Wrangler® Revolutionizes Fall Layering With Hay Away™

Recognized as a Category Winner in Fast Company’s 2026 Innovation by Design Awards, the patent-pending fabric technology keeps hay, straw, mulch, and grass from clinging to high-pile fleece

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global apparel icon Wrangler® introduces Hay Away™, a groundbreaking bonded sherpa technology engineered to bring practical purpose to a fall favorite. Built to prove that warm, high-pile fleece does not have to carry the outdoor mess home, Hay Away™ delivers the plush comfort and insulation of traditional sherpa while actively repelling hay, straw, mulch, and grass.

In time for its release this Fall, the patent-pending Hay Away™ was named the Category Winner in Fast Company’s 2026 Innovation by Design Awards in the Fashion and Beauty category. Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards honor the products, environments, and services that represent the intersection of functional design and real-world problem solving.

Innovation has always been at the heart of the Wrangler brand—from pioneering purpose-built Western wear to advancing sustainable textile development. With the introduction of Hay Away™, Wrangler is directly addressing a long-standing frustration for rural workers, ranchers, and outdoor enthusiasts: traditional sherpa fleece acts like a magnet for natural debris, leaving garments looking permanently unkempt and leading to premature wear.

Engineered specifically around the real-world experiences of people who spend their days outdoors, this technology is built directly into the fabric construction rather than relying on a surface coating, wash, or seasonal finish. By pairing bonded sherpa warmth with proactive debris-repellent functionality, Wrangler transforms a daily frustration into performance innovation, ensuring outdoor layers can transition seamlessly from early-morning chores around the property to everyday wear. The technology also provides a practical solution for families, enabling children to play freely outdoors while shielding garments from stubborn, clinging debris. Beyond the farm and ranch, Hay Away™ equally serves outdoor enthusiasts—shielding hikers, campers, and adventurers from stubborn, clinging trail debris, bridging both Workwear and Outdoor categories in alignment with Wrangler’s strategy to expand beyond traditional denim.

"Historically, wearing plush fleece around livestock or outdoors meant dealing with constant debris," said Dhruv Agarwal, Vice President, Sustainability, Innovation & Development at Kontoor Brands. "We developed Hay Away™ specifically to eliminate that friction. By preventing debris from clinging to synthetic fibers, we have delivered high-performance warmth without the cleanup. This recognition from Fast Company underscores our commitment to practical, real-world material innovation."

The Hay Away™ collection debuts across a wide range of work-ready silhouettes and authentic styles for the entire family:

• Men’s Collection: Features the Hay Away™ Sherpa Zip Front Ripstop Yoke Jacket ($99.99) with reinforced ripstop yokes, full-zip closure, zippered chest pocket, and hand pockets. Additional styles include the Hay Away™ Sherpa Quarter-Zip Pullover ($79.99), available in Aztec Port and Black Olive Southwestern prints, and the Hay Away™ Sherpa Quarter Snap Pullover ($79.99) in Darkest Spruce.
• Women’s Collection: Highlights the Hay Away™ Sherpa Full Snap Jacket ($89.99), offered in striking patterns and colorways including Blue, Black, and White cow-print.
• Kids & Youth Collections: Extends debris-repellent protection to the whole family with Boys' and Girls' Sherpa Full-Zip Jackets (Girls, $59.99; Boys, $64.99), Boys' 1/4-Zip Pullovers ($54.99), and Little Boys' Mixed Sherpa Full-Zip Jackets ($39.99).

Wrangler Hay Away™ is available on Wrangler.com and at select retailers nationwide. To learn more about the collection, visit Wrangler.com or follow the brand on social media at @Wrangler.

About Wrangler®

Wrangler®, of Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB), has been an icon in authentic American style for 75 years. With a rich legacy rooted in the Western lifestyle, Wrangler is committed to offering superior quality and timeless design. Its collections for men, women, and children look and feel great, inspiring all those who wear them to be strong and ready for everyday life. Wrangler is available in retail stores worldwide, including flagship stores in Fort Worth and Greensboro, department stores, mass-market retailers, specialty shops, top western outfitters, and online. For more information, visit Wrangler.com.