Materials

LEADING SUPPLIERS IN INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY

When we choose materials for our products, we start from finding the ultimate combination of performance, comfort, appearance – and the lowest possible environmental impact. Therefore, we only work with world-leading suppliers who are at the forefront of both material development and sustainability progress. Most of the fabrics and insulations we use are synthetic and increasingly made from recycled materials. The natural materials used, such as down and wool, come from suppliers who strictly comply with current international laws and regulations.

We also work with innovative materials where recycling, natural ingredients and fibers are used in a climate-smart way, for example fabrics with bamboo or filling with recycled down.

In close cooperation with world leading material manufacturers, 8848 Altitude has developed an own system of high-performance functional materials; durAtec®. The materials have been developed to meet a variety of needs where different advantages have been prioritized – from smooth and comfortable softshell to light and hard-wearing 3-layer stretch fabrics. Several durAtec® materials are made from recycled polyester.

How waterproofing is measured

The rating in millimeter indicates how waterproof or repellent the material is, higher mm means better protection. Waterproofness is measured by subjecting the material to water pressure in a cylindrical measuring instrument and the height of the column indicates how much pressure the material can withstand before water leaks into the garment.

How breathability is measured

This measure (g/m2/24h) indicates how much water steam the material passes through. When being active, steam evaporates from your body and in order for this not to condense on the inside of the garment, it is required that the material releases it. Obviously, without letting water in from the outside. The higher intensity when active, the higher breathability is required to keep you dry.

How taped seams work

When sewing garments, there is a small joint between the materials, as well as small holes after the needles where water risks coming in. Therefore, we tape the seams of most technical garments. This means a waterproof tape seals the seams and prevents the garment from leaking. The garment can either be fully taped, meaning all seams are sealed, or partially taped where the most exposed seams have been sealed. Garments with quilted panels, such as down jackets, can not be fully taped.

• durAtec® Supreme is our highest performance fabric with excellent waterproof rating (20 000mm) as well as breathability (15 000g/m2/24h).
• durAtec® Supreme fabrics have laminated backside with waterproof membrane.
• durAtec® Supreme fabrics can be of 2-layer or 3-layer construction.
• Garments in durAtec® Supreme fabric are always seam sealed.
• • Our garments have a 100% PFAS free DWR treatment.

• durAtec® Extreme is a technical material with high waterproof rating (10 000mm) as well as breathability (8 000g/m2/24h).
• durAtec®  Extreme fabrics have either laminated waterproof membrane or coated backside.
• durAtec® Extreme fabrics can be of 2-layer or 3-layer construction.
• Several durAtec® Extreme fabrics are made from recycled material.
• Garments in durAtec® Extreme fabric are seam sealed, except garments with quilted panels, as these can not be fully seam sealed.
• Our garments have a 100% PFAS free DWR treatment.

• durAtec® Super Stretch is a technical softshell material with 4-way stretch, high water repellency (8 000mm) as well as breathability (6 000g/m2/24h).
• durAtec® Super Stretch fabrics are of 3-layer construction; face, lamination, fleece backside.
• Garments in durAtec® Super Stretch fabric are not seam sealed. Even if the material itself is waterproof, the finished garment is classified as water repellent.
• Our garments have a 100% PFAS free DWR treatment.

• durAtec® Softshell is a technical softshell fabric with high water repellency rating (8 000mm) as well as good breathability (6 000g/m2/24h).
• durAtec® Softshell fabrics are of 3-layer construction; face, lamination, fleece or mesh backside.
• Garments in durAtec® Softshell fabric are not seam sealed. Even if the material itself is waterproof, the finished garment is classified as water repellent.
• Our garments have a 100% PFAS free DWR treatment.

• durAtec® Softshell Advanced is a high performance softshell material with high waterproofness (15 000mm) and excellent breathability (15 000g/m2/24h).
• durAtec® Softshell Advanced fabrics are of 3-layer construction; face, lamination, tricot backside.
• Garments in durAtec® Softshell Advanced fabric are not seam sealed. Even if the material itself is waterproof, the finished garment is classified as water repellent.
• Our garments have a 100% PFAS free DWR treatment.

• We only use RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified duck down in our products. This means that our down and feathers are by-products and do not originate from farms practicing live-plucking or forced feeding (foie gras). RDS also covers the holistic approach for welfare of the birds.
• All suppliers must follow national and international legislations on animal welfare. Breeders and all parties handling the animals should adhere to the Five Freedoms defined by EU Farm Animal Welfare Council/World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
• Premium Down is 90% Down, 10% feather, with 650 fillpower.

• Re:Down® is an insulation with 100% GRS certified recycled down and feathers with no new animal input. It offers superior insulation while being light and ultra soft.
• The down is recycled from clothing. It is washed and assorted to have the finest possible composition.
• ReDown® is one of few companies that offer 100% recycled down.
• Re:Down® is 90% Down, 10% feather, with 700 fillpower.

• Primaloft® ThermoPlume® is a synthetic alternative to down, designed to mimic down with lightweight warmth, loft, softness and compressability. It retains heat, breathes and is naturally water resistant to work even while wet. A garment with Primaloft® ThermoPlume® feels as luxurious as finest down.

• Primaloft® Silver is a lightweight, synthetic insulation that warms without being bulky, that breathes and is naturally water resistant even while wet.
• Primaloft® Silver is made from 100% recycled polyester.

• Thermolite® EcoMade T-DOWN technology is made from 100% recycled polyester and offers several advantages: Provides excellent lightweight warmth and softness, even when wet. Packs down small, recovers quickly and dries faster than down. It also has excellent wash durability, and the benefits last the lifetime of the garment.

• Sorona® insulation delivers performance benefits that matter to eco-conscious consumers. It offers warmth and breathability with an enhanced level of down-like softness and comfort.
• Sorona® is partly plant based, using 30% less energy and emitting 50% less greenhouse gas as compared to the production from non-renewable resources.

• e.dye® is an environmentally friendly process for dyeing fabrics.
• The e.dye® process reduces water use by 100%, chemicals by 90%, energy by 50%, and CO2 emissions by 60%, compared to traditional dyeing methods.
• With the e.dye® method, the colour is part of the polyester fibre, which leads to the colour being better preserved.

• TechSteel™ Vectran™ by FOV Fabrics is an extremely strong reinforcement material, containing Vectran which is five times stronger than steel. The material has exceptional tear strength and we use it in panels at the bottom of our shell pants to provide maximum protection against sharp ski edges, rock and ice.

• We use a fabric that is a mix of polyamide and graphene, a high-tech material that strengthens the fabric without making it heavier. Graphene is, in addition to being ultralight, extremely flexible and one of the world's strongest fibers. In addition, graphene has a high thermal conductivity, which means that your own body temperature heats up the graphene fibers, which then warm you even more.
• The material combination provides lightweight strength with good breathability and moisture-transport. In addition, it is anti-static.

• We only use synthetic fur in all our products.

• Merino Wool is used in various mixes in different garments for best performance and comfort. It has many benefits:
• Efficient moisture-transport to keep the body dry
• Warming even when wet and cooling when warm
• Naturally antibacterial and odour-defeating
• Extraordinary next-to-skin comfort

• TecnoWool by Pontetorto® is a special mix of polyester and wool, produced with 100% recycled wool. The material offers several benefits:
• High breathability: The wool fiber transports vapor from the body to cool down during high-intense activity. The fiber can absorb moisture up to 35% of its own weight, offering a comfortable, dry feel.
• Efficient temperature-regulation: Wool, above other fibers, has a high insulating ability thanks to the small air pockets created in the fiber, even when it is moist. This insulating effect keeps you warm in low temperatures and gives you a cooling feel when it is hot.
• Odour control: The complex structure of wool absorbs sweat odour and encapsulates it inside the fiber, resulting in reduced bad smell.

• Polartec® is the original among synthetic fleece materials, the technology was invented in 1981 and the brand is still unique in its position as an industry-leading developer and innovator.
• Polartec® fleece materials are in absolute premium class in terms of performance, and produced with sustainability in focus. Most qualities are made from recycled polyester.

• Tech Sweat is a collection of functional materials that give the garments an excellent performance in any activity:
• Moisture-transporting and fast drying
• Lightweight, soft comfort
• Stretch

• Tech Tee is a collection of functional materials that give the garments an excellent performance in any activity:
• Moisture-transporting and fast drying
• Lightweight, soft comfort
• Stretch

• Bamboo is a fast growing crop. fibre with unique benefits; it is breathable, wicking, and feels cool against the skin. Bamboo fibres also have natural antibacterial properties to prevent odour.

• In the making of the unique S.Café® material, recycled coffee grounds are used in the yarn production through a patented process.
• The material has excellent breathability, dries up to 200% faster than cotton, provides UV protection and defeats bad odour in a natural way.
• The material is free from coffee smell.

• Organic Cotton is ecologically grown without any chemical pesticides or fertilizers and does not contain any genetically modified fibers. Beneficial for farmers, the environment and the end user. Organic cotton have lower impact on global warming than conventional cotton.
• Organic Cotton has high quality with lasting colour and shape, wash after wash.

• Our waxed T/C fabrics protect against tearing and help keeping dry. The waxed fabric can be re-impregnated repeatidly with our Swedish-made, eco-friendly Impvax made from stearin, beeswax and linseed oil.