Scoop look at what's coming your way from Lowe Alpine early next year.
We've just had an audience with
Lowe
Alpine's latest kit and thought you might appreciate a
quick look at what's new and interesting from the brand, both for this
autumn 2008 and for
spring 2009.
Wildcat Softshell Jacket -
£110
In
the shops
now,
the Wildcat is described as a 'winter softshell'. It uses two of Lowe
Alpine's own brand products - there's woven Stormweave fabric in the
side panels for a combination of greater breathability and wind
resistance, while the main body of the jacket is made from Windshield,
a completely windproof, membrane based fabric.
To keep you warm, the Windshield is bonded to a layer of gridded
microfleece while the outer has a hard, abrasion resistant face fabric
which should rub along happily with packs and the odd bit of mixed
grovelling up abrasive scrambles. Looks simple and classic, though some
will miss having a hood option.
Rapidity Zip-Neck £42.50
The Rapidity is a new Dry Flo baselayer top for next spring and should
be in the shops around February or so. For the first time, Lowe Alpine
is using a silver ion based anti-pong treatment called Polygiene, which
was developed in Sweden and is also used by Haglofs.
The big pluses are that it uses less silver than a thread-based
treatment like Xstatic, but gives more even coverage meaning there are
less spaces where bacteria can breed, yuk... It's applied at the dying
stage and is a permanent feature of the fabric.
Looks good too. That colour, by the way, is called 'Storm' and seems to
be Lowe's favourite for next year.
Speedy Jacket - £60
Again due out in spring 2009, the Speedy is Lowe Alpine's crack at the
ultra-lightweight windproof market and weighs roughly the same as
Montane's equivalent at around 179 grammes. It uses a completely
windproof Nylon microfibre and is aimed at fast-moving runners,
climbers, bikers and very nervous birdwatchers, er, maybe. And as you
can see, it incorporates a neat little hood for a bit of added
protecion.
Power Lite Hoodie - £80
An interesting spring 2009 top, this one uses a very lightweight
version of Polartec Powerstretch - it's a mix of 62% Nylon, 27%
polyester and 11% Spandex. The best way of describing it is as a very
stretchy, very thin version of Powerstretch that feels very nice and
slightly slinky.
It has a bit of wind resistance along with lots of stretch, but not
that much insulation. It feels great, but we're not quite sure what
it'll work well as - maybe a smidgeon of extra insulation and wind
protection on those cool but not cold days out running or climbing?
We're keen to find out
though, so we've nicked this one for an exclusive first test. Oh, and
as you can see, it has a hood. The hood up pics were a little scary
though...
Multipitch Vest - £60
Again a creature of spring / summer 2009, the latest addition to the
Multipitch clothing range of woven soft shell Stormweave stretch nylon
things is a simple vest. Vests and gilets are never quite as warm as
you think they're going to be as you lose so much warmth through your
exposed arms.
We reckon it might be good for climbing - no arm restriction - or
running on breezy days when you need a bit of core protection.
Multipitch Pod - £20
The Multipitch Pod is a neat and novel little thing aimed at climbers.
The idea is that you sling it around your waist like a bum-bag, but it
sits a little higher so it clears your harness and chalk bag etc. Its
just big enough to hold maybe some energy bars, a small camera and a
few other bits and pieces but smaller and neater than a pack.
Everything featured
in this article, bar the Wildcat Jacket, is available in spring/summer
2009. which means it should be in the shops around February time. You
can find full details of the current Lowe Alpine range at
www.lowealpine.com
