Article: A Material Difference: Teton Bros Creates the Next Generation of Outdoor-Specific Fabrics
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A Material Difference: Teton Bros Creates the Next Generation of Outdoor-Specific Fabrics
Teton Bros was born in the backcountry. With decades of experience in the mountains of Wyoming and Japan, Teton Bros founder Nori Suzuki knew there had to be a way to create gear that catered to traveling uphill and skiing downhill. The Gortex gear on the market at the time could not hold up to the demands of the backcountry. Weight distribution was terrible. The gear lacked breathability where it mattered, and the light enough gear to take uphill left you shivering on the way down. So, he approached Japan's finest textile firms and worked closely with artisan manufacturers to develop the proprietary materials that comprise the current TB product line. Utilizing unique fabrics, intricate weaving patterns, and tireless testing in the mountains, Nori and the Teton Bros team have developed a line of products that excel in the backcountry. Highly moisture-resistant, breathable, and durable for multiple seasons, the TB line has everything you need for your next adventure.
Aqua Breath
Developed after two years of intense field testing and refinement, Aqua Breath is a fabric specifically designed for Japan's hot, humid, and rainy spring and summer climate. The fabric's breathability, which keeps the interior dry, is the primary focus for Teton Bros.' shell materials. Additionally, the water resistance is unrivaled in competitor materials. The base fabric is made from 100% mechanical stretch nylon, offering ease of movement and a quiet performance. It is also 65g lighter than the previous Tsurugi Lite and has earned high praise and reliability through long-term testing by Teton Bros guides and athletes all over the world.
Axio
Axio, developed exclusively for Teton Bros., is an ultra-lightweight fabric weighing just 85g (M size) with excellent anti-pilling properties. This hybrid wool material, crafted in the legendary textile region of Bishu, blends natural wool fibers, which are inherently water-repellent, with enhanced moisture absorption and quick-drying abilities provided by special processing. The polyester filaments used feature irregular cross-section stitching that creates a cooling effect when body temperature rises. This fabric strikes an optimal balance between wool's natural properties and synthetic fibers' performance. The polyester fibers are encased within the wool, ensuring a comfortable fit and exceptional anti-pilling performance.
Dry Action Softshell
Dry Action Softshell is treated with Dry Action, the highest standard of water repellency, which makes the fabric almost entirely waterproof while providing ultra-fast drying capabilities. It has high stretchability and durability, making it ideal for dynamic outdoor activities.
Durable Softshell with Dry Action
This material, made from durable nylon and less than 10% polyurethane (PU), retains its strength and does not stretch at the joints even after prolonged use. The Dry Action treatment makes the fabric water-repellent enough to shed water while maintaining breathability. Teton Bros. offers several variations of this material with different weights and thicknesses tailored to the specific purpose of each product.
MOB Wool
The MOB Wool base layer solves one of the backcountry's most common and often dangerous problems: sweat chills, which typically requires an additional wool or synthetic base layer. By knitting 89% merino wool and 11% polypropylene (PP), MOB Wool creates a highly effective sweat management system. The PP component quickly moves moisture away from the skin and diffuses it into the wool to speed up drying, while the merino wool traps dead air for excellent heat retention. Its high breathability ensures ventilation, releasing excess heat and moisture to keep the skin surface dry and comfortable.
Octa Insulation
Octa Insulation is a highly breathable, dynamic insulation material made from unique hollow yarn with eight protrusions. It weighs half as much as standard polyester fibers and offers superior moisture absorption. Additionally, it's quick drying and retains heat exceptionally well. This material efficiently traps dead air inside the jacket, providing warmth while maintaining breathability to prevent overheating. Ideal for high-intense activities in the extreme cold, Octa ensures appropriate temperature regulation during movement when it matters most.
Pertex Quantum Air
Used in Teton Bros.' WindRiver collection, Pertex Quantum Air provides exceptional wind resistance, breathability, and water repellency. It's highly flexible, and the shape reduces discomfort during physical activity.
Polartec NeoShell Supplex Nylon
NeoShell, made from Supplex nylon, is entirely waterproof yet highly breathable. The fabric is also extremely durable and resistant to tears and abrasion. Its supple feel and 100D nylon construction contribute to its popularity in high-performance outdoor gear.
Polartec NeoShell Knit Backer
Developed by Teton Bros. for activities that require a large range of motion, such as ice climbing, this 30D nylon mechanical stretch material is incredibly durable yet flexible. The unique flex and durability of NeoShell make it a staple in Teton Bros' signature products like the TB JKT & PNT.
Polartec Power Stretch
Polartec Power Stretch offers four-way stretch with a soft-to-the-touch feel for optimal comfort. It's breathable, which prevents the wearer from feeling stuffy even during extreme exertion. This fabric's moisture-wicking properties ensure a comfortable fit and is a popular mid-layer choice.
Polartec Wool Highloft
Polartec Wool Highloft combines the excellent heat retention of high-loft fleece with the sweat-chilling properties of wool. The blend of polyester and wool creates a lightweight, highly heat-retentive material that prevents a sudden drop in body temperature, even during intense physical activity.
Polygiene
Polygiene's antibacterial and deodorizing technology targets the bacteria responsible for sweat odor. Utilizing silver chloride inhibits bacterial growth and keeps garments fresher for longer by reducing drying odors.
PPP Dry Action
This lightweight, highly breathable material weighs just 90g per square meter. Treated with Dry Action, it is waterproof and ultra-fast drying. The grid structure of the fabric enhances comfort and prevents overheating while maintaining a dry body surface at all times.
Primaloft Thermo Plume
Primaloft Thermo Plume is a synthetic insulation material that mimics the warmth and feel of natural down. It traps dead air to maintain warmth and packs easily. Unlike down, it remains warm and soft in wet conditions, making it a reliable material for extreme cold-weather gear.
Primeflex
Primeflex is incredibly flexible and water-repellent. It's designed for dynamic heat retention and adapts to varying conditions, making it a versatile material for outdoor activities.
Tasm
Tasm is the next-generation waterproof fabric. Tasm is exceptionally breathable and was developed in collaboration with Toray. Featuring an ESP membrane created using electrospinning, Tasm offers superior breathability and moisture-blocking properties. The nylon outer material is durable and lightweight, while the knit backer enhances moisture absorption and quick-drying performance.
Vivo Extreme Eco
Vivo Extreme Eco is an environmentally friendly insulation material made from recycled fibers. It features an innovative structure that stores body heat while releasing excess heat and moisture to prevent overheating. Comprised of 93% recycled material, it offers both warmth and breathability, making it suitable for dynamic outdoor activities.
1000 Fill & Thermo Max Hybrid Down
Hybrid Down combines 1000-fill power water-repellent down with Thermo Max, a synthetic fiber with far-infrared properties. This blend retains warmth and minimizes moisture absorption, ensuring consistent insulation performance even in damp conditions.
Graphene Grid Fleece
Graphene Grid Fleece integrates graphene, a sheet-like carbon material, into polyester fleece. Graphene's thermal conductivity and far-infrared properties provide excellent temperature regulation, keeping you warm in cold conditions and cool during periods of exertion. The fabric also offers antibacterial and deodorizing properties, making it comfortable for extended use.
Graphene Softshell
Graphene Softshell blends the heat-retaining benefits of graphene with a softshell construction. This material adapts to temperature fluctuation, keeping you warm in the cold and cool during exertion, with added antibacterial and deodorizing effects. Despite its thick, durable construction, the fabric is highly flexible, making it ideal for athletic movement.
Stretch Cordura Super Durable 3L
A 20-denier mechanical stretch Cordura fabric treated with a durable water-repellent finish. The fabric boasts a high waterproof rating of 20,000mm water resistance and 20,000g/m²/24h breathability, and it withstands up to 200,000 abrasion cycles, making it one of the most durable materials available. Cordura is seven times stronger than standard nylon, providing exceptional longevity and durability.
7D Recycled Nylon
This innovative 7-denier recycled nylon is the world's lightest material of its kind, offering excellent tear resistance and breathability despite its ultralight weight. Developed through tireless research and a groundbreaking breakthrough in thread strength, this fabric is used in the new LUFT JACKET and PANT.
PERTEX EQUILIBRIUM
PERTEX EQUILIBRIUM is a 65% eco-friendly, double-woven fabric featuring extreme wind and rain resistance and moisture-wicking properties. The Teton Bros original Pertex Equilibrium is lighter, more durable, and stretchier than traditional fabrics, offering superior performance in dynamic conditions.
HPPE
HPPE (High-Performance Polyethylene) is a lightweight, 88% recycled nylon fabric blended with high-strength polyethylene for enhanced tear resistance. It offers a tear strength of over 40N, significantly higher than typical 20-denier fabrics. Teton Bros. pioneered its use in the ROCK JACKET, a groundbreaking product that is both lightweight and comfortable.
Stretch Kevlar
Stretch Kevlar combines polyester and aramid fiber (Kevlar) and is renowned for its high strength and durability. This fabric boasts exceptional abrasion resistance, tear strength, and cut resistance while offering flexibility for comfort in demanding environments.
As the demands for high-quality gear that excels in harsh environments increase, Teton Bros continues to innovate the outdoor space with industry-leading, proprietary materials.