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UpFront
UpFront with Alpine Fit (Part 1)
By Dave Gardner, Editor/Publisher of The NEEDLE'S EYE
Just because your weather may be foul and the terrain rugged, it doesn’t mean you can’t wrap yourself in clothes that fit and keep you warm. Clothes that fit will keep you warmer and take the place of bulky ineffective layering systems.
The Anchorage, Alaska-based apparel manufacturer Alpine Fit takes pride in every garment and piece of gear that they develop, test, and produce. They make no compromises. Alpine Fit’s outdoor gear and garments are made for the wilderness, and they want all wearers of their garments to be warm and comfortable out there. Only the best materials are selected for their sewn products, and if the materials can’t be found, they will create them. Alpine Fit wants its fabrics to be odorless, quick-drying, soft on the skin, and protective against the sun.
For women and men alike, Alpine Fit knows that not every brand “fits you” so they set out to change that. They have done the extra homework so that wearers can have a better and more comfortable garment. Alpine Fit’s meticulous attention to detail produces premium products that do not disappoint.
Alpine Fit employs wear-testers who put every sewn piece through extreme conditions so that wearers can trust that each piece will last and perform as promised.
Alpine Fit garments are made in the USA. They manufacture most garments locally in Anchorage, while the rest are made in the continental U.S. Alpine Fit has good relationships with domestic fabric suppliers and stitchers and will continue to produce goods sourced as close to Anchorage as possible. These close relationships have enabled Alpine Fit to ensure their products consistently remain the highest quality that their customers have come to expect.
The Story Behind Alpine Fit’s Fabrics and SizingAlpine Fit founder Jen Loofbourrow approached her quest to create the perfect outdoor fabric with a few characteristics in mind. She began working with a fiber supplier and knit fabric manufacturer, both based in the U.S., to develop the silver-infused fabric called “Sterling™”. The fabric was designed from the ground up to last and prevent odor.
Week-long trips in a single shirt? No problem. The shirt is quick-drying, UPF 50+, soft, and best of all, does not collect odor. It is the ultimate, year-round outdoor fabric. It checks all the boxes.
Imagine, a quick-dry top you can wear for a multi-day camping trip or a week's worth of after-work hikes that continually works to combat body odor. This is a fabric that can be worn as a sunshade top backpacking in the summer or Nordic skiing at 10oF in the winter. It works for headbands and base layer bottoms.
This custom fabric uses silver-containing ionic+® fibers co-extruded into the fabric for permanent antimicrobial performance. Ionic+ antimicrobial technology inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The naturally occurring bacteria that causes the infamous body odor smell on your gear cannot thrive in this silver-containing environment. You can wear Alpine Fit’s Sterling™ base layers for longer between washes, and the fabric will continually do its work to combat odor build-up. Sterling fabric ionic+ antimicrobial technology passes the challenge of keeping odors on your gear at bay.
Ionic+® Technology Naturally Self-Cleaning Antimicrobial FabricIonic+ antimicrobial technology offers performance advantages when solving today’s textile challenges. This broad portfolio of yarn, fiber, fabric, and foam uses natural antimicrobial science to fight microbes on soft surfaces. Noble developed Ionic+ technology to inhibit and eliminate the growth of microbes on soft surfaces. Ionic+ products offer the best technology for lasting protection and sustainable solutions, from lifestyle to healthcare to wound care.
Noble Biomaterials – Scranton, Pennsylvania
But Alpine Fit doesn't stop there. The spun polyester is the softest synthetic you have ever worn. It is lightweight, quick-dry, and breathable – warm in the winter, not too hot in the summer, and durable enough to withstand multi-week adventures, wash, and repeat over several seasons. It has been officially tested and rated to UPF 50+ to keep out harmful UV. And after much testing, they were able to add recycled fibers to the mix as part of their environmental stewardship. This is Alpine Fit’s flagship fabric because it exceeds expectations and surpasses other similar fabrics out there.
UPF 50+ stands for "Ultraviolet Protection Factor 50+"It is a sun protection rating used to measure the effectiveness of clothing and fabrics in blocking out the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The UPF rating system is similar to the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) system used for sunscreens, but it applies to clothing and textiles rather than skincare products.
Specifically, it means that the fabric allows only 1/50th (or 2%) of the UV radiation to pass through, blocking 98% of UV rays.
Re-Trace™ - Recycled Material FabricAlpine Fit offers fabrics made from recycled fibers including recycled polyester and recycled nylon. This has been included in many of their products, wherever possible. They strive to responsibly source materials and refine sustainable practices, products, and packaging. They continually enhance their commitments to the environment, driven by their love of the outdoors.
Merino Wool – Natural Fiber Odor-Resistant FabricThere’s so much good to say about Merino wool that you may already know. Merino wool is such a luxurious fiber: natural, odor-resistant, fine in texture, ultra-soft, breathable, and helps with temperature regulation. Alpine Fit uses a soft 100% premium Merino Wool fabric to make the Nordic Anywhere Merino Wool Hat and the Merino Geo Neckwarmer, as well as in the lining fabrics for the Merino Wool Lined Headband and Merino Lined Mountain V Neckwarmer. This wool is ethically produced from non-mulesed merino wool sheep. Non-mulesed wool refers to wool that comes from sheep that have not undergone the practice of mulesing.
Mulesing is a controversial surgical procedure commonly performed on sheep in some countries, primarily Australia, to prevent flystrike—a condition where flies lay their eggs in the folds of the sheep's skin, leading to maggot infestation and potential health issues. It's important to note that while non-mulesed wool is often seen as a more ethical option, there are ongoing debates about the best practices for ensuring both animal welfare and the prevention of flystrike in sheep farming.
Alpine Fit Founder/Owner Jen Loofbourrow
Their merino wool base layers are made from 87% merino wool certified to the Responsible Wool Standard and 13% Recycled Nylon. Super soft, fine, warm, and light 18.5 microns, 150gsm weight; it breathes well, layers well, and feels like nothing but that perfect amount of warmth next to the skin. They chose to include Recycled Nylon in this base layer fabric to enhance durability. Merino wool has so many beautiful attributes and stays looking great for years; however, it is prone to damage usually in the form of small holes if you snag it on something sharp like a zipper, buttonhole, tree branch, or jewelry. So, adventure in it hard, but treat it with TLC (tender loving care) when you can, and expect it to work well for years to come, but not be as bombproof as synthetic fibers.
What does Responsible Wool Standard mean? This internationally recognized certification ensures that the wool comes from farms that have a progressive approach to land management regarding soil, biodiversity, and native species, they protect the social welfare of their employees including working conditions, health and safety, and practice holistic animal welfare including international standards and best practices for addressing hunger, comfort, health, and living conditions.
SizingThe other concept from the start was to have more size options than typically found with other brands. Jen Loofbourrow began developing the two-fits by referencing research, personal experience, interviews, and many conversations. There is not just one “average” woman's body shape – obviously. A much better starting point to achieve a custom-like fit is to address differences in body shapes that more or less have volume at the waist, at the hips, or the bust. So began the development of the Wild Iris Fit (straighter) and Azalea Fit (curvier at bust and hip).
For men, some need a little more space around the waist, while others want a narrower and more tapered fit at the waist with enough length in the torso and arms for their height. This was the starting point that led the way to developing our men’s Granite Fit (straighter) and Cinder Fit (narrower waist).
ManufacturingAlpine Fit has great relationships with local fabric suppliers and stitchers and will continue to produce goods made as close to them as possible. These tight connections have enabled the highest quality that customers have come to expect.
Growing Alpine Fit means growing domestic production both outside and inside the State of Alaska. They have their own manufacturing facility in Anchorage and work with USA-based partners. This supplemental approach allows for a strengthened sustainable business.
For men, some need a little more space around the waist, while others want a narrower and more tapered fit at the waist with enough length in the torso and arms for their height. This was the starting point that led the way to developing our men’s Granite Fit (straighter) and Cinder Fit (narrower waist).
ManufacturingAlpine Fit has great relationships with local fabric suppliers and stitchers and will continue to produce goods made as close to them as possible. These tight connections have enabled the highest quality that customers have come to expect.
Growing Alpine Fit means growing domestic production both outside and inside the State of Alaska. They have their own manufacturing facility in Anchorage and work with USA-based partners. This supplemental approach allows for a strengthened sustainable business.
Their flagship fabric is found in the Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve, Ridgeline Tank, Treeline Long Sleeve, Backcountry Base Layer bottoms, and multiple hats, headbands, and neck gaiters. These garments are tested to retain their shape and size after laundering with great performance. You should choose a cool water temperature and heat setting if possible, but warm temperatures are also okay. Lay flat or hang to dry is the best, but tumble drying on a low heat setting will be fine too.
Merino Wool base layer tops and bottoms, and accessories including Nordic Anywhere Merino Wool Hat, Merino wool lined neck gaiters, and headbands should be handled with a little extra care. Merino wool is tested to hold up to laundering, however, any Merino wool does not love the heat. So be sure to use cold water temps, hand or gentle wash, and lay flat to dry. Wash with delicate type items (no zippers or velcro if possible).
Their Bushwhacking Leggings are machine washable, so use the gentle cycle and lay flat or hang to dry. Tumble drying on low will also work to save time, but air drying is the best for the long life of the properties of this garment.
Alpine Fit does everything from design to product development to cut and sew apparel manufacturing in its workshop in Anchorage. They are growing and expanding manufacturing both out-of-state and in-state to make sure they have the gear available to keep you outfitted for your adventures.
From left: Production Manager Jamie Hirano and Founder/Owner Jen Loofbourrow at their outdoor exhibit in Seward, Alaska. Rain or shine, they embraced the adventure and had an absolute blast at the Seward Festival!
Jen Loofbourrow displaying some of her Alpine Fit apparel line
Jamie Hirano is the Production Manager of the Anchorage, Alaska-based apparel company Alpine Fit making outdoor activewear for outdoor wear using naturally anti-odor fabrics for extended adventures. She also directed activities from curriculum direction, to event operations for Fashion Incubator and developed strategic plans for the production of 300 items. She led temporary teams of volunteers through production cycles.
Jamie Hirano is ready to cut
Contact:
Alpine Fit
700 W 41st Avenue B
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
T: (907) 230-1041
E: workshop@alpinefit.com
W: alpinefit.com
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