New Berghaus Boots And Rags

We've already told you about next year's Berghaus packs - see links to past articles at the bottom - but after the company invited us up to Scotland for a look at their new kit plus Ratho, for which they're the clothing sponsors, we thought we'd bring you a little info about a couple of other new products from the company that we liked the look of.

The two items that really stood out from the 2004 clothing were the Stretch Equilibrium jacket and pants. They're part of the Extrem Light family, we think, and made from a new Pertex fabric dubbed 'Stretch Equilibrium'.

Don't let the 'Pertex' but confuse you, this is a new, highly wind-resistant, stretch fabric with a DWR treatment and a structure that's claimed to wick rapidly. It's not like any other Pertex fabric we've seen, more of a 'soft shell' fabric.

The simple jacket weighs a claimed 335 grammes, packs small enough to fit in its own small chest pocket and gets articulated sleeves, split hem draw cord and a sculptured back yoke 'for a more active fit' it says here.

Our interpretation is wind resistant enough to keep you reasonably protected, but light enough to avoid overheating when moving fast. The pants look nice too.

The other eye-opener was the new GR20 range of three / four- season trekking boots developed from the existing Storm boot, but with a new last incorporating a snugger heel and redesigned toe box.

The boots - there are three models - come with a new Vibram sole unit called the 'Weirwolf' - oooh, get them - a PU mid-sole and speed-lacing system for fast getaways.

The three versions are a straight leather upper with Gore-Tex lining, a suede/Cordura model again with a Gore-Tex liner and a water-resistant Nubuck versio, this time without a waterproof liner.

They certainly look the part and it spells the end for the Storm once the new boots arrive in Novermber.