December 1, 2025 – Polartec, brand of Milliken & Company and a global leader in the development of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, announces that it has received the prestigious ISPO Award 2025 for clothing FW26 Frame with Polartec® AirCore™, the first truly air-permeable laminate designed to keep the user dry from the inside out.
Now in its fifteenth edition, theISPO Award It is one of the most authoritative awards in the outdoor sector and every year rewards the most revolutionary innovations in ten different categories, selected by an international jury of experts.
In addition to the main award, Polartec also received recognition Top 5 Winner in the “Mixed” category, confirming the transformative value of AirCore™ technology.
At the heart of this success is the first proprietary non-PFAS hydrophobic polymer used to make a high-performance nanofiber membraneSelected from hundreds of submissions, AirCore™ represents a further step in Polartec’s leadership in sustainable climate protection solutions.
A new paradigm of transpiration
Unlike traditional systems, which block external agents by creating barriers that tend to retain heat and humidity, Polartec® AirCore™ introduces true active ventilation, promoting the dispersion of steam from the inside to the outside.
The technical parameters speak clearly:
- Actual air permeability: 0,4–1,0 CFM*
- MVTR greater than 25.000 g/m²/24h
- Complete water repellency*
Thanks also to an excellent structural elasticity, AirCore™ is ideal for disciplines with high intensity such as trail running, ski mountaineering and technical mountaineering. The ISPO recognition therefore marks a decisive moment in the evolution of high-performance, low-impact breathable shells.
Field test
In the last few days we had the opportunity to test a full sports garment made with Polartec® AirCore™ membrane, using it in conditions of intense activity.
The sensations confirm what Polartec declared:
Breathability is immediate and constant, even under prolonged exertion, without the classic "bag effect" sensation typical of traditional membranes. The internal microclimate remains surprisingly stable: no condensation, no sweat build-up and no cold sensation once you slow down your pace.
Wind and rain protection remains unchanged, while the elasticity of the material allows for total freedom of movement, a fundamental quality especially in mountain bike and trail riding, where posture and dynamics are constantly changing.
Concrete proof that makes AirCore™ one of the most interesting membranes seen in recent years in the outdoor performance segment.
Polartec® AirCore™ Key Features
- Air permeability: promotes natural drying from the inside out
- Water repellent: minimum rating 4 in the Spray Test (GB/T 4745-2012 | ISO 4920-2012)
- Wind resistance: functionally windproof protection with cancellation of the wind chill effect
- High breathability: Industry-leading MVTR and CFM values
- Elasticity: high comfort and freedom of movement even in the most technical activities
- Sustainable construction: recycled materials, membrane and DWR treatment totally non-PFAS
