Microfibre pollution has become a hot topic in recent years, and conventional synthetic fleeces are big contributors. Polartec's Power Air fabric massively reduces this shedding. But what's it like for serious outdoor use?
> I've had a Power Air hoody made by a brand called Houdini (no, me neither)
<puts hand up/> I have sir! I have!
Houdini are Swedish - quite hipster-y with a dash of hippy. Or maybe quite hippy with a dash of hipster. Definitely not cheap but they've always been very keen on being as environmentally sustainable as possible and that's a big bit of their brand.
Mrs B has long, long arms which mean her jacket sleeves end to rise up her wrists. She was quite excited to find some Houdini Powerstretch wrist warmer sleeve things in a Naturkompaniet store in Stockholm about 15 years ago. Still going strong! As indeed are the sleeves.
Houdini popped up at SportPursuit recently so they must be making a push into the UK...
Well, its great to see an outdoor material manufacturer taking the whole micro-plastic thing seriously.
In my normal wear I've largely switched to natural fibres because of this and infrequently wash my man-made fabric outdoor kit (aside from my baselayer which can be stinking - then again, my preferred baselayers are merino wool)
It's simply a loft thing. Primaloft (or equivalents) will always be warmer for it's weight than fleece. Even more so in this case. Do you have a lightweight synthetic? They almost weight nothing yet the warmth they give for their weight is amazing.
Podcast Factor Two - S3 Ep.4: Walking the Magic Line
Fri Night Vid Finding Focus - Life Behind The Lens of a Climbing Photographer
This week's Friday Night Video is a portrait of a prolific climbing photographer from Wedge Climbing. Sam Pratt is well known in both the outdoor and competition scene but if you haven't heard of him, you've likely seen...