I've spent quite a lot of time freezing in my life. I still will, but I decided to make a garment that warms me up fast.
I wanted to make a sweater that could replace all my sweaters and fleece jackets. My perfect sweater would be something like this:
- I can use it for outdoor climbing
- It should be a hot and lightweight mid-layer for cold days
- Endure rough use and demand minimal care
- Have a Scandinavian minimalist look
I wanted to make a sweater that goes under the Crux overshirt or a shell jacket as a mid-layer on cold days and as a warm, breathable sweater on regular days. I have a long and wide range of experience wearing and testing technical fleece sweaters, and they all have had their limits. I initially wanted a fleece sweater. Fleece gives an incredible instant warmth, but they tend to look a bit soggy and soft. Another issue I have with fleece is that it quickly loses its furry inside with wear and wash.
The design team came up with various samples in the development process and I and I immediately got impressed with Polartec's Power Air's firmness and sturdy appearance. Polartec is worldwide known for its insulation fabrics, used by professionals all over the world.
After using and testing the Belay Crew sweater for months in harsh Norwegian weather, I believe we have made a product that serves many people and multiple purposes.
After swimming in the cold fjords of Lofoten, the Belay Crew felt like a big warm hug.
The capsuled fleece pockets inside the sweater, reportedly inspired by bubble plastic, incapsulate body heat very efficiently.
After using and testing the Belay Crew sweater for months in Norwegian breezy summer nights and harsh fall weather, I believe we have made a product that serves many people for multiple purposes. After swimming in the freezing cold fjords of Lofoten, the Belay Crew felt like a big warm hug. The capsuled "fleece pockets" inside the sweater, reportedly inspired by bubble plastic, incapsulate body heat very efficiently. Polartec's intention was to make an insulating fabric that sheds a lot less microplastic than fury fleece does. It sheds 5 times less than other high-end fleece fabrics on the market, which applies very well with Rúngne's vision to be an environmental frontrunner in the garment industry.
The insulating inside of the fabric is not furry as fleece. To begin with, I was a bit reluctant to do that, since I really like the cozy feeling of it. But after a look in my closet, I realized that the fluffy and soft inside quickly turns bubbly and compressed. Another benefit is that it's not electrostatic and doesn't stick to the baselayer and restricts my movements. And above all: it doesn't make my hairdo as Einstein's when I take the sweater on and off!
The Belay Crew is one of my favourite garments in my collection. I really recommend one of the strong colours of the Belay Crew. It looks great and it makes you happy;-)
