Outdoor Insight

housed under the new Gore-Tex Infinium product brand, which represents Gore products that offer all-around outdoor performance beyond waterproof technologies. These product technologies will be available to consumers beginning in Fall 2018 from key Gore partner brands (announced individually by the brands at the show). This is part of the ongoing trend of people looking for better performing apparel that works across an increasingly broad array of activities, from lifestyle to technical. Gore says it is responding to the way more people are choosing to experience being outside, as well as when and under what conditions people are going outdoors. 8. Stretch Apparel We saw stretch in a few technical apparel pieces from brands at last winter's show and this year even more brands are getting into the mobility scene. A new Gore-Tex stretch waterproof fabric could represent a significant advance in weather-protective apparel. Whether hiking, skiing, climbing or any outdoor activity, the more freedom of movement the better, and Gore-Tex Fabric with Stretch Technology offers this, using a three-dimensional topographic structured pattern with elastic properties that stretches out when very low force is applied. It can be mapped into select areas of garments where stretch is more important such as elbows, upper back, side panels of a jacket, and lower back, knees or crotch gusset of pants. Schoeller also has a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber that provides 360-degree stretch and recovery for enhanced fit, along with support and breathabil- ity. It has a softer, more consistent stretch and better compression than spandex. Flylow is introducing a custom built fabric called The Perm (by Intuitive) that adds stretch to air permeable and waterproof shells as well, debuting in their F18 Cooper Jacket and Smythe Pant. Look for trend-worthy stretch outerwear and mid-layers from Ortovox and 686 as well. 9. Waterless DWR from Green Theme International (GTI) This waterless, chemical-free DWR-type treatment is aiming to impact the apparel industry for the better. According to GTI, 26 brands are currently testing this technology and Marmot will be the first to market with it in 2018. After five years of research and develop- ment, GTI says it has invented a way to waterproof finished fabrics that eliminates water usage, eliminates PFCs and outperforms existing C6, C8 and PFC-free DWRs. The product is called Aquavent and creates what it is calling Breathable Water Protection, utilizing heat and pressure to hyper-fuse water protection to the fibers inside each yarn that won't wash out over time, and can be applied to everything from storm shells to running knits to wool suits. 10. Phantom Permanent Base Glide Treatment Speaking of disruptive technologies, ski maker DPS says it has developed a product that replaces wax for downhill skis with a permanent, one-time applica- tion, two-part liquid chemistry that forever eliminates the need to wax your boards. They blew away their Kickstarter goal in less than four hours and the brand hopes to reduce the harmful PFCs released from traditional waxing into the environment and into ski- shop employees and athletes' lungs. The snowboard and backcountry crowd already seem to be onboard, and time will tell if Nordic, downhill racers, shops and other ski manufacturers are keen to adopt this new base-penetrating technology. O February 2018 • Outdoor Insight • 25 outdoorinsightmag.com Left: W.L. Gore is unveiling a collection of four technologies under the Gore-Tex Infinium product brand in 2018. Right: Backcountry leads ski growth. (Photo: Sego Ski Co.) Flylow Cooper Jacket and Smythe Pant

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