AKU’s Zero-Impact Leather Footwear

What’s New?

The brand’s using new zero-impact, Italian-made leather which eliminates nasties from the tanning process and offsets it carbon debt. And there’s a neat kid’s version too.

In Detail

Nice story from Italian footwear specialist AKU which is using Italian-made Dani ‘zero impact’ leather. The tanning process is chromium and heavy metal free and reduces CO2 emissions by 5% with a reforestation programme further minimising environmental impact.

The leather features in the lining of all AKU models with a ‘Plus’ in the name. These models also feature recycled soles produced by Vibram, components are geographically traceable and the boots and shoes are made in Italy by AKU. The range includes a brilliant little AKU kid’s boot – above – which looks great, but at a price, some £110.

More info: www.aku.it.

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Berghaus Extrem 8000 Pro Jacket

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Black Diamond First Light Hoody

What’s New?

The First Light Hoody is a neat alpine insulated hooded jacket designed to be used on the move thanks to PrimaLoft Active insulation fill and carefully chosen protective but breathable fabrics.

In Detail

As you can see, things were getting wonky by the tine we reached the Black Diamond stand where the big news was all about the new First Light Hoody. It’s a cold-weather insulated top that’s designed to be breathable enough to be worn on the move, but also decently tough and durable.

The face fabric is a stretch Schoeller one with Nanosphere water-repellent treatment, while the insulation is migration-resistant Polartec Silver Active that retains ‘91% of its warmth when wet’. Inside there’s a nylon woven mesh fabric for better breathability.

Other stuff includes a helmet hood, pocket that doubles as a stuff-sac and a weight of around 440g claimed. If it all sounds familiar, it’s a similar concept to the Patagonia Nano Air, but with a much neater fit and a tougher, more wind-resistant outer, ideal for layering under a shell if necessary. Coincidentally Arc’teryx has a very similar type of jacket heading up its range too.

How much? Er, £250, that’s how much. But we have one to play with and it seems very nice and first impressions are that it’s an upgrade on the Nano Air.

More info: blackdiamondequipment.com.

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Falke Does Silk/Merino Baselayers

What’s New?

A baselayer fabric that’s a mix of merino wool and silk and feels a little bit awesome…

In Detail

You might know Falke as the manufacturer of arguably the world’s most technical socks – stuff like the Achilles Sock which includes devious nobbles designed to massage the area around your achilles tendon and break down crystallisation in inflamed muscle tissue, they say…

But the brand also does some super swank baselayer kit made from a mix of 30% silk and 70% merino wool, all of which sounds, well, mmmm… That’s it being worn by the cyborg-style dummies in the pic and it feels fantastic in a ‘softer than merino’ sort of way.

Its due out in February and available in various format from vest through to long-sleeved shirt via panties at prices ranging from £34 up to £76. Well, you didn’t expect a mix of silk and merino to be cheap, did you?

More info: falke.com.

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Fjällräven Polar Endurance 3 Tent

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Haglöfs – The Spitz Is Back!

What’s New?

Haglöfs has resurrected the classic Spitz waterproof mountain jacket with the original features and styling meeting modern fabrics and construction techniques. Hell yeah!

In Detail

The original Haglöfs Spitz was a cracking, nicely cut, state-of-the-art Gore-Tex mountain shell that became a bit of an object of desire in its time. We actually still have one hanging up alongside the more modern stuff and it’s still a very decent jacket with great, clean looks. Time moved on though and the Spitz was elbowed aside by newer jackets with different names.

Until now… because this winter 2016, the Spitz is back in a new and improved contemporary form that Haglöfs hopes will become a ‘modern classic’ thanks to a mix of the original’s features and new fabrics and construction. As you can see from the pic above, it’s still a classic-looking bit of kit, but it now uses the latest, more breathable version of Gore-Tex Pro, the seam-tape is the latest weight and bulk-saving microtape and while the cut is still quite fitted, its a little more generous than the original.

Other than that, it’s just like old times with big, harness-compatible Napoleon-style chest pockets, a small zipped sleeve pocket, pit-zips and a substantial helmet-compatible mountain hood. Could the modern Spitz be the jacket to put Haglöfs back at the top of the mountain shell mix?

More info: www.haglofs.com.

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Icebreaker Real Fleece Gets Textured

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Jack Wolfskin’s Multi-Functional Crosser Packs

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KEEN’s new Lightweight A-Phlex Trail Shoe And Mid

What’s New?

Lightweight trail-walking shoes and mids from KEEN with a look that’s somewhat different from their traditional shoes.

In Detail

The stand-out new model at KEEN was the A-Phlex trail shoe (above) and matching A-Phlex Mid. They’re very definitely lightish trail-walking rather than running shoes and they look a little different from the KEEN norm. Lots going on: underfoot there are two densities of EVA cushioning and an outsole with multiple grip zones.

The heel counter is super hefty for maximum stability on rough ground, like really solid, and the uppers use a PHL EXOSKELETON construction connected directly to the lacing system for maximum foot and heel hold – all pretty clear from the pic above.

Both the shoe and mid use KEEN.DRY waterproofing. Retail will be £120 for the mid and £110 for the low once they launch in autumn 2016. Looking forward to giving them a try.

New Madeira Boots

Also on the way from the brand are the new Madeira Peak and Madeira Trail, essentially Nubuck leather versions of the European-made, three-season, Liberty Ridge. Both look great, less shiny than the Liberty Ridge, with the Peak being waterproof and the Trail not, but having a full leather lining. £150 and £140 respectively and out this March 2016.

More info: keenfootwear.com.

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Michelin Does Outdoor Soles For Hi-Tec And Others

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Montane’s New Gore-Tex Collection

What’s New?

Montane has become the first new UK outdoors brand to get a Gore-Tex licence in living memory and has a whole new range of Gore-Tex waterproof jackets along with a Gore Windstopper soft shell collection too. No more eVent from the brand from this autumn 2016.

In Detail

One of the biggest UK stories at the show was Montane’s launch of its brand new Gore-Tex collection of waterproof shells for autumn 2016. It’s all change with the brand’s long association with eVent being show the door and a whole range of new kit using Gore-Tex Pro, C-KNIT and Active fabrics being ushered in.

Why the change? Well, there was talk about a ‘natural progression’ towards using another premium brand alongside the likes of Pertex and Polartec, but there’s also a feeling that it might help the brand broaden its appeal in Europe. Montane says its carefully picked out the ‘lightest and most breathable Gore-Tex fabrics’ for its new range. Incidentally, it’s the first UK brand to be granted a Gore licence in around eight to nine years.

The Jackets

We’ll go into a little more depth elsewhere, but the new range falls into three distinct areas: lightweight ‘Spine’ jackets and smock made from Gore-Tex Active. We have one of these and it’s a really nicely cut balance of weight and protection that we’re looking forward to using. The Smock version has interesting permanently open by waterproof vents at the rear by the way.

There are also a pair of light-ish mountain walking shells made from the Gore-Tex C-KNIT fabric, a sub-400g Gore-Tex Pro jacket designed for either walking or mountaineering and finally, a full-on, technical mountaineering shell with heavy duty reinforced abrasion zones, four pockets and pit-zips.

All of the jackets bar the top-end mountain shell and the Spine Smock are available in both men’s and women’s versions and there are various matching waterproof overtrousers to match.

More info: www.montane.co.uk.

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Mountain Equipment Prophet Jacket With Gore Thermium

What’s New?

Lightweight waterproof synthetic-filled insulation using a new Gore fabric called Thermium – a bit like Windstopper but lighter and taped in this case.

In Detail

The big news on the Mountain Equipment stand – apart from Rich Bailey’s lost notebook – was the new Prophet Jacket, an insulated mountain top aimed at UK climbers and mountaineers and pretty much waterproof thanks to a new technology from Gore called Thermium.

The Thermium fabric is very thin and light – a sort of lightened-up Windstopper – and has taped seams, which combined with a hydrostatic head of 15,000mm, means the jacket is effectively waterproof. Inside there’s 80gsm PrimaLoft Gold synthetic fill and it features a fully-adjustable helmet hood and chunky VISLON zips.

At 510g it’s lighter and more packable than the classic 645-gramme Fitzroy, but not quite as warm due it its lighter fill, which should make it ideal for faster-moving climbers who want a waterproof and insulation layer in one. It will retail for £270 once it’s available in autumn 2016.

Transition Jacket

Also new is the Transition Jacket which is designed for ‘active use’ – viz, you run about a lot – and has super breathable synthetic Polarloft Duo insulation housed in a shell that’s mostly windproof, but has densely woven Pontetorto Tecnowool side panels which still, apparently, take the edge off the wind, but improve breathability. Weighs 350g, packs into its own pocket and will sell for £160.

More info: www.mountain-equipment.co.uk.

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Mountain Hardwear’s New StretchDown

What’s New?

It’s down, there are no stitches and it’s stretchy. What’s not to like?

In Detail

It was all about the down at MHW with not just one, but two innovative developments. First the new range of StretchDown jackets use down channels formed using the same heat-sealing technology as the brand’s Lamina sleeping bags. No stitched seams mean better wind-proofing and, says MHW, more consistent insulation with fewer potential cold spots.

And then there’s the ‘stretch’ bit. There are two versions: StretchDown – above – features stretch fabrics inside and out, while the ‘StretchDown RS’ versions have a stretchy liner, but a Rip-Stop – hence ‘RS’ non-stretch outer. Inside there’s Q-Shield, 750 fill power hydrophobic goose down and there are hooded and non-hooded versions of each.

We reckon they look great – see above – and there’s also a StretchDown Plus version with bigger down channels and more down for cooler conditions / wusses.

Weights for men’s hooded versions are: 423g for the lighter Stretch RS, 540g for the Stretch Hooded and 576g for the Plus Hooded model. Prices range between £200 and £240 depending on the model.

Is there any advantage to have a stretchy down jacket? We’re not sure, a close internal fit could be more efficient by minimising cold spot and stretch can give a more mobile feel. Wait and see we reckon.

More info: mountainhardwear.eu.

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Osprey Sojourn 60 Pack

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New Jackets From Paramo

What’s New?

There’s a brand new version of the light-ish weight Velez from the south coast Analogy cult, plus the mountaineering Enduro jacket gets a slightly longer cut and a funky asymmetrical look.

In Detail

Great to see distinctively British brand Paramo making inroads into the continental market and they had two maybe one-and-a-half new jackets to have a look at.

On the right is the redesigned men’s Enduro technical mountain jacket. We can’t claim it’s entirely our responsibility, but the new version is cut longer by around 2″ to give a little more crotch protection, it has a ski-pass pocket on the sleeve and, check that, a new choice of cool-looking colours. Blue and black as above, and red and blue. Loving the asymmetric look. Price around £350.

Also new is the redesigned Velez Jacket – not smock – on the left. It gets new vents to channel air down the sleeves, core vents which double as pockets, but have two zips for maximum versatility and zones both Analogy and Analogy Light fabrics for maximum effect. You can just about make out the different colour shades.

The thicker fabric sits in abrasion zones. The inner is zoned too with areas of perforated pump liner where things are under pressure. Great to see Paramo moving forward, both jackets looked great in the flesh.

More info: www.paramo.co.uk.

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Petzl’s Headtorches Get Bluetooth Control

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Polartec – Rab  Alpha Direct Jacket

What’s New?

Polartec’s Alpha insulation loses its inner layer to expose its fleece innards with the benefits of reduced weight and improved wicking efficiency. And it looks cool.

In Detail

Fabric maestros Polartec were showing off a new version of the Alpha insulation sandwich, but the new Alpha Direct fabric does away with the liner fabric so you can see exactly what’s going on inside. It’s like a sort of Danish-style smorgasbord open sandwich and intended to move moisture faster.

It also looks super cool in a furry, fluffy gridded way. The garment pictured is Rab’s Alpha Direct Jacket with highly breathable Pertex Microlight fabric on the outside and is designed to be used either as a stand-alone outer or layered under a shell when the going gets nasty… wonder what happens if you rip the liner out of a Strata Hoodie eh, bet it’s not a nice blue colour inside. Price will be £180 when it launches later this year according to our barely legible notes…

More info: www.polartec.com.

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Rab’s New Zero G Jacket With 1000 Fill Power Down

What’s New?

Rab uses super high-lofting 1000 fill power down for the first time with a new lightweight and ultra-packable, but decently warm mountaineering jacket. Plus lots more besides.

In Detail

Loads going on at Rab – we really like the Alpha Direct Jacket featured earlier – but arguably the star turn was the lightweight Zero G down jacket, which marks the first time the brand has ever uses super high-lofting, 1000 fill-power goose down.

That down is super rare – the only people we know of using it regularly in the UK are PH Designs – and Rab has left it completely untreated to maximise loft. The outer is lightweight Pertex Quantum GL 7D – the lightest Pertex Quantum GL out there – and the end result is a jacket with a helmet hood that weighs just 310g.

The hood is helmet friendly with the brand’s malleable polymer peak, the YKK Vislon main-zip gets an insulated zip-baffle and cuffs and hem are elasticated to save weight and bulk. Even the stuff-sac is made from that Quantum GL 7D. Looks good.

Loads more going down at Rab too. There’s the Alpha Direct Jacket, a new, mid-weight mid-layer all-rounder made from Polartec’s Power Wool in a thicker version than we’ve seen so far and a new Xenon X insulated jacket that uses the more breathable Primaloft Active fill for better comfort on the move.

More info: rab.equipment.

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Salomon – New Off-Road Running Shoes

What’s New?

Two big stories: the ever-popular Speed Cross is revised wth more grip and a closer, more ‘athletic’ fit plus there’s a new winter-friendly S-LAB series mountain running shoe with an integrated gaiter.

In Detail

The big news from French trail specialist Salomon was a pair of top-end, off-road running shoes. Up there is the new S-LAB XA Alpine, complete with an integrated gaiter with water-resistant zip and an outsole featuring a blocked-out climbing zone up front for all-round ‘fast mountain running’ it says here. Legs allowing obviously… £200 to you, sir or madam. Ouch…

There’s lots going on though, it won a show award and while you can’t see it, it has a carbon fibre chassis and EVA padding.

Looks like it should make a great winter running option – until the water gets in anyway. Next to it is the revamped version of the classic Speed Cross trail-running shoe, the Speed Cross 4. It gets a new, closer-fitting, ‘more athletic last plus a grippier, more aggressive sole featuring full lugs all round. Plus Wet Traction Contragrip rubber compound is claimed to do what it says on the tin.

It also has a slightly lower heel to toe drop than before at 10mm rather than 11mm. Two versions, the Gore-Tex, waterproof one at £125 and the non-waterproof at £100.

There’s other new stuff too. The X-Chase Mid is a super fast and light hiking mid based on the Wings Flyte TR shoe and looking mean and light in black. Plus Salomon has jumped on the reversible insulated jacket express too with the Drifter Mid Hoodie using PrimaLoft Active insulation – windproof on one side, more breathable on the other, £130 for the hoodie.

More info: www.salomon.com.

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Scarpa Adds Gaiters

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Sprayway Does Down Jackets

What’s New?

A nice range of sort of midi-baffled duck down all-round lightweight insulated jackets at a decent price.

In Detail

Not to be left behind by virtually everyone else at the show, Sprayway had a small but perfectly formed selection of down jackets. Using 700+ fit power, 90/10 duck down in a sort of ‘midi-baffled’ format, the jackets feature twin hand-warmer pockets and insulated collars and will be available for both men and women. Price a very reasonable £140.

And if you want UK-friendly synthetic fill, the Grendel and Vela jackets have been redesigned to eliminate the wind-porous side-panels, so the entire jacket is now shelled with Gore Windstopper. Makes sense. Keeps you warmer. Prices will be £160 and £150 respectively so it pays to be a girl…

More info: www.sprayway.com.

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VauDe’s Larice Jacket Ensemble

What’s New?

Co-ordinated technical soft shell and waterproof jackets for folk who like some aesthetic continuity in their outdoor gear choices.

In Detail

The jacket on the right is the current Larice Jacket, a lightweight, stretch-zoned softshell with a DWR, what’s nice is that VauDe has developed a matching new 2.5-layer lightweight waterproof shell, also called the Larice, to supplement it. It has an eco-friendly DWR, twin pockets, pit-zips, a pack-friendly design and internal mesh pockets for additional storage.

It’s designed to be teamed with the original Larice when the weather gets irritable and has the same neat style lines and colour palate. We like the thought that’s gone into it and the Bluesign approval ain’t bad either…

More info: www.vaude.com.

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YKK Fix A Shape 3D Zip

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New Apine Colours From Zamberlan

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