far too long to dry after rain.

Yvon and his wife thus inquire about this strange light and warm fabric, and, a few months later, with the help of a small American company, the first fleece is commercialized by the company founded by the couple: Patagonia.

Change of plan

While Yvon Chouinard is busy trying to find manufacturing partners, an American company, Malden Mills, is about to celebrate its 80th anniversary. A symbolic milestone in a worrying atmosphere for this small manufacturer. Let's add some context. The 1980s are a major turning point for the textile industry. Shaken by the great boom in synthetic materials, countless companies in the sector are closing shop. More profitable, warmer, and easier to maintain, synthetic materials are making organic fibers look obsolete, leaving them abandoned by both manufacturers and consumers.

Back to our small American company: Malden Mills. Their specialty is PrimaLoft: they make technical wool clothing for the US military. In the 1980s, at Malden Mills, employees sense the winds of change. Internally, it's quickly understood that if the company doesn't innovate, bankruptcy will be inevitable. And that's when Yvon Chouinard enters the scene: the guy shows up, tells his far-fetched toilet seat cover story, and manages to convince the engineers at Malden Mills. Together, they develop a fabric they call "fleece" and flood the market with it. In 1985, Patagonia will release their iconic model: the "Patagonia Chinchilla".

In 1991, Malden Mills changes its name to Polartec. The company specializes in fleece fabric manufacturing and quickly becomes a leader in synthetic fabric innovation.

King of fleece

Today, Polartec stands as the undisputed market leader. In 40 years, the company has conquered the industry through its innovations and unmatched expertise. From the US military to Himalayan summiteers, Polartec has partnered with cutting-edge outdoor clothing brands: Patagonia, The North Face, Helly Hansen, and Filson, to name just a few. The company currently supplies more than 200 companies worldwide, carefully choosing its partners. Polartec continues to push the boundaries of innovation, creating increasingly technical fabrics using recycled and sustainable fibers.

We are privileged to count them among our partners. With their premium fabrics, your fleece will accompany you for years and keep you warm regardless of the conditions.