Our Wins and Lessons From An Expedition To The Top of Denali

PolyCore athletes Leif Bergstrom and Nikki Champion put Eco-Shield to the test during a 17-day climb of Denali (20,310ft), the tallest peak in North America. These two successfully guided their clients to the summit and just made it home safe and sound!

The 150-liter gear duffel is a key piece of equipment on Denali trips. Engineered with Eco-Shield PU coating, it provides durable, waterproof protection for essential gear in extreme conditions. During the expedition, the team faced sustained sub-zero temperatures, high winds, and heavy snowfall. It also went through standard checked-baggage wear and tear and was packed into a turboprop bushplane for transport to the base of the mountain. A true test of the material’s performance.

Field test results showed no issues with hydrostatic resistance, abrasion resistance, or tear strength. Testers did note that the coating felt tacky and was prone to collecting dirt. Future developments will include a longer curing time to eliminate tackiness. We also recommend a darker color when using this material on expedition products.