Wednesday, 03 September 2025 15:26

Polartec® AirCore™: Harnessing the Power of Air to Defy Performance Limits

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Polartec, a Milliken & Company brand renowned for pioneering more sustainable and innovative textile solutions, is proud to introduce one of its most revolutionary products to date: Polartec® AirCore™, the industry’s first truly air permeable laminate that is 100% free from PFAS-based chemistries and engineered to keep you dry from the inside- out.

Driven by the belief that perspiration impacts performance long before precipitation, Polartec® AirCore™ offers protection against the elements while allowing vaporised sweat to escape using air and molecular diffusion. As a result, it delivers maximum aeration and breathability without sacrificing comfort, range of motion or durability, making sure you don’t overheat during high aerobic activities. By redefining dry and prioritising productivity, Polartec® AirCore™ lets you stay at the top of your game during intense physical pursuits in unpredictable conditions.

The unique combination of air permeability and Polartec’s nano-fibre membrane lets Polartec® AirCore™ keep you dry while still maintaining the windproof and water repellency of the fabric. This state-of-the-art technology leverages air to maintain a dry microclimate by evaporating sweat from the inside-out. Which, when you think about it, is the warmth management mechanism that truly matters for an active user. The harder you work, the harder the fabric works. Motion fuels the ventilation that ultimately carries moisture away from the body. By staying drier and more comfortable, users can experience air powered, permeable, enhanced performance.

With an industry-leading Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) of over 25,000 g/m²/24 hours* and air
permeability ranging from 0.4 to 1 CFM**, Polartec® AirCore™ provides unmatched performance during high-
intensity activities while repelling water from the outside***. Furthermore, the lightweight material and superior
stretch enable unrestricted movement, making Polartec® AirCore™ an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts,
explorers, and anyone on the move.
Reflecting Polartec’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, Polartec® AirCore™ is made with a recycled face and back, which are combined with a non-PFAS membrane and layers. This thoughtful construction makes it the go-to choice for those of us who refuse to trade sustainability for performance.
Key Polartec® AirCore™ Features:
• Air Permeable: Harnesses the power of air to keep you dry from the inside out
• Water Repellency: Minimum 4 spray rating (as is), per GB/T 4745-2012 (ISO 4920-2012, MOD)
• Functionally Windproof: Zero windchill
• High Breathability: Industry-leading MVTR* and air permeability** allow moisture and vapor to escape faster than traditional vapor breathable solutions
• Stretch for Comfort: Resilient stretch for a high range of motion during demanding activities
• Thoughtful Construction: Made with recycled materials and non-PFAS layers, membrane and DWR

Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President of Milliken & Company and Business Manager at Polartec, said: “Polartec® AirCore™ is a perfect example of our ongoing mission to merge cutting-edge performance with sustainability. Unlike traditional waterproof-breathable membranes that rely solely on moisture vapor diffusion, our advanced air-permeable laminate uses a highly engineered nanofiber membrane technology to enable controlled airflow, actively pulling moisture and heat away from the body during intense aerobic activity. In addition to setting a new paradigm in air-permeable + breathable, weather-resistant fabrics, it reflects our unwavering commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the textiles we create.”

Karen Beattie, Director of Product Management at Polartec, added: “By engineering a fabric that keeps users dry from the inside, helps to protect us from the elements, and allows full freedom of movement, we’re empowering people to embrace their most ambitious adventures. Polartec® AirCore™ is a highly air-permeable laminate that facilitates continuous moisture vapor exchange, harnessing ambient airflow to deliver faster dry times, reduced clamminess and superior comfort even during peak exertion. It represents a bold step forward in breathable weather protection and is a concrete example of our commitment to creating performance fabrics that enable excellence while staying true to our values of environmental stewardship.”

Engineered to vent. Engineered to breathe with you. Polartec® AirCore™ delivers the advantage of airflow to help you stay dry, stay cool and keep moving. It will be available starting from September 2025 within Castelli and Sportful Autumn/Winter 2025 collections. Montura will be the first brand partner in the Italian outdoor market to adopt Polartec® AirCore™ in its FW26 collection.

*Video conceived, crafted and produced by Mynt