Kitsbow Partners With Polartec For Hybrid Wool/Synthetic Made In USA Base Layer For Any Weather

Written by Tim Krueger Jan 16, 2015 1:00 p.m. ET

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Kitsbow has teamed up with Polartec to stitch together the Power Wool Long Sleeve Base Layer. The high-performance fabric from Polartec is combined with Kitsbow’s style and brand to make a versatile base layer that can also be a cool weather outer.

This new fabric from Polartec is really interesting, it uses different yarn on each side of the fabric, so there is wool close to your skin to provide warmth, and then polyester/nylon (Polartec fleece) on the outside. Wool excels at moving moisture away from a body, as well as providing warmth even when wet, so it makes sense to put it against the body, and then the synthetic outer dries that perspiration quickly.

One of the benefits of Polartec is that it can be made from recycled materials, so this hybrid garment is more than 50% recycled fibers. The Power Wool base layer is made in the USA, and has a quarter-length snap closure and tailored fit like other Kitsbow garments.

Click past the jump to see the two colors offered, and a refreshing surprise that the price is not astronomical…

“In all of our design development, we look for ways to make products and fabrics work better for mountain biking,” said Charlie Cronk, Kitsbow designer and co-founder. “We were excited to work with Polartec to utilize the innovative fabric technology – the composition allows for maximum wicking, breathability, comfort, odor resistance and durability, making it a perfect addition to the Kitsbow line.”

Kitsbow’s Power Wool Long Sleeve Base Layer is $115 and is available in flash yellow and titanium. Given that the base layer is made by Kitsbow, and made in the USA, the price is actually pretty impressive, since similar garments made overseas can be around the same price.

www.kitsbow.com

Tim Krueger

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9 years ago

I would have guessed the synthetic layer goes against the skin, much like the Duofold clothing.

Drew Diller

9 years ago

I like the idea of having the tougher plastic on the outside. My Filson base layers have good stitching, but catching them on trees will chop them up in a big hurry.

STS

9 years ago

“Wool excels at moving moisture away from a body” Really? Never before have I heard anyone claiming this and never experienced that myself. So I agree with DJ that if there’s any benefit to achieve when combining these two materials it would make much more sense to place the hydrophobic and wicking polyester against the thin and the water-attracting and dispersing wool as the next layer.

Antipodean_G

9 years ago

Wool…. or Superfine Merino (which IS wool but the two textiles do differ quite a bit) is a heavily misunderstood fabric. Polyester fabrics need to wick in order to create a thermal effect in the cold, if they don’t, or get saturated, then they have low thermal properties – pretty much like cotton, which is the worst of the worst when you need to stay warm and dry.

@STS is actually right to a point. Superfine does wick but it also does reach a saturation point, hence the feeling of it being damp. The difference is that once the saturation point is reached, the insulation properties of the fibre are not affected and can actually get better. This is why Merino is a solid all year fabric. Laminating merino with a ploy in the inside defeats the properties of the wool, but when put on the outside does create a harder wearing fabric but one that is heavier in weight – which is why Sportwool died in the proverbial when pushed as a summer fabric.

There is a mass of information to delve into in regards to Merino but if you are interested in the technicalities, you can read about it here, a page we threw up recently with some great info: http://www.eleven.cc/merino/

mudrock

9 years ago

The Henley collar is not the optimum style for a base layer. Crew is best but if they insist on an opening a zipper is better. Unlike a zipper, which will separate and leave an opening for ventilation when unzipped, the Henley collar will just lay there when unbuttoned and not provide much ventilation. perhaps they wanted something stylish when worn alone, but as a base layer it’s compromised. And the double thickness of the placket will rub your chest hairs, or chafe the skin.

ginsu

9 years ago

@STS – Read wikipedia once in awhile. “Wool fibers readily absorb moisture, but are not hollow. Wool can absorb almost one-third of its own weight in water.”

Mike D

9 years ago

I’ll admit, I read “Kitsbow” and came here expecting to guffaw at the price. While this is a *bit* pricier than other merino base layers I use (see the BaaBaa stuff from Endura for about 80 beans), I think with the additional tech in this garment that it might be a winner. Would be interested to see one in person.

Tom

9 years ago

Too baggy. If you’re going hard in damp fall/winter weather, the base layer needs to fit almost like a second skin.

I go through thinking I “need” some new base layers every couple of years, then always come back to the (no longer available?) old polyester Craft pair I already own.