New From Patagonia

We popped over for an audience with Patagonia's UK importers, the Fitzroy Agency the other day, bought a rather nice hat and had a look at some of the new for Spring 92 kit that'll be along early next year.

If you're not familiar with Patagonia, they're an American brand founded by legendary climber Yvon Chouinard and makers of an incredibly wide range of outdoor clothing from technical climbing shells through to funky but functional surf shirts. It's always been a bit of a conoisseur's brand in the UK and it's not the cheapest kit on the market, but attention to detail, understated styling and a commitment to the environment has always meant it's worth a look.

We won't bore you witless with an endless list of new kit, but here's a couple of things that prised our attention away from the chocolate cake...

Dragonfly - 85 gramme / 3 oz Windproof...

Yes, you really did read that one right. Patagonia's new Dragonfly pullover is a filmy, shimmering, semi-translucent, highly water-resistant, windproof smock that should have adventure racers reaching for their credit cards.

Negligee texture equals negligible bulk and weight.

It's tiny, screws up into a ball little bigger than your fist and weighs just 3 oz or 85 grammes and that includes the stowable hood. It's made from the lightest shell material Patagonia - and possibly anyone else - has ever offered. Despite the lightness of the material, the company say that because of the close weave, it's still durable enough to be worn under a pack.

At £120 it's a something of a statement garment, but throw it over one of Patagonia's 'soft shell' tops and the system is effectively waterproof. On its own the highly water-resistant finish it should cope with anything short of a total downpour and still fit into your pocket...

Lightest Patagonia Waterproof Ever

The new Lightning jacket looks interesting. It weighs in at an ultra-light 383 grammes, the lightest waterproof jacket the company has ever produced and is made from the company's own H2No breathable, coated waterproof fabric.

New Supercell Jacket - 425g / 140 squid - neat

It uses water-resistant zips on pockets which double as vents and has a neat arrangement with an elasticated strip across the back which holds the vents open even when you're moving. It's aimed a the 'fast movers' who gear companies seem to be targeting relentlessly, and the Optipull adjustable hood has been cut so that it apparently fits under a bike helmet, which should be a good trick if it works. There's also reflective trim for nocturnal safety.

Price is £150, but for a tenner less you can have the new Supercell jacket, which is targeted for more general hill and mountain use. At around 425 grammes it's slightly heavier than the Lightning, but more versatile.

Included in the £140 price are fill venting pockets with underarm zips along with handwarmer pockets. The hood rolls away but has been cut to fit over alpine and ski helmets for climbing use. It's also available in a women's cut version.

Single Strap Hydration Packs

Only a dummy would wear one of these...

Last but not least, there are a pair of single-strap packs, the Super Nova - £80 - and the Orbiter £90. You just know that a lot of them are going to end up on the hip streets of London and Solihull, but these are proper hydration packs with stabilising web belts.

Why bother? Why not use two straps like everyone else? The theory goes that for easy access to energy bars, puncture repair kits, chocolate and all those other things that mean you normally have to remove your pack, you simply unfasten the waist strap and swing 'em round in front of you for quick and easy access.

The jury's out on whether the unbalanced loading on one shoulder will be a good thing, but it's certainly an interesting idea. And that's it for now folks.

Patagonia web site