(Andover, Mass.) - October 24, 2018 - After officially announcing continued collaborative developments with Kitsbow earlier this year, Polartec is excited to announce the brand's new Alpha Vest and updated Alpha Jacket made with Polartec® Alpha®, the technology that introduced the concept of active insulation. Kitsbow has found the insulation effectively regulates core body temperature throughout the widest range of conditions and activity levels, and new Kitsbow pieces made from it are now available for purchase.

Originally developed for U.S. Special Forces as the first breathable insulation technology, Polartec Alpha eliminates the need for shedding or adding layers during both dynamic and static activities.

"Collaborating with Polartec on these styles was a no-brainer," said Zander Nosler, founder and CEO of Kitsbow. "The Alpha technology does a superior job at balancing airflow, insulation, and moisture transport, which is exactly what riders need to stay comfortable and warm, whether they're on a grueling bikepacking trip or commuting to work and hitting up happy hour after. There's nothing else like it."

"We love the attention to both technical detail and style that Kitsbow provides to riders," says Gary Smith, Polartec CEO. "As a cyclist myself, I'm delighted to see their continued embrace of our Polartec Alpha insulation technology which enables the greatest comfort and design flexibility in insulated garments."

Kitsbow has updated its existing Alpha Snap Jacket and added a new performance-oriented Alpha Vest to the line, both engineered with hydrophobic, 80g Polartec Alpha insulation on the front of the torso and a lighter 60g Polartec Alpha® insulation on the back (and in the sleeves of the jacket). This combination of insulation, lining and DWR shell are designed to work in unison to manage breathability and body temperature, keeping you dry and comfortable in all conditions.

The new Alpha Jacket has also been refined and improved with new colors and is a fresh continuation of its previous distinctive style.

Leveraging the successful style and features of the Alpha Jacket, the new Alpha Vest is the faster and lighter sibling, serving as an insulation layer that you can wear on its own or under a wind shell, with as little bulk as possible.

About Polartec

Polartec is the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions. Since inventing modern technical fleece in 1981, the engineers at Polartec continue to advance the science of fabric, creating fabric technologies that solve problems and improve the way products are designed and used. Polartec products range from lightweight wicking and cooling fabrics, to insulation and weather protection textiles, and are utilized by leading consumer brands, the U.S. Military and other global militaries, flame resistance, workwear, and contract upholstery markets. For more information, please visit Polartec.com and follow Polartec on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.