LFTO News

Gear Blog Fri 30th Jan

Gear news

30 January 2009 10:28

Inov8 unveil the world’s lightest boot!
Not content with the design of the lightest ever walking boot one and a half years ago, Inov8 have created the even lighter Roclite 288 GTX (288g per boot). This follows the success of the ultra-responsive, flexi-soled £100 Roclite 390 GTX (390g per boot, get it yet?) which made its outdoor shop debut on outdoor shop shelves in September 2007.

Inov8’s Matt Brown says, “We’ve been able to make the new Roclite over 200g lighter in total by reducing the amount of support and protection in the ankle, a change to the toe and heel materials and the lacing structure, but it will still give you more ankle support than a trail shoe.” The lightweight trail shoe company are currently showing Roclite 288 prototypes at trade shows in America and Germany, as well as a new version of the X-Talon 212, the X-Talon 240. Keep watching the blog for the first pictures and the first test by Trail’s lightweight aficionado Peter MacFarlane, coming soon.

Next winter sneak preview from Rab
They haven’t even had their photoshoot yet, but we’ve managed to sneak a quick pic of Rab’s new eVent down jacket for winter 09 (that’s next year). The light, (600g) Microlight Alpine Event will retail at £250 and combine a 2-layer eVent outer shell with taped seams, stuffed full of 140g European goose down with a fill power of 750+. The hood will be helmet compatible with a wired peak, the main front zip will have a double storm flap and the 2 A-line chest pockets will have water resistant zips. Can't wait for next winter? Take a look at Rab's best selling down jackets currently on sale this winter here.

This comes hot on the heels of the Crux Plasma, the UK’s first welded seam eVent down jacket, which is £10 pricer at £260, weighs 70g less at 530g and has a 160g Polish goose down insulation with a fill power of 750. See Trail's exclusive first look video here.

New Mountain Hardwear gloves
Mountain Hardwear will release their most waterproof glove yet next autumn. Their new OutDry breathable membrane bonds directly to the inside of the glove shell to prevent rain, snow and wind and keep hands dry and warm with greater breathability and dexterity. Highlights of the OutDry range include the Hydra and the Medusa.

The Hydra is a 190g (per pair) long gauntlet glove with 4-way stretch nylon softshell for a flexible fit, lined with fleece for warmth and comfort with water-resistant goatskin on the palm and fingers.

The Medusa is a 298g (per pair) extra long gauntlet glove that combines the features of the Hydra with an even more durable nylon outer shell, stretch fabric over the knuckles and a webbing, ladder lock cinch at the wrist and a removeable fleece liner glove with windproofing on the back of the hand, stretchiness at the palm and welded grip and wear resistant palm and thumb patches.

Mountain Hardwear gear is tested by top class mountaineers like Kenton Cool, see Trail's exclusive video of the multiple Everest summiteer taking you through kit he designed here.

New Hi-Tec footwear
Remember Hi-Tec’s revolutionary Ion Mask waterproofing technology released earlier this year? They have just released two more trail shoes with this 100% waterproof, breathable technology, the £70 Hornet and the £60 Multiterra. Hi-Tec say, “Ion Mask technology involves coating footwear on a sub-microscopic scale so that every single fibre gets a layer of water repellant polymer only molecules thick, making the footwear waterproof and breathable without using a membrane. This makes the shoes 35% lighter than shoes with a membrane, allows them to dry more quickly and the hydrophobic (water-hating) properties mean the shoes stay cleaner for longer.” Read more about Ion Mask here.