Cool as mint: why this fresh new tech could transform hot-weather hiking

This advertising promotion is sponsored by Polartec

Hiking in hot weather presents a dilemma when it comes to choosing a base layer. Merino wool works wonders at keeping bad smells at bay, but isn’t always the coolest material when you’re motoring up a mountain. Synthetic fabrics are often cooler to wear, but they can quickly turn pongy when heavy perspiration is involved.

So do you overheat, or overpower with your aroma? It isn’t a great choice! The introduction of anti-odour technologies into synthetic fabrics has helped to address the problem, but they can have the drawback of being based on weaving unsustainable metals like silver into the fabric.

That dilemma could be about to be solved, though, with a new fabric treatment that promises to offer the best of both worlds, whilst being kinder to the environment. The expert in thermal regulation, Polartec, has come up with a winning combination: a cooling fabric called Delta plus a new sustainable anti-odour technology called Fresh Face, which incorporates sustainably harvested mint extract.

How does the cooling fabric work?

Polartec and its Delta technology works by using something called a ‘bi-component knit’, which is where two different fibres – in Delta’s case a natural fibre and a synthetic fibre – have been knitted together in a matrix to provide two different functions.

The natural lyocell fibre yarns are designed to absorb and distribute moisture (your sweat) around the fabric, meaning your body can benefit from cooling as the moisture evaporates. Meanwhile the synthetic polyester yarns do the opposite job: they resist absorbing water, creating zones of dryness within the fabric that improve breathability and enable the fabric to dry faster.

The special knit also uses raised touch points to help prevent the wet fabric clinging to your skin.

How does the deodoriser work?

Unlike many previous deodorising technologies – including those from Polartec – which have been based on metals like silver, Fresh Face uses the properties of botanical mint extract, offering a sustainable alternative to metal-based technologies. The technology is derived from a naturally sourced and non-GMO mint plant extract harvested and distilled in the lush Willamette region of Oregon in the USA. It utilises a simple and environmentally friendly steam extraction process that reinforces the commitment Polartec has to eco-engineering. It has also received approval from bluesign and is Oeko-Tex Standard 100-certified.

How was Fresh Face tested?

This is all very commendable – but does the new mint-based technology work better than the previous metal-based options?

Fresh Face was put through a rigorous testing process lasting six weeks, involving a first wear and a comprehensive smell test, before the garments were washed 50 times, thus simulating accelerated ageing and wear. They were worn again in real-world conditions for another six weeks then collected unwashed, sniff-tested, and rated by judges in a blind test.

The final verdict? The ‘wear testers’ and judges agreed that the Fresh Face, mint-treated garments were deodorised to a level equal to or better than the prior treatment.

Does it smell minty-fresh?

You will certainly smell fresh wearing Delta with Fresh Face, but you won’t smell of mint! The treatment, which works hard to keep nasty niffs at bay, is actually odourless.