What To Compare When Selecting Outerwear

After a long hot summer, cooler weather is starting to come our way. If you've lived here more than on year, you know that in our area of NC, weather can be warm on Monday and cold on Friday. Understanding how jackets are constructed and identifying key features to compare is critical if you frequently find yourself outdoors or you are considering budgeting for an outwear promotion.

As a marketing and branding piece goes outwear is a proven winner. In a 2015 study conducted by ASI- the following information was gathered from consumers surveyed:

1. 50% of consumers owned a branded outwear item
2. 57% of men and 43% of women own promotional outer wear
3. Consumers considered outerwear one of the top 5 products to receive; as 75% consider it useful
4. 86% of recipients said receiving outerwear generated a more positive image of a company

What types of jackets should you purchase?

Soft shells for mobility and water resistance, yet light to wear? Micro fleece for warmth without the bulk? A 3-in-1 jacket system, which consists of two jacket layers that zip together. The recipient can choose to wear either jacket layer separately or zip them together for extra warmth and weather protection; offering flexibility and long term use.



What are the key features to consider? 


1. Articulation- increase mobility for greater ease of movement with arms & shoulders. 
2.  Breath ability-  It’s the movement of air from one side of the fabric to the other to keep the wearer     comfortable. Generally, the higher the number, the more breathable the garment.
3. Cord Locks- A stopper or toggle on a draw cord that keeps the cord from retracting into the garment.
 4. Down- The soft, fluffy under feathers of ducks & geese; excellent thermal insulator.
 5. Fill Power- The measure of the loft or “fluffiness” of a down garment that is loosely related to    the insulating value of the down.
6. Insulation-  A jacket designed to hold body heat close and buffer surrounding cold air.
7. Micro fleece- Crafted from ultra-fine yarn, this lightweight, high-density fleece is brushed less    than a regular fleece garment for softness and warmth without bulk.
 8. Soft  Shell- A fabrication that bonds an outer shell to a warm fleece or knit layer resulting    in a breathable, flexible and comfortable jacket. All our soft shells have laminate for water resistance.
9. Waterproof- Keeps outside moisture from penetrating the fabric. The waterproof rating is    typically expressed in milliliters (1,000mm to 10,000mm) based on water pressure tolerance over a 24-hour period.  Generally, the higher the rating, the higher the waterproof protection.
10. Water-resistant- Keeps the wearer dry in moderate wind and rain. Very breathable, allowing air to pass through while keeping moisture at bay.
11. Wind-resistant- A fabric’s ability to act against or oppose the penetration of wind or air, without being completely windproof.

Looking for new jackets? 

Plenty of choices in our company store-http://www.companycasuals.com/promotionalpartners/b.jsp?id=117&ln=117
however most of our clients prefer to compare choices in the showroom or have us set up a time to visit their location with pre-selected choices for employee to compare.

What's your favorite type of jacket?