Hello FurTech Clothing...

We've just had a personal visitation from Andy Davison, the man behind the new FurTech brand of outdoor clothing and very interesting it was too.

Andy used to work with Paramo and is a firm believer in the directional clothing system, which is why his first FurTech jackets, the short-cut Talon and the longer, four-pocket Claw, both use the same principles.

The fabric isn't actually Nikwax Analogy, but, says Andy, works pretty much along the same principles with a water-resistant outer face fabric coupled to a directional pump liner which moves liquid outwards away from the body.

Tall collar gives added neck protection.

But does the world need another version of Directional clothing? We asked Andy why someone should buy FurTech rather than Paramo. The first thing Andy stresses is that he's a big Paramo fan - 'It's a bit like Coca Cola and Pepsi,' he says. There are similarities but also detail differences which he's built into his own designs.

The most obvious is the slightly left of field 'Sight n Sound' hood design - it's a tall, 'move with the head' thing, but what really stands out is the stiff, transparent peak, which is intended to allow you to look up and see when scrambling or climbing. As a rider, the FurTech offerings are also around 100 grammes lighter than any Paramo jacket with a helmet-compatible hood says Andy.

Next, FurTech uses pit-zips instead of Paramo's bicep-vent both because the cowled shape of the opening makes them more useable in rain and because in really warm conditions, you can simply stick your whole arm through the opening for maximum cooling, something we'd recommend if you run hot.

There's a cunning drawcord arrangement which allows you to improvise a crotch strap for climbing or skiing use and last but not least, the cut is slightly closer than Paramo, which you'll either like or not.

Definitely interesting stuff and it's good to see a UK microbrand not afraid of trying some different ideas and, possibly, in the process broadening the appeal for directional clothing generally.

The shorter, two-pocket Talon is aimed more at climbers with the four-pocket Claw appealing more to general mountain use. Prices are £180 for the Talon and £200 for the Claw, weights 730 grammes and 810 grammes respectively claimed for a medium version of each.

We've got a Talon here to try, but we'd expect similar fabric performance to Paramo's designs, which means people who run hot may find it too much in warmer conditions, but it should deal well with moisture. In addition, the additional venting may make it more useable, so watch this space for feedback.

In the meantime you can find more about FurTech at www.furtech.co.uk and read Andy's musings in his blog at www.furtech.typepad.com.