Lawrence, MA - Polartec(R) is proud to announce the 2002 winners for the Polartec(R) APEX Design Awards. The APEX Awards are presented each year to the designers and companies that make the most outstanding Polartec(R)-based products in the world, as chosen by an international, independent panel of judges. The primary categories for the APEX Awards follow Polartec's fabric offerings for Next-to-Skin, Thermal, and Weather Protection applications for outdoor and fitness apparel. In addition to the primary APEX Award categories above, there are special product categories to recognize and reward innovation in the many diverse applications and markets that use Polartec(R) fabrics.

Once winners in each category are chosen, one Best Polartec(R) Product Worldwide is selected as an overall winner for top honors. This year the Best Polartec(R) Product Worldwide, also a winner in the Best Weather Protection category, is the Arc'teryx Gamma MX line for Fall 2002. The Arc'teryx Gamma MX garments include a jacket, full zip hoody and technical pants, all beautifully constructed in a lightweight, four-way stretch version of Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM). Arc'teryx was the first company to launch Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM) and they continue to lead the market in the use of this soft-shell technology. The panel of judges unanimously agreed the Gamma MX line stood out for its attention to detail, clean lines, fit, finish and functionality. Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM) is a laminate product with a highly wind, water and abrasion resistant outer face and a thermal inner surface.

The Sierra Designs M8 Women's Pants and the Cannondale Women's Chrono Jacket also won APEX awards in the Weather Protection category. The Sierra Designs M8 pants were recognized for streamlined styling, fit and a well-executed mesh-lined venting system to enhance breathability. The M8 pants, like the Gamma MX garments, are made of lightweight Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM). Cannondale won its second APEX Award in a row in this category with the Women's Chrono jacket. The Chrono jacket is a cold-weather multi-sport garment with a focus on cycling. The jacket's fit is ideal for the cycling position and thorough design elements included reflective highlights and subtle, yet easily accessed pockets in the forearms of the sleeves. The Cannondale Chrono jacket is made of Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM) with a two-way stretch, rip-stop nylon face.

In the Thermal Category, two garments earned Polartec(R) APEX Awards, the Arc'teryx Covert Sweater and The North Face MET5 Vest with Polartec(R) Heat Technology. The Arc'teryx Covert Sweater line, available in a crew-neck, zip-t, and hoody, is made of a new version of Polartec(R) Thermal Pro(R) which looks like a knit wool sweater yet has the performance features of fleece (i.e. warmth without weight, breathability, durability, quick drying and easy care). The combination of a very technical, functional garment with a versatile, upscale appearance made this an easy choice for the judges. The North Face MET5 Vest won for its thoughtful application of Polartec(R) Heat Technology, a rechargeable battery-powered system that generates heat through panels integrated in the garment. The new vest will be an active insulation layer appropriate for many different sports and end-uses.

Within the Next-To-Skin category, Cannondale won its second APEX Award this year with the Polartec(R) Power Dry(R) Team Volvo bicycling jersey. Blurr, a young new company from Vancouver, BC also won an APEX Award in this category for their new Power Stretch(R) Hoody. The Cannondale Team Volvo Bicycling Jersey is made of a new silk-weight Polartec(R) Power Dry(R) fabric. The judges commended Cannondale for the fit of the garment, the application of a technical wicking fabric in a new market, and for the detailed, eye-catching screen-printing on the jersey. Blurr's Power Stretch(R) Hoody is made of a new silkweight Polartec(R) Power Stretch(R) fabric with a brushed inner surface in a contrasting color. This garment has unique styling in the hood and was recognized for its fashion-forward design and fit.

While there is no limit to the range of applications for the 180 different Polartec(R) fabrics on the market, this year Special Market APEX Awards were given to products in the Footwear, Accessories, Military, and Non-Traditional categories. Jibs/Columbia Footwear's Nyac was a clear APEX winner for the judges panel in the Footwear category. The Nyac features Polartec(R) 300 fabric in the upper and was recognized for its cool styling, fit, lightweight design and the unique application of Polartec(R) fabrics. In the Accessory category, The Lorpen T.E.P.A. Socks won the first APEX Award for this Spain based company. The T.E.P.A. socks, made from Polartec(R) Power Stretch(R), are designed with a specific right and left foot and were chosen for their fit and functionality for skiing and snowboarding.

In the Military category, the US Army and the Natick Soldier Center, jointly won an APEX Award for the Lightweight Environmental Protection System (LEP). This is a multi-piece prototype system that is currently being tested in the field by US Special Forces. The system combines many Polartec(R) fabrics including Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM), Polartec(R) Power Stretch(R) and Polartec(R) Power Dry(R) to enable soldiers to comfortably operate in a wide range of temperatures and conditions. The LEP system represents a major leap forward in the design of technical apparel for the comfort, safety and performance of US Military personnel.

The Non-Traditional category includes animal-related products, medical products, and any other unique application that may be created for Polartec(R) fabrics. This year Scharenberg, a European brand for equestrian products, won for the second time with a Women's Dressage Vest made of Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM). Another European company, Trego AB, won an APEX Award for a Polartec(R) Power Shield(TM) Jacket for dogs. Both winners were recognized for a creative, yet appropriate and well-executed application of a very technical fabric.

In addition to the APEX Awards, two Market Leadership Awards were granted to companies that are pushing their markets to new levels of performance and customer expectations with the application of new Polartec(R) fabrics. For the sailing market, Henry Lloyd won a Market Leadership Award for its Polartec(R) Wind Pro(R) Bibs and Jacket. In the Hunting market, Browning's Genesis Elite Jacket in camouflage received a Market Leadership Award. Both the Henry Lloyd garments and Browning's jacket are made of Polartec(R) Wind Pro(R), a highly breathable fabric that offers four times the wind resistance of traditional fleece. The application of this technical fabric in new markets will provide consumers with a higher level of performance, thereby raising the standard in both markets.

Winners of the Polartec(R) APEX Awards receive a custom Tiffany Crystal Award and more importantly, the full marketing support of Malden Mills and the Polartec(R) brand. This support includes elements of public relations, garment seeding and advertising. All winners will be posted at www.polartec.com with links to the manufacturers' sites. Polartec(R) also purchases a quantity of winning garments to provide as press samples, to outfit athletes and expeditions and to use for key marketing events which take place throughout the year. Special hangtags are produced for APEX Award winners to promote the distinguished garments at the retail and consumer levels.

The 2002 Polartec(R) APEX Award judges panel included:

- Michael Hodgson - Award-winning author and journalist. He has worked as editor for many sports, fashion and outdoor magazines and runs several websites for new sports products, continuing to win awards on the way. In addition he has published 18 books on the outdoors.

- Wini Jones - Winner of numerous design awards and member of the Council Fashion Designers of America in New York. She's highly educated in textiles and design and has vast experience in merchandising, advertising and marketing in the outdoor apparel industry.

- George Pessey - Pessey created Jonathan & Fletcher which is involved in racing garments, as well as in research and development. His suits have world records in speed skiing and are worn by national ski teams.

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Staff