Rohan clothing is liberating. It is lighter, more breathable, highly packable, better looking and easier to care for. It will keep you safe in the rain, wind, heat or snow.
It is at home in cities of glass and steel, or mountains of rock and ice, wherever your journey takes you.
For the next days, weeks or months, your wardrobe is no longer walk-in, it’s carry-on. It will keep you dry. It will keep you cool. It will keep you comfortable. It will keep your most important possessions safe. It will be all you have – your warmth and your shelter. We have made sure it will be all you need.
How to travel light and free with Rohan
Because Rohan gear is protective and technical enough for the harshest, most active days, yet stylish enough for work or a smart restaurant, you simply need to take less.
Rohan and Eagle Creek offer packing systems that allow you to compress and organise your clothing, allowing the ‘around the world’ kit to disappear into your carry-on luggage. And a bonus is that you can effectively live out of your case when you don’t want to unpack.
Rohan clothing dries in a flash, eliminating the need to carry ‘just-in-case’ sets. And because you can wash it at night and it’s ready to go the next morning, there’s no need for piles of ‘dirties’ and ‘cleans’.
All Rohan clothing needs little or no looking after. It sets you free from laundry services, lengthy drying times and ironing. Wash it in a hotel sink or a stream, hang it up overnight, give it a shake in the morning and it’s ready to go again.
Every Rohan product is designed to take up minimum space. Microgrid fleece tops on page 20 are a perfect example. The tiny gaps in the fabric not only make it packable and lightweight but also increase thermal efficiency. And the principle of single layer construction means weight and bulk are always kept to a minimum. Of course, keeping clothing down to a minimum means you have room for essential gadgets and gizmos.
Keep your important stuff close. Rohan clothes are full of clever safety ideas like hidden security pockets and zipped internal security pockets. These simple design features stand squarely between you and an unpleasant drama.
Rohan clothing was originally developed for the high mountains where kit failure isn’t an option. Rohan make some of the most durable clothing in the world. Sophisticated modern fibres are blended for performance and longevity. Even our softest and most natural feeling fabrics are remarkably durable.
Rohan clothing uses the most advanced fabric technologies in the world. The technology built-in to Rohan gear may be most obvious in the gear designed for the high mountains, however, exactly the same care is applied to a simple looking T-shirt as to our most technical waterproofs. This is one of the things that makes Rohan unique.
All Rohan gear punches above its weight, whether it’s a simple looking top like the
Element T for men, or the Stria Top for women. Looks can be deceptive when classic T-shirts and simple feminine tops also work like technical base layers if you need them to. And because Rohan gear doesn’t look overtly technical, it allows you to wear it as simple everyday clothing.
Highly protective, easycare, ultra-packable and fast drying. Anywear. Everywear.
1. Men’s Element T
A highly functional alternative to a basic cotton top.
Colours: League Green (shown top), Tibetan Red (shown left), Mariner Blue, Raincloud and White
£30; code: 03593
2. Men’s Spark Vest
Fully reversible insulated vest with snap fasteners down the front.
Colour: Black (shown)
£65; code: 03089
3. Men’s Fusions
Look like classic chinos, perform like tough trekking trousers.
Colours: Pewter Grey (shown) and Indian Ink
£57; code: 03571
4. Women’s Stria Top
Gentle feminine looks, with tough technical performance.
Colours: Parchment Stripe (shown) and Jade Stripe
£37; code: 03627
5. Women’s Spark Vest
Fully reversible with a full length zip and hand pockets.
Colours: Black Rose/Berry (shown) and Twilight Blue/Violet
£70; code: 03640
6. Women’s Roamers
The most comfortable walking trousers available.
Colours: Driftwood (shown), Blue Steel and Black
£68; code: 03234
Editor and Managing Director of Wanderlust magazine, Lyn Hughes, has spent years of her life criss-crossing the globe to get the best travel features on Earth. Here, she gives us her top tips for surviving the headaches and heartbreaks of modern long haul travel.
Even if you’re rubbish at languages, learn how to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ (keep them written down in a pocket if necessary). Learn a few key words (rather than phrases) too. And, if all else fails, a smile goes a long way.
Keep essential documents, credit and debit cards and most of your cash in a moneybelt under your clothes, or in a secure internal pocket. Leave small stashes of money scattered in clothes and baggage. Make copies or scans of documents – for your passport, this should be your ID page and relevant visa pages (if your passport is lost or stolen it will make it easier to get a replacement!) Email them to yourself, as well as leaving copies with someone at home.
1. NEW Women’s Meridian Jacket
Warm, windproof and super comfortable. Colours: Driftwood (shown) and Charred Black £130; code: 03639
2. Women’s Essence T
A relaxed T-shirt with all the performance of a technical base. Colours: Raspberry (shown), Violet and White £30; code: 03595
Get into a new time zone even before you arrive. As soon as you get onto a long haul flight, set your watch to the time in your final destination. Start thinking in that time zone. If you arrive in the daytime, make sure you have some gentle exercise, and stay awake until a ‘sensible’ time.
Eat a range of fresh vegetables and fruit, but only if you know it has been safely prepared. As the travellers’ mantra has it: if you can’t peel it, cook it or boil it – forget it. Buffets can harbour germs and bugs; freshly cooked food is always a safer bet. Keep well-hydrated. Take sachets of rehydration salts, throat lozenges, soluble paracetamol and plasters with you. And keep them in your daypack.
3. Women’s Coastline Fleece
Warm and comfy – great for outdoors, travel and everyday. Colours: Green Shoot Stripe (shown), Tyrian Purple Stripe and Violet Stripe £55; code: 03590
4. Women’s Jeans Plus Skirt
A versatile travel piece that looks and feels ‘just right’. Colour: Dark Denim (shown) £57; code: 03432
It’s amazing how much you can fit into a bag – and keep your clothing crease free –by either rolling your clothes up (lay them flat, fold and roll), or by using packing folders. Stuff any shoes with your socks; it keeps them wrinkle free too, while making the most of your space. Keep a spare folder or bag for your dirty clothes.
It’s too easy to get ripped off if you don’t know how to get into town, how much a taxi should cost, or where to change money at a fair rate. Plus, you’re at your most vulnerable and open to robbery within the first few hours of arrival. If you haven’t arranged a transfer, do at least make sure you arrive in daylight and with a plan.
5. Women’s Jeans Plus –Boot Cut
The functional alternative to ordinary denim jeans, lighter, tougher and more comfortable. Colour: Dark Denim (shown) £75; code: 03581
Ordinary denim may be worn by pretty much everyone, pretty much everywhere but technically it’s a disaster. Rohan Jeans Plus are jeans without the downsides. Soft, comfy and quick drying. And it’s the only denim that you won’t regret wearing for the long-haul.
‘Keeping weight and bulk to a minimum is liberating, so be ruthless. Choose
clothing
that
is
lightweight, coordinated and packable.’
TIP #7
Keeping weight and bulk to a minimum is liberating, so be ruthless. Choose clothing that’s lightweight, coordinated and packable –fleeces, down jackets, base layers. Chances are you’ll be able to wash your clothes as you go, so pick items that dry quickly. And remember that you can buy most essentials wherever you are around the world.
Malaria is potentially fatal. Since no antimalarial tablet is 100% effective, and mosquitoes also carry other diseases including dengue fever and chikungunya, it is important to avoid bites. Be particularly careful in the evening when mosquitoes hunt; wear long clothes and socks, as well as using an effective insect repellent.
You’ll save valuable weight and space in your luggage if you can get one piece of clothing or kit to serve several purposes. For example, choose a lightweight dress or shirt that will do for walking safaris AND the ambassador’s ball. Sticking to colours that coordinate will help keep your outfits versatile.
TIP #10
You’ll be so glad you did ten years later! It’s amazing how much we forget from a trip, whether the names of the people we meet, that great little rooftop bar, or the gem of a village you want to return to one day. So always take notes as you go along.
Guidebooks, websites and Wanderlust magazine can be great for providing ideas and basic practical information, but there’s nothing like getting the local lowdown to check the best restaurants, the parts of town to avoid after dark and the safest bus company. And if you have a guide, listen to them, whether they’re telling you what not to eat or how to avoid being eaten. Take time to find your feet by hanging out in a café, just peoplewatching can often help you to ‘acclimatise’.
Protection from the wind and cold with everyday good looks. Colour: Blue Steel (shown) £145; code: 03456
2. Men’s Worldview Shirt
A classic casual shirt with hidden performance. Colours: Flag Blue Gingham (shown) and Blue/Red Stripe £65; code: 03273
3. Men’s Gridlock Top
The perfect mid-layer for travel, outdoor and everyday use. Colours: Dusk Blue (shown) and Carbon £42; code: 03536
4. Men’s Jeans Plus
The cooler, lighter alternative to regular jeans. Colours: Dark Denim (shown) and Mid Denim £75; code: 03573
You’ll learn more about a place by doing a cookery class, joining a guided walk, or volunteering with a charity, than by gazing at endless temples. You are more likely to meet some interesting people too, whether locals or likeminded fellow travellers. So immerse yourself in a destination, read the local paper, hire a local guide, or tap into a social network.
Jeans may be worn everywhere by almost everyone, but as a practical fabric, conventional denim is a disaster. Rohan jeans may look like ordinary denim, but they have extraordinary performance. Rohan Jeans Plus are made from Denim Plus,TM a sophisticated fusion of cotton and advanced modern synthetics. Jeans Plus are much faster drying than regular jeans, around
Men’s Jeans Plus
Rohan’s clever denim means jeans without the downside.
Colours: Dark Denim (shown) and Mid Denim
£75; code: 03573
a third of the fabric is CoolMax® polyester which means they dry in about two thirds of the time. In practical terms, that means overnight. Which means you can travel with only one pair. And as you’d expect from Rohan, there’s plenty of secure storage options with touch-and-close fasteners and zipped pockets. Classic style jeans reinvented with Rohan technology.
Women’s Jeans Plus –
Straight Leg
Classic jeans made comfortable with hidden technology.
Colours: Mid Denim (shown) and Dark Denim
£75; code: 03580
Women’s Jeans Plus Skirt
A simply styled skirt in our ground-breaking Denim PlusTM fabric.
Colour: Dark Denim (shown)
£57; code: 03432
Proven Denim PlusTM fabric in a flattering boot cut.
Colour: Dark Denim (shown)
£75; code: 03581
Rohan condensed
The Microgrid Zip is everything we know about ultra-lightweight, packable warmth in one tiny Packpocket. ™ It’s consistently a Rohan best seller and features a sophisticated grid construction which traps warm air – this not only provides warmth but reduces weight, helps breathability and reduces pack size. A little piece of pure Rohan.
Turn the page for a look at our entire range of Microgrid technology
The more air a fabric can trap, the more efficiently it insulates. Rohan’s Microgrid and Microrib fleece fabric works harder than normal fleece because it traps more air, preventing the loss of your body’s warmth. A less dense fabric also means better packability, more efficient wicking, a faster drying time and excellent breathability. It’s superb as a classic mid-layer for
British hillwalking or for sundown warmth in warmer climates. And its lack of bulk means that you can layer it up on the coldest days. The Microgrid and Microrib are consistently our best selling fleeces in one form or another and we know customers often have four or five of them. Perhaps these new colours could be a reason to buy just one more?
1-3. Men’s Microgrid Stowaway Jacket
Full length zip and two zipped hand pockets.
Colours: (as shown) League Green Marl, Deepwater Blue Marl and Carbon Marl
£70; code: 03322
4-7. Men’s Microgrid Stowaway Zip
Deep ventilating zip and a handy Packpocket.TM
Colours: (as shown) Tibetan Red, Titanium, Mariner Blue Marl and Carbon Marl
£60; code: 02915
8-10. Men’s Microrib Jumper
Features a neat V-neck collar which works well with a base layer or a casual shirt.
Colours: (as shown) Putty Marl, League Green Marl and Mariner
Blue Marl
£48; code: 03589
11-13. Women’s Microgrid Stowaway Zip
Deep ventilating zip and a handy Packpocket.TM
Colours: (as shown) Fuse Pink, Amparo Blue and French Blue
£60; code: 02921
14-16. Women’s Microgrid Stowaway Jacket
Full length zip and two hand-warmer pockets.
Colours: (as shown) Limestone, Cobalt and Blackberry
£70; code: 03191
Man has been taking a beating from bugs since we first walked the earth. Incredibly, researchers believe insects go back 400 million years – fossils certainly date them back over 100 million years. From a bug’s perspective we are just another dish on a very long running buffet that stretches way beyond the dinosaurs. And whatever we might like to think, they make a very strong argument for occupying the top spot on the planet’s food chain.
ILLUSTRATIONS STEVEN NOBLE
No less than half the world’s population is at risk from malaria, and data from the World Health Organisation tells us that this killer disease is responsible for 600,000 deaths every year. This makes them the deadliest creature on the planet!
The mosquito is such a tough opponent because it’s so adaptable. David Kaslow, director of the PATH Malaria Vaccines Initiative describes the problem, “This is a very
clever, shifty parasite that cloaks what it is doing. It can even camouflage itself, attacking the placentas of expectant mothers and hiding from the body’s immune system.”
Researchers have described it as “smarter than we are.”
And despite increasing investment to find a vaccine, it’s clear that constant innovation will be necessary to keep finding ways to stop this ancient enemy.
CLASS: HEAVYWEIGHT
Numbers: 3,500 species
Feeds on: blood from living vertebrates, including humans, in addition to nectar and plant foods
Diseases carried: malaria, yellow fever and filariasis
Fact: Many species of mosquito are not blood eaters, but of those that are, only the females suck blood
CLASS: CRUISERWEIGHT
Numbers: nearly 900 species
Feeds on: blood from living mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians
Diseases carried: Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, African tick bite fever and tularemia
Fact: During feeding, which can last several days, a female’s body size can increase 20 to 50 times
Every year, these tiny arachnids infect around 3,000 people in the UK with Lyme disease. As there is no vaccine for this horrible disease, prevention is key. Despite not being able to jump or fly they are accomplished ambush predators, dropping on prey from overhead vegetation or the undergrowth. The most dangerous months in the UK for tick bites are from April to October and the areas they thrive in are forests, woods and grasslands.
CLASS: MIDDLEWEIGHT
Numbers: over 4,000 species
Feeds on: blood from living insects and vertebrates, including humans
Diseases carried: livestock diseases, blue tongue and African horse sickness
Fact: In humans, their bites can cause intensely itchy, red welts that can persist for more than a week. The discomfort arises from a localised allergic reaction to the proteins in their saliva
From late spring to late summer the highland midge can put fear into the bravest of hearts. Particularly prevalent at dawn and dusk, an individual midge is almost invisible to the human eye. It’s only the bloodthirsty female that causes us torment, and in her defence, she needs the blood to feed her babies. Scarily a swarm can inflict about 3,000 bites per hour – that familiar prickle is a midge cutting the skin, so that it can lick up the blood that escapes. Nice.
Colours:
£60; code: 03607
Our BiteGuardTM fabric treatment is now more durable, and remains fully effective after at least 70 washes. Tests have shown that it reduces mosquito bites by 97%. It is an odourless, waterbased and biodegradable compound that is friendly to your skin. The active ingredient within BiteGuardTM is recommended by the World Health Organisation for use on clothing to protect individuals from biting insects.
• Technology applied at the earliest stage of fabric development
• Specifically developed for clothing application
• Combined anti-bug and antibacterial treatment
• Long lasting treatment, keeps on working
• Provides up to 97% efficiency after 70 washes
• Inhibits growth and proliferation of moulds, spores, bacteria and fungi
• Safe for humans and the environment
Colours: Moorland (shown) and Asphalt
£80; code: 03603
BiteGuardTM provides exceptional defence. Use of an effective insect repellent is still essential on unprotected areas of the body. And of course, keep covered up as much as you can.
The Spark Top for men has two completely different sides to its character. It’s fully reversible, with a subdued graphite that is perfect for when you want to fit-in, and a zingy orange for when you need to stand-out. There’s no benefit to being bashful if you’re walking down dark country lanes or cycling through busy city streets, and equally you may not want to be brash if you’re just mooching around the markets on a European city break.
The perfect ‘just-in-case’ travel jacket – the Spark Top will roll away into its own PackpocketTM and take up no more room than your average paperback. It’s windproof so it easily deals with wind chill and ultra-light insulation gives you a boost of warmth whenever you need it –essential even in hotter climates at sundown. It features a Durable Water RepellencyTM finish, is easy to wash, will dry in a flash and weighs a meagre 220 grams.
Mayrhofen, Austria
9–16 August 2014
Following some great successes on home soil, we’ve asked HF Holidays to create an adventure a little further afield. They have a brilliant reputation and are the perfect partners to make our 2014 Rohan get-together the best ever.
Whenever we put on an event they’re huge fun, with like-minded people celebrating a love for the great outdoors. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet and spend time with Rohan’s Chairman, Colin Fisher.
Meet your leaders at Munich Airport for the coach transfer to Mayrhofen, or make your own way to the resort.
Enjoy a choice of guided walks for all abilities through open pastures, abundant with wild flowers, enjoying magnificent views of the valley and surrounding mountains – an ideal opportunity to get your bearings for the rest of the week.
Today, either walk in the meadows around the picturesque alpine village of Brandberg; or ascend the rugged peak of Karspitze for panoramic views.
Walk beneath the high glaciers, and on through alpine pastures of the Tux Valley; or follow an exhilarating high level route from the head of the Upper Ziller Valley, with dramatic scenery and snow-capped peaks close at hand.
Either relax around Mayrhofen, or take an excursion to the historic city of Innsbruck.
Walk to the dramatic Finkenberg Gorge and follow the Leonhard Stock Weg back through the forest; or walk over the Heimjoch, passing through wild and remote terrain to cross a spectacular pass, before descending to the village of Brandberg.
Price Includes:
• 7 nights’ half board accommodation at the Hotel Waldheim
• Coach transfer from Munich Airport
• Choice of easier and harder guided walks on 5 days
• Plus, a special gala dinner
Extras
• Single room: £10 per night
• Flights – HF Holidays can book flights from £229 from Heathrow and Manchester. Alternatively you can book your own flights to Munich.
• Local buses and cable-cars – allow €95 per person
Stay at the friendly 4-star Hotel Waldheim (pictured), quietly situated, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the village.
For more information and to make your booking, call HF Holidays on 0845 470 7558 or visit www.hfholidays.co.uk/rohanevents
Journey up to the Schlegeis dam, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. From here choose either an attractive riverside valley walk, or ascend on a mountain path to a breathtaking high level traverse on the Berliner Höhenweg. Our week concludes with a celebration meal at the Hotel Waldheim.
Return coach transfer to Munich Airport.
For the past four years, HF Holidays has been awarded winner of the Guardian and Observer Best Large Tour Operator and was also named by Which? the consumer champion as one of its Recommended Providers for holidays in 2012 and 2013.
Rohan may have started in the rain in the North Yorkshire Moors, but now our waterproofs travel all over the world. They’re packable, soft, and tough, and just as suitable for protection against a sudden tropical downpour as a steady Yorkshire drizzle.
he high profile waterproof fabrics on the market today are inert, they don’t adapt to the changing weather outside or the changing microclimate inside. That’s why all Rohan waterproofs
feature BarricadeTM – its Active DiffusionTM technology means that the more heat and vapour that your body produces, the more the fabric will breathe. With BarricadeTM the waterproofing is a given, in fact, it’s more than ten times the British Standard. The difference is how well Barricade breathes, this it where it wins. After all, there’s no point keeping the rain out if you’re getting soaked from the inside. And a great thing about a highly breathable shell is that you use it lots of ways – it’ll work as an extra warmth layer, it’ll
be comfortable all day long on those in-between, drizzly days and you can even wear it on sunny days to protect you from the wind.
The Atlas Jacket is all the protection you need in a classic understated style. It’s equally at home in the city as on the hills. It’s cut long enough to give good protection in the wilds and also keeps your suit jacket dry on the daily commute. 2-layer BarricadeTM fabric is completely waterproof, phenomenally breathable and very tough. Protection and versatility without any fuss.
Code:
Price: £145
Code:
Price: £145
Our bespoke Airlight™ fabric offers an unbeatable fusion of protection and comfort.
Made from a sophisticated blend of natural cotton and advanced polyester, it’s lightweight, durable, breathable, wind-resistant and provides welcome protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Cool and wonderfully comfortable to wear, it’s the perfect choice for warm-weather travel.
It’s also the fabric we specify for our hugely popular Bags trousers.
And, given that we’ve sold well over a million pairs of them in the last 30 years, one thing’s for certain: AirlightTM fabric is tried, tested and well trusted by the people that really count. Our customers.
Airlight™ fabric features in our new men’s Action Bags, our new women’s Tourers, and, on the back cover of this brochure, our classic Bags for men.
Original Bags are unique because of the AirlightTM fabric, pockets and fit. Our Action Bags have given us a chance to offer a more contemporary style of fit and a new pocket layout – the fabric is unchanged.
Colours: Willow (shown) and Carbon £67; code: 03619
Designing the new Tourers has provided the opportunity to create a simple, contemporary style that will work just as well in town as on the hill. The fit is classic chino, the performance is classic Rohan.
Colours: Sepia (shown) and Mariner Blue £57; code: 03621
Sooner or later people are converted by the combination of Rohan’s understated looks and hidden, technical benefits. Classic styles with stealth performance means versatility –allowing you to take less gear and get more done. Less fuss, more freedom.
Men’s and women’s classic polos reinvented. These polos feel just like cotton but are lighter and far more durable. They are easy to wash and easily dry overnight. And unlike a cotton polo, they won’t need ironing in the morning. They work perfectly in hot humid climates – wicking sweat away from your back, drying as you wear them – well before you get that chilling feeling.
And because these are Rohan, they keep on working and will never shrink, bag or lose their shape. They are, in fact, a whole lot more than polos, they’re clever, technical tops disguised as polos.
IT’S HOW THEY COME OUT
We have nothing in particular against making clothes hot and flat, it’s just that Rohan users often find themselves far from the necessary equipment. Using advanced fabrics means that our clothing is extraordinarily easy to care for. It washes beautifully, dries in a flash and unless you’re about to go on parade, needs no ironing. Unencumbered by paraphernalia, extra clothes and chores, you can move fast and be flexible with plans. Life is just too short for ironing.
Men’s Envoy Jacket £235; code: 03561
Men’s Freelance Shirt £62; code: 03369
Men’s Stronghold Trousers £70; code: 03439
‘Unofficial points are awarded to competitors who turn up for the evening reception without appearing to have been dragged around the course backwards.’
In 1908 the recently formed Motor Cycling Club organised the first Land’s End Trial – a long-distance time trial for motorists and motorcyclists. 105 years later the event is still going strong and this year over three hundred drivers and riders tackled the 360 mile route. Motorcycle journalist and Rohan enthusiast
he proprietor of the B&B welcomed me with a beaming farmer’s wife smile, politely ignoring the desperate, unshaven appearance and overlooking the fact my riding gear was coated in a crust of thick Cornish clay. After riding a motorbike for 21 hours across Cornwall and Devon, all I could focus on was the big comfy bed I’d fixated on for the past 100 miles.
Sinking into the soft duvet I uttered two words – “never again” – a hollow promise made to myself on previous events. Surrounded by the detritus of a gruelling motorcycle adventure scattered carelessly around the room – rucksack, maps, fuel bottles, heated gloves, thermals, change of clothing, heavy boots, body armour, etc – I succumbed to fatigue and sleep engulfed me like an anaesthetic.
I’d just completed the 91st Land’s End Trial, an event with its roots in the pioneering days of the motor bicycle.
Entrants compete against the course and for the chance to win a gold, silver or bronze medal, the objective being to ‘keep a clean sheet’. This involves riding through the night and tackling approximately twenty observed sections and special tests. Whilst riding the observed sections, stopping the bike or putting a foot down is classed as a failure on that particular section. Performance on the observed sections of the trial dictates how well you fare in the results. A typical section might be a rough, twisty 300 metre track snaking upwards through a wood. The sections often incorporate a water crossing of some sort, not to mention rocks, ruts and tree roots. But here’s the rub; a significant portion of them are tackled at night. No illumination is provided (other than the lights of your vehicle) and advance inspection is forbidden. Observers are situated along the section looking for transgressions of the no footing rule. A clean sheet for all sections means a gold medal. One failed section means silver,
two means a bronze and three means close, but no cigar. All you’ll get to take home at that point are the memories and a finisher’s certificate.
The event is open to motorcycles and cars and an eclectic range of machinery takes part. There is no particular advantage to having a modern vehicle, and a typical entry list will contain a bizarre mixture of motorcycles which could range from a 1927 Scott right up to the latest off-road competition bike. There’s no handicapping system because there’s no particular advantage in using a modern, powerful bike. A modern vehicle can have reliability on its side but the downside is they can rarely be fixed at the side of the road if something goes wrong, especially
if it’s an electronic failure. By contrast the average classic bike can usually be fixed using nothing more than a Swiss army knife, a pair of ladies tights and a tin of WD40.
For this event I’d chosen to ride my 30 year-old Laverda Atlas – at 600cc it’s heavier than the bikes I normally ride, putting it at a disadvantage on the trickier off-road sections of the course. In its favour, it performed very well on the road and in turn this reduced fatigue. It’s all about selecting which compromise of power versus weight suits your needs.
Aside from the difficulties of riding for 20 hours straight through the night and tackling various obstacles and special tests, there is a more basic challenge faced by the motorcycle competitor – how to carry all the kit? The problem is compounded by the need to carry a fresh set of smart clothing along with the rest of the gear, in order to enjoy an après trial evening out with fellow
‘It takes a bit of ingenuity and lateral thinking to pack a stow of glad rags onto the space available on an off-road motorcycle.’
competitors. Space is always at a premium and excess weight can be disastrous. It takes a bit of ingenuity and lateral thinking to pack a stow of glad rags onto the limited luggage space available on an off-road motorcycle. Now, there are people in this world who can crumple an old sweatshirt and a pair of Levis into a Tesco bag and somehow look like Brad Pitt when they put them on to go out. Unofficial points are awarded to competitors who turn up for the evening reception without appearing to have been dragged around the course backwards, in fact some of the more dapper competitors
wouldn’t look out of place drinking cocktails at Harry’s Bar. Sadly, I’m not one of them. No matter how carefully I pack a shirt, when I unpack, it looks like a failed origami attempt. I could spend an hour meticulously folding and packing a pair of trousers and still resemble an escaped POW when I go out in the evening. It’s always been a problem but recently I discovered a suitably sartorial solution within the Rohan range of smart, lightweight clothing, which has the advantage of taking up very little space in the rucksack and the creases pretty much drop out when the gear is hung up. Packability I think they call it. I call it clever. Did I say ‘never again’? It’s amazing how a cold beer and fresh set of clothes can restore the spirit and help you forget what you’ve just put yourself through. Fancy a go at off-road riding? Bob runs guided trail rides through the Welsh Borders. Contact him at www.adventureride.co.uk
Item: Men’s Envoy Jacket
A truly ‘smart’ jacket designed to tackle the world.
colours: Ink Marl (shown) and Charcoal Marl
Code: 03561
Price: £235
Applying the lessons learned in the world’s wildest places to business clothing has always been at the heart of Rohan. Advances in fabric technology offer just as many benefits to worker bees as they do to outdoor enthusiasts. And there’s no need for clothing to look overtly technical – features and technologies can be hidden. In this way Rohan gear can simply and quietly improve how you move through your world every day. The Envoy Jacket and trousers make up what must be the most practical suit in the world. It features zipped internal security pockets, a stain resistant Teflon® coating, and Anti Odour SilverTM technology. It’s so easy to care for that you can wash it in the hotel sink in the evening and by morning it’s dry and ready to go again. Truly ‘smart’ clothes not destined for a quiet life in the office.
Item: Men’s Globetrotter Mac
Totally waterproof with smart urban looks.
colours: Carbon (shown)
Code: 03425
Price: £225
Item: Men’s Freelance Shirt
Classic looks with extraordinary performance.
colours: Oxford Blue (shown)
Code: 03369
Price: £62
Item: Men’s Envoy Trousers
Team with the jacket to make the world’s best travel suit.
colours: Ink Marl (shown) and Charcoal Marl
Code: 03572
Price: £115
ESCAPIST JACKET
Waterproof, phenomenally breathable and lightweight.
Code: 03227
£185
HILLTOP JACKET
A top-specification, longer length waterproof.
Code: 03502
£197
ICEPACK VEST
Offers core warmth in an extremely compact package.
Code: 03510
£95
WAYFARER SHIRT
A technical travel shirt you can wear every day.
Code: 03601
£59
WINDSHIELD JACKET
The perfect balance of wind resistance and warmth.
Code: 03459
£125
SUPERFINE MERINO 200 T
High performance T-shirt for outdoors, travel and everyday.
Code: 03465
MOUNTAIN GUIDE JACKET
A waterproof shell for the trekker, hillwalker or skier.
Code: 03504 £188
HEADLAND JACKET
Technical fleece jacket with everyday styling.
Code: 03454
£75
DRY REQUISITE TROUSERS
Waterproof chinos.
£55
Code: 02891
£98
We can only show you a glimpse of the full Rohan range here. To find out more, call into one of our shops or visit rohan.co.uk
PINNACLE III JACKET
The definitive, workhorse, fourseason mountain waterproof.
Code: 03451
£295
KOMBI JACKET
Classic, versatile reversible fleece jacket.
Code: 03158
£80
STRIDERS
The ultimate trekking trousers.
Code: 03519
COUNTRYWIDE JACKET
A full-on winter coat. Stylish and tough.
Code: 03450
£225
FIELD JACKET
Rugged, yet lightweight multi-pocketed jacket.
Code: 03559
£155
GRAND TOUR CHINOS
The best chinos we’ve ever worn –or ever seen.
ICEPACK JACKET
Providing a real insulation boost, when you need it most.
Code: 03509
£125
WINDSHADOW JACKET
Totally windproof and highly resistant to showers.
Code: 03254
£95
£90
Code: 03204
£68
STRONGHOLD TROUSERS
Rugged, durable and ready for anything.
Code: 03439
£70
MOUNTAIN GUIDE JACKET
A definitive waterproof shell for the trekker, hillwalker or skier.
Code: 03508
£188
COCOON COAT
Cosy, three-quarter length coat that’s perfect for town and country.
Code: 03457
£185
SERENE TOP
Provides impeccable, technical performance.
Code: 03597
III JACKET
The definitive, workhorse, four-season mountain waterproof.
Code: 03453
£295
ICEPACK JACKET
Perfect for cold-weather trekking and travel.
Code: 03513
£125
SWIFT T
Ultra-lightweight T shirt with a sporty cut and great technical performance.
HILLTOP JACKET
A top-specification, longer length waterproof.
Code: 03506
£197
£33
Code: 03596 £35
ICEPACK VEST
Offers core warmth in an extremely compact package.
Code: 03514
DRY ROAMERS
£95
Waterproof trousers for outdoors and everyday.
Code: 03437 £98
To see the full autumn collection, including all the alternative colours, call into one of our shops or visit rohan.co.uk
GLOBETROTTER MAC
Town looks with mountain technology.
Code: 03426
£225
WINDSHIELD JACKET
The perfect balance of wind resistance and warmth.
Code: 03462
£125
STRIDERS
Offering durability, comfort and weather protection.
Code: 03319
COUNTRYWIDE JACKET
Waterproof jacket for town and country.
Code: 03452
£225
SHIVLING JACKET
A light, warm and tough casual fleece.
Code: 03455
TROGGINGS
£79
MERIDIAN JACKET
Warm, windproof and super comfortable.
Code: 03639
£130
ESSENCE SHIRT
A great looking technical shirt.
£75
Code: 03449
CROSSOVER TROUSERS
£49
Outdoor trousers with the comfort of jogging bottoms.
Code: 03099
£57
Everyday appearance – and a supremely comfortable, flattering fit.
Code: 03575
£65
WOMEN’S INNER AND HOT SOCK
Designed to be worn in very warm climates or as a liner.
Code: 02572
EAGLE TRAVEL TOWEL LARGE
Lightweight and incredibly quick-drying towel.
Code: 03423
£9
MEN’S HOT AND TEMPERATE SOCK
Designed for adventurous travelling, touring and warm-weather walking.
Code: 02569
£11
NITE IZE® S-BINER® AHHH
Multi-functional utility clip.
£22
STOWAWAY DAYBAG 8
Perfect for day trips, excursions and sightseeing.
Code: 03039
£32
Code: 03500
£4
LIGHT CELL 10
Super-light organiser bag for personal belongings.
Code: 03017
MEN’S BRASHER FELLMASTER
Totally waterproof, highly breathable and extremely robust boot.
Code: 03489
£135
NITE IZE® BUGLIT
Super-handy LED micro light which attaches pretty much anywhere.
Code: 03676
£13
LIGHT MY FIRE® TITANIUM SPORK
All the functions of a fork, a knife and a spoon in one ultra-light utensil.
£15
Code: 03507
£14
Clothing is just one part of the Rohan story. To see the full range of footwear, luggage and accessories, and to find out more visit rohan.co.uk
WOMEN’S DHARAM
A superb choice for trail walking, cycling and multi-activity outdoor use.
Code: 03343
£120
FREELANCE 18
The definitive messenger-style shoulder bag.
Code: 02997
£70
LEATHERMAN® WINGMAN®
A hard-working, pocket-sized multi-tool. (Available in-store only.)
Code: 03499
EAGLE PACK ITTM CUSTOM BOTTLE SET
The TSA approved way to carry liquid on a flight.
Code: 03384
£18
WOMEN’S STRAVAIG 18
The perfect sack for everyday use and summer walking.
Code: 03036
£55
NITE IZE® INKA PEN AND STYLUS
Multi-use, all conditions pen – which doubles as a touchscreen stylus.
EAGLE LOAD WARRIOR 25
Rugged, durable 59L wheeled bag.
Code: 03392
£185
WASHBOX LARGE
A super-durable, lightweight, waterproof washbag.
Code: 03008
£40
Code: 03680
£13
£25
PACK CELL 20
Lightweight, packable and amazingly durable – the stuff sack for the discerning minimalist.
Code: 03226
£10
Whether you’re
at home,
on the move, or in a far corner of the globe, Rohan is always easy to find.
You can view the entire range with easy and totally secure ordering. You’ll also be able to read about all the relevant technologies for each product as there’s a detailed list of features and benefits. While you’re there, why not check out the Rohan Souk – the best place to grab the biggest bargains. You can sign up for our email newsletter to ensure you’re the first to hear about all the latest news and offers. And you’ll also find Rohantime, a forum to share ideas and opinions with other enthusiastic Rohan wearers.
We have over 50 shops – to find your nearest one and to check opening times visit rohan.co.uk or give our Customer Service Team a call. Whichever shop you choose to visit, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and you’ll get some great advice. You’ll also be able to see a great selection of clothing, shoes and luggage – and of course, try it all on!
If you prefer to place your order by post, give our Customer Service Team a call and they will post you an order form. Alternatively, go online to the Customer Service section where you can download the form.
You can place your telephone order with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls are free from a BT landline. Call costs from a mobile or networks other than BT may vary.
Men’s Wayfarer Shirt
Flag Blue Check £59; code: 03601
If you need help and advice, you can ring our Customer Service Team between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (or 24 hour answerphone). Or, if you prefer, you can email us at post@rohan.co.uk Here at Rohan, we take customer service very seriously. That’s why we’ve got a fully - staffed Customer Service Department – and we’re here to help. So, if you’re not quite sure, give us a call. We absolutely do our best to delight you with our service. If we haven’t, please let us know. It’s the only way we’ll get better.
Our standard charge is £4.95 to mainland UK addresses; you should have your parcel within three working days. Please call for a price, or check online if you need next-day or worldwide delivery. Alternatively, we also offer a Deliver to Store service. You can pick your order up from one of our stores with no delivery charge. Someone from the shop will give you a call when it’s ready for collection.
Please package the clothes carefully and include your exchange/ re - order form which came with your original delivery. Use recorded delivery or something similar. If it’s more convenient, take them into your local shop.
Rohan products are designed and manufactured to be as functional, comfortable and durable as we know how. If for any reason they don’t live up to your expectations, we will be amazed, disappointed and keen to know why. We will then offer you a replacement, a refund or a repair. Damage from wear and tear will be repaired for a reasonable charge.
The world’s best multi-function trousers. The world’s most proven fabric.
When Bags were invented nearly forty years ago, they were revolutionary. An immediate hit, they went on to consistently outsell every other design of trousers we could make – year after year. We’ve now sold well over one million pairs and many people still call them their ‘Rohans’. If we changed them there might just be another revolution.
Colours: Sepia (shown), Mariner Blue, Carbon and Ink • Code: 00030
£57