Gear Blog 13th Feb

Gear news

13 February 2009 15:01

Strange new techno from Gore-Tex
The latest innovation from Gore-Tex, the waterproof fabric giant, is so hot only visitors to Munich’s ISPO trade show last week know the goss. In a nutshell, their new Comfort Mapping Technology sees Gore-Tex 3-layer materials bonded to other materials like fleece and antimicrobial liners, so different materials can be added for insulation, padding and anti-smell where needed, like trousers with built in bum and knee pads and jackets with pong-proof pits and lower back insulation.

Why is this good?
Before, the Comfort Mapping concept involved sewing the different fabrics together, but now they can be bonded using pressure and heat there will be no leaks and the combined product should be just as breathable as the original Gore-Tex fabric.

I want more info!
At this stage Gore-Tex aren’t able to tell us which brands will buy into this new technology and what other fabrics we will see bonded to Gore-Tex where. However, we’ve cornered a product designer for a chat so make sure you check out the blog next week for as much detail as we can squeeze out of them. For the moment you’ll have to be content with this tiny picture here, but we’re working on getting a first look at a sample.

New Wayfayrer camp meals
Ready for a wild camp? This spring camping ready meal Wayfayrer launch new packaging and new meals in funky new packaging. We sneaked a preview taste test, see the video here.

Deuter launch sleeping bags
Previous Trail award winning backpack maker Deuter have just branched out into sleeping bags. Look out for more details coming soon to the site as soon as we’ve got our hands on one. The middle of the range bag (the red one here) is the £170 down 3-season Atmosphere 550 with a comfort rating of –0 deg C. The fill weight is 550g, the total weight is 1080g and its pack size is 17x35cm. Bags with 350 fill weight in normal and large sizes, and 750 fill weight, size normal are also available.

New LifeVenture backpacks
Adventure Trail is a new range of packs from LifeVenture for walking and traveling. They say these packs are so durable they are guaranteed for life. If you kill one, let Trail mag know by emailing trail@bauermedia.co.uk

Backpacking and traveling
The Altai 60+15 and 70+15 travel packs feature 15 litre daypacks, stowable raincovers, adjustable backsystems with ventilation, front and base entry to the main compartment with lockable zips, internal compression straps and pockets, removable shoulder straps and a fleece lined loft pocket, and cost £130 and £150 respectively.

Day walks on holiday
The 20 and 30 litre Dakar daysacks feature hidden, zippered passport pockets, secure back panel entry to the main compartment, 2-way stretch front pocket and fixed luggage tag. The larger sack also includes a zip away bottle pocket, a removable webbing hip belt, a mesh back panel, a fleece lined loft pocket and lockable zips, and they cost £35 and £45 respectively.

How does Silva’s newest headtorch compare?
If you’re thinking about getting the new £300 Silva Alpha 6 headtorch in March09’s Trail (in shops now!), you might be wondering how it compares to its direct competitors, the Petzl Ultra and the Hope Vision Four LED.

ISPO trade show round up
Ultra-lightweight gear manufacturer Terra Nova are going full steam ahead with their new light weight combination for walkers looking to shave every gram from their kit - a tent and sleeping bag and rucksack to carry them in, for a combined weight of just 1.2kg. The Laser Photon elite tent, Laser 20 Elite pack and Laser 300 sleeping bag will all be available from September for a combined weight of a bag of sugar and three Mars bars, although in money terms expect to pay substantially more. The goose down filled sleeping bag is new to the range, and floats off the scales at just 330g and a comfort rating of +8C.

Footwear specialist Merrell will return to the walking boots market this autumn, with the Outbound. The stylish three-season boot, to be called the Outbound, will come in fabric (£130) and leather (£150) versions, and complements the brands traditional strengths in multi-activity shoes and sandals.

Eco-aware manufacturer Patagonia has announced that from next autumn 65% of its products will be recyclable, up from 45% in 2008. Continuing the green message, FjallRaven is adopting bamboo within its fleece range. bamboo charcoal is integrated into polyester fibres to prevent odours. About 21% of the fleece will be bamboo. And Marmot is bringing in a baselayer made from a mix of Polyester and Cocona (made from coconut shell fibres, and a by-product of the manufacture of carbon water filters), which it claims will dry twice as fast as other polyester base layers.