Technology Glossary

Wind & Waterproof Technologies

AscentShell™

Since 2016, Outdoor Research's proprietary AscentShell™ technology uses an electrospinning process to create a 3L construction that breathes faster, weighs less, stretches more, and far surpasses the comfort of traditional waterproof membranes. Never crunchy or noisy, AscentShell™ is just as comfortable as a soft shell, with the performance of a hard shell. Air permeable and breathable, AscentShell™ vents perspiration and excess heat during aerobic activity, while its light weight saves precious energy on demanding endeavors.

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  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch Technology

Comfort, protection, and enhanced freedom of movement are exactly what first-of-its-kind GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch Technology aims to deliver. Combining the trusted waterproof durability that GORE-TEX is known for, with waterproof stretch panels that let you move freely, this technology is the best way to prioritize comfort without compromising protection. GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch Technology can just as easily move with you as a second base layer, or accommodate extra insulation as the stretch panels expand to allow you more room.

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  • Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
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    Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
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Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
Regular price $110
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PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel

Deadening cold is no match for the innovative breakthrough of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel. Optimally designed for footwear and handwear applications, Aerogel insulation is a compression-resistant and waterproof thermal barrier made up of millions of air pockets that reduce heat loss from freezing cold elements. Aerogel is trusted by NASA space travel and retains on average 96% of its original thermal performance when faced with the pressure caused by active hands and feet.

Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
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Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
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GORE-TEX Pro

GORE-TEX Pro garments can endure the toughest outdoor activities, now with improved breathability and durability. GORE-TEX Pro has more stretch than ever before, built for outdoor professionals and serious outdoor enthusiasts who need the best weather protection and mobility available. GORE’s extremely rigorous testing standards mean that you get the ultimate in waterproof, windproof, and breathability – guaranteed.

  • Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Fatigue/Black | .p
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    Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
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  • Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
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    Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
    Regular price $135
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  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Regular price $110
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GORE-TEX PACLITE®

From one of the most trusted brands in waterproof protection, GORE-TEX brings you PACLITE®: Their 2L solution that's built for everyday comfort, light weight, packability, breathability, and of course, durably waterproof and windproof protection. Plus, all GORE-TEX products come with their Guaranteed to Keep You Dry™ Promise for added peace of mind when you head out into the rain.


GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER

The new GORE-TEX INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER provides protection against wind chill by using a totally windproof membrane with maximized breathability, allowing perspiration to escape and reduces the risk of overheating when active. INFINIUM with WINDSTOPPER is created using an ultra-thin protective layer laminated to a lightweight textile, rendering the product windproof. Its membrane technology has billions of pores that are 900 times larger than water vapor molecules, so even though wind can't get in, moisture from sweat vapor can easily get out.

  • Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
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    Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Regular price $39
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Pertex® Diamond Fuse

Pertex developed Diamond Fuse technology as a unique way of improving the durability and abrasion resistance of fabrics without adding any unnecessary weight. Diamond Fuse fabrics use yarns with unique diamond shaped filaments that lock together to create a durable and highly abrasion resistant fabric. This engineered structure allows Diamond Fuse fabrics to remain very stable over extended wear and washing.

  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Regular price $110
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  • Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Fatigue/Black | .p
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    Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Regular price $32.50
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  • Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
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    Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
    Regular price $135
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Ventia Waterproof

Providing a waterproof barrier against rain, snow, and wind in tough, hardworking, rugged environments, Ventia Waterproof™ construction ensures moisture from the outside won't penetrate fabric. Breathability allows body vapor and moisture that builds during active pursuits to escape for greater warmth and comfort. With seam-taping for the most thorough protection, this proprietary technology provides storm-worthy protection for active use in rugged, demanding conditions.

  • Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
    Color
    Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Regular price $39
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Insulation Technologies

VerticalX™ SuperStrand

VerticalX™ SuperStrand is the lightest way to layer effectively and stay warm in all four seasons, providing the very best warmth-to-weight ratio. This new insulation technology is made of super-insulating polyester strands which have the best properties of down and synthetic, delivering optimized insulation, packability, and loft. Inside the jackets, these superpowered polyester strands use air to keep its high loft, and hold in warmth, while a unique discontinuous quilting makes compressibility easier without compromising long-term use. See SuperStrand in action by visiting the blog:The Best Down Alternative to Four-Season Warmth.

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Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
Color
Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
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PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel

Deadening cold is no match for the innovative breakthrough of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Aerogel. Optimally designed for footwear and handwear applications, Aerogel insulation is a compression-resistant and waterproof thermal barrier made up of millions of air pockets that reduce heat loss from freezing cold elements. Aerogel is trusted by NASA space travel and retains on average 96% of its original thermal performance when faced with the pressure caused by active hands and feet.

  • Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
    Color
    Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Regular price $39
    Regular price Sale price $39.00
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  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
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    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Regular price $110
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Fabric Technologies

Ferrosi

Outdoor Research proprietary Ferrosi Fabric makes up our largest, and most frequently awarded, product collection. It hits the equilibrium of being durable yet lightweight, it’s weather resistant yet breathable, and it’s complete with stretchy, easy-to-layer comfort. The Ferrosi line grows season after season, but is most frequently favorited by climbers and hikers for its jackets, hoodies, pants, and shorts. Ferrosi is truly the “do-it-all” choice for any adventurer looking for a layer that ticks three or more items off the gear list.

  • Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Fatigue/Black | .p
    Color
    Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Regular price $32.50
    Regular price Sale price $65.00
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  • Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
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    Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
    Regular price $135
    Regular price Sale price $225.00
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  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Color
    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Regular price $110
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Astroman

Outdoor Research proprietary Astroman Fabric is a catch-all for the adventurer who spends extended time in sun-baked environments. Astroman products exceed our highest rating of UPF 50+ sun protection for long days on snow, water, or exposed rock and trail routes. Lightweight, stretchy, and silky-soft, the Astroman is comfortable for all-day wear, while retaining an extreme level of durability for brushes with rock while climbing. Named after the legendary climb in Yosemite Valley, the Astroman was originally built for exposed big wall climbing, but has since been commandeered for hiking, paddling, cycling - even dressing up for an evening out to dinner after the adventure.

  • Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Fatigue/Black | .p
    Color
    Seattle Rain Hat - 2023
    Regular price $32.50
    Regular price Sale price $65.00
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Echo

Outdoor Research proprietary Echo Fabric is the all-time best-selling choice for ultralight protection during high-exertion activities in heat. Each Echo product is infused with UPF 15 sun protection to fight off dangerous UV rays, and ActiveFresh™ odor control technology to repel bad smells. The magic ingredient of Echo is its AirVent™ technology: An open texture mesh design that provides superb airflow and breathability. AirVent pulls perspiration away from the skin as you sweat for outstanding moisture management that dries quickly without sacrificing durability.

  • Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Titanium/Light Pewter | C1
    Color
    Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters
    Regular price $39
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Vigor Plus Fleece

Vigor Plus Fleece delivers futuristic comfort, warmth, and versatility. Our most breathable and stretchy midlayer, Vigor Plus Fleece is perfect for layering in the backcountry during winter months when staying warm and dry are critical. This fleece is made of a 93% recycled polyester in a woven construction that’s engineered for amazing stretch and mobility. Its warm, high-loft grid interior combines with a superior breathability that moves moisture during stop-and-go activities. Low-bulk, lightweight, and easy to layer, the Vigor Plus Fleece is sure to be a new winter staple.

  • Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Color
    Men's Astroman Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
    Regular price $110
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  • Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
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    Women's Aspire II GORE-TEX Jacket
    Regular price $135
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ActiveFresh™

ActiveFresh™ provides active odor control that eliminates bad smells with long-lasting, durable freshness and doesn’t jeopardize fabric’s breathability or softness. ActiveFresh™ is made from bio-based, silver-free technology that inhibits environmental odors, food-related body odors, and bacterial odors by actively preventing the buildup of bad smells during high-exertion sports.

ActiveTemp™

ActiveTemp™ is a thermo-regulating smart fabric treatment that manages your body temperature to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during high-exertion activities. It self-adjusts depending on your level of exertion, sweat, and temperature to actively regulate body heat between too hot and too cold. The harder you work, the more ActiveTemp™ works to keep you comfortable.

ActiveIce™

ActiveIce™ is the best-selling sun protection technology that actively cools you as you sweat. More efficient and effective than ever before, ActiveIce™ now features the same thermo-regulating formula as our proprietary ActiveTemp™ technology, allowing it to dynamically adjust to your body's temperature to cool you faster when you need it most. Every ActiveIce™ product is infused with UPF 50+ sun protection, and each are breathable, lightweight, quick drying, and wick moisture as you sweat. Choose ActiveIce™ whenever you plan to spend time in hot, exposed, sun-baked conditions.

AirVent™

AirVent™ is the fabric technology you'll want on hot, humid days when ventilation is key and slowing down isn't an option. The lightweight, ultra-fine yarns used in AirVent™ fabrics use an open texture, mesh design to provide superb airflow and breathability for high-exertion endeavors. The wicking qualities of each AirVent™ piece pulls perspiration away from the skin as you sweat, for outstanding moisture management that dries quickly without sacrificing durability.

drirelease®

drirelease® is the breathable, wicking, and natural fabric blend that dries more efficiently than other fabrics. Since the technology is embedded in the yarn, it can’t be washed or worn out like other treatments that lose their luster with every wash. Drirelease® fabrics are made up of an engineered blend of 85 to 95 percent polyester and 10-15 percent natural fibers, offering the optimum combination for moisture management and odor control.

Insect Shield®

Insect Shield® is the long-lasting, durable bug-repellent technology that works just like sprays and lotions, but stays on your clothing and gear – not on your skin. Each Outdoor Research product made with Insect Shield® is tested, proven, and registered to repel a wide range of bugs like mosquitos, ticks, flies, chiggers, ants, and midges (no-see-ums). Proven to be effective and safe for the entire family, Insect Shield® products are put through a ringer of 3rd party testing like “KD” Knockdown, field testing, and more to ensure complete effectiveness. Plus, all Insect Shield® apparel is EPA-registered.