November 18, 2025 Peak Performance sets new circular design benchmark in ski apparel

Allied, NetPlus, Resortecs and Pertex join Peak Performance to launch the Helium Loop Anorak – a collaborative leap in circular technical design.

Partnerships drive a breakthrough in circular design

Allied Feather + Down, NetPlus, Pertex and Resortecs have joined forces with Swedish backcountry apparel brand Peak Performance to develop the Helium Loop Anorak — a concept jacket designed from the ground up for circularity. Built as part of Peak Performance’s R&D program, the jacket integrates innovative materials with design-for-disassembly thinking.

Technical outerwear has long posed a challenge for circular design. Garments often combine multiple components — down insulation, synthetic shells, zippers and elastic trims — that are tightly integrated and difficult to separate for recycling. The Helium Loop Anorak addresses this challenge by aligning material choices and construction methods from the outset.

“For years, brands have wanted to introduce more circularity into their products, but the onus has fallen on their ingredient partners and startups,” said Matthew Betcher, Creative Director at Allied Feather + Down.

“The reality is that garments need to be designed for circularity before any sense of recyclability can even start to be possible. That’s why we’re excited to bring our expertise as ingredient brands to this project – and build, from the very beginning, a truly circular product.”

He added that the project can serve as “a beacon for entire product lines in the future.”

Each partner brings essential innovation

Allied contributes 800-fill power down insulation – renewable, recyclable and biodegradable – providing warmth without compromising on environmental considerations.

NetPlus, developed by Bureo, transforms fishing nets rescued from marine waste into 100 percent post-consumer recycled nylon. This yarn is woven by Pertex to form the shell and liner materials used in the jacket.

Resortecs delivers the final piece: Smart Stitch, a heat-activated thread that allows for Smart Disassembly. At end-of-life, this stitching melts away under controlled conditions, enabling clean separation of shell and insulation for recycling.

“The core insight is that true circularity isn’t about accepting compromises,” said designer Marie Andersson, who led development of the piece.

“It’s about engineering garments to be unmade as thoughtfully as they’re made. Our R&D Helium Loop proves that when premium materials meet thoughtful disassembly design with end-of-life in mind, circularity becomes a performance advantage – every component retains its highest value across multiple lifecycles.”

David Stover, CEO of Bureo, the company behind NetPlus, echoed this view: “The Helium Loop R&D project demonstrates how responsible materials and design can prevent pollution and reduce reliance on fossil fuels – a win for the outdoor community.”

He continued: “Technical outerwear is typically built from crude oil. That outdated model harms both people and the planet. By connecting better materials with thoughtful design, the Peak Performance team has pushed the conversation forward on end-of-life solutions.”

Part of a broader transition

The Helium Loop Anorak is an early step in Peak Performance’s broader goal: a fully circular product range by 2030. The project highlights how early collaboration between sourcing, design and manufacturing partners can unlock viable alternatives to the conventional linear model of “make, use, dispose.”

Images: Peak Performance