We've already told you about some of the new stuff coming your way
from The North Face this autumn, but while we were up at North Face
Central in Kendal, we also had a quick browse through next year's
kit.
That's the TNF gear that's in the shops in early 2003, so don't go
badgering your retailer unless you really do want a clip round the
ear and rescindment of all your discount rights. But what the heck,
we thought you might be interested anyway.
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Atmosphere Jacket - £200
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Most breathable ever?
Let's wait and see...
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This is the jacket that TNF are touting as the most
breathable waterproof shell around, even more breathable in
fact than the Gore Paclite 3 we'll be telling you all about
next week. It's made from another Gore fabric called
LightFast which is sourced from Gore Japan and exclusive to
TNF for next year.
It's halfway between softshell and a conventional
waterproof says Keith Byrne and it's cut for classic
fast-moving use with twin core-centing pockets, adjustable
rollaway hood, water-reistant main zip etc. Looks good,
looks interesting. Weight is 505 grammes.
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Slipstream Jacket - £110
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Very light, quite cheap
for TNF
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Made from the TNF' sown oddly named Paliku HyVent, this
looks like the more affordable alternative to the
Atmosphere. Weight is less than the top-end jacket at around
405 grammes, but you're still getting a lot of technology
for your money. The fabric is a 2.5-layer Microdot fabic
with diamond rip-stop outer - think PaclIte-type technology,
with the dots protecting from abrasion.
Features and cut otherwise look similar to the Atmosphere
down to the core vents and roll-away hood. It'd be a good
jacket this year for sure, but competition next year looks
fierce with Paclite 3 appearing lighter and cheaper than
before.
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Apex Jacket - £110
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Even more soft
shell!
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It's soft shell frenzy time for TNF with a whole range
dubbed Apex including the Apex jacket, some
brilliant-looking climbing and trekking pants, a backcountry
pant with suspenders - braces to you - and and an Apex
zip-shirt. So what? Well, the whole range is made from a
range of stretch fabrics that are also highly wind
resistant, claimed to be significantly more breathable than
the likes of Gore's Windstopper fabrics and, thanks to
Duckback DWR treatment, also highly water resistant.
They also have a brushed interior which is reckoned to up
thermal efficiency and make them warm. Does it work, wait
and see.
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A5 Casual Range
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We're still not allowed
to show you...
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Sorry, but if we published our pics Uncle Keith would be
round with his big, fierce adventure race sac and we
wouldn't want that, would we? Real pics next month. It's
looks the mutt's nads, honest.
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