Alpine Gear Guide Winter 2012
The onset of Winter brings with it the promise of great adventure. Extreme conditions, rugged terrain, awe-inspiring views and the taste of triumph - exploring our glorious alpine environments can be both incredibly challenging and ultimately rewarding. Our alpine gear has been engineered to perform in the harshest environments, using advanced fabric technologies and fit for purpose design features to deliver maximum element protection and peak performance.
Check out our alpine gear on the following pages and get ready to live the dream this winter.
Alopex Jacket Designed for extreme wet weather conditions, the Alopex v2 has everything you need for serious alpine and hiking adventures. When extreme terrain calls for outstanding gear, features such as the high performance GORE-TEX® fabric construction and integrated RECCO® rescue reflector will deliver optimum performance no matter what the conditions. • RECCO® rescue reflector • Performance mapped mix of Gore-Tex® fabrics • Articulated fit for ease of movement • 3 point adjustable, helmet-compatible hood • Pack compatible pockets • 2 way pit zips for ventilation • Reinforced shoulder panels
Men’s
• Water resistant zips
The RECCO® Rescue System is a two part system based on sophisticated radar technology. Ski resorts and rescue teams carry RECCO® detectors which send out a search signal. RECCO® reflectors worn by mountain users bounce back a directional signal that directs the rescuer straight to the reflector. The RECCO® reflector worn by users requires no additional effort or gear requirements, in the likes of the Alopex jacket v2 it is simply integrated into the garment ready for action if and when it’s required. Please note, RECCO® reflectors do not prevent avalanches, nor do they guarantee location or survival of a buried person. They are not substitutes for an avalanche beacon and the best chance of survival is to make good decisions to avoid the chance of avalanche.
Women’s
Exmoor Jacket With articulated fit, high wind resistance and ongoing performance in damp conditions the Exmoor jacket is ideal for the testing alpine environment. Super lightweight and easily packable, the unrestricted movement and streamlined design makes this an excellent layering piece or a versatile outer layer in more moderate conditions. • 4 way stretch wind-resistant Polartec WindPro side panels • High performance Primaloft Synergy fill • Excellent warmth to weight insulation • Easily compressible and packable • Soft stretch storm cuffs • Adjustable hem • Snug fitting hood
Men’s
• 2 way front zip • Zipped security pockets
PrimaLoft® SYNERGY is an advanced continuous filament insulation that’s engineered for superior warmth, softness and loft. Constructed of both fine and ultra-fine denier fibres, PrimaLoft® SYNERGY is both highly durable and compressible. It’s designed to keep you warm and dry - delivering high performance insulation that continues to perform in damp conditions. • Thermally efficient • Water resistant • Soft and compressible
Women’s
Ultralight Down Jacket The Ultralight Down Jacket has been designed as an ideal option for the testing demands of alpine adventures. Super-light with an outstanding warmthto-weight ratio, this slim-cut jacket uses mini-baffle construction to prevent down shifting, and the lowprofile design means it can be worn on its own or under a shell. • 800 loft power white goosedown fill • Articulated slim fit • Mini-baffle construction • Internal pack pocket • 2 way front zip with chin guard • Adjustable hem
Men’s
• Elasticated cuffs • Zipped security pockets
When it comes to maximum warmth for minimum weight, goosedown800 loft power is the ultimate solution. The premium loft delivers great insulation with less bulk, making goosedown800 ideal for outdoor adventures where weight and warmth are critical.
Women’s
Layering Guide Careful planning and preparation is the key to succesful alpine adventures. In extreme environments your clothing and equipment performs a critical role and it’s essential to plan for the worst that the elements can throw at you. Layering is a key consideration when planning your clothing. Start with a thermal layer that will keep you warm, allow breathability, wick moisture away from your skin and keep you warm even when wet. The number of insulating layers you need will depend on the weather and the activity you’re participating in. Ideally your thermal layer should also be lightweight with good mobility to allow unrestricted movement. Our Ultracore thermal range uses advanced fabric technology featuring nano-sized pores to facilitate vertical moisture wicking. It’s especially engineered for stretch and unrestricted movement making it the perfect baselayer for alpine activities. Your mid layer should provide a balance of breathability and protection appropriate for the type of activity you’ll be doing. A multipurpose layer is ideal here – something that offers some element protection and can therefore be worn as an outer layer in moderate conditions, but is versatile enough to wear under an outer shell if the weather turns nasty.
The Surna fleece, Exmoor jacket and Ultralight down jacket are all ideal for this. Staying dry and reducing the effects of wind chill are critical when the weather turns bad, therefore your outer layer needs to be waterproof and windproof. Even if the forecast looks great, it’s a must to take along a shell that will completely protect you from cold winds, a snow shower or a down pour. Your outer jacket should be fully seamsealed and waterproof, made of durable fabric that will withstand the conditions, and be highly breathable so you remain comfortable throughout exertion. Look for waterproof shells that are lightweight and packable so you can stash them in your pack during more moderate weather. The Alopex jacket has been designed with alpine conditions in mind. Durable, waterproof and highly breathable it’s the ideal outer shell for maximum protection without adding a lot of weight to your expedition.
The alpine environment is high risk. While thorough preparation and the correct gear is part of planning a successful expedition accidents can still occur, so you need to be fully prepared in case the worst happens. For more information on alpine safety see mountain.rescue.org.uk/mountain-advice or ramblers.org.uk/info/practical/safety