Fall / Winter 2026
The Defender Collection 2026
Tough gear, for tough people.
Defender Collection11
Second WindOur donation promise
A portion of every purchase supports Second Wind
Second Wind is a Ukrainian charity helping wounded veterans rebuild through sport and the outdoors.
The material we use
Polartec made the original fleece in 1981. It's the fleece behind Patagonia's first Synchilla and The North Face's Denali, and the US Army has issued it in its cold-weather layers.
- 1981The original fleece
- US ArmyMilitary-issued materials
- 5Polartec fabrics in this collection
Military facts are about Polartec's fabrics, not our garments, which aren't military issue.
Defender 2026
The people who inspired it and the people who wore it
Three people whose days are harder than most inspired this collection. Then they wore it, in the Swiss Alps and in Ukraine.
Swiss AlpsWorn BASE jumping in the Swiss AlpsTimAlpinist and BASE jumper.Wore Ninja Hoodie · High Loft Jacket · Crewneck
UkraineWorn teaching combat medicine in UkraineRimaFrontline combat medic in Ukraine. Teaches hands-on war medicine.Wore Crewneck · High Loft Jacket
UkraineWorn on his training runsDmytroUkrainian soldier on active duty and survivor of Russian captivity. Also an endurance athlete training for an Ironman.Wore Ninja Hoodie · Crewneck
We gave Tim, Rima and Dmytro the gear and paid for the shoots.
Pick by what you'll be doing.
- Moving fast (running, ski touring): the Polartec PowerGrid Ultralight Quarter-Zip. It keeps you warm at pace without soaking through.
- Hiking with a pack: the Polartec 100 Abrasion-Resistant Crewneck, with abrasion panels where packs wear through.
- Winter hikes and camp: the Polartec 200 Ninja Hoodie. Its hood zips up around your face like a balaclava.
- Standing still in real cold (camp, belays, summits): the Polartec High Loft Fleece Jacket, the warmest top in the collection.
Start with your own base layer. Add a mid layer for light warmth on the move: the Quarter-Zip or the Crewneck. Add an insulation layer when you stop or it turns cold: the Ninja Hoodie or the High Loft jacket. Put your shell on top for wind and rain.
These fleeces are warm enough for most of the winter, but they're not a substitute for a shell.
Polartec, then called Malden Mills, made the original fleece in 1981. We ship Polartec fabric to Ukraine and make every piece there.
- Ninja Hoodie: Polartec 200 Midweight
- Crewneck: Polartec 100 Lightweight
- Quarter-Zip: Polartec Power Grid
- Fleece Jacket: Polartec High Loft
- Balaklava: Polartec Power Stretch, with a Power Grid face panel
Every piece is made in Ukraine. We ship the Polartec fabric into Ukraine and the garments are made there. The flannel is woven in Portugal and sewn in Ukraine.
A portion of every purchase supports Second Wind, a Ukrainian charity helping wounded veterans rebuild through sport and the outdoors.
Shipping times and costs are on our shipping policy page. Returns are covered in our refund policy.
