It’s been 30 years since Polartec launched a new era of performance fabrics. In the ’80s, we called it PolarFleece, but it wasn’t until 1991 the iconic Polartec Peaks became a part of the outdoor lifestyle. Back then, it was certainly all about the fleece — warm, fuzzy, colorful, and most of all, comfortable fleece.
Whether scoring a miracle at Shoreline, rolling away the dew at Deer Creek, or chillin’ with Wolfman’s brother at Nassau, it’s never hard to spot Polartec in the crowd. Like quality tie-dye, it’s become part of the uniform of progressive, outdoor livin’, live music lovin’ people everywhere. Admit it, you’ve probably got some hanging in your closet. Fleece that’s been to more shows than you can remember. Or can’t remember. It’s an even bet you’re wearing a jacket or vest made from Polartec right now. That’s OK, that just means you’re family. Now we’re looking for your pictures to prove it.
With our friends at JamBase, we’re hosting the Polartec Family Album Photo Contest. Send us a photo of your adventures – no matter the era or when they took place. We want the pictures that prove when it comes to the outdoor lifestyle, you’re part of the family. Charging trails, running rivers, and solving problems? You got it. Yard sales, campsites, or gorp core? That’s cool too. From global expeditions to day trips to on-tour antics, we want to see you and your clan, crew, or pod having fun outside, rockin’ a fleece.
If we select your photo, we’ll be giving away some cool stuff exclusively for JamBase fans. Prizes like VIP passes to High Sierra, LOCKN’, Northwest String Summit, and Summer Camp (when gates open up again!); sustainably-made (and hard to score) jackets from Colorado’s Melanzana; and other sweet things like REI and JamBase gift cards. It’s a small way to thank you and so many others who helped make Polartec possible. You’ve taken us with you around the world on your outdoor adventures, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Today, Polartec is older and a little wiser. Sound familiar? We’ve evolved way beyond the original fleece. Our performance textiles are used by hundreds of brands across the style spectrum and are engineered to keep you warm, dry, cool, and safe for many needs and many reasons. Since pioneering the first fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles in 1993, we’ve also become even more sustainable, keeping 1.7 billion bottles from landfills and knitting over 200 styles of fabric from post-consumer plastics.
Of course, this is just the beginning of the future of Polartec. A future of sustainably manufactured, eco-engineered, American-made fabrics. Fabrics for the next generation looking to get outside, feel the music, and rock that fleece. Peace.
