Founded by high mountain guide Tashi Sherpa in 2003, Sherpa Adventure Gear has its roots in the highest mountains on the planet and the communities who call this hostile environment home. Many of their garments are made in Nepal and a part of the profits from every item sold goes towards providing education for Sherpa children in the country.

Their garments take visual cues from Sherpa culture with distinctive features like the multi-coloured zippers inspired by Himalayan prayer flags. But while they might draw their inspiration from an ancient culture, Sherpa’s design, fabrics and technology are all decidedly modern.

Take this mid-layer for example. The lightweight fleece fabric it’s made from incorporates Polygiene technology, which uses natural silver salt sewn into the material to stop the growth of odour-causing bacteria. This stops the hoody from smelling when you’re on a lengthy trek or exhibition and means you have to wash it less often.

“The lightweight fleece fabric incorporates Polygiene technology, which uses natural silver salt sewn into the material to stop the growth of odour-causing bacteria.”

The seams on the hoody are positioned off the shoulders and away from the hips so that they don’t rub or chafe if you’re carrying a backpack and there are underarm gussets to provide increased mobility and comfort.

Of course, the two most important things about a mid-layer like this are a) does it keep you warm when you’re wearing it? And b) does it pack down small so you can fit it into a backpack when you’re not? We’re happy to say the Karma hoody passes both of those tests with ease.