S12
Snapshots Photo: Robert Bosch
For more information, please contact: Laura Schaffer, LSchaffer@mountainhardwear.com; or pr@mountainhardwear.com Ph: 510.558.2909 FOR ALL NEW PRODUCT INFORMATION AND S12 IMAGES, GO TO: pr.mountainhardwear.com
The Ueli Steck Project / Ueli Steck is an era-defining athlete, an athlete who not only excels in his sport, but changes the very nature of the sport in the process. Steck is changing alpine climbing just as Reinhold Messner did in the 1970s, and in effect, creating a new sport by breaking speed records and moving faster over snow, rock and ice than anyone could ever imagine. His style could be described as ultramarathoner meets mountaineer, only faster. Often referred to as the Swiss Machine thanks to his speed climbing records on the Matterhorn and Les Grandes Jorasses, Steck now brings his speed style to the high peaks of the Himalaya. Last spring, he not only bagged the 8000-meter summits of Shisha Pangma and Cho Oyu at lightning speed, but he did them both within an 18 day period. Like all new sports, Steck’s style demands new equipment, gear that’s lighter, simpler and more efficient than anything before. For
this next generation of alpine gear, he joined forces with Mountain Hardwear’s product development team to create the ultimate alpine speed climbing kit. Using weight minimization and efficiency of function as guiding principles, our designers developed the Ueli Steck Project, a system of apparel, accessories and equipment that Direkt 2
work together to meet the needs of Steck’s signature climbing style. Dry.Q™ Elite waterproof-breathable fabric is a critical piece to the Ueli puzzle. Unlike traditional waterproof-breathable fabrics, Dry.Q™ Elite doesn’t require high humidity inside the jacket to trigger its breathability. Instead, it starts breathing the minute (cont.)
SummitRocket 30
Quasar Pullover
S12 Snapshots The Ueli Steck Project /
Hydra Pro Glove
(cont. from p.1) you put it on. That means no clamminess as you’re struggling up a steep slope and less time wasted stripping off layers as the weather changes. The Quasar Pullover, Steck’s pinnacle Dry.Q™ Elite piece, is designed for super-efficiency, packing down ridiculously small and weighing a mere 9 oz. For next-to-skin performance, we worked with Steck to develop the men’s Estero and women’s Alina tops, each with 25 UPF and each boasting one of the fastest moisture-management transport rates on the market. The Hydra Pro Glove combines our OutDry® waterproof construction technology with a pre-curved construction that results in a close-to-the-hand fit, increasing warmth, comfort and dexterity. It’s the perfect climbing accessory at lower elevations, featuring
Nilas Jacket
a four-way stretch nylon softshell. Completing the system is the 850-fill down Nilas Jacket and Nilas Down Mitt, which allow Steck to live comfortably at 6,000-meters while awaiting his weather window. In the realm of equipment, Mountain Hardwear has created ground-breaking products that are not only ultralight, but provide weight and ease-of-use solutions to meet Steck’s elevated standards. Weighing in at only 2 lbs. 8 oz., the Direkt 2 is the lightest 2-person tent capable of withstanding extreme high-alpine conditions. Its DAC Featherlight™ NSL poles and our proprietary Evolution Tension Arch™ tent-stabilizing technology are now mainstays of our expedition tent collection. The Mtn Speed 32 (15.5 oz.) is the evolution of an extremely minimalist sleeping bag
en‘lite’ment /
designed for Steck’s Himalyaspeed Project. With an incredibly lightweight 7D x 10D shell fabric and 850-fill-power down, the MTN Speed 32 is the lightest down bag we have ever made, regardless of temperature rating. The bag is intentionally minimal, designed for high-altitude mountaineers with only a half-length zipper and can be used in conjunction with down sweaters and pants to greatly extend the temperature comfort zone. The 16-oz. SummitRocket 30 is as much a climbing tool as it is a carrying container. Its removable HardWave™ framesheet, foam back panel and compression system can be removed to save additional weight. There’s nothing like it in the industry today. Steck calls it “the best pack I’ve ever had.”
Energy ⁄
Weight ⁄
Speed ⁄
Temperature ⁄
Design to save energy for the most enjoyable moments
Every extra ounce wastes energy
Design must accommodate faster, more sustained movement
Controlling temperature means conserving calories
We believe that our most precious resource is time. The challenge for each of us is to use it wisely, to focus every minute we can on the experiences that rejuvenate our spirits.
trated on what’s really important: the bonds we build with friends, the peace we feel in the mountains, and the growth we find in ourselves as we face new challenges.
En‘lite’ment is Mountain Hardwear’s approach to spending time more wisely, the belief that time outdoors should be concen-
En‘lite’ment is a design philosophy dedicated to maximizing experience by minimizing burdens. Smarter, lighter, easier-to-use equip-
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Mtn Speed 32
ment means more energy to devote to bold endeavors, more time to enjoy the experience and more time to savor the satisfaction of success. For Spring 12, our En‘lite’ment philosophy informs all product categories from the best in ultra lightweight fabrics to the smartest and simplest designs.
S12 Snapshots Way2Cool Singlet
Way2Cool SS T
Pacer 2-n-1
Ghost Whisperer Anorak
Fluid 6
HXT/running
A hard core collection for all things aerobic bio-mapped venting, and a permanent cooling yarn for cool-touch comfort in areas where we emit the most heat. On race day, the obvious choice is the men’s UltraRefuel Short and women’s Ultrapacer Short, our ultralight, fastdrying and best performing running shorts.
From apparel to ultralight hydration solutions, HXT is all about meeting the needs of endurance athletes. The Way2Cool series of performance tops for men and women incorporate our lightest weight, fast-wicking fabrics,
For on-the-go weather protection, the windand water-resistant Ghost Whisperer Anorak provides a pocket-sized rain shelter you can take on every run. At 2 oz., there’s no excuse to leave it at home.
This season, we’ve built out the Fluid pack series with five new fluids ultralight problem solvers. The Fluid 6 is a lightweight hybrid vest/pack for ultra runners and other endurance athletes who want a stable carry for water and gear. It’s a well-ventilated wonder just right for long races with On-The-Fly Compression, a system that lets you pull the pack and its contents close to your body for maximum stability and freedom of movement.
Photo: Kevin Winzeler
A body in motion is a complicated machine. From head to heel, each part flexes, breathes and meets the environment differently. HXT is a collection focused on meeting the needs of the moving body, especially those that are moving fast.
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S12 Snapshots Hoopla 4
SuperMega UL 2
Thruway 50
Ancona Trek Short
Estero Long Sleeve Zip T
Pack Light, Do More/ If there was a Chris Carmichael of outdoor sports, his training mantra would be: “You’re carrying too much weight.” Everyone from beginning day-hikers to experienced backcountry travelers could benefit by lugging fewer pounds on the trail. But until now, reaping gains in speed, comfort and enjoyment has been restricted to a tiny community of elite fastpackers. Mountain Hardwear intends to change that by bringing lightweight, easy-tooperate gear and apparel to outdoor athletes of every level. We call it Lite-packing. We began with tents, introducing a revolutionary new tent design. It’s not just a new fabric or pole technology, but an entirely new approach to tent structure. The patented Trussring tent design creates the largest usable space possible with a minimum of materials
and weight. An innovative suspended ring and support system forces tent walls outward, creating more livable space, gram-for-gram, than any other tent on the market. It debuts in our Hoopla 4, the smallest of our Trussring series, at 1 lb. 10 oz.; it’s an emergency shelter for day-trippers or a minimalist backpacking option for thru-hikers. The freestanding SuperMega UL 2 is our lightest two-person backpacking tent, clocking in at just 2 lbs. 2 oz. It features include a 27-square-foot floor, watertight construction, dry entry vestibule, and welded zippers for weight savings without compromising comfort. On the pack side, our Thruway 50 defines a new minimalist niche, weighing just 1 lb.
13 oz. while affording up to 3,050 cubic inches of cargo space. Made from ultralight materials with a unique compression design, it comes with a ventilated alpine UL suspension system, lightweight removable hip belt, and padded, ventilated shoulder straps that stay comfy on bare skin. The weight savings continue on the apparel side, with the men’s 10 oz. Rifugio Trek Pant, made from abrasion-resistant stretch softshell (86% nylon/14% elastane) with a micro-chamois-lined waist for pack compatibility; and the 6 oz., air-permeable women’s Ancona Trek Short. The men’s Estero and women’s Alina Short Sleeve are our top picks with 25 UPF and one of the fastest moisture management transport rates we’ve found.
Lifestyle/
Active style for your active life Your active lifestyle doesn’t stop the moment you end the hike or hop off the bike. Fashion and function aren’t antonyms – technical fabrics and well thought-out design apply on the streets as much as the summits. Our expanded dress line includes the Afra, with soft, stretchy poly/elastane cut into a great fitting, any-day dress with a fun print and integrated shelf bra. The Lucania Dress is a strappy number with Dri-Release®fabric to wick moisture in the heat of the summer. Men who love their button-down plaids will welcome two H’s to their wardrobe: the Hubbard and Huxley Shirts, for summer-long outings to the trail and the tavern.
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Hubbard Shirt
Afra Dress
Lucania Dress