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development manager, Burlington Fabrics, who believes consumers are making better choices while taking a more holistic approach to product purchases. "People have had time to educate themselves on what they buy. They want to know about the clothes they put on their body, what foods they put in their body, and what is right for them." Across the industry, sustainability is a key component of textile collections. However, so, too are functional features like comfort stretch, thermo-regulation, and durability. Execs agree that modern day fabrications must be multi-functional with an eco-friendly aspect. Just as sustainability alone is not enough, neither is a textile with a single performance characteristic. "It's all about what else we can do to add value," says Burt. Fabrics that easily transition from screen to outdoor is central to Burlington's product developments. In regard to changing life- styles due to COVID, products now need to function and feel good as we move from task to task throughout the day. Says Burt, "That might mean, you shut down the screen, put on your sneakers and go for a walk. Or your kids complete their online learning and head outside to skateboard." Here's a quick rundown on new offerings from a handful of suppliers developed with a new era of active outdoorist in mind: Burlington The Sustainability Collection, featured at OR Winter Online highlights fabrics made with upstream solutions provider technologies as well as Burlington proprietary technology, such as MCS (Moisture Control System), No Fly Zone insect repellency and PF Zero, the company's own formulation that is now developed across multiple platforms. In addition to high value sustainable properties and recycled content, the Collection also features comfort stretch, a soft handfeel and a range of performance properties. For example, the fully sustainable, 4-way stretch "Kerrigan" quality is a blend of 87 percent Green Circle polyester and 13 percent EcoMade Lycra. Green Circle poly is made from polyester garment waste using a closed loop recycle system, EcoMade Lycra is made from pre-consumer Lycra materials collected from company manufacturing sites. Another quality, a poly stretch twill called Kopari, is engineered for maximum comfort stretch, features Seaqual, a recycled poly yarn made from post consumer plastic bottles and plastic waste captured from the sea, in addition to MCS technology and a 50+UPF. Other fabric qualities feature Repreve recycled polyester and CiClo, an additive that reduces polyester microfiber pollution in landfill and marine environments. Polartec In its first launch of the year, Polartec and brand partner Burton have created a unique eight piece capsule collection featuring Polartec's proprietary fabric and technolo- gies. All the apparel and accessory pieces in the collection use recycled Polartec fabric. The collaboration, in celebration of the Burton snowboard film One World, highlights the concept of inclusivity. A company statement explains: "Whether you've been here all along or you're dropping in for the first time, the bond of snowboarding spans the globe and connects us all. We are One World." Polartec Power Air, the supplier's new knit construction that encapsulated air to retain warmth while reducing microfiber shedding, is featured in the One World Stash Pants and One World Tap Line Hat. The innovative fabric is light, stretchy, and highly durable with enhanced thermal efficiency and longevity. Both items are made with 73 percent recycled fabric. New Tech eVent expands its line to include a new bio- based membrane technology for all-weather protection performance. At the technology's core is the highly-renewable castor bean, which when converted into a nylon resin results in a light, but tough, flexible membrane. The bio-based nylon has a reduced carbon foot- print, and the membrane is biodegradable and recyclable. Available in standard and recycled laminates, the new eVent Bio combines high breathability with degrees of stretch comfort. Suedwolle launches Omega Twist, a rev- olutionary spinning technology. Properties include reduced pilling and "hairiness," max- imized durability and abrasion resistance. Featuring Omega Twist spinning technology, the fabric "Marin" is a blend of 90 percent wool/ 10 percent polyamide that stands out for strength, exceptional pilling grade and easy care efficiency. Schoeller biocosmo textiles, within the Performance Collection, feature fabrics made with recycled, recyclable and/or bio- degradable yarn and a bio-based finishing technology. According to the company, these high-quality, durable textiles meet the various needs of modern cosmopolitans, accompanying them in the biocosmos of day- to-day work, leisure and sport. As example, the light, elastic schoeller-dynamic fabric combines sustainability with functionality and comfort. Fairly produced in Switzerland, the soft jacket and pants quality consists of a high quality recycled polyamide and a recycled elasthane and, in addition, is finished with the water-repelling ecorepel.l *Sources for statistics: RANGE Horizon Report; YouGov.com; NPD Across the industry, sustainability is a key component of textile collections. However, so, too are functional features like comfort stretch, thermo- regulation, and durability. 26 • sportstyle • March 2021 sportstylemag.com DESIGN / PERFORMANCE

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