, a company known for pushing the design envelope and blending both the tailored and the technical with eco-friendly fabrics in silhouettes that are streamlined without being restrictive, is ready to break the mold again with its new Synfill and Fractal Hoodies.
Fractal Hoody.SYNFILL
General manager wanted to create a technical鈥攖hat is, waterproof and breathable鈥攈igh-performance jacket that felt as cozy, comfortable, and lived in as your favorite already-broken-in hoody. 鈥淲hen you think of waterproof technical jackets, you think of hard shells that are stiff and loud and meant for one thing,鈥 Galbraith says. 鈥淭his material is soft and quiet. You can take it on the most technical adventure or relax on the couch at home.鈥
The听slim Synfill Stretch Hoody听is designed for weather-beating aerodynamic performance when you鈥檙e ice climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry or frontcountry skiing. The waterproof, two-layer fabric is laminated to a recycled polyester shell with four-way stretch panels for unrestricted movement. The soft outer fabric makes this 21-ounce jacket feel like a softshell instead of a hardshell.
Nau uses 100 grams of insulation in the Synfill’s body, and 60 grams in the sleeves and hood to keep you toasty whether you鈥檙e riding lifts or ice-skating at Rockefeller Center. Polyester with insulation is warm, quick-dry, and odor beating. The Synfill has an offset zip to keep your chin from getting chafed. While the hood is big enough to fit over a helmet, it doesn鈥檛 get in the way when you鈥檙e just hanging out. $320, available fall 2013; .
FRACTAL
鈥淲hen we made the Fractal, we wanted to create the most useful weight down jacket … something lighter than your typical big and burly horizontal striped down coat, but still warm enough to be comfortable and useful in most weather conditions,鈥 Galbraith says. 听鈥淭he quilting and the jacket鈥檚 name were both inspired by geometric shapes created by nature, like cracked ice, and the shape of mud when it dries. We wanted to make it visually interesting, but still keep it classic, masculine, and strong.鈥
They succeeded. The听800-fill Down Fractal Hoody听is a standalone piece for moderate temperatures and a great layering option in more severe weather. Nau says you can use it for resort skiing, mountaineering, climbing, camping, or hiking. We say it鈥檚 not only eye-catching but practical. It鈥檚 cut slim and long, so when one tester was ice climbing in temperatures so cold his eyelashes froze, the jacket didn鈥檛 ride up and the rest of him stayed warm. In addition, the jacket features cuff elastic that is set slightly back for a cleaner look and Nau鈥檚 signature asymmetrical zipper. $300, available fall 2013; .