Layering

The purpose of layering your clothes is to create dynamic system, which will promote the diffusion of liquid away from the skin, prevent chilling and maintain comfort. 

1.The base layer is worn directly next to the body. It is primarily used to keep the skin dry and at a regular temperature. This is largely achieved through the composition and structure of the fabric selected. However, all of our base layers are also designed to maintain freedom of movement, with the minimum number of seams to reduce discomfort caused by chaffing.

2.The mid layer is added to increase insulation and maintain body heat. This must remain dry and therefore Polyester fleece fabrics, which are light weight, resistant to compression and breathable are considered optimum. Our mid layers are designed to be snug fitting but mobile, with cinching cuffs and hem and high necklines for warmth.

3.The outer shell is used to protect the underlying layers from environmental moisture and wind. This is principally accomplished with high performance fabrics, which also promote water vapour transfer out of the clothing system. Still, all TOG24 shell jackets have adjustable hoods, hems and cuffs, single or double storm flaps and waterproof pocket designs.

In spite of the above, personal management of the clothing system climate by changing layers, or use of ventilation openings will always be necessary and should be encouraged.
 
Base Layers

Merino

Our merino base layers are made from super fine wool fibres, which feel very soft and comfortable next to the skin.

Both the fibres and the fabric ‘breathe’, creating a buffer to varying activity levels and environmental conditions. The fibres readily attract moisture and have the capacity to absorb up to a third of their weight in water, without feeling wet. Any liquid sweat will therefore be rapidly absorbed from the skin surface, preventing the sensation of damp and clamminess. The open, knitted structure of the fabric promotes gradual dissipation of water vapour through the clothing system and its stretchy construction will also shift with your body maintaining freedom of movement.

In addition, our merino base layers are 100% natural, sustainable and biodegradable. Wool also has inherent anti-bacterial properties, which will not wash out. Therefore, your base layer will smell less and will need to be washed less, which is better for the environment!

Polartec® Power Dry®

We also use Polartec Power Dry fabric for our base layers. This comprises a patented bi-component knit construction, which exploits different yarns to create fabric surfaces with distinct properties. The inner face rapidly wicks liquid sweat from the skin to the outer fabric face where it is immediately dispersed, enabling it to evaporate quickly.

Mid Layers

Our mid layer garments are constructed from Polartec, or locally sourced fleece that provides a cost effective alternative. Both are light weight, warm and breathable.

Polartec®

Polartec fleeces have a 100% polyester velour construction, which traps air and retains body heat. They are non-pilling and retain their appearance after repeated laundering.

A number of our products are also selected from the Recycled range. These have a minimum of 50% recycled content and are therefore better for the environment.

Down

Our down jackets are made from a mix of down and feathers. Down comes from the fluffy undercoat of geese, which has a very loose and lofting structure that traps small pockets of air and creates a barrier to thermal heat loss.

Loftiness is the amount of air that 1 ounce of down can displace. This is measured using a graduated cylinder with a piston, which gives a value referred to as ‘fill power’ (in³/oz). The higher the fill power, the less down is required to maintain a given temperature. This in turn allows us to create lighter weight, warmer garments, ideal for outdoor applications such as skiing and winter hiking.

As a rule; down with a fill power rating of 500-550 is generally considered by industry to be ‘good’, 550-750 to be ‘very good’ and 750+ to be excellent.

Unfortunately, the insulating efficiency of down is dramatically reduced when wet and we therefore offer synthetic alternatives. These perform better in rainy conditions and are easier to care for, but have a lower insulation per unit weight, because of their less effective structure. 

 
Outer Layers

Milatex

Our waterproof jackets are made from waterproof breathable fabrics. Milatex is TOG24’s proprietary brand of performance fabric, which protects the clothing system from wind and rain, but also allows water vapour from the evaporation of sweat to transfer out to the external environment.

Milatex fabrics are coated, or laminated with a microporous polymer, which adds a hard-wearing system of micro pores and channels to the material structure. These are sized to be permeable to water vapour, but impermeable to liquid water. A very thin hydrophilic (water loving) layer may then be added to the face of the fabric to further improve waterproofing and prevent contamination by oil and dirt, which would otherwise obstruct water vapour transfer. 

Laminated fabrics are generally considered to be most breathable; however the performance of coated fabrics is reasonable and more cost effective.

The breathability of our performance fabric is evaluated under lab conditions, by measuring the mass of water vapour (grams) which is transferred through 1 metre² of the fabric in a 24 hour period. The greater the value of water vapour transfer measured, the more comfortable the jacket will remain in hot and humid conditions, or during periods of high activity. 

Water resistance is also measured in lab conditions, using a hydrostatic head test. This involves clamping a sample of the fabric into a rubber gasket and applying water under pressure until the fabric leaks. The pressure at which this occurs is measured in mm and the higher this value, the better the fabric will perform in increasingly severe weather conditions. 

Gore-Tex®

We use both Gore-Tex Performance shell and Gore-Tex Paclite® shell for our outer jackets.

Performance shell is a 2 layer fabric constructed with a membrane bonded to an outer material, sealed with Gore-Tex seam tape and protected by a separate lining. It is highly breathable and waterproof and ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Paclite shell is also a 2 layer construction, but the membrane is protected by an additional coating. Therefore, a separate lining is unnecessary and garments are more breathable, light weight and packable.

Soft Shell

Soft shell jackets are intended for use on showery and windy days, when it is difficult to decide whether to keep a waterproof jacket on, or off.  They are a more versatile option, which balance the weather protection of a hard shell, with the breathability and warmth of a fleece.

Our soft shell jackets have a shorter, more active fit in comparison to their hard shell counter parts. The fabrics used are quiet and flexible and come with, or without a membrane bonded between a tight weave outer face and light fleece inner face. They are very breathable, wind resistant and water resistant in showers and dry snow, but will not protect you from the very worst weather conditions.