Latest news with #Polartec
WIRED
18-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- WIRED
Why Is My Fleece Jacket See-Through?
The gorpcore backpackers are wearing a breathable fabric called Alpha Direct or grid fleece. It's coming for your cover-ups. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Ever since I started backpacking in the 1990s, I've carried a lightweight fleece jacket. The puffer jacket may have eclipsed it in popularity, and merino wool is sustainable and stink-free. But the humble fleece is durable, breathable, and light. It also costs next to nothing. (I have 30-year-old Marmot fleece that still works great.) Much as I still love that old fleece, you may have noticed climbers and backpackers wearing a specific kind of new, high-tech performance fleece—whether it's the Patagonia R1, the Senchi Designs Alpha 120, or the famous, ever-elusive Melanzana Micro Grid. What is it? Do you need it? Here's a quick rundown of fleece varieties. Once you're done here, check out the rest of our outdoor apparel guides, from the Best Rain Jackets to the Best Running Shorts. Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today . The Original Fleece Long, long ago (since the 1980s, to be precise), there was just fleece. The lightweight fabric was invented by Malden Mills (now known as Polartec). And it was good, most of the time. The humble fleece jacket I've been carrying for all these years is great for breaks on high passes, when the temperature drops suddenly and the wind picks up. While fleece's wind resistance isn't as good as a shell, it can hold the wind at bay during hiking breaks. Fleece is also great around camp, and even off the trail, in town. Depending on the temperature and ventilation options, it can also be a good option for aerobic activities. For example, a half-zip fleece pullover offers a little more ventilation. I often start out spring and fall days hiking in fleece through the cool mornings, and it works great. But when you're very active—cycling for example—you can overwhelm traditional fleece's breathability. Textile manufacturers began working on new types of fleece to address the lack of breathability. Grid Fleece The fact that OG fleece does eventually get overwhelmed when you're really moving led Polartec, creators of fleece, to develop a grid fleece known as Polartec Power Grid. Grid fleece weaves in about 5 percent elastane (aka Spandex) in a grid-like pattern (hence the name). The gaps in the grid allow more moisture out, which increases the breathability significantly. The gridded blocks trap air, keeping you warm. The trade-off is that grid fleece is much less effective in the wind. Grid fleece is generally not intended to be something you put on at camp, but something you hike in during the day. Really, grid fleece isn't a great stand-alone garment. Where grid fleece excels is when paired with a windshirt or rain jacket. This combo is especially great for high aerobic-intensity activities like cycling. Pairing grid fleece with my Patagonia Houdini wind shell is perfect for early rides on cold mornings. Grid fleece with a wind shell is better at blocking the wind than traditional fleece and more breathable as well. Alpha Direct Fleece In 2017, in conjunction with the US military, Polartec created Alpha Direct fleece (sometimes called just Alpha), which is even lighter and more breathable than grid fleece. Alpha fleece uses a fishnet-like weave to hold high-loft fibers in between the weave. For military purposes, this layer was then put under a windproof outer layer, which makes it considerably heavier. But some cottage industry hiking companies got hold of the fabric and started making fleece hoodies using just Alpha Direct. The result is a garment that has a startlingly good warmth-to-weight ratio, so long as the wind isn't blowing. As with grid fleece, you want to pair an Alpha Direct fleece hoodie with a windproof shell. Alpha Direct weighs next to nothing, and an entire hoodie can stuff down to not much bigger than your fist. Yet they are nearly as warm as a traditional fleece (until the wind blows). They've proved popular with thru hikers and other ultralight backpackers. The downside to Alpha Direct is that the weave is very fragile. Any kind of rough bushwhacking will quickly shred your Alpha Direct fleece to nothingness. A friend who tried one in the canyon country of Utah likened it to being a big horn sheep—you leave a tuft of your jacket on every passing branch. However, if you stick to areas where abrasion isn't an issue, or you only wear it in camp, or you pair it with a shell, Alpha Direct fleece wins hands down on warmth-to-weight and for packing down to a tiny size. For a while, Rab made a jacket called the Alpha Freak (no longer sold) that was an intriguing combination of grid fleece and Polartec Alpha Direct 190 gsm, or grams per square meter, fleece. It even had some Pertex Quantum over the hood to keep your head warmer. By all accounts, this was something of a technical marvel that a lucky few backpackers now carefully horde. Rab, if you're listening, bring back the Alpha Freak. Which Kind of Fleece Should You Get? The answer depends on what you're doing. Traditional fleece jacket: This remains the most durable and versatile of the bunch. It breathes, it's the most windproof, it's pretty light, and it's cheap. Solid fleece also dries very quickly (you can wring it out) and is warmer than your average sweatshirt. Go for a full-length zipper, and size up if you want to increase breathability. This is the best all-around option. When you can get one for less than $25 dollars, there's really no reason not to have one. Grid fleece: If you're planning on being active in cold weather, hiking, biking, running, or walking, grid fleece is a better option. You'll want to pair it with a shell if there's any wind, but the increased breathability makes grid fleece the best choice for getting after it. Alpha Direct fleece: The lightest of the bunch, Alpha Direct is great when you're headed into the backcountry and want an ultralight fleece as your insulating layer. Alpha Direct comes in a variety of fabric weights, from a partly see-through 60 gsm to a more useful (and durable) 120 gsm, all the way up to 190 gsm. I have not tested anything at 190 gsm. The most popular seems to be the 60 and 90 gsm, but I have found 120 gsm feels like the sweet spot between weight (about 8 ounces for a men's large) and warmth. As an added bonus, 120 gsm is about where you stop looking like a bizarre thru-hiking creature and have a jacket you can walk around town in without attracting stares. (Maybe. Depending on the town.) Just beware hiking in rough terrain. Snagging Alpha Fleece on anything will quickly destroy it. In the end, depending on what you do outdoors, you might want one of each. Thankfully several of these are quite cheap. For traditional fleece I like a quarter-zip pull over, which can be had at Decathalon for $25, or if you want something a bit more stylish you can go for the Patagonia Micro D pullover for $70. Grid fleece is the priciest of the bunch—Patagonia's popular Men's R1 Air is $180—though there are much cheaper options available. I haven't tested it yet, but several thru-hikers I know speak highly of Squak Mountain's grid fleece hoodie ($65). Alpha Direct fleece is getting more popular outside the hiking/backpacking community, which has led to numerous new options we're in the process of testing, but two tried-and-true standbys remain my top picks. Both the Senchi Designs Alpha Direct 90 hoodie, and the Leve Alpha 90 hoodie are also great, though availability is limited. That also contributes to Alpha Direct's allure—many of the small companies that make these layers only make them in small drops. The downside to fleece is that fleece is a huge contributor to plastic pollution, specifically microplastics, which fleece sheds when you wash it. Alpha Direct fleece is much worse about this than the others (did I mention that it's fragile?). The loose weave of Alpha Direct sheds pretty bad, both in the wash and on the trail. Many companies making Alpha Direct garments will include a microplastic wash bag, which helps somewhat, but it's still not ideal. This is where wool wins. It's better for the environment and its made of natural, renewable materials. If weight or expense is not your primary concern, I suggest merino wool.
The Guardian
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A sinner, a killer and a very controversial erection: has director Alain Guiraudie surpassed Stranger By the Lake?
There's a wonderfully frank clifftop scene in Misericordia, Alain Guiraudie's new rural thriller, in which a priest seems to give absolution to a murderer. Not through some great act of clemency, though, but because of what he wants in return. 'He's a lot like me,' says the director, laughing. 'He's navigating between his greater ideals and his desires as a man. I think a lot of us do that.' Morally flexible clergymen, vacillating killers, characters whose desires lead them into terra incognita – this is Guiraudie's morally unstable terrain. Misericordia is the mirror image of his much-praised 2013 psychological drama Stranger By the Lake. Where that film made a murderer a dimly grasped object of desire, here the point of view is the killer's. Jérémie stirs up dormant passions when he returns to his childhood village for the funeral of his former baker boss. In Guiraudie's hands, it's never certain whether a story will turn out tragic or comic. In Misericordia, it's both: the film starts off in Talented Mr Ripley territory, before spiralling into bed-hopping, gendarme-dodging farce. I'd hoped to meet Guiraudie in Aveyron, where he was born and where many of his films are set, but he's upped sticks from the south-west and now lives in Paris. 'After 20 years, I fancied a change of horizon,' he says, sitting in a brasserie near the capital's Buttes-Chaumont park. 'And also I was there less and less. My furniture may as well have been in a storage unit.' With a full head of silvery hair and well-hewn features, the 60-year-old still looks fresh from a hike in the stark Aveyron highlands, in his Polartec jacket, climbing shoes and headband. Through Misericordia, Stranger By the Lake and his 2016 comedy-drama Staying Vertical, he has broadened the scope of on-screen depictions of rural France, something he thinks has narrowed since the 1970s. Mainly, Guiraudie likes to remind audiences that sexuality is just as rich out there as it is on the Parisian thoroughfare moving past our brasserie window. 'The working class has become completely excluded from the representation of sensuality, of sexuality, of homosexuality,' he says. 'There's an impression those things only concern hot young people in sexy jobs. But it's important to remember you can be a worker, or a farmer, and gay. Or not even gay, but with an erotic life.' The priest wandering into shot fully erect in Misericordia – surely a screen first – gets that point across effectively, as does the middle-aged sex worker cheerfully plying her trade in 2022's Nobody's Hero. It seems natural that Guiraudie is on intimate terms with la France profonde: he grew up in a five-house hamlet north of Toulouse with his parents on a small dairy farm. The claustrophobia of Misericordia – 'where everyone is always making up stories about the neighbours' – is a direct lift. In such a place, the idea of making films seemed absurd: 'It felt very far off socially and geographically. My parents always had a tendency to dampen my ambitions. By saying, 'Careful. It's not possible. You won't get there.'' After dropping out of history studies in Montpellier, Guiraudie began writing novels, then realised they were closer to film scripts. He broke out of his inertia by describing it, writing a story about two layabouts in a village square bantering about some magazine project. Encouraged by a Toulouse producer to film it, he turned it into his first short: 1990's Les Héros Sont Immortels (Heroes Never Die). He learned everything about film-making on the job, while working simultaneously as a night watchman. 'It was the most thrilling period of my youth,' he says, 'apart from certain great parties.' The erotic action of Stranger By the Lake was focused on the titular cruising spot, its drama alternating between horny conversations at its nudist beach and pornographically shot tussles in the undergrowth. The film had a classical purity. Although it was rapturously reviewed, and was by far his most commercially successful, some American viewers felt it described a world that had been made obsolete by Grindr and the like. But Guiraudie points out that real-life cruising is far from dead – from Berlin's Tiergarten to the actual lake where they filmed, Sainte-Croix in south-east France. 'It hasn't completely disappeared,' he says. 'Especially in France, we're still attached to it. We've still got that romantic notion of sex and love.' Even the film's explicit sex scenes added to the Greco-Roman feel. Shot with body doubles, this was an area in which Guiraudie forced himself to take a head-on approach. 'I wanted to face up to the representation of sex and of my sexuality: homosexuality. It's complicated because you give up a lot of your intimate self and you have to ask a lot of actors.' For someone whose films are so carnal, Guiraudie is an unlikely sort of moralist, in his amused fascination with how best to negotiate the world. His characters, in their wayward navigation of their desires, seem constantly to be trying to locate the correct path – not that the director, as his films veer from tragic to comic, makes it easy for them. That appears to be Guiraudie's take on how the universe works: a sense of unfathomability probably inherited from his Catholic education. Until he lost his faith at the age of 14, he insisted on going to mass himself, despite his parents' indifference to it. He points out that Catholicism has the same kind of pragmatic accommodation to sex seen in his films: 'It integrates the physical needs of man quite well. The proof is that forgives easily [via confession].' Guiraudie has torn up and strewn across the table his Kusmi tea sachet. He's getting used to Paris, he says, a once-unthinkable notion: 'I'm liking it more and more. I'm doing things the opposite way round to everyone else, heading off to the countryside as they get older.' Currently writing a new film, this Molière of the Massif Central is headed somewhere new in his work too: it will be set in France's overseas territories. Not that us humans have any choice but to adapt. 'My impression is that whatever we're living through – amorous or otherwise – never lives up to our ideals.' He laughs once more. 'Reality always smacks us in the face.' Misericordia is out on 28 March
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Must-have fleece jackets for the winter season
Fox News and its syndication partners may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom. With temps dropping into single digits around the country, few wardrobe staples provide the perfect combination of warmth, comfort and style as fleece jackets do. Lightweight yet insulating, these versatile pieces are ideal for layering during outdoor adventures or casual wear in brisk weather. Designed to trap heat while remaining breathable, fleece jackets have become a favorite for winter enthusiasts and fashion-conscious individuals alike. Whether trekking through snowy trails or running errands around town, these ten options ensure you stay warm without sacrificing comfort or fashion. This fleece sweatshirt with pockets on Amazon combines a fleece's warmth with a sweater's aesthetic. The sweatshirt is a quarter-zip style that can be worn over an activewear set or as a standalone sweater. And there is a similar style jacket at Nordstrom for less than $40. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. A classic choice, this Columbia Benton Springs features soft, midweight fleece for reliable warmth. It's perfect for layering or standalone wear with a modern, classic fit and zippered hand pockets. It's an affordable option that doesn't compromise quality and comes in many colors and sizes. You can also get the same jacket in many colors and sizes on Amazon for a few dollars less. These Hats And Scarves Will Transform Your Winter Look And Keep You Warm Read On The Fox News App The Denali 2 from The North Face at Amazon features reinforced shoulders, chest and forearms. Its signature Polartec fleece construction provides insulation while remaining breathable for a variety of winter activities. L.L. Bean offers its version of this jacket, which is of the same quality, at a slightly lower cost. Designed for casual wear, the Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan on Amazon uses the brand's signature heathered fleece for a soft, sweater-knit appearance. It's lightweight, comfortable and versatile, making it an excellent choice for outdoor settings. Want a similar style with a price that can't be beaten? Check out this Columbia version for $40. Budget-friendly and practical, this Columbia Mountain 2.0 is a lightweight fleece jacket perfect for mild winter conditions. It features a full-zip front and elastic cuffs to seal in warmth, plus a pocket to stash your phone. If you like this jacket's features but might want to grab it in a vest for layering purposes, check out this Mountain 2.0 vest. Winter Camping Gear That Will Help You Stay Warm While You're In The Woods The Marmot Reactor on Amazon is made of the brand's Polartec microfleece for optimal warmth without bulk and moisture-wicking capabilities. Its flatlock seams claim to reduce chafing and the jacket's lightweight design ensures ease of movement, making it a favorite for hiking and climbing. L.L. Bean offers a similar lightweight performance fleece jacket for $74.99. With a nod to vintage outdoor style, the Mountain Classic fleece is made from anti-pill polyester fleece for long-lasting wear. This jacket combines timeless design with practical features like zippered pockets and elastic cuffs. There's a version for women, too, for a matching his-and-hers look for any couple that loves to partake in outdoor adventures together. The Outdoor Research Vigor at Amazon uses a thermo-regulating technology to help your body stay comfortable during varying activity levels. Stretch panels add mobility and the breathable fleece keeps you dry and comfortable during intense adventures. The North Face also offers a thermo-regulating fleece at Nordstrom at a lower price. Most people know Carhartt for its rugged canvas gear, but the brand also offers a durable fleece ideal for outdoor work or play. The jacket's stretch fabric and water-repellent finish make it a durable yet comfortable choice for winter wear. If you're an L.L. Bean fan, they also offer a version of this for around the same price. For more deals, visit Soft, lightweight and warm, the Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer hybrid is a versatile fleece jacket suitable for layering or standalone wear. It is moisture-wicking with added odor control and the zippered pockets add plenty of spots to stash essentials! Nike's popular tech fleece line has a similar style with the added feature of a scuba article source: Must-have fleece jackets for the winter season
Fox News
21-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
Must-have fleece jackets for the winter season
With temps dropping into single digits around the country, few wardrobe staples provide the perfect combination of warmth, comfort and style as fleece jackets do. Lightweight yet insulating, these versatile pieces are ideal for layering during outdoor adventures or casual wear in brisk weather. Designed to trap heat while remaining breathable, fleece jackets have become a favorite for winter enthusiasts and fashion-conscious individuals alike. Whether trekking through snowy trails or running errands around town, these ten options ensure you stay warm without sacrificing comfort or fashion. This fleece sweatshirt with pockets on Amazon combines a fleece's warmth with a sweater's aesthetic. The sweatshirt is a quarter-zip style that can be worn over an activewear set or as a standalone sweater. And there is a similar style jacket at Nordstrom for less than $40. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. A classic choice, this Columbia Benton Springs features soft, midweight fleece for reliable warmth. It's perfect for layering or standalone wear with a modern, classic fit and zippered hand pockets. It's an affordable option that doesn't compromise quality and comes in many colors and sizes. You can also get the same jacket in many colors and sizes on Amazon for a few dollars less. The Denali 2 from The North Face at Amazon features reinforced shoulders, chest and forearms. Its signature Polartec fleece construction provides insulation while remaining breathable for a variety of winter activities. L.L. Bean offers its version of this jacket, which is of the same quality, at a slightly lower cost. Designed for casual wear, the Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan on Amazon uses the brand's signature heathered fleece for a soft, sweater-knit appearance. It's lightweight, comfortable and versatile, making it an excellent choice for outdoor settings. Want a similar style with a price that can't be beaten? Check out this Columbia version for $40. Budget-friendly and practical, this Columbia Mountain 2.0 is a lightweight fleece jacket perfect for mild winter conditions. It features a full-zip front and elastic cuffs to seal in warmth, plus a pocket to stash your phone. If you like this jacket's features but might want to grab it in a vest for layering purposes, check out this Mountain 2.0 vest. The Marmot Reactor on Amazon is made of the brand's Polartec microfleece for optimal warmth without bulk and moisture-wicking capabilities. Its flatlock seams claim to reduce chafing and the jacket's lightweight design ensures ease of movement, making it a favorite for hiking and climbing. L.L. Bean offers a similar lightweight performance fleece jacket for $74.99. With a nod to vintage outdoor style, the Mountain Classic fleece is made from anti-pill polyester fleece for long-lasting wear. This jacket combines timeless design with practical features like zippered pockets and elastic cuffs. There's a version for women, too, for a matching his-and-hers look for any couple that loves to partake in outdoor adventures together. The Outdoor Research Vigor at Amazon uses a thermo-regulating technology to help your body stay comfortable during varying activity levels. Stretch panels add mobility and the breathable fleece keeps you dry and comfortable during intense adventures. The North Face also offers a thermo-regulating fleece at Nordstrom at a lower price. Most people know Carhartt for its rugged canvas gear, but the brand also offers a durable fleece ideal for outdoor work or play. The jacket's stretch fabric and water-repellent finish make it a durable yet comfortable choice for winter wear. If you're an L.L. Bean fan, they also offer a version of this for around the same price. For more deals, visit Soft, lightweight and warm, the Eddie Bauer Cloud Layer hybrid is a versatile fleece jacket suitable for layering or standalone wear. It is moisture-wicking with added odor control and the zippered pockets add plenty of spots to stash essentials! Nike's popular tech fleece line has a similar style with the added feature of a scuba hood.
