Athleisure is old news. Say hello to “Yakleisure”

Why go fast-fashion synthetics when you can have soft, durable, high-perfomance (and sustainable) Yak Wool Base Layers from Kora of the US.

It’s not difficult to put together an outfit that gives that sporty, athleisure look. There’s no end to the number of cheap leggings and tops made from synthetic materials. And according to data from the NPD Group, activewear now represents 24 per cent of all apparel industry sales, and the segment is expected to grow.

But how long will one be able to use synthetic fast-fashion activewear, and will it be comfortable – especially for apparel specifically designed to be worn tight against the skin?

Several years ago kora founder, Michael Kleinwort, was trekking through the Eastern Himalayas when he discovered the incredible benefits of yak wool. As a conservationist, endurance athlete, and Himalayan explorer, Michael set out on a journey to start a social company creating the world’s best technical base layers, which would run on fair trade principals. 

Why yak wool? It’s warmer and more breathable than merino, wicks moisture efficiently and allows sweat vapor to escape from your skin so you won’t overheat. Yak wool is also naturally anti-bacterial making the fabric smell fresher longer – so you can pack light. kora’s proprietary yak wool fabrics are soft, itch-free – similar to cashmere – and offer built-in 40+ UPF sun protection. Natural yak sunscreen, if you will.

Kora’s base layers are made from Hima-Layerâ„¢ Original 230 fabric – a proprietary material developed by kora that uses yak wool sourced from nomad families on the Qinghai Tibet plateau in the Himalayas. And a cool part – kora guarantees purchase of all of the wool from a cooperative every year, giving 90+ families a stable income they can count on.

Kora believes that protection of the Himalayan ecosystem and its communities is vitally important for the planet. It seeks to empower the herder communities who are the guardians of this fragile ecosystem, on whose water a fifth of humanity depends. It develops and designs outdoor apparel using yak wool it purchases directly from nomadic Tibetan communities. http://www.kora.net/usa/