What Power Shield® is
Power Shield® is a Polartec® family of weather-protection fabrics for soft shells. Polartec lists Power Shield, Power Shield Pro and Power Shield RPM among its weather-protection fabrics. Typical Power Shield constructions combine a stretch woven face with a protective finish and a soft knit backer, giving wind resistance, water repellency and breathability in one stretchy fabric. Power Shield Pro has been widely used for award-winning softshell jackets, including layered builds with Polartec Alpha insulation.
Where Power Shield jackets fit
| Use case | Why softshell | Typical jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking and trekking | Breathes during effort, sheds light showers | Hooded softshell with chest and hand pockets |
| Climbing and mountaineering approaches | Stretch and abrasion resistance | Close-fitting softshell with helmet-friendly hood |
| Ski touring and cold-weather cycling | Wind protection with high breathability | Softshell with raised back hem and zip vents |
| Everyday outdoor wear | Comfort and weather resistance in one layer | Clean-lined softshell with a stand collar |
What we engineer around the fabric
- Pattern shapes that use the stretch rather than fight it: articulated sleeves, gusseted underarms and raised hems
- Seam and zipper choices suited to a soft, dense knit-backed fabric
- Hood and collar designs for helmet or no-helmet use
- Layering fit over a base layer and under a shell, using Polartec insulation if specified
- DWR and finishing checks to match the performance you plan to claim
Spec questions to settle early
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which Power Shield variant and weight? | Sets stretch, warmth, price and minimums |
| Colours and dyed-to-match trims | Fabric minimums can control the colour range |
| Waterproof claim or water-repellent claim? | A softshell is not waterproof without a membrane, so public wording must follow the facts |
| Insulation underneath? | A shell plus Alpha insulation builds one flexible, warm piece |
Variants and availability change. We confirm the current options with approved supply sources for your program.
For the broader category see our custom softshell jacket program, or compare against NeoShell when waterproofing is the priority.
What to send for a quote
- Tech pack, sketch or a reference garment (photos and measurements are fine to start)
- Size range, sizing market and quantity per style and colour
- Fabric direction: hard shell, softshell or a named Polartec® platform, plus target price
- Required features: hood type, pockets, vents, zippers, insulation, reflective details
- Testing needs (for example hydrostatic head, breathability, seam strength, wash tests)
- Sample timeline and bulk delivery window
Trademark note: Polartec®, Power Shield®, NeoShell®, Alpha®, Thermal Pro® and Power Grid™ are trademarks of their respective owner. Mont Gear is not an agent or licensee of Polartec. The names are used here to describe fabric platforms buyers search for and specify. Polartec fabric availability, buyer authorization, labeling, hangtag use and public performance claims must be confirmed with the trademark owner and approved supply sources for each program.
Last reviewed: