Inspired by Those Who Endure The Most: The Story of Our Defender Fleece ¼ Zip

In early 2022, we decided to make all our products ourselves and produce everything in Ukraine.

At the time, we were fully reliant on “print on demand,” which meant we had no control over our product quality and were outsourcing everything to a third-party partner. To make things even trickier, I had zero experience in clothing design, manufacturing, or logistics—basically, all the essentials for running a clothing brand. But despite that, I set this ambitious goal because it felt like the right thing to do, and I believed we could figure it out as we went. Looking back, I probably should’ve thought it through a bit more, but my reasoning was simple: if people wanted us to make stickers, T-shirts, sweaters, and hats, I wanted them made in Ukraine so the benefits would stay in Ukraine.

This choice set us on a path where everything we did was basically the hardest way possible. Learning to produce high-quality clothing and accessories from scratch is a big enough challenge, but doing it in Ukraine, just as Russian forces were retreating from Kyiv, added another layer of difficulty.

Ukrainian soldier wearing the Saint Javelin fleece ¼ zip prototype, 1st Iteration.

Ukrainian soldier wearing the Saint Javelin fleece ¼ zip prototype, 1st Iteration.

Still, that was our goal—to make world-class clothing. I was inspired by purpose-driven brands like Patagonia and wanted our products to stand up to the top gear from brands like Arc'teryx, The North Face, or Fjallraven. I wanted to create something durable enough for the men and women on the frontlines who needed it most, knowing that if it worked for them, it would be great for anyone hiking, climbing, running, or just walking the dog.

The best way to ensure it was good enough was to make prototypes and get feedback. In 2022, we didn’t just make a few samples—we produced around 1,000 fleece quarter-zip jackets, 1,000 fleece balaclavas, 1,000 fleece beanies, and 1,000 socks to give out to Ukrainian soldiers for free. Over the next year, we took their input and created our signature “Defender 1/4 Zip Fleece,” which we launched in November 2023 to fantastic reviews.

Ukrainian paramedic Maria Nazarova wearing the 2023 Defender Polar Fleece ¼ Zip.

Once again, we donated fleeces to soldiers, combat medics, and volunteers, listening to their feedback. They wanted a warmer, more functional material, so we reached out to Polartec, the top outdoor textile manufacturer and creators of synthetic fleece. Polartec® Thermal Pro® fleece is absolutely great—it’s warm without bulk, making it ideal for anything active. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and tough, withstanding lots of use and washing. They even make it with recycled materials, so we’re also doing our part for the planet. After listening to our defenders and choosing the right materials, we’re proud to introduce the 2024 Defender Polartec® 1/4 Zip Fleece, now also available in Black.

I’ve been wearing this fleece in its various prototypes, and I can honestly say this final version is a major step forward. The fabric, warmth, zippers, layout, and stitching—it’s all world-class. I’d put this up against any fleece jacket from the “big brands” and pick ours any day.

Ukrainian military medic Iordan Konstantidini wearing the 2024 Polartec® 1/4 Zip Fleece

Of course, I’m a little biased, but that really hit home when I heard feedback from Iordan, an active-duty military medic featured in our Defender collection promo. Iordan told us he wanted to wear our fleece “to work,” which, to me, was the highest compliment we could receive. It showed that we’re reaching our goal and serving the people who give so much. That’s what makes this special. We’re not just cranking out products. We’re doing something different, something challenging, and something meaningful.

Each piece we make has a story, and this is the story of the Defender Polartec® 1/4 Zip Fleece.


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