The internet, GPS, airbags… and Alpha™? Game-changing technology with a common thread… mainstream. Taken for granted. But their origins? Anything but ordinary. Born from top-secret briefs and developed to solve high-stakes challenges.

In Alpha’s case, a solution to meet the needs of professionals operating in unpredictable, unforgiving conditions that few ever face.

Start-stop operations in mountainous terrains bring extreme temperature shifts, in situations where layering up or down is simply not an option.

Polartec’s innovative response was Alpha™. With lofted fibers, a mesh core, and hydrophobic performance, Alpha™ proved that toughness and lightness could coexist, redefining breathability and drying speed. 

The [Category] 
Defining Moment. 

Seemingly logic-defying, Alpha™ caught the outdoor industry’s attention for good reasons.
A fabric born from high-performance demands, it offered something unheard of: heat regulation without bulk. Lightweight, compressible, and fast-drying, Alpha™ solved a problem the industry didn’t yet know it had: One layer. All seasons. Any pace.
Active insulation was born.

Alpha™ and, in turn, active insulation brought with it freedom. Freedom for end users, and year-round performance without the need for bulky layering systems. Most importantly, the freedom of design… 

Alpha™ Direct blurred the lines between performance and style - a designer’s dream with function at its core. Too beautiful to hide.

Made iconic as much by its visibility as its capability, this high-performance insulation with exposed loft and distinctive texture quickly caught the eye of designers everywhere. From a backcountry staple to a street-level statement, it redefined outdoor apparel.

The exposed structure made designers look differently at layering and would go on to influence the modern silhouette. Alpha™ Direct inspired sought-after pieces and sold-out partner collections, from Senchi to Nike ACG. An undisputed modern outdoor classic, made to be seen as much as worn.