3 Tips For Washing Active Insulation

Active insulation is a type of clothing layer that provides warmth while allowing moisture to escape. It's designed for active use in cool to cold weather, offering a balance between insulation and breathability. Unlike static insulation, which prioritizes trapping heat, active insulation allows for better ventilation during exertion.

Active insulation fabrics are mainly represented by Alpha and Alpha Direct fabrics Active insulation isn't like its old-fashioned cousins. It's designed to breathe and wick—to keep you comfy both when you're charging uphill and heading downhill.  And since active insulation items make use of cutting-edge fabric technologies, you might be curious about how to best take care of them. The good news is, they're super easy to care for. We chatted with Alpha and Alpha Direct fabrics product manager to make sure we knew exactly how to treat our beloved active insulation items. Here's tips for you:

Get to know the delicate cycle.

Because Polartec Alpha and Alpha Direct fabrics move moisture very efficiently, these items will dry super quickly. So you can throw them in the wash with other performance layers and then just line dry or drape them over a chair overnight. Or, toss them in for a 10-minute tumble on low heat. The one thing to remember is to set the washer on the "gentle" or "delicates" cycle. "If people wash them like they would denim or a heavy sweatshirt, the excess wear and tear can certainly make a difference."

You might not have to wash as often as you think.

As people wear their winsome Hoody almost daily, but only washes it a few times a season, to keep it from getting beat up. Anti-odor properties on the help keep the jackets fresher longer, so you don't have to worry about washing them every time you work up a sweat in them.

Avoid campfires and Velcro.

The true beauty of pieces like the winsome hoody is that they're really pretty simiple to care for, But two things don't play well wtih their fabrics: campfires and Velcro. So, take note, you've been warned.