Baby It's Cold Outside

Colder weather and the forecast for snow create the right conditions to discuss outwear! The abundance of choice in the apparel industry for both style and fabric can quickly lead to frustration from the consumer. Stating you want to purchase "one of those jackets that feels like a koozie", a softshell jacket can be a complex decision.

Let's start with the anatomy of a jacket so we are all on the same page for the construction. 

What factors should you consider?

Our friends at sanmar created some educational documents we can share with you to explain the differences in jacket construction, break down the terminology associated with outer wear and compare brands "side by side" for features. Ask us to send you copies when considering what type of jacket will best suit your needs.

Top Considerations:

Fabric-What type of fabric do you want on the outside of the jacket and layered next to your skin?

• 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 

• Down. The soft, fluffy under feathers of ducks and geese. Serves as an excellent outerwear thermal insulator. 

• Fill Power. The measure of the loft or “fluffiness” of a down garment that is loosely related to  the insulating value of the down. The higher the fill power, the more trapped air an ounce of the down can trap, and thus the more insulating ability an ounce of the down will have. 

• Insulation. A jacket designed to hold body heat close and buffer surrounding cold air. Down,   fleece and synthetic fibers are common insulators. Insulation levels help determine warmth ratings.

• Microfleece. Crafted from ultra-fine yarn, this lightweight, high-density fleece is brushed less   than a regular fleece garment for softness and warmth without bulk.
  

Breathability- Sanmar describes as, It’s the movement of air from one side of the fabric to the other to keep the wearer  comfortable. The breathability rating is typically expressed in a gram measurement of how much vapor a square meter (G/M2) of fabric will allow to pass in a 24-hour    period (Typically, 1,000G/M2 to 10,000G/M2). Generally, the higher the number,  the more breathable the garment. Basically breath-ability means you can move around in your coat, not feel like a sausage or sweat to death just to stay warm!

Water Resistance -Keeps the wearer dry in moderate wind and rain. Very breathable, allowing air to pass through while keeping moisture at bay. In extreme or extended conditions, waterproofing is a better solution.  Water Proofing-  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.
 
Why is outwear an outstanding value for your marketing dollars? 

Price is a factor too! Name brands do cost more, but those brands often deliver on additional features. for example Eddie Bauer's Weather Edge 

Our showroom features samples from a variety of brands and price points allowing you to easily compare the choices, selecting the right product for your team!