Carhartt Launches Force® and Storm Defender™ to Take on the Heat and Rain in Spring 2013

Proven on the toughest job sites in the mid-summer Texas heat; Force® and Storm Defender™ beat the elements

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Nov 13, 2012, 07:00 ET

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Carhartt's spring 2013 line of apparel is designed to not only help workers survive the elements, but to thrive in them. America's premier work wear brand since 1889, Carhartt introduces all-new styles for spring that are geared for hard-working men and women, lead by the Force^® line of shirts and four new rainwear jackets including the Bad Axe Jacket, which features Carhartt's most advanced Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable technology.

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"We know that Mother Nature is going to test us daily with conditions that are hot, cold, sunny, rainy or muddy – and sometimes all of the above. To get through it all, hard-working men and women need hard-working clothing and Carhartt's spring line is up for the challenge," said Sue Fuller, general merchandising manager, Carhartt.

For more on Carhartt's key styles for spring, check out Carhartt's Spring 2013 Look Book at www.carharttlookbook.com.

Key styles for the spring 2013 apparel line for men include Force® shirts; Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable rainwear featuring the Bad Axe, Steelhead and Huron jackets and Huron pant and the 100 percent waterproof and wind-resistant Medford jacket and pant. For women, new spring 2013 styles include Force™ shirts, the 100 percent waterproof and wind-resistant Medford Jacket and Bib Overall and the Rockford Windbreaker.

Carhartt took to the fields and job sites of Texas to test its new products for spring and scoured the rugged "Lone Star State" for men and women who depend on hard-working clothes to help them do their job under the intense sun. "We looked for a proving ground that showcases work in an extremely hot environment and Texas was the only answer," said Fuller. "There we found men and women working in traditional farm, ranch, and construction jobs that require the type of rugged performance gear we are rolling out this spring."

Men's Spring 2013 New Products:

Carhartt Force® Shirts
Carhartt's new Force® shirts deliver unbeatable performance attributes and value, but more importantly, as a Carhartt shirt, nobody comes close to its durability. The new Force® line is built in rugged 65 percent cotton/35 percent polyester performance jersey knit blend and includes moisture-wicking and stain-release to make an ideal first-layer shirt for those who truly work with their hands. The shirts include Raglan sleeves to increase range of motion, offer smooth flat lock seams for added comfort, a front chest pocket making it more functional for the worker and are a cool 5.75-ounces. The line features three styles: short-sleeve T-shirt, short-sleeve Henley and the long-sleeve T-shirt. The men's Force® Cotton knits are available in a variety of colors.

"For the tradespeople and craftspeople whose work beckons them to the sun-soaked outdoors, heat and grime is no match for this hard-working, sweat-wicking, stain fighting shirt," said Fuller.

Men's Rainwear
With rain in the forecast, Carhartt's outerwear assortment is built to withstand the severest weather. Carhartt introduces four new rainwear options for men with varying levels of protection. The collection is designed for keeping you dry during the wet days at the worksite because "work days don't have rain delays."

Bad Axe Jacket – Waterproof breathable outerwear is not only impermeable to water, but also lets moisture vapor escape as you sweat so you remain dryer and at a more comfortable temperature. Featuring Carhartt's Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable rainwear technology, the Bad Axe offers a three-layer waterproof breathable membrane, heavy-duty nylon reinforcements on the elbows, shoulders, cuffs and hem for added protection and fully taped waterproof seams throughout. The Bad Axe also features waterproof side zippers to allow for venting and easier tool belt access. The Bad Axe is offered in black.

Huron Jacket & Pant –The new Carhartt Huron Jacket is a 3-ounce, 100 percent nylon ripstop shell with a Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable membrane. It features fully taped waterproof seams with attached hood with drawcord. The Huron collection also includes a pant with the same performance attributes as the jacket. The Huron Jacket is offered in black, asphalt, ink blue and red and the pant is offered in black.

Steelhead Jacket – The Steelhead Jacket is a 4.5-ounce, 100 percent nylon shell with Storm Defender™ waterproof breathable membrane. The seams are fully taped and feature a mock-neck collar with snap-on, detachable hood. The Steelhead Jacket is offered in black and navy.

Medford Jacket & Pant – Light-weight, durable, 100 percent waterproof and wind-resistant, the Medford Jacket provides maximum functionality for workers who get caught in the rain often. The jacket consists of a 100 percent polyester knit fabric with a polyurethane coating, stretchable fabric and welded seams. The seams are heat-sealed and include an attached hood that rolls into the collar. The Medford collection also includes a pant with the same performance attributes as the jacket. The Medford Jacket is offered in black and olive and the pant is offered in black.

Women's Spring 2013 New Products:

Carhartt Force® Shirts
Like the men's line, Carhartt's new Force® shirts for women are unparalleled in performance attributes and durability. The women's Force® shirts line offers moisture-wicking, stain-release and anti-odor technologies, perfect for hard-working women with long to-do lists. Carhartt's 5-ounce Force® fabric is made from a blend of 81 percent polyester/14 percent cotton/5 percent spandex. The line features three styles: Performance T-shirt, Performance Tank and Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt. The women's Force® shirts are offered in black, asphalt heather and tulip pink heather.

Medford Jacket & Bib Overall – Built for those who want to thrive in the harsh spring elements, the women's Medford collection includes a jacket and a bib overall. The collection is light-weight, durable and 100 percent waterproof and wind-resistant. The Medford collection is designed from 100 percent polyester knit with polyurethane coating, stretchable fabric for ease of movement and heat-sealed seams. The jacket includes a double storm placket with snap closure and attached three-piece hood with drawcord and barrel lock adjusters. The Medford Jacket is available in four colors: patriot blue, black, tulip pink and sunglow. The Medford Bib Overall is available in black and sunglow.

Rockford Windbreaker – Perfect for on-the-job and every day wear, the Rockford Windbreaker is a 4.25-ounce, light-weight garment made from 100 percent nylon oxford with 100 percent polyester mesh lining. It features an attached three-piece hood, drawcord adjusters with a chest pocket, secure zipper closure and media port. The Rockford Windbreaker is offered in black, lime, cornflower and candy apple.

About Carhartt, Inc.
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium work wear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged apparel for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., with approximately 4,400 employees worldwide, Carhartt is privately owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.

SOURCE Carhartt