New From Berghaus

The boys from Berghaus weren't at the show - though we did corner Alan Hinkes and offer him 19 pence for an exclusive tip off on his next big mountain, so watch this space - but we still have early details of their winter 2002 kit. That's the stuff that's going to be hitting the shops this winter, so don't go mithering your local outdoors shop just yet.

There's some interesting stuff coming your way. The Extrem range is being expanded to include some interesting new products including, somewhat inevitably, this year's buzz product, soft shell, but that's not all...

Extrem Stuff

Accelerator Jacket uses XCR Stretch fabric to maintain mobility despite a slimmer, closer cut

Berghaus is using the new XCR Stretch fabric - see our Gore report due shortly - which is a combination of Gore's very breathable XCR membrane laminated to a woven nylon face with Lycra to give it stretch characteristics. The new slim-fitting Accelerator Jacket mixes the XCR Stretch with conventional Gore-Tex XCR Summit II fabric which, says the company, allows them to cut the jacket closer and make the garment lighter, without losing flexibility of movement for the wearer.

It's minimalist in design with just two venting pockets (water-resistant zips) and a mountain hood with wired peak in the features list. The stretchiness should suit activities right across the board and is a positive step from Berghaus who have often produced jackets that are cut a tad on the loose side. Price will be around £240.

There are also matching Accelerator Pants for £150 made entirely from the XCR Stretch which sound like an ideal solution to the perennial problem of cutting overtrousers neatly without losing mobility. We like the look of these, though the side-zips aren't full length.

Soft Shell

No modern manufacture is complete without some sort of 'soft shell' garments and Berghaus have the new Race jacket, Gilet and Pant based on Gore Windstopper Race, which from the spec sounds very similar to the N2S and Transition-type fabrics, though not specifically designed to be worn next to the skin. We've found N2S and Transition both work well over a thin, high-wicking baselayer, so we'd expect this stuff to be a good option for fast movers and adventure racers.

Rucksacs

Super minimalist Extrem Slipstream designed for ultralight summit pushes by hard core masochists

Most of the heavily revised for this year range stays as is, but there are a couple of neat additions in the Extrem neck of the woods based on the usual light, tough philosophy. First, for off piste skiiers, there's the Extrem Powder, which we unaccountably read as the Extrem Chowder. Yum...

It's a 20-litre VX21 pack incorporating all the obvious ski and board strapping points as well as an emergency pocket arrangement which gives access to pear-shaped kit while keeping the rest of the pack sealed against the horrors of powder invasion. Price is around £70.

Even more specialised is the new Extrem Slipstream. It shares its name with the great minimalist climbing smock and is similarly single minded. It's intended for ultra-lightweight summit pushes and similar masochism and weighs in at just 545 grammes stripped down, with a capacity of a healthy 37 litres, hydration system pocket, compression straps, removable padded back system. With the back system stripped off, you can even stash it in a stuff sac for easy stowage. Specialist kit at £55.

And the rest...

New insulating stuff too. The classic Polartec 200 Activity jacket gets a slicker brother, the Activity Pro in both men's a women's versions. The Pro uses Polartec Thermal Pro fabric to give Polartec 200 weight, but with a 30 per-cent reduction in weight. It's also been slimmed down in other areas with mesh pockets for reduced weight and bulk and, we think, a slightly slimmer cut. Price will be £60.

As an insulating alternative, there's a synthetic option in the form of the revised Infinity Jacket which uses Dupont's Thermolite Active filling with a windproof, water-resistant outer for a low bulk, high warmth option and, totally new for winter 2002, Berghaus has a pair of down-filled jackets for cold, dry conditions.

The Kodiak for blokes and Alaska for wimmin are stitched-through construction, Pertex with DWR-shelled jackets containing 650 fill power white good down. Should be ideal for cool winter evenings in the pub and the price is a competitive £125.

Finally, the accessory range, stuff like gaiters, hats and gloves has had a thorough going over with a load of new stuff sitting alongside old faves like Yeti gaiters. One we like the look of is the GTX Gaiter which uses the Gore-Tex XCR Stretch for a closer, non-flapping cut. There are also two lengths for a more personal fit. We like.

We also like the latest Mountain Peak cap. It's a class Mountain Cap-type shelled cap, using Aquafoil combined with a Polartec 100 Microfleece lining. Nicely shaped and with an elasticated security cord already fitted. We actually have one here, and the insulation is about right for a cap. Any thicker and you overheat rapidly. One day though, someone will invent ear flaps you can hear through...

Thank you and good night.