It was announced last fall that Woolrich and Todd Snyder, would collaborate to create a more premium collection under the name Woolrich Black Label by Todd Snyder that will blend the heritage of the brand with a more modern aesthetic – mixing fashion, functionality, and an outdoor feel.

In a recent article in WWD, Snyder was quoted, “I have always had the deepest admiration for American heritage brands and consistently seek to work with the best,” Snyder said. “I wore Woolrich as a kid and was proud to design with their fabrics at my various jobs in the fashion world. Woolrich is a prime example of a company which has deep roots, and I’m excited to work with their vast archive — an archive that is rich in styles that have stood the test of time. My hope is to usher in the next era for Woolrich and extend their legacy well into the future.”

According to Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant, X-Pac® fabrics are increasingly being sought after by performance fashion brands for its unique design aesthetic.

“We are grateful to Woolrich and Todd Snyder for their fantastic vision and design,” said North. We are happy to partner with iconic brands and designers who bring our X-Pac® fabrics to life!”

To read a recap of the Woolrich Black Label Pitti Umo show, check out the article by Maria Cristina Pavarini, editor of The Spin Off based in Milan, who covers the fashion market.

Please reach out if you would like to learn more about our X-Pac® fabrics!

The post Dimension -Polyant’s X-Pac® Fabric Hits the European Fashion Runways appeared first on X-Pac.

Putnam, CT: January 10, 2024 – Responding to increased demand among tactical operators, first responders and shooting sports enthusiasts for higher quality, performance materials to safeguard their valuable tactical equipment in transit and in the field, Dimension-Polyant, the global leader in sailcloth production and manufacturer of X-Pac® lightweight, durable and waterproof laminates developed for packs and bags, is set to present its new X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics made with Tyra Technology® to esteemed brands in the tactical and shooting sports industry at the Supplier Showcase in booth 51441, January 22-23, 2024 during SHOT Show week in Las Vegas.

Tyra Technology® by Dimension-Polyant is the pinnacle of spread filament fiber efficiency, delivering exceptionally lightweight, incredibly strong laminates. Tyra Technology® expertly aligns and orients each filament, maximizing their contribution to load carrying, tear resistance, and puncture toughness. The result cuts out excess weight and increases performance, boosting tear and tensile strength over conventional materials. Whether it’s for high-performance sails, rugged outdoor equipment, or demanding tactical uses, Tyra Technology® redefines the benchmarks for weight, strength, and durability.

Born from X-Pac®’s legacy on the world’s most challenging peaks and longest trails, X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics are lightweight, durable, and waterproof – the ideal choice for professional operators. At the forefront of innovation, these fabrics offer peak performance in the harshest environments. Leveraging a proprietary lamination technology, X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics combine trusted face fabrics and innovative fiber reinforcement; specifically designed for the demanding missions. This unique construction enhances the equipment’s functionality and longevity.

“We designed our X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics for advanced operators who need to go further, faster, and more efficiently,” said Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant. “Our intention with this laminate collection was to create a high-performance carrying solution that exceeds expectations—where lightweight meets durability, and innovation meets reliability.”

According to North, one of the distinct advantages of X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics is that they are available in Berry Amendment compliant configurations and showcase Dimension-Polyant’s commitment to US-based sourcing and production. “This compliance not only supports domestic manufacturing but also underscores our dedication to delivering quality products that meet the stringent standards set by professionals in the field,” added North.

Highlighted at the Suppliers Showcase will be the following X-Pac® Tactical Fabrics.

X50 Tactical: X50 Tactical combines the renowned durability of 500d Cordura coupled with gold aramid X-PLY® reinforcement. The result is a tremendous strength, lightweight agility, and superior durability for the ultimate professional operator. Available in Black, Stealth Grey, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Khaki, and Woodland Camouflage.

X50 Camouflage: Our rugged X50 features a 500d Cordura face fabric in traditional Multicam® pattern for a highly abrasion-resistant, waterproof, high-performance laminate fabric. Available in Multicam® Black, Multicam® Alpine, Multicam® Tropic, and Black.

XPT Manta: Engineered with a 500d Cordura face fabric, Tyra Technology® core and 200d backer, this fabric shifts the paradigm, providing exceptional strength and stability in a compact, thin laminate. Ideal for structural packs, plate carriers, or MOLLE panels, XPT Manta laser cuts beautifully and ensures unmatched performance in the most demanding scenarios. Available in Black, and Coyote.

“The Supplier Showcase has been a terrific show for us, and we look forward to exhibiting again this year,” said North. “We look forward to sharing our latest innovations with many brands and retailers who are passionate about shooting sports along with raising further awareness of X-Pac® among attendees at the show.”

About Dimension-Polyant
Dimension-Polyant is the world’s largest sailcloth producer with decades of experience in highly technical sailing fabrics. Founded in 1966, Dimension-Polyant has consistently set the standard with their high-quality products and precision workmanship. The company is known for reliable customer care, world-class innovation, and conscious efforts to make products that have as little of an impact on the environment as possible. Its production facilities are located in Putnam, CT USA and Kempen, Germany. As of 2021, the company is climate neutral. https://www.dimension-polyant.com. Dimension-Polyant is owned by Sioen Industries, Belgium (https://sioen.com/en).

About X-Pac®
X-Pac® line durable pack fabrics are designed to perform from sea to summit. Inspired by advanced sailcloth technology, X-Pac® performance laminates are lightweight, durable and 100% waterproof. Due to its durable technical properties and distinctive design aesthetic, X-Pac® fabrics have been adopted by leading outdoor and performance fashion brands globally. X-Pac® is a registered trademark of Dimension-Polyant. www.x-pac.com

The post Dimension-Polyant Launches New Tactical Pack Fabrics Made Stronger with Tyra Technology® appeared first on X-Pac.

Putnam, CT: December 6, 2023 – With hundreds of fabrics submitted for ISPO Munich’s 2023 Textrends awards, Dimension-Polyant, the world’s leading sailcloth producer and manufacturer of durable X-Pac® waterproof laminates developed for packs and bags, is proud to have impressed the competition’s stringent jury to receive a Top Ten award for its X-Pac® RX30 laminate in the Soft Equipment Category.

Ready to tackle the outdoor elements, X-Pac® RX30 is a 3-layer laminate made with a 100 percent post-consumer recycled 300 denier polyester face fabric and distinguishable X-PLY® fiber reinforcement technology for an innovative three-layer construction that’s rugged, flexible and 100 percent waterproof. The laminate features a lighter weight recycled polyester film backing to provide provides a sleek, technical appearance. The recycled polyester fiber and backing is made from discarded PET bottles sourced in the USA.

As with all X-Pac® materials, the RX30 laminate is made in Dimension-Polyant’s Putnam, CT facility, which is 100 percent climate neutral. It carries Dimension-Polyant’s cleenTEC® seal, which guarantees it is 100% climate neutral by including recycled or bio-based components with the added sustainable measure of having climate offsets directly applied. Working with internationally- respected ClimatePartner, Dimension-Polyant calculates the total environmental impact of each cleenTEC® fabric to offset its carbon footprint.

“Knowing how competitive the Textrends jury selection is, we are thrilled to have received an ISPO Munich 2023 Textrends Top 10 Award for our X-Pac® RX30 – our most balanced construction for performance outdoor or urban backpack applications,” said Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant. “The judges were impressed with the not only with the fabric’s sustainable content, but also its distinct look and distinctly soft, lux hand feel.”

ISPO Textrends celebrated its tenth anniversary at ISPO Munich 2023, which took place November 28-30. According to ISPO organizers, the show was the hotspot for the international sports business community with over 2,400 exhibitors.

About Dimension-Polyant
Dimension-Polyant is the world’s largest sailcloth producer with decades of experience in highly technical sailing fabrics. Founded in 1966, Dimension-Polyant has consistently set the standard with their high-quality products and precision workmanship. The company is known for reliable customer care, world-class innovation, and conscious efforts to make products that have as little of an impact on the environment as possible. Its production facilities are located in Putnam, CT USA and Kempen, Germany. As of 2021, the company is climate neutral. https://www.dimension-polyant.com. Dimension-Polyant is owned by Sioen Industries, Belgium (https://sioen.com/en).

About X-Pac®
X-Pac® line durable pack fabrics are designed to perform from sea to summit. Inspired by advanced sailcloth technology, X-Pac® performance laminates are lightweight, durable and 100% waterproof. Due to its durable technical properties and distinctive design aesthetic, X-Pac® fabrics have been adopted by leading outdoor and performance fashion brands globally. X-Pac® is a registered trademark of Dimension-Polyant. www.x-pac.com

The post Dimension-Polyant Receives ISPO Munich 2023 Textrends Award for Sustainable X-Pac® Fabric appeared first on X-Pac.

Putnam, CT: August 30, 2023 – Dimension-Polyant, the world’s largest sailcloth producer and manufacturer of X-Pac® lightweight, durable, and waterproof laminates developed for packs and bags, has added its popular X-Pac® VX line to its sustainable fabric collection, certified cradle-to-gate climate neutral and carry the company’s cleenTEC® seal.

The new eco-friendly X-Pac® VX collection features an innovative four- layer construction that’s rugged, flexible, 100 percent waterproof, and made with Dimension-Polyant’s patented X-PLY® fiber reinforcement made from recycled post-consumer PET. The VX fabrics are laminated with a lightweight taffeta backing, also made from 100% recycled post-consumer PET, to provide enhanced stitch-hold. As with all X-Pac® materials, the VX fabrics are made in Dimension-Polyant’s Putnam, CT facility, which is 100 percent climate neutral.

The X-Pac® VX fabrics are certified by Dimension-Polyant’s cleenTEC® seal, which guarantees they are 100% climate neutral by including recycled or bio-based components with the added sustainable measure of having climate offsets applied directly to these specific fabrics. 

“We are proud to say that nearly half of all X-Pac® fabrics now carry the cleenTEC® seal, which up 26 percent from 2022,” said Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant US. “To make the largest impact in our carbon neutral initiative, our goal was to transition our top selling fabrics to cleenTEC® – certified. It’s our commitment to continually develop sustainably made X-Pac® materials, and we look forward to announcing an exciting new product introduction soon, which will raise the bar for sustainable performance laminates.”

According to Dimension-Polyant, the total volume of cleenTEC® – certified fabrics sold in 2022 account for 68 percent of all X-Pac® fabrics sold, reducing the carbon impact of all yardage produced by 4 percent.  

While many textile manufacturers are doing what they can to make the industry greener by developing high-quality recycled, bio-based, and biodegradable fibers and fabrics – along with waterless dyes, compostable packaging among other sustainable initiatives that flow through the supply chain, it’s extremely difficulty for a company to be 100 percent climate neutral by doing these great measures alone.  

“We know that despite our great efforts in making our production facilities and fabrics greener, there is always more to do, thus our carbon offset program with ClimatePartner to support tangible environmental improvement for the most at-risk places on the plant.,” said North.

Dimension-Polyant will present its full collection of X-Pac® performance fabrics at Performance Days Munich, October 4-5, 2023.

About Dimension-Polyant

Dimension-Polyant is the world’s largest sailcloth producer with decades of experience in highly technical sailing fabrics. Founded in 1966, Dimension-Polyant has consistently set the standard with their high-quality products and precision workmanship. The company is known for reliable customer care, world-class innovation, and conscious efforts to make products that have as little of an impact on the environment as possible. It’s production facilities are located in Putnam, CT USA and Kempen, Germany. As of 2021, the company is climate neutral. https://www.dimension-polyant.com. Dimension-Polyant is owned by Sioen Industries, Belgium (https://sioen.com/en).

About X-Pac®

X-Pac® line durable pack fabrics are designed to perform from sea to summit. Inspired by advanced sailcloth technology, X-Pac® performance laminates are lightweight, durable and 100% waterproof. Due to its durable technical properties and distinctive design aesthetic, X-Pac® fabrics have been adopted by leading outdoor brands globally. X-Pac® is a registered trademark of Dimension-Polyant. www.x-pac.com.

The post Dimension-Polyant Expands cleenTEC® – Certified X-Pac® Fabric Collection appeared first on X-Pac.

Eric Parsons, Revelate Designs CEO, bikepacking expeditioner and racer, founded the Alaskan-based brand in 2007 after finding a need on one of his long-distance bike tours. He discovered that bike trailers previously used to carry gear on trips and expeditions, were a big piece of equipment that can fail on the trail and impede a long-distance bike trip or race. So, he sought out how to engineer a minimalist, lightweight solution to carry gear on the bike – and made it happen!

Today, Revelate is considered the pioneer in bikepacking gear. It has built global distribution along with a community of loyal ambassadors ranging from elite athletes, weekend road warriors, and bike commuters. The company is still based in Anchorage Alaska, where the expansive wilderness offers endless adventuring and pushes a high design standard to build its gear to excel in.

We are very proud to be considered a close partner, as X-Pac® has been a key ingredient to its designs since the beginning. Eric and the Revelate team established X-Pac® fabrics into the bike market, and with every growth spurt they’ve enjoyed, we have too!  And we continue to celebrate our growth and partnership together.

We recently spoke with Eric and Bekka Mongeau, Revelate Marketing, who were great to share how Revelate was formed, how it stumbled upon X-Pac® fabrics, and the exciting products that will launch this summer with our new recycled RVX30 fabric. We hope you enjoy!

How did you come across Dimension Polyant’s X-Pac® Fabric?

I started experimenting with fabrics when I started making the bike bags. Some of the only technical materials you could easily get back then were Spectra and Dyneema ripstops. I was dabbling with those until I noticed X-Pac® materials being used on climbing packs – this was around 2006-2007.  I was like, oh, this is really cool fabric, but I had no idea how to get it. At that time, the website for Dimension-Polyant was basically a European site for racing sail cloth, with zero content about its outdoor fabric.

So, I cold-called a pack company who was using X-Pac® at the time to inquire how to find the material, letting them know I wanted to use the fabric for bike bags, not for backpacks. They were great and helped me make a connection – then I immediately got to work.

I saw the benefits of the fabric immediately. It was really nice to work with and perfect for the bags I was making. And at the time, there was no one in the bike community using X-Pac®. We hit the ground running with it and quickly incorporated it into almost our entire product line. It has been a really great partnership right off the bat!

What was it specifically about the fabric that made you think it was right for Revelate?

It checked all the boxes really. It has a nice, stiff hand, and is dimensionally stable – meaning it does not have a whole lot of stretch in it. Another big draw is the laminate’s light poly interior face. This lighter color inside of a bag makes it easier to find things. It also has a technical aesthetic and cleans up well. You can get it covered in mud, hose it off and it still looks good.

What were some of the products you first introduced with X-Pac® and why do you think they are still around after 10 years or so?

I started using X-Pac® when I was still sewing everything myself. I was making custom frame bags and doing small runs of Gas Tanks. Then came the early seat bags and handlebar bags. Once we got a manufacturing partner onboard to help, we launched the first mass market set sizes of both partial and full frame bags which were the Tangle and Ranger. These bags were really the core of a bikepacking setup and got a lot of people hooked on using the gear.

As to the secret to our product’s longevity – our bags are built to last with super durable materials and timeless design. We have ambassadors who will send us photos of old and new Revelate products side by side. It’s cool to see the difference over time, and even though they are old, they are still living – and still functioning!

We’ve found that many product developers turn to Dimension Polyant and X-Pac® fabrics for critical equipment such as racing sails and expedition packs where the fabric cannot fail. Can you elaborate on Revelate’s behalf? 

Yes, we can attest to X-Pac®’s low threshold for failure. I’ve seen bikepacking bags that have tens of thousands of miles ridden on them. They might be a little dirty and scuffed up here and there, but they’re still very functional and going strong.

I think Revelate is known as the leader for bike packing bags and our team of athletes/ambassadors are doing these crazy races in extreme environments like ours in Alaska where failure is not an option.

Our own Dustin Eroh who is a product designer here, is an avid racer and adventurer has been doing exceptionally well this year. He just won the Kenai 250-mile race here in Alaska. He is personally designing, using, and testing our products in rough conditions – and that’s what you get when you get a Revelate Product. We kind of pride ourselves and it’s in our Alaskan brand blood – that we’re designing for, testing, and personally using our own products with fairly extreme conditions in mind.

Who is your typical consumer these days?

Oh, it definitely runs the spectrum. We’re building and designing for the above-mentioned competitive or “hard” user, however that’s not necessarily who it is being sold to. We do not design our line by user profile. It’s just what we do – that’s our brand. You can go into REI as a weekend warrior or a bike commuter and buy the same thing an athlete or expedition user would, and for the same purpose, and it will work just fine.

If someone is just getting into biking and they get something from Revelate, it’s a piece of gear that they can still reliably use even ten years down the line when they are getting into bigger adventures or longer rides, which is cool.

Sustainability is built into every Revelate product since they last so long. We are excited you are introducing products made with recycled fabrics, namely our new X-Pac® RVX30. Can you tell us more about your latest product launch featuring the new laminate and how you collaborated with Dimension-Polyant to make it unique to Revelate?

Yes, we just launched a bag with X-Pac®’s new RVX30, called the Rifter, one of our popular frame bags. Actually, Lael Wilcox, a 36-year-old Alaskan endurance cyclist, recently put the Rifter to the test on the Tour Divide, an annual mountain bike race that traverses the 2,745 mile length of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to the Mexican border. Lael snagged the title as the first rider to cross the finish line in the women’s category in this year’s race in 16 days, 20 hours!

Dimension-Polyant was wonderful to collaborate with on this fabric, which is a special version of its new RVX30 Black. It features a 100% post-consumer recycled polyester face fabric that’s domestically sourced and then laminated at Dimension-Polyant’s facility in Connecticut. The fabric has a 50d polyester backing taffeta, which is also made with post-consumer recycled polyester. The backing taffeta provides extra strength, stitching holding and internal abrasion resistance. It also provides brightness on the inside of the bag – a great benefit we were looking for – that alleviates the need for an internal pack liner. X-Pac® RVX30 also carries the Dimension-Polyant cleenTEC® seal, indicating the material is guaranteed climate neutral and utilizes recycled fibers.

Revelate is such a great name. How did you come up with it?

Well, thank you. We were originally Epic Designs but had a trademark dispute. Thankfully we were super small at the time and decided to change rather than face legal fees. I was racking my brain and then one day, when I was Nordic skiing, the name sort of popped into my head. I was thinking of words like revolution or revolving – an action kind of feel – combined with ‘elation’, like happy. Revelate! One of my friends said the name has the Latin root to carry things. So, I guess the name was a good idea then!

Anything on the horizon you would like to let us know about?

Yes! But will have to keep it under wraps for right now. We understand Dimension-Polyant has some very exciting X-Pac® materials it is developing a little bit later this year on the more performance, high-tech side, which we will be one of the first to try out because of the close partnership that we’ve had over the years. We are grateful that they turn to us to give them a first shot with honest feedback on their material development. And we feel a sense of pride when the fabric is finally developed and incorporated into our product line. That’s true collaboration and partnership.

Thanks so much for taking the time to learn more about Revelate! For more information on the brand and its collection of amazing products, please visit its website, https://www.revelatedesigns.com.

The post Getting to Know Revelate – Alaskan Born Innovators & Builders of Bikepacking Gear appeared first on X-Pac.

The story all began when Tom, founder of TOM BIHN, asked his parents for help in getting the hiking and camping equipment he wanted when he was just 10 years old. They suggested two options: get an after-school job to earn money to buy it or figure out how to make it himself. Tom chose option two. Using his grandmother’s fixed-up home sewing machine, his Mom taught him how to sew, and his Dad provided the foundations of the necessary engineering. The rest is history…

Today, TOM BIHN’s design, manufacturing, fulfillment, customer service, and marketing departments all work together in the same 16,000-square-foot location in Seattle where they collaborate, problem-solve, and innovate in ways made only possible by sharing the same space. The company believes this work philosophy results in a better bag for you while making it more
fun for them too.

Creativity is TOM BIHN’s passion – working on new designs, developing new materials, improving existing internal procedures, updating the website, and taking new photos, which it does internally. The company has been designing and making bags for 30 years, which has given them time-tested learning over the years to know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to bag design and fabrication. This tried-and-true experience allows TOM BIHN to make bags that will better serve its dedicated community of devoted customers.

Mike VanReken (Mike V), operations and product manager at TOM BIHN, who has been with the company for over seven years, was kind to sit down with us and answer a few questions as to how the company has evolved over the years and created such a loyal following. We hope you enjoy!

What was the collection of TOM BIHN bags like when they launched 30+ years ago?

Tom was a one-person operation for a really long time. He made custom bags for folks, first for friends, and eventually in a small storefront in Santa Cruz, CA during the 80s and 90s. He also repaired other brands of bags for folks during those years and he often speaks about how much he learned about designing high-quality bags through the process of repairing bags. There are actually a few bag designs from those days that are still around like the Cafe Bags, and a couple of others from that period that have been revisited and tweaked to slightly more modern standards like the Le Petite Derriere and the Old School Carry All.

How have you seen packs and bags change over the years (or not)?

I’ve personally been working with outdoor bags and packs since about 2000 and was an active hiker and outdoors person before that. One thing I think is noteworthy is that just those 20-some years ago a lot of the larger backpack companies still made things in the US. Materials have definitely improved over the last couple decades, specifically fabrics.

Materials like Cordura and Parapack were about the highest quality fabric that were commonly used back then and now those materials, while still great, are a little antiquated. Designs have changed a lot too, of course, but not as much as you might think. Or maybe it’s better to say that some ideas have come and gone but the basics of backpacks and luggage aren’t all that different.

You have a very engaging following – can you share a bit about who your typical consumer is and why you think that is so?

We actually try to not target a typical customer. While our bags are considered higher-end, we want to design and make bags that anyone would or could use. And we’re transparent about what goes into our bags so folks can understand what they’re paying for. Our bags have a great reputation for lasting a long time, so I think people are willing to save and invest a little because of that.

How about sharing a particularly memorable comment about one of your bags?

A couple of memorable comments are from people who have a bag from Tom’s Santa Cruz days that they still use. What a story those 30+-year-old bags have to tell! We are well-known for our open and honest style of customer service and communication also and when folks call that out, it always feels really good – we’re proud to have that kind of relationship with customers.

When and how did TOM BIHN form a collaborative partnership with Dimension-Polyant/X-Pac®?

It was just at the end of 2022, lined up with the launch of a new backpack, the Addax. We’ve been using a really great, lightweight ripstop for several years that we call 400d Halcyon and the mill that makes it for us stopped producing it. That opened an opportunity to explore new high-end material options to offer alongside our tried-and-true ballistic nylon and after trying a number of the fabrics on the market, we were really drawn to work with the X-Pac® RX30 material.

What is it about X-Pac® fabric that your customers respond to and why?

X-Pac® has a following of its own so it’s been fun to get to know some people who are looking for that material specifically. And for our regular customers, it’s been great to show them why we think this is a great fabric. We’re a certified B-Corp company and we’re always working towards more sustainable business practices. The RX30, made with all recycled content and a PFC-free DWR coating, is right in line with what we’re trying to offer.

What are a few of your favorite TOM BIHN bags – we will not judge if it is not made with X-Pac®!?

My very favorite is the Synapse 19, which we just recently started offering in X-Pac®. I still use
an older one I’ve had around for a while, but the new material is calling my name.

For travel, I really love our Techonaut 30 on my back and one of our smaller shoulder carry bags for the airplane seat- usually either a Co-Pilot or one of our newest bags, the Side Hustle.

Is there a particular experience with one that you would like to share?

We’re not a huge company but we’ve made bags for a long time, so you see them around in airports a fair bit. It’s always a trip to see them, and there’s a little bit of that motorcycle culture where you nod to other TOM BIHN bag folks you see. I had someone comment on my travel bags once (an Aeronaut 30 and Co-Pilot) and they nearly lost it when I explained that I work for the company and what I do. I’d have missed my flight if I’d talked to them as long as they wanted to, and I think they may have missed theirs!

Anything you would like to give us a sneak peek about with regard to any new TOM BIHN bag developments or programs on the horizon?

We’ve got a very exciting project in the works that I won’t say much about but it’s going to be a fantastic addition to our lineup. Our designer, Jose, is mid-way into prototypes, and we’ll likely start wearing and testing samples in the coming weeks. We also have more accessory ideas than we could possibly make but that is such a fun and large part of our business. The beauty of being the size company we are, and having our own factory is that we can turn things around in design and development REALLY quickly. It’s so fun to see an idea go from conception to being sold in just a few weeks’ time. It usually takes longer than that, but it’s not unheard of!

What’s on your travel list for 2023?

I’ve got some family travel to the east coast that is tentatively planned, and my wife, and I have been working to get a COVID-postponed trip to Europe back on the books. Hopefully this Fall!

Any destination recommendations you’d like to share?

I love seeing new US cities I don’t know well, picking a spot in the middle of things, and then walking everywhere. Some of my favorite trips are when we don’t have any connections to a place, and we walk for miles and miles just exploring shops and restaurants – getting to see what the city has to offer. I get to live in one of the prettiest cities in the US, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to see other places.

Thanks so much for taking the time to learn more about TOM BIHN! If you would like more information about the company and its fabulous collection of bags, please visit https://www.tombihn.com/.

The post Getting to Know TOM BIHN – bags designed and sewn in Seattle that prioritize longevity and durability in every stitch. appeared first on X-Pac.

Noticing a fit for the X4 laminate technology in the outdoor industry – most notably for backpacks and bags – Dimension Polyant introduced its X-Pac® X4 collection with success in the mid-2000’s. Since then, the X4 collection, the most popular in the X-Pac® line have been adopted by major international outdoor, every day, and lifestyle backpack and bag brands due to its durable, high-performance benefits, and unique textile aesthetic.

Taylor North Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant US and Jonathan Mersereau, Sales Manager, Dimension-Polyant US, share their perspective on the significance of the X-Pac® X4 collection in the outdoor and lifestyle markets and where they see it evolving.

What inspired Dimension-Polyant to develop the X4 fabric collection for backpacks?

The X4 collection was developed from our sailcloth laminating capabilities. At Dimension-Polyant we have a unique laminate process that had been extremely successful in the sailcloth market. Wanting to bring highly technical laminate textiles to other industries, outdoor backpacking was a logical fit. Using materials like nylon and polyester to better align with traditional pack fabrics, Dimension-Polyant set out to deliver an outdoor pack fabric with unmatched strength to weight ratios.

Borrowing from sailcloth technology, X-Ply® fibers were introduced to the fabric to help with off-axis, dynamic forced.  For pack fabric, however, load is rather stable and rests upon the attachment points of the pack – the shoulders, hips, and handles. The 22.5° orientation of the X-PLY fibers help spread the load from your hip to the opposite shoulder. Laminating films to woven fabrics woven fabrics create a 100% waterproof material and achieves more structure than an ordinary fabric.

Lastly the backing taffeta, which distinguishes X4 styles from other X-Pac® fabrics, again borrows institutional knowledge from sailcloth where it improves durability of laminated films. Through this process the X4 range was born and has become a staple of the X-Pac® brand ever since.

How has the X4 collection evolved? 

At Dimension-Polyant we are continually developing new products, improving processes, and optimizing equipment. The X4 products are no different, whether it be tweaking our adhesive formula for better performance or making wider fabrics to optimize cutting efficiency for our customers. Recently the X4 fabrics have been developed to utilize post-consumer recycled polyester in the X-PLY fiber and recycled backing taffeta. We plan for the X4 products to be certified Climate Neutral by the end of 2023.

What makes it unique?

The X4 product line is the original, legendary, X-Pac® construction. The first to combine the durability of a nylon face fabric with strategic fiber reinforcement, internal film and backing taffeta. The result is a robust fabric that is the “Swiss Army Knife” of fabrics; it does everything and works when you need it to. Originally developed for the rigors of alpine expeditions, the X4 product line has been proven in the backcountry and is now accepted as the standard for quality and performance for bike packs, everyday carry (EDC), and lifestyle packs.

What is the most popular fabric in the collection and why do you think it is?

The most popular fabric is VX21, followed closely by VX42. VX21 uniquely balances it’s strength to weight ratio with impressive tear and tensile resistance as well. It’s an excellent all-purpose fabric. The lighter 210 denier nylon face fabric makes it extremely versatile, and because of that, we offer it in the widest array of color options. In addition, we have certified this fabric as 100% climate neutral and part of our cleenTEC® program. Our cleenTEC® seal signifies X-Pac® fabrics made with recycled, bio-based, or sustainably sourced materials while being 100% climate neutral, making it that much more appealing for brand partners looking to source responsible materials. 

Can you share some unique products that some of your customers have made with the fabrics?

We have seen some unique designs for sure! I have worked personally with a brand partner who used VX21 for the exterior of canyoneering packs, which puts some serious stress on the fabric. We saw some stress tests and were amazed with how well the fabric held up! Lately we have seen an explosion in the travel pack space as people return to pre-pandemic travel levels. The rugged nature of a heavier 420 denier face fabric found in VX42 is very popular as it holds up to the rigors of air travel. There are also a lot of smaller designs like fanny packs, slings, dopp kits, and more that utilize all our colors, or use lighter fabrics like VX07. Our VX03, of late, has become a popular option for liners within bags, as it is more durable than standard materials used for bag liners.

Why do brand partners want to adopt X4 fabrics into their product lines?

One of the advantages of our X4 line versus others is that it features a backing taffeta. While it may not be important to every design, the backing taffeta in a lot of instances acts as an internal liner that could potentially eliminate the need for liners inside of packs. The taffeta acts as a protective layer against the mid-layer of film which can help extend the life of the fabric. So not only is it a durable face fabric material, but the backing is also strong as well.

Are there plans to expand the x4 collection? If so, what is in the works?

We are always experimenting and there should be new development of X4 fabrics in 2023. For example, we are working on bringing our new RX line, 100% recycled polyester fabric – currently only available as an X3 style with no backing taffeta – to the X4 line by adding recycled polyester taffeta to enhance the fabric. This would provide both a 4 layer and 3-layer option for brands and partners looking for the advantages of X4 styles with the sustainability story of RX. Another program we are working to expand is our cleenTEC® seal. VX21 is currently our only X4 style that qualifies for the cleenTEC® seal but we are working towards bringing more styles like VX42 and VX07 into the fold as well.

Jonathan and Taylor will be attending the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, OR this coming April 4^th-5^th. If attending and want to meet up, please let us know by contacting us at x-pac@dimension-polyant.com. For more information on our X-Pac® fabrics, please contact us.

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In case you were not able to attend the shows, we thought might indulge you with a little recap from our perspective.

Outdoor Retailer Snow Show

The Outdoor Retailer Snow Show returned to its former home in Salt Lake City after a five -year hiatus in Denver. While scaled way back from its ‘heyday’ times prior to the pandemic, we felt the more intimate format still had a positive vibe and allowed us to spend more quality time with brands and suppliers over the two days we were at the show.

We also got to take in some good seminars to include NPD’s semi-annual Outdoor Industry Market Trends. It was encouraging to hear that the outdoor specialty market generated $27.9 billion in U.S. retail sales in the 12 months ending November 2022, an increase of seven percent over the prior year! As people are traveling more these days, one of the top five growing equipment and accessories categories in this market are duffle bags and packs, with backpack sales rising 14 percent!

The NPD spokesperson, Julia Day, ended the seminar by sharing her prediction as to why the outdoor industry will continue to thrive in 2023. She said people will flock to the outdoors to fulfill their crave for nostalgia, improved mental health and relationships – all shared around a campfire telling stories.

A Welcome Interlude

While we were in Salt Lake City, weather officials declared that the Wasatch Range had gotten the most snowfall it has gotten since 1973! There was no way we could not take advantage of what Utah claims is, The Greatest Snow on Earth, and take a well-deserved break to do some skiing, enjoy the mountains, and recharge before the SHOT show in Las Vegas.

SHOT Show Supplier Show Case

It was great to be in Las Vegas again exhibiting at the SHOT Show Supplier Showcase, a dedicated event for suppliers to display their shooting, hunting, and outdoor material supplies, off the main trade show floors just before the SHOT Show.

We found the vibe of show to be very energetic and felt it was busier than last year – with much more activity in our booth. It was great to see partners we presently work with along with meeting new potential customers to reinforce our value proposition and technology in the tactical space.

Brand partners to include Mystery Ranch, Kifaru, and Tac11 were great in allowing us to display their bags in our booth, which helped us demonstrate how our X-Pac® fabrics are put to use in many of the best backpacks on the market.

Our new Tyra PLY® drew great interest among brands looking for stronger soft-goods materials in the plate carrying space. Tyra PLY® offers exceptional tensile and tear strength, profile stability and a significant reduction of weight compared to classic laminates and even membranes. Brands liked that our X-Pac® with Tyra PLY technology can be laser cut for clean edge finishing and MOLLE attachment points.

While Tyra PLY® may have been the buzz in our booth, our legacy X-Pac® styles seemed to resonate with brand customers looking for lighter weight and waterproof versions of their existing fabric choices.

If we missed you on our travels and want to learn more about our X-Pac® fabrics, please contact us here.

Hope to see you on our next adventure soon!

The post On the Road with X-Pac® – 2023 Winter Trade Show Recap appeared first on X-Pac.

With increased consumer demand for more durable gear to carry their valuable tactical equipment, Dimension-Polyant, the world’s largest sailcloth producer and manufacturer of X-Pac® lightweight, durable and 100 percent waterproof laminates developed for packs and bags, will introduce its innovative X-Pac® fabrics to tactical and shooting sports brands at the Supplier Showcase in booth 51441, January 16 -17, 2023 during SHOT Show week in Las Vegas.

At the show, Dimension-Polyant will highlight specific laminates that feature its distinctive X-PLY® fiber reinforcement technology for an innovative three-layer construction that’s rugged, flexible and 100 percent waterproof. A lighter-weight polyester film backing provides a sleek, technical appearance.

Dimension-Polyant is excited to also present a preview of its newest fabric innovation – Tyra PLY®, which the company believes is a perfect fit for the tactical and shooting sports market. Tyra PLY® offers exceptional tensile and tear strength, profile stability and a significant reduction of weight compared to classic laminates and even membranes. X-Pac® with Tyra PLY technology can be laser cut for clean edge finishing and MOLLE attachment points.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Supplier Showcase this year,” said Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant. “We had a terrific show last year meeting with many brands and retailers passionate about shooting sports, and we learned a lot. “We are eager to share our latest innovations and raise further awareness of X-Pac® among attendees at the show.”

Built with the toughest conditions and most protective solutions in mind, Dimension-Polyant will showcase the following laminates that target the tactical market, which are Tactical and Berry Amendment Compliant fabrics.

• X33 Camouflage: Tightly woven 330d traditional Multicam® nylon face-fabric for a highly abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, waterproof material. The X-PLY® fabric in this laminate is made with a black recycled post-consumer polyester.
• X50 Camouflage: Rugged X50 construction with a 500d Cordura® nylon face fabric in a traditional Multicam®. Colors include Multicam® Black, Multicam® Alpine, Multicam® Tropic. The X-PLY® fabric in this laminate is made with a black recycled post-consumer polyester.
• X50 Tactical: Super durable X50 construction featuring a Cordura® nylon face fabric elevated to tactical status with a 400d aramid X-PLY®, which is lighter-weight, stronger and more abrasion-resistant. Colors include Black, Stealth Grey, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Khaki, and Woodland Camouflage.

“X-Pac® from Dimension-Polyant has remained year after year sought-after by the most demanding users, and for good reason,” said Dana ‘D3’ Gleason, Principal/Designer, Mystery Ranch. “Dimension-Polyant continues to innovate while being one of the easiest fabric suppliers to work with. This combination lets us turn around complex projects like the Mystery Ranch x Carryology projects that must always exceed our customers’ expectations quickly.”

Dimension-Polyant will be displaying the Mystery Ranch Spartan featuring X50 X-Pac® at the X-Pac® booth along with other interesting products utilizing X-Pac® in the tactical space.

The company’s Putnam, CT and Kempen, Germany production facilities have been 100 percent climate-neutral since early 2021. Carbon emissions have been recorded within the DIN ISO 50001 framework and significantly reduced through the use of green electricity, green gas and other measures. All remaining emissions are being reduced by its climate offset program in corporation with ClimatePartner and its Plastic Free Oceans climate protection project.

The post Dimension-Polyant Presents Durable X-Pac® Fabric Collection at 2023 SHOT Week Supplier Showcase appeared first on X-Pac.

Our most resent tale comes from Emily “Sunnyside” Fidrych, an associate digital strategist at Maine-based Blaze Partners who also happens to be a life-long outdoor enthusiast and long-distance hiker that has hiked the entirety of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Long Trail, and a majority of the Appalachian Trail.

Shortly after college, Emily found herself at a crossroads faced with the decision of pursuing her new career, or put her job on hold to join her boyfriend on his endeavor to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). With a little soul searching and some wise motherly insight, Emily trusted her heart, resigned from her job, and joined her boyfriend on the trail. After the AT, the thru-hike bug had bitten and the two hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) a few years later.

We sat down with Emily to learn how she got into long-distance hiking, the difference between her AT and PCT experience, some of her special gear (hint, hint – her backpack made with X-Pac® which saved her life!), and some tips for those thinking of going on a long-distance hike.

We hope you enjoy!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and what drew you to your long-distance hiking adventures?

I’ve always been outdoorsy. I grew up in Killington, VT spending lots of time with my sister exploring the cross-country trails on Killington Mountain. When I was 10 years old, I remember standing at a lookout on top of Killington and feeling as though the rolling hills of Vermont around me felt like I was truly home. When my family and I had to move to New Hampshire, I told my parents that I did not want to go because I was afraid that we would lose the mountains and that we would not be safe without them around us! I was happy to soon realize that there are mountains in New Hampshire as well!

So, I grew up in an outdoorsy environment. I didn’t really play a lot of sports. Being outside and taking long walks was my vibe and comfort zone. Since I was doing so much walking and into music by the time I was in high school, I did my senior presentation on planning a walking trip across the country to Burning Man. This was before I even really knew the Appalachian Trail (AT) existed, which is funny because the AT goes through Killington Mountain where I spent so much time hiking!

When did you come to the realization that you wanted to hike the AT?

Shortly after my partner, now husband Dave who is an Eagle Scout, and I graduated college. I had just gotten a job in Boston and was ready to start my career. Dave on the other hand, started hiking solo the AT. I thought maybe we would just go our separate ways. That was until my mother questioned my reasoning for not going by reminding me that the trip Dave was going on really aligned with a lot of the things that I had done and love in my life – and maybe I might want to consider going with him. She went on to say, “You are really excited about this person and this trip, so why don’t you go?”

I owe my Mom a lot as she made it clear this was a very special opportunity. I gave work my notice that day and saved enough money to meet Dave out on the trail.

Where was he on the AT at that time?

I met up with Dave a little before New York. It was kind of intimidating jumping on the trail with people who had been hiking for a couple month covering the southern part of the AT. But I had been walking and biking all over Boston, so think it prepared me to jump right in. For the first couple of days, we would hike 8-10 miles and after the second week, it felt like I had been on the trail the whole time.

How long did it take you to finish?

It took me three months from where I hopped on, and it took Dave five months from beginning to end. We really took our time in Maine because it is just so beautiful. It’s where we eventually ended up living!

I understand you thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). How did this come about?

Well, they say that the best way to cure post trail depression is to plan another hike. And I really wanted that badge that says, “I am a thru-hiker”.  I was drawn to the PCT because I was noticing all the wildfires popping up in 2017 and 2018, and I wanted to see the beautiful West coast and the trail before parts of it burnt up. So right after we finished the AT, Dave and I started working at his Dad’s pasta shop in CT for a year to save the money to go. We started the trail in May 2019 and finished in September.

How would you say the PCT differs from the AT?

In a lot of ways, they’re very similar in the fact that you’re walking very long distances, but the terrain, the planning and even the people I found very different on both trails. For one, I had never been to California and found the ecosystem was completely different from the AT. Another big difference between the PCT and the AT is that the PCT is graded for pack animals – there is an incline but at a grade where a llama, horse or goat could walk it. Whereas you would expect with New England hiking, the AT is just straight up the mountain with a ton of rock scrambles.

Then I would say the planning is really different on the PCT. There are so many different ecosystems you go through – you start out in the desert, and you don’t really want to be in the desert in July. So, you’re trying to get the first part of the desert done by mid-June. But then you also don’t want to get to the Sierras too early because they’re still covered in snow earlier in the year. That did not matter for our 2019 PCT hike because the snowpack in the High Sierras that year was about 200% of what the snowpack usually is. We were hitting snow no matter what!

How did you support one another during your hikes?

We are a great team. We’ve always been good traveling with each other. The great thing about having somebody with you that you’re tied to is that when one person’s having a bad day, the other person’s probably having a good day. You can balance each other. And if we are both not having a good day, I would just hike a little bit behind him, and not talk.

Can you share a couple of key pieces of gear that helped you get through?

I love all my gear! That’s the thing about thru-hiking – you become so attached to the few items that you have. It’s hard for me to pick one or two, but I would say my water filter and my water filter system was a smart combination of products that came together to just make my life a lot easier.

Another was my Superior Wilderness Designs backpack made with Dimension Polyant’s X-Pac® fabric, which is extremely durable. I am kind of a chicken when hiking downhill and do a lot of butt sliding. As a result, my backpack needs to do a lot of butt sliding too. I knew I needed a pack that could withstand the abrasion.

Before buying my backpack, I did my research and found a lot of great things about X-Pac® materials. I loved that the fabric comes in such cool colors! So, I got my backpack just before heading out on the PCT and loved it so much. It endured my butt sliding – the bottom is still very much intact after all those miles. And it pretty much saved my life once.

Wow, how did it almost save you?

We were coming off Forester Pass on the PCT, which is the highest point of the trail. I believe it’s just over 13,000 feet. Since we were hiking in such a high snow year, it was very hard to follow the trail. There are a few trail markers, but they are not quite as prominent as on the AT. We weren’t sure which way to go. So, we took a guess based on what other people in the guidebook said to go. We went right when we were supposed to go left.

We went the wrong way and found ourselves in a position where we could slide down the trail by glissading. Glissading is when you sit in the snow with your ice axe and start sliding down the mountain using your axe as a brake. This is where my pack worked very well for me! The thrill and joy of sliding on my butt down the mountain! Then suddenly, the glissading came to a halt. There was a big rock scramble just below us.  But we had to get down somehow. It was either climb all the way back up and figure out where the trail was or just keep going. So, we started very carefully going down the rocky descent where rocks were falling.

I was fourth in line of five people to go down. It was me and my very small friend, whose trail name was ‘Sassy Pants’, to go next. I remember taking a step and getting lodged in between two boulders with my backpack being the only thing holding me. And my legs were just kind of dangling.

I yelled for Sassy Pants, “I’m stuck by my backpack!”. So little Sassy Pants reached me and made sure it wasn’t too much of a drop to dislodge me. We counted to three and she lifted me where I was able to get down to the little ledge safely.

Are you planning on another long-distance hike soon?

I’m not currently planning a thru hike however I am planning to hike Mount Shasta next year. It’s my 30th birthday. I’m going to go with a guide service just so I can hone in on my mountaineering skills, get better with my ice axe, and snow traversing. So, that’s my next big adventure. I will definitely be looking for a bag with X-Pac® materials, especially now that they have sustainable fabrics.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking of going on their first long-distance hike?

I would say just get super inspired by other people who have done the trail. For me, the way to make a dream a reality, is to see someone else do it – to know that it’s possible to get it done and understand the day-to-day of the adventure. I believe if you really want to do something, you make it happen. You manifest it for yourself. And also, get a good backpack with rugged materials like X-Pac®.

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