Gear Blog Fri Jan 16th
Gear news
16 January 2009 15:21
Latest Mountain Hardwear kit
Juicy new kit from big US walking, climbing and expedition brand Mountain Hardwear hits shops this Feb. What’s on offer?
1 Tents
This spring Tent Manager Chris Hilliard says, “Nearly every tent from our high-altitude survival, backpacking and camping ranges has been touched and updated to incorporate the latest innovations and technologies.”
Their high-altitude £500 EV2 and £550 EV Direct 2 tents from the Expedition series now use Conduit FR, a fabric they say offers 30% better performance in wetter conditions (great for the UK!)
The £450 Trango 2 include an improved clip design for ease of set up in challenging weather conditions, tension shelves for strength and extra storage, plus Evolution Tension Arches. These low-stretch fabric panels run along the pole connection arcs to reinforce the pole structure and give greater stability to the tent.
2 Rucksacks
If you’re off trekking and summit bagging, get a load of this. The new £180 South Col 76 litre expedition backpack now weighs 73g less (1.87kg weight at beginning?) but still retains all its useful features. The South Col is ideal for trekking to base camp and then stripping down for summit bids. The Hip belt, frame sheet and lid are removable, and the pack can be compressed to the body for stable, quick runs. Attachment points accommodate a full load of tools.
3 Sleeping bags
The entire Expedition Down sleeping bag line has undergone a facelift including a new Conduit SL Ripstop shell fabric with a higher waterproof and breathability rating than before.
Now with an industry-leading 100 wash cycle DWR coating for extra abrasion resistance, the updated £550 Ghost SL-40° (-40º C), £500 Wraith SL -20° (-28º C) and £400 Banshee SL 0° (-17º C) are highly breathable and guaranteed tough for extreme conditions. The new Expedition series bags, the £160 UltraLamina 0° (-18º C) provide new cold-weather options. The UltraLamina 0° features highly-compressible Thermic Micro insulation and welded seam construction to maximize warmth and provide consistent loft.
Out now from Arc’Teryx
If you like Gucci mountaineering brand names, take a look at the new Gamma SV Hoody from Arc’Teryx at £275. versatility and comfort for any alpinist activity. The Hoody is constructed with Polartec Power Shield High Loft on the torso and shoulders for maximum heat retention and mid-warmth Polartec Power Shield on the sides, arms and hood for reduced bulk. It features 4-way stretch and gender specific tailoring and finished with a durable water repellent (DWR) to shed rain and snow.
Features:
Helmet compatible drop hood
Past hip length with drop back hem
No-lift gusseted underarms
Full front zip with interior wind flap
Laminated hem drawcord
Two hand pockets
One laminated internal chest pocket
Moulded Zipper Garages
Soft brushed lined collar
Sizes:
Men’s : S,-XXL
Women’s: XS,-XL
Weight:
Men’s: 665g
Women’s: 580g
Bridgedale go for bamboo
Careful, Bridgedale’s latest sock might attract pandas. The £11 sock is made from eco-friendly bamboo, a naturally silky, anti-microbial and breathable, undyed yarn combined with Coolmax, the advanced moisture-wicking yarn which helps keep feet dry. The large walking and running sock company has developed this newbie over several years in partnership with Booshoot Gardens’ Plant A Boo a campaign to inform, educate and demonstrate how bamboo can address the environmental impacts of global climate change. www.booshoot.com
The new socks will be available in three different styles, in both men’s and women’s-specific fits for the differing shape of men’s and women’s feet and will be delivered in compact 100% recycled paper packaging printed with vegetable-based inks.
Check out their new videos coming soon, exclusive to Live for the outdoors on “What’s a bamboo sock?” and “How to buy the right walking sock.”
New Alt-berg boots out this month
Alt-berg launch the Tethera, £140 light weight 3-season trekking boot made from one piece leather for walkers with wide feet. It bridges the gap between the ultra-light Fremmington at £125 and the mountain walking boot the Mallerstang at £150. The new boot will come with Altberg’s now standard five width fittings.
