The North Face has announced the ultimate accessory for
cold-blooded walkers and climbers - an innovative heated jacket which will be in the shops this autumn.
Yes, you read that right. The snappily-named MET5 has been
developed with Polartec maestros Malden Mills and uses something
called Polartec Heat Technology. What that means is battery-powered,
flexible heating panels integrated with Polartec fabric to provide a
sort of cross between a technical wind-proof fleece and an electric
blanket.
The panels consist of microscopic heating filaments finer than a
human hair, which are laminated between the shell and a liner and are
powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries. According to Keith
Byrne of The North Face UK, battery life is around two and a half
hours on full power and twice that in 'oscillation mode', or of
course, you could just switch if off completely.
The jacket itself is designed to be a 'soft shell'. Main fabric is
Polartec Windbloc ACT, a windproof and highly water-resistant
technology that allows a small amount of dynamic airflow -
approximately 2 per-cent they say - to circulate within the fabric
which, The North Face say, greatly increases breathability and
comfort. Tough stretchy PowerShield shoulders, forearms and waist
reinforcement panels mean that the MET 5 can be used as an all day
shell even in technical climbing situations.
How much? Around 380 quid says Keith, and they've already
sold one, despite the jacket not being in the shops until autumn.
All intriguing stuff, and it should be awesome in winter belay
situations if the batteries hold out. The panels produce 45.5 degrees
C of heat on full power, and 40.5 degrees in oscillation mode. What
we reckon is happening, based on experience with heated motorcycle
clothing research, is that the heating doesn't directly warm the body
core - apparently the level of heat needed to achieve this would make
you nauseous - but by heating trapped air within the clothing system,
to create a highly efficient insulating layer, which doesn't rely on
body heat for its source.
Postman Pat is on his way with a piccy which we'll bring to you
just as soon as he arrives, but it's good to see The North Face back
on the innovation trail.
• The
North Face web site
