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Sugoi and Polartec Teaming Up for Fall 2013

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Sugoi RSX Polartecr NeoShellr Jacket

By combining the apparel skills of Sugoi and the technical fabric chops of Polartec, the two hope that a collaboration will lead towards the ultimate in cold and wet weather gear for cycling and running. The new apparel will be designed and tested around Sugoi’s head quarters in the brutal British Columbia winters and wet season.

Details after the break.

Sugoi RSE Polartecr NeoShellr Jacket

Polartec will be supplying three different technical fabrics all with unique characteristics suited to each garment. The RSE Jacket immediately above, and the RSX jacket on the first page, each will feature Polartec NeoShell – what they claim is the most breathable, waterproof fabric on the market. A big claim, for sure. The result? What would be the driest, most breathable jackets for those times when you have to ride even when it’s pouring. The RSE is designed for road cycling while the RSX is meant for off road and both will keep you completely dry thanks to the two-way air exchange of NeoShell while remaining almost completely wind proof. If they stand up to the claims, sign me up.

Next on the list are the Sugoi RSR Power Shield Jackets and vests, which feature Polartec’s Power Shield for lightweight protection when warmth is more important than being 100% waterproof. The Power Shield series is designed to offer protection from most normal weather conditions with excellent breathability and in most cases, without the need for an another layer.

Last but not least, the RSR Race Top and Tight offer pro fit comfort with Polartec’s Power Stretch fabric. The advanced base layers are designed to fit close to the body while moving and stretching and should offer light weight warmth and moisture transfer.

From Sugoi:

“SUGOI products are designed and tested in an environment where the rain shows no mercy and the wind whips off the Pacific,” says SUGOI Senior Technical Designer, Rob Gill. “This testing ground gives life and purpose to our products, and Polartec’s technical fabric solutions perform in all seasons. The pinnacle pieces of the collection are the new RSE and RSX Polartec NeoShell jackets, which are the most breathable waterproof cycling products on the market.”

“We are excited to not only have SUGOI adopting one of our latest award-winning technologies, Polartec NeoShell, but also some of our most dependable and versatile fabrics like Polartec Power Shield and Polartec Power Stretch,” adds Allon Cohne, Polartec Global Marketing Director. “SUGOI has looked to us as a strategic technical partner and became the first cycling brand to build a premium collection using some of Polartec’s most innovative technologies.”

 

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norm
norm
11 years ago

nice looking. too bad about the silly gray lines on the RSE jacket. Why must apparel designers (or their managers) insist on marking-up perfectly nice garments…. ugh, I wish they could be easily removed like unsightly wheel decals. I don’t mind the tasteful inclusion of a logo and patterns that emerge that are a result of the structure and fabric of the pieces. The RSE jacket would be identifiable without the silly gray marks. Imagine the design meetings “Smithers, we need a unique line here or there, something action-oriented, and classic.” —“But, Mr. Johnson, the panel stitching and shaping of the jacket has come together so well, the piece stands on its own without graphics and can be identifiable as Sugoi even though we’ve used classically silly graphics in the past.” —“Smithers, I want lines!”.

Fortunately, it appears that the women’s RSR Power jacket made it through the process without getting the silly graphical marker department’s treatment. The RSX got just a small treatment. Of course, we can’t see the back of these garments which is typically a big playground for the silly graphical marker dept.

I like a good number of Sugoi products and have some bibs, jerseys, and couple accessories. They are well-made. And I might have to get the RSX as I can tolerate an occasional, minimal, silly mark for a high-quality garment.

I don’t really know how apparel design meetings go as I’ve never been a part of that world (perhaps that shows), but working in other design contexts, I’ve certainly been privy to marketing and brand and other management folks messing with a product’s integrity for no good reason.

B
B
11 years ago

bahahahahahahahaha…. 274 words just to say “It was a graaaave marketing error for Sugoi to come up with a marking scheme not to my own personal taste.”

Warm kit, and hot looking, IMO.

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
11 years ago

If the gray lines are reflective, I’ll take it. If they’re not, I’ll take it anyway as it’s a smart looking jacket that hopefully will perform as well as it looks.

norm
norm
11 years ago

@B My little essay doesn’t assert that a marketing mistake was made, as I have no idea whether those little marks will sell more jackets or not. The mistake was an *esthetic* one. And this is, of course, merely opinion. The RSE jacket would be stronger without the gray lines, just as I think the RSX jacket is quite strong –and recognizable as Sugoi. If, as Psi Squared notes, the RSE’s gray lines are reflective, then they are indeed functional and that would be nice and good (although I’d still say they could have been done more tastefully).

RH
RH
11 years ago

The RSE Jackets grey accents are very reflective and there are a few more on the back near the pockets. It looks allot better in the flesh and it fits really well. I am lucky enough to have a sample of it:)

norm
norm
11 years ago

@RH thanks for the intel… duly noted on the reflectivity. When these are out on shelves, I will take a look-see at my local shop who carries Sugoi.

Logan
Logan
11 years ago

Anybody know the time these will be released

RH
RH
11 years ago

They are due to arrive at retailers this September so just in time for the Northern Hemisphere Winter!

Neil
Neil
8 years ago

Great jacket my go to gear. Sharp looking.

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