Patagonia
For the first time in three years Patagonia is using GORE-TEX in its technical clothing, with several new garments in its winter range. 2011 is very much a season of classic offerings from Patagonia - in addition to having Gore back in the house, there are some retro styles, the down sweater gets new relations, and the merino base layer line is totally revamped. The environmental impact is low, with all styles recyclable through Patagonia’s Common Threads Recycling Program, well over half of the collection made with environmentally conscious fabrics and 36% made with bluesign approved fabrics.
First, the Gore programme: Patagonia is using the world’s best-known waterproof-breathable fabric in its alpine collection and ski/board line.
Fall 2011 brings about the most cutting-edge, technical collection of Patagonia Alpine products to date. Classic styles such as the Super Alpine Jacket and Super Pluma Jacket have been updated, now using GORE-TEX Pro Shell technology. Clever features include a patented Touch Point System for embedding all cordlocks and pressed pleat pockets that allow for full visibility to the ground.
The new Triolet Jacket is engineered with GORE-TEX Performance Shell fabric, using the most durable nylon face fabrics available. The new Winter Sun Hoody provides windproof warmth by combining a lightweight WINDSTOPPER Insulated Shell exterior with 100g Primaloft Eco insulation.
Patagonia also delivers two new soft shell garments, built specifically on the needs of their athlete team. With naming inspired by Chouinard Equipment pitons and ice tools, the women’s Knifeblade Pullover and men’s Northwall Jacket are made with Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric. This fabric package allows for maximum breathability, great weather protection and incredible abrasion resistance.
The Patagonia Ski/Snowboard line gets a complete overhaul with new fabrics, improved fit, new features and bold colours. Two and three-layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell fabrics have been added, including an exclusive recycled nylon-face GORE- TEX fabric in the Primo collection. Patagonia’s Powder Bowl products continue to provide durable performance in hard-wearing conditions, and will now feature two-layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell fabric. Snowshot remains a favourite with progressive colours and prints, and a slightly more relaxed fit for this winter season.
The Ultralight Down Shirt – the lightest piece of insulation ever made – returns for Fall 2011 in the company of the new Ultralight Down Jacket and Ultralight Down Hoody. Designed to wear as insulation or as outerwear, these pieces are made with incredibly light and strong 10-denier ripstop nylon and 800-fill-power goose down. Setting a new standard in lofted insulation, the small, innovative channel design allows for less down to be used, resulting in a lighter jacket that is still incredibly warm. Also new to the Insulation collection is the Hi-Loft Down Sweater, a super warm 800-fill-power jacket, made from all-recycled materials.
Merino wool baselayers return for Fall 2011 and are more durable, more environmentally friendly and better performing than ever. The new merino is a blend of 80% merino wool and 20% recycled polyester, spun as a blended yarn in which the merino and polyester fibers are combined uniformly. This blend gives the fabric a very high tear strength, doesn’t pill, and is slow- washed to allow you to wash and dry the garment without shrinkage. Additionally, this blend creates an optimised moisture management system to keep you dry. All merino fabrics are bluesign approved, chlorine-free and come from a traceable group of sustainable farmers in Australia.
Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research, known as OR celebrates their 30th anniversary this year and Countryside Ski & Climb are one of a select few specialist UK outdoor retailers to stock a comprehensive range of OR clothing as well as their world-renowned accessories. Winter 2011 brings about the largest redesign of Outdoor Research’s glove line in recent years improving dexterity and warmth. Their hats include new styles incorporating Dri-Release® Wool which brings warmth, great wicking and light weight. (Dri-Release® Wool is an intimate blend of 12% Merino wool and 88% polyester and feels similar to cotton and keeps wearers comfortable, dry and odour free, as the permanent FreshGuard® system prevents odour and bacteria from developing.)
This season OR is now pushing technology boundaries by combining fabrics in garments in order to expand their functionality. Take a look at the Centrifuge Jacket, this takes a mid-layer piece and expands its use range by adding wind and weather- resistant bonded knit fabric in areas exposed to the elements, thus bridging layering with outerwear. Built for highly aerobic alpine activities this is a great piece for travelling fast and light in less-than-ideal conditions.
Salomon
The new Salomon BBR Skis
Salomon, the leader in technical design innovation in mountain sports, introduces a radical new design in alpine skis. The BBR ski is the latest innovation by Salomon ski designer Bertrand Krafft, (aka: BeBeR) the shaper behind their groundbreaking innovations in skiing, the X Scream Series and the Pocket Rocket. Inspired by the spontaneity and freedom of action found in water sports, the BBR ski offers the liberty to carve, cruise, float and play. BBR is unlike any ski ever made. The patented V shape redefines skiing on all types of snow. An oversized tip and rocker shape enable it to float in powder and adapt to uneven terrain smoothly and predictably. With a narrow waist and pintail, a short radius and short effective edge on-piste, the BBR provides great carving and outstanding edge grip on harder snow. The result is an incredibly playful ski, with great performance in any situation. With BBR it’s all about having fun; this is the ski that helps get you that day on the mountain you’ll never forget. The freedom and adventure of your best days are exemplified in this revolutionary innovation. Packaged with coordinating Salomon STH 12 bindings.
The New Salomon Goggles
Not satisfied with just the one innovation for winter 2011, Salomon introduce a brand new range of snow goggles this season too. Salomon applied their usual combination of logic, versatility, style and innovation to the collection and Countryside Ski & Climb is pleased to showcase this exciting range. Salomon’s new X-Tend Frame Technology responds conclusively to the key issues some wearers have with goggles. Salomon goggles have a reduced frame thickness and thereby they offer a significantly increased field of vision – about 20% more in fact, really giving less frame and more vision. The Thermo Control System (TCS) scoops air through side vents creating lower pressure which draws moist air out of the goggle interior, keeping the lens clear. Echoing the Custom aspect on Salomon’s ski boots, Salomon goggles also have a Custom Frame Membrane which sits between the face foam and frame, which makes the goggle adapt precisely to any face or head shape. The lenses themselves are a high impact resistant polycarbonate (as used in aeroplane windshields) made by BNL, a division of Essilor who are a worldwide leader in lens manufacture. A very unusual feature of the premium range of goggles from Salomon is their Multi Shining lens, which, featured on the XPRO models, the women’s specific XCESS 10 and the free-ski styled XCITE 10, has the mirror treatment placed on the inside of the lens. This offers the ideal combination of maximum durability with ultimate vision quality. There’s a lens for every weather condition and the goggles synchronise perfectly with Salomon’s helmets too.
Salomon Helmets
Thankfully, now not only is it unremarkable (dare we say cool?) to wear a helmet for skiing, it makes sense as they offer the considerable benefits of safety and improved comfort to the wearer. At Countryside Ski & Climb we offer a wide range of helmets from Salomon, including junior and women’s specific versions (pony-tail friendly!) In store we can measure you to get the exact fit although sizing advice is also on our website with each model.
For 2011 Salomon have built on their already feature-packed helmet range and concentrated specifically on temperature regulation in their next generation all-mountain helmets. The Allium 10 Custom Air has the new Thermo Control System (TCS) up vent that really lets your head breathe. By opening the airflow device to the first position the lining is dried which cools the head but the cleverly distributed air channels avoid any icy feeling. When the weather warms up, full opening of the airflow device and the TCS up vent allows maximum fresh air to enter, almost like rolling back the soft top on a car! Continuing from last season, Salomon’s Custom Air helmets all feature the adjustable fit system at the back of the helmet which provides a precise and personalized fit. This was developed with a specialized trauma physician to maintain a snug fit for improved protection during impact but without affecting the wearer’s comfort. All helmets have a goggle strap channel and most liners are removable/washable.
Berghaus
As a truly independent specialist outdoor retailer, Countryside Ski & Climb has always been early to showcase the more technical, cutting edge ranges on offer from brands as well as stocking a greater choice from their classics. Berghaus is a British brand that has been at the forefront of outdoor performance wear for over 40 years and their focus remains firmly on creating the very best outdoor products for outdoor enthusiasts across the world. Their expertise rests firmly with mountaineering and fresh ventures into adrenaline sports like trail running and mountain biking apparel look set to stay too.
Berghaus continues to have an enviable collection of athletes on board who work tirelessly to test and push the boundaries of their products. The athlete Leo Houlding has cemented his position as one of the world’s greatest climbers and he walks in the footsteps of several other prestigious ambassadors who also put their very survival in the trusted hands of Berghaus’ gear. For 2011 Berghaus’ range of Extrem and Mtn Haus gear reaches a whole new level and it has to be said that although performance is the priority, the range really has that elusive ‘cool factor’ too! Take a look at the new Mount Asgard Hybrid Jacket. This is a lightweight hybrid utilizing hydrophobic down and PrimaLoft® insulation in an innovative way that keeps you warm and dry in the most challenging weather conditions. A Pertex® Quantum shell provides durable water repellency and high wind resistance, PrimaLoft® One supplies insulation to the areas of the jacket most likely to get wet while 700 fill power hydrophobic (water repelling) goose down warms the core.
Osprey Packs
For 2011 Osprey is launching an improvement to its super-popular Mutant 38 climbing pack, updated to include their new ToolLock system. The ToolLock provides an efficient way to attach an ice tool to the pack with a technology based on the Raptor series LidLock, designed to carry a helmet securely. The ToolLock is simple, as Osprey puts it you just “thread the glove friendly ToolLock through the head of the tool and tighten”. All other tried-and-tested features remain the same.
If you are new to Osprey then Countryside Ski & Climb would be pleased to welcome you in store to demonstrate exactly why Osprey packs are rightfully at the pinnacle of all things pack related. Osprey has have been designing and building top-quality backpacks for over 33 years. They don't dabble in any other product groups like clothing or footwear so they can concentrate on what they do best - designing and building great packs. Over the years they've learnt a lot about what works on a pack and what doesn't and the entire company is totally focused on the art of carrying things on your back. Experience and specialism counts.