Warmth That Breathes
See how our design team creates lightweight, breathable winter run gear.
It’s the conundrum cold-weather runners know all too well: We bundle up and brace ourselves for the cold, only to overheat as soon as we pick up the pace. Designer Cath Lebrun and the women’s outerwear team decided to take on the challenge. Lebrun, a Montreal native, knows a thing or two about winter running. “Living in Montreal, you have to find ways to motivate yourself to get outside—good gear is the first step.”
The team tackled the issue by combining strategically placed insulation with ventilation. This powerhouse tactic lets you lose the bulky layers while helping to keep your temperature just right for your whole run.
So, how does it all come together?
Engineered Insulation
According to Lebrun, using the right material for run gear is crucial, which is why we choose quick-drying, breathable Primaloft® Insulation Active over down, which can be heavy. We strategically place insulation where you need to lock in warmth, such as at your hips, chest and core. Conversely, we leave insulation out of areas that tend to get sweaty, like your underarms and back.
Bonded Ventilation
Engineered insulation works in lockstep with bonded ventilation, the tiny perforations we place in areas where runners tend to heat up. The bonding process can take multiple hours per garment; layers of shell fabric are fused around insulation while a machine imprints dot artwork on each piece. Often the perforations are paired with reflectivity to create body-contouring patterns. Lebrun sees the result as a win-win situation. “It’s the intersection of beauty and technical innovation so you can look and feel good in high performance gear.”
"It’s the intersection of beauty and technical innovation so you can look and feel good in high performance gear."
Warmth that breathes
Technical bottoms designed to keep you covered on chilly runs.
Our outerwear uses Primaloft® Insulation Active to provide a balance of breathability and warmth.
