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
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Accelerator Jacket uses XCR
Stretch fabric to
maintain mobility despite a slimmer, closer
cut
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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
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Super minimalist Extrem
Slipstream
designed for ultralight summit pushes
by hard core masochists
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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.
