Gear Blog Feb 20th
Gear news
20 February 2009 16:33
Lightest Icebreaker baselayer
This summer the Merino wool baselayer brand will launch a new, even lighter top. The ultralight GT150 with 4% Lycra is the fourth and lightest weight baselayer at in their range, adding to the GT180, 220 and 340. The versatile, flat-seamed tanks, crews short-sleeved and long sleeved zip-tops starting from £43 can be worn on their own on sun-speckled mountains or with an additional layer for a warmth boost.
Weights (size M) and prices are as follows:
Mens
Velocity Tank £42.95 12g
Velocity Crew £47.95 16g
Velocity SS Zip £54.95 18g
Velocity LS Zip £64.95 22g
Womens
Dash Tank RRP £42.95 11g
Dash Crew RRP £47.95 13g
Dash SS Zip RRP £54.95 16g
Dash LS Zip RRP £64.95 19g
Paramo Velez Adventure Light EXLUSIVE!
The new, 20% lighter Velez Adventure Light will hit the shops this March for £180. The original Velez weighed 723g and the new Light version weighs only 584g (Men’s M) so this is a massive innovative leap for any Paramo fans who get too hot wearing it on summer walks. The Nikwax Analogy fabric provides the same breathability and water repellency for high adrenaline activities in the sun. Watch our exclusive first look here, before an in depth review of the jacket by Trail’s dep ed Simon Ingram in the April edition, in shops now!
Gore-Tex’s Comfort Mapping update
Two major outdoor brands are to use Gore-Tex’s new Comfort Mapping technology. Gore’s product specialist John MacDonald told Trail, “Mammut and The North Face will develop garments that use Gore-Tex’s new Comfort Mapping technology. Addidas Porche Design and Gore Running and Cycling brands will also use it to augment their ranges.”
Why it might not work for walkers…
John says, “At the moment we see this appealing more to the ski market, as the addition of other fabrics, especially insulation, can limit the versatility of a garment for hill walkers. Mountain Equipment and Berghaus both said no thanks, but it remains to be seen how the other outdoor brands utilise this exciting new technology.”
Comfort Mapping recap
This technology sees Gore-Tex selling their waterproof laminate fabrics with a durable adhesive on the side that sits next to your body. Individual brands will then customise jackets by bonding different fabrics (materials that add insulation, anti-pong protection and brushed knit for comfort) to them using a heat-press.
New winter kit from Extremities
These gloves and hats have been restyled for September to make more durable, better designed and fitted accessories.
Versasport 2 in 1 GTX glove
Now comes in two separate parts so you can use it as a warm ski glove or a dextrous mountain glove.
Super Windy glove
Improved, sticky silicon grip palm and thick Polartec insulation inside a Windstopper shell.
Multisport Pro glove
This new glove uses GORE-TEX X-TRAFIT technology. This new inner and membrane fusion means there are no extra fabric layers to get turned inside out when you take them off, plus increased mobility, grip and finger feel.
Peruvian Hat
Now includes extra cheek and ear protection
New hats
Five new knitted wool hats will hit shops next winter, including the chunky knit Aztec Red hat and Arran knit Mini Bobble hat.
First sleeping bags from Terra Nova
The first sleeping bags from ultralight tent brand Terra Nova will appear in an outdoor shop near you next winter. The Laser range use 900 fill goose down and light ripstop fabric, just like their featherweight tents. Three bags will start the range:
Sleeping bag Weight Comfort rating Extreme rating
Laser 300 Elite 330g 8 deg C 3 deg C
Laser 600 520g 0 deg C -5 deg C
Laser 900 800g -12 deg C -17 deg C
New Terra Nova light packs
Terra Nova’s new range of super light packs, designed specifically for mountain marathons and adventure races, will become available next month. Next September, the 210g Laser 20L Elite will join the range. In a departure from other packs in the Terra Nova range it sports a roll top closure. It also has a proper back system and hip belt (unusual for a pack this light) keeping it stable when on the move. The pack has plenty of additional storage; two large mesh pockets on the outside and two zip pockets on the hip belt for quick access.
Andy Utting, Managing Director said,’ The introduction of the Laser 20L Elite and our new range of superlite sleeping bags means that with the Laser Photon we can offer a tent, pack and sleeping bag with a combined weight of a mere 1300g, making this an unbeatable combination for any serious mountain marathon athlete.’
New CAMP harnesses
Look, budding mountaineers! Two new light harnesses from CAMP will hit shops as soon as summer’s over.
The Air, as the name suggests is a feathery 233g harness for high level climbing made of quick drying polyester mesh with closed-cell perforated filling to improve airation, auto-locking waist buckle, four gear loops and chalk bag loop.
The Air CR is only 5g heavier and has the same structure as the Air, but the adjustable leg loops make this harness ideal for high-level mountaineering, ice climbing and long days at the crag.