Check Out the Comfortable Hoodie from "POLEWARDS" that Balances Breathability and Warmth, Keeping You Warm without Getting Stuffy!

Transitioning between seasons makes it challenging to adjust clothing according to temperature changes. Heading out in light clothing might unexpectedly result in a drop in temperature, leaving you feeling cold, while dressing warmly could mean overheating and sweating. Cold weather can be uncomfortable, but feeling hot and stuffy is equally unpleasant, not to mention that sweaty clothes can rob your body of heat as they dry through evaporation.
 
Utilizing outdoor wear that can adapt to weather changes in everyday life can help maintain a suitable environment within the clothing. Items built to withstand harsh conditions also prove effective in daily situations. Therefore, we focused on the lightweight functional wear from the brand known for polar gear, "POLEWARDS," specifically the "EXC REDPOINT V3 HD" hoodie, and spoke with Hiroharu Noga, the executive director of Zanter Co., Ltd.

Unique Material that Releases Heat When Moving and Retains Warmth When Stationary

This hoodie is easy to wear on a daily basis, giving off an impression of a lightweight parka, but it's actually made entirely from a uniquely developed functional material. This is what allows it to be lightweight while providing warmth and breathability without causing stuffiness.
 
"Breathability and warmth often oppose each other, and to develop comfortable wear that meets both needs, we have to start with material development. Our company has a track record of creating unique functional materials through collaborative development with fabric manufacturers for our other products, and the material used in this hoodie is also original and exclusive to our products.
 
"For example, the thin filling between the outer and inner layers is a proprietary functional material called 'EXCORE.' It has a high loft structure with large cavities within the fibers that trap a significant amount of air. Officially, it is referred to as 'EXCORE HEAT LOFT.' Despite being lightweight, it retains dead air effectively, offering high insulation properties."

"The outer and inner layers are also made from uniquely developed functional materials. Although they don't have a specific name, both layers are designed to securely hold insulation while enhancing breathability. We went through extensive testing to create the best fabric. The product label states it’s 100% nylon, but differences in yarn spinning, weaving, and processing can impact functionality.
 
"It employs a mechanical stretch, meaning the shape of the yarn provides expandability, which contributes to a comfortable fit, making it suitable as an intermediate layer. Additionally, it features water resistance, making it ideal for outdoor use as an outer layer. The underarm sections incorporate highly elastic and breathable fleece material."

"Active Insulation" Items Easily Integrated into Everyday Life

When worn, it indeed feels easy to move in, and surprisingly light compared to its appearance. It provides significant warmth without causing stuffiness, even when sweating. Recently, the term "active insulation" has been increasingly used in outdoor gear. This hoodie exemplifies active insulation. It can be utilized as both an outer layer and a mid-layer, making it convenient to carry on summer mountain trips.

"When operating in the polar regions with heavy gear, insulation is crucial. However, if breathability isn't ensured to manage sweating, it could lead to hypothermia from chilling sweat, which is dangerous. Conventional cold-weather gear tends to be highly insulated but not breathable, making it essential to frequently take on and off layers to prevent sweat chill. This can be quite challenging, so wearing active insulation has become common practice.
 
"When temperatures rise or when your body heats up through movement, the benefits of active insulation allow heat and moisture to escape, preventing the loss of body temperature through evaporation. I recommend actively incorporating active insulation into not only polar expeditions but also into outdoor activities like hiking and daily life as well."

The products of "POLEWARDS" are divided into two main lines: "HERITAGE LINE" and "ALPINE LINE." The "HERITAGE LINE" inherits the tradition of supporting mountain expedition teams and polar expeditions with high-quality down jackets, while the "ALPINE LINE" is backed by cutting-edge functional materials that ensure high performance. The featured hoodie is an item from the "ALPINE LINE."
 
It can be said that the origin of the brand came when Japanese mountain expedition teams planned to summit Manaslu in the Himalayas shortly after World War II. The first expedition team set off in 1953, equipped with down insulation clothing. The company back then was called "Toyo Feather Industry Co., Ltd." and was a manufacturer of down comforters, creating what would now be considered down jackets. We still preserve and exhibit that early "down clothing" within our company.
 
Supporting the team's mission in life-or-death situations, the third expedition team finally succeeded in reaching the summit of Manaslu in 1956, a feat previously unaccomplished. The Japanese team was the first in the world to achieve this. Since then, we have provided support to adventurers tackling uncharted territories in extreme cold, such as the 1956 Antarctic observation team and the 1958 Karakoram expedition.

The origin of "POLEWARDS" is a domestic manufacturer that fully supports the challenges of Japanese adventurers and explorers. The outdoor division of Toyo Feather Industry Co., Ltd. spun off as Zanter Co., Ltd. in 1973, with the "POLEWARDS" brand launching in 1981. To this day, we continue to support adventures in harsh, frigid environments and have welcomed Yasunaga Ogita, who achieved a solo, unassisted walk to the South Pole, as our ambassador.
 
Why not incorporate reliable outdoor items backed by over 70 years of continuous achievements into your daily life?