This is hot. Portland, Oregon-based Nau a leader in sustainable fashion just added a new ingredient to their manufacturing mix: all-natural Cocona® – activated carbon sourced from the industrial waste of coconut husks – creating a sustainable fiberfill to insulate a new collection of fall/winter jackets for men and women.

According to Nau design director Peter Kallen, (at right), “Cocona takes waste and turns it into a high-performing fabric, making it a perfect match and material for Nau.”

How exactly do they do it? Nau sources coconut husks discarded by the food service industry, reduces them to charcoal, combines it with recycled polyester, then spins it into a new high-performing alternative insulation material. The resulting fill has an increased surface area of fiber, which offers the main benefit of increased warmth for the weight and additionally spreads out moisture over a greater surface area. This helps move moisture away from the body, making it warm, quick drying and comfortable. Cocona also manages odor retention better than traditional polyester fill. The new fiberfill is 30 percent Cocona and 70 percent recycled polyester.

(at left) The Insular Jacket which retails for $355 is made for the mountain. The seam-sealed slope jacket is fully waterproof and features a recycled polyester shell, a helmet compatible hood, drawcord skirt hem and DWR-treated front zipper with wind flap to keep the cold, wet weather out.

With clean designs and technical details, the Insular Jacket is a cool way to keep warm while enjoying the outdoors.

Available online and in-store soon. Keep your eyes peeled.

find more @ nau.com

photo credits: Nau (at top, Mt Hood, located just 90 miles east of Portland)