Interesting stuff and the same's true of the
Berghaus footwear range.
It's really been transformed over the past couple of years with a lot
of work being done on lasting, for a much better fit than before and
sole development. We particularly like the latest Rush and Phobic
ranges and both these get tweaked for winter.
In particular, there's a bonkers-looking new 'ascent shoe' called the
Ascent Phobic which
we're guessing you'll either love or loathe. Like other Phobic shoes,
it's designed to shed water and dry fast, but it also gets a perforated
EVA EVABreathe tongue for airflow and a low profile sticky
Opti-Stud Ascent sole unit for climbing and scrambling grip.
Another area where there's been some serious development is the pack
range and in particular the £120
Sentinel 45 which
Berghaus says is 'the ultimate climbing pack for year-round use'.
It's a completely modular pack which is also waterproof. You can use it
fully specced up with hip-belt, lid, waterproof Dry Liner et al at a
weight of 1.7 kilos, or strip it down to a mere 920 grammes for minimal
carriage.
It's dripping with cunning bits and bobs from the Fusion Pro Verteflex
back system that uses a flexible frame which moves with your back,
through to the waterproof Dry Liner with high-frequency welded seams.
Alongside all the features you expect from a top climbing pack, there's
also a unique cushioned ice axe pouch so you can carry you walking axe
between your pack and your back. Interesting and also available in
35-litre guise.
The removable Dry Liner technology is present in other Berghaus Extrem
packs too, right up to the monster Expedition 80, which can be stripped
down to a feathery but probably not very comfortable 1.43 kg or left at
full load-lugging spec at around 1kg more.
Also new is the
Alpine
Trek 55 which is described as 'an all-rounder for the
mountains' and can, says Berghaus, double up for mountaineering use or
simply all-year mountain trekking and backpacking. It uses the Biofit
system teamed with the Fusion back system to give a 'close to the back'
fit. There's a removable Dry Liner as well for waterproof usefulness,
though as with the Sentinel, you can take it out to save weight when
needed.
Lots more besides including a noggin notch for helmet use, detachable
ski holder pads and a reinforced, stable hip-belt. Price is
£160.
More details of the current Berghaus range at www.berghaus.com