Salomon Buys Arc'Teryx

Ski and outdoor equipment outfit Salomon has acquired cutting edge Canadian clothing and pack company Arc'Teryx Equipment Inc. - though the two brands will remain separate.

It's an interesting move by Salomon, who pride themselves on being at the cutting edge of development in the sports they're involved with, but as yet haven't released any clothing products into the UK.

Arc'Teryx is arguably at the very top of the technical clothing tree and has piloted a host of innovations since the company was founded in Vancouver ten years ago. These include the use of glue instead of stitching and narrower seams in shell clothing to increase lightness, the introduction of water-resistant zips and an attention to cut that makes for an extraordinary fit. It's not cheap, but it's very, very good.

The current issue of Outside Magazine includes Arc'Teryx designer Michael Blenkarn as one of its 25 'New Legends', the people who it rates as 'the most extraordinary in the world outside'. 'If you purchase a high-end jacket or backpack today, it will undoubtedly have Michael Blenkarn's fingerprints all over it.' We reckon he should wash his hands more often...

Rumoured to be in the pipeline from the Canadian outfit are a 4.5lb mountain biking tent and a waterproof jacket that weighs in at a mere 304 grammes...