Montane’s three-year-old partnership with the British Mountaineering Council has already produced some quality outdoor kit, including the Terra Ridge trousers which the team here at OM liked enough to include in our Outdoor 100. For 2020, the partnership brings us a huge new collection of kit, all designed with climbers who aspire to spend every second of every day at the crag very much in mind.

What’s more, Montane have said that 5% of all sales in this range will go towards preserving, protecting and restoring a very important type of moss in Britain, one that could play a big part in the fight against climate change. 

There are 15 different items in the new Montane x BMC collection altogether, including men’s and women’s t-shirts, hoodies, trousers and shorts, plus a backpack and chalk bag as well, all coming with that recognisable BMC logo. 

Montane On-Sight Pants

As you’d expect from a pair of trousers made for climbers, the On-Sight Pants are, according to Montane, designed to allow completely unhindered movement. That’s thanks to gusseting at the crotch and articulation at the knees as well. They’re made from 97% organic cotton with a bit of elastane thrown in to add to the overall flexibility and durability over rough crags. You’ll find them in either ‘Orion Blue’ (as seen in the picture), ‘Slate’ or ‘Redwood’. 

Montane Rock Up 20L

This is one of those daypacks that looks simple but, on paper, actually has a lot to it. First up, its main fabric has a 300 denier strength, so you’d be able climb with it and not have to worry about it getting ripped or snagged. There’s also a climb-specific harness and fit, so if you were wearing a chalk bag for instance, you’d still be able to reach round and access it with the pack on. 

There are gear clip loops and external attachment points throughout, inside it you’ll find a valuables pocket with a clip for your keys, a daisy chain gear loop and a sleeve for a hydration bladder. Up top there’s a drawcord opening that’s closed off by a flap, plus there’s also a rope strap with easy open buckles.

The Jam Hoodie Pull-On

As you might have already guessed, this is another item with loads of useful features for climbers – we could actually see it coming in handy for hikers and even trail runners as well though. On the inside there’s a brushed back fleece with a bit of stretch and on the outside there’s a blend of cotton and polyester. This combination supposedly encourages fast moisture wicking and gives the hoodie a quick dry time as well. We’re big fans of Polygiene’s permanent odour control here at Outdoors Magic so it’s good to see that’s featured here too.

Other useful details include a zipped chest pocket, thumb loops, a ⅓ length YKK front zip and a hood designed to fit comfortably under a climbing helmet.

Saving The Sphagnum

Montane will be donating 5% of the sales from this collaboration to the BMC’s Access and Conservation Trust’s ‘Moors For The Future’ project (which is part of The Climate Project campaign).

The ‘Moors For The Future’ project, which helps to recover Britain’s moors through peat bog restoration, is an important factor in the fight against climate change. That’s because our moorlands grow a plant called sphagnum moss and this is one of the most vital plants for the protection of our planet. In fact, when grown healthily, a sphagnum filled moorland can take more carbon out of the atmosphere than a tropical rainforest of the same scale.

Peat moorlands cover 15% of the UK but many of these have been dug up, drained, or destroyed. Moors for the Future was founded back in 2003 as a way of fighting back against the degradation and since then they’ve transformed nearly 8,000 acres of peat moors across the Peak District and South Pennines.

For more on this project and the new Montane x BMC range of clothing head to montane.co.uk.