http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4437019.stm

Paste this to see the bad news.

Oh dear oh dear...

nooooooooooooooo! it's one of my favourite fabrics......

NOT good news! What will happen to Snugpack? They use a lot of Perseverence products??

Snugpak started using "Paratex" this year. My Sleeka jacket and Softie bag are both Pertex, but their new stuff is Paratex which is probably their own version.

Thanks for that. Like you I have a Sleeka jacket and a Softie bag but I also a Helium Pertex jacket as well. All good gear. Let's hope they can stay afloat.

A very sad day indeed. I wonder if they over-stretched themselves when developing their latest fabrics; they've released quite a few new ones recently. All of which sounded promising :-(

Snugpak have been using Paratex for years; the outer of my 10 yr-old MC Zenith sleeping bag is Paratex.

I've just been out looking at Snugpak jackets today. Came home, searched the forum, and came across this thread.

Can anyone help with either of the following? -

The ones I was looking at were definitely Pertex rather than Paratex (I remember looking at the labels). Can any owners comment on whether this makes them a better/worse buy than the newer type?

It will be used for putting on over everything else for lunch stops etc (ie, "belay jacket" uses) and for evenings when camping. I can't imagine ever walking in it as I run very hot, but cool down quickly.

The Sleeker was nice, but I *really* liked the Sasquatch (v similar but a bit thicker & with hood). 350g and £20 more, though. Can anyone advise what I should be thinking about when I make up my mind? There are no reviews of the Sasquatch on the site, which surprised me a bit.

Many thanks as always for any advice.

I copied the reaction Montane gave at Backpackinglight:

Montane is a large buyer of Pertex fabrics and we therefore have good links in to the company. We have it on good authority from them that the bulk of the problems stem from the parent company's indebtedness. That company, Padiham Group, is a packaging company and not involved at all in fabrics. Pertex itself, is profitable,and has a full order book. At today's date Pertex have very many interested acquirers looking over the company. Montane is confident that Pertex will continue as a fabric brand, and we will continue to feature their excellent products in our ranges.

Jake Doxat
CEO - Montane

Ian
I have recently bought a Sleeka,made from Paratex and use it for the reasons you seems to want it for.Recently "tested" on a bitterly cold winters day on the Beacons on a luch stop with the group I had out.I cooled down quickly in my base and Rab Vapour trail, put the Sleeka on and instant warmth.It wasnt raining but a bitter,cold,damp wind.I didnt walk in it but I didnt buy it for that anyway.I am well happy with it.

Thanks for that news Jake.