Talkin' 'bout my (New) Generation...

GORE-TEX Pro

I think it would be a fair assumption to say that most of my readers/followers have heard of and/or own GORE-TEX products? From Arc'teryx to Berghaus, Mammut, Marmot, Mountain Equipment and more - all the best outdoor brands are proud to have the GORE-TEX diamond tag hanging from their waterproof and windproof garments. I think it would also be fair to say that the majority of you have had a hugely positive experience of your GORE-TEX products. I know I have.

Oz from the Betws store

Walk-in to Ben Nevis

New Generation Gore-tex Pro test team

Gore works with the best athletes and various mountain guide associations around the world to develop the perfect products for their daily use. A little closer to home, GORE-TEX and Mountain Equipment have a very close working relationship with the guides and leaders based at Plas Y Brenin National Mountain Centre, here in the UK.

Those of you that know a little about me will know that I work for Cotswold Outdoor - which means I am fortunate enough to receive training on and from all your favourite outdoor brands in order for me to kit you out with the best gear for your adventures. This training often takes place in the form of us being able to try out and test kit for ourselves - a definite perk of the job.

Back in July last year I attended the Cotswold Academy Climbing Skills course down in the sunny Avon Gorge (read about my time on the course here)- fast forward 6 months to January 2013, minus around 20 degrees celius in temperature, and add the stunning Scottish Highlands and it was time for the Cotswold Academy Winter Skills course in Glencoe.

The Experience
I was looking forward to having some time to myself on the train journey up to Glasgow, and finally got round to reading High Infatuation by Steph Davis - some good inspiration from one of my favourite climbers. It wasn't hard to spot other Cotswold employees on route to Scotland, lugging our big Mountain Equipment kit bags on and off trains, and so I was later joined by Oz from the Betws-Y-Coed store.

We arrived in a very wet Glasgow and made the long but beautiful coach journey to the stunning Alltshellach Country House where we were greeted by the Cotswold Academy team, Plas Y Brenin Guides and the guys from Mountain Equipment and Gore. It was straight into sorting kit before dinner and the first of our evening lectures.

Avalanche awareness -
building a rutsch block

Pride of place in everyone's kit bags were our New Generation GORE-TEX Pro Mountain Equipment hard shells. Aside from the brands, mountain guides and athletes who have helped develop this product over the last few years, we were among some of the first to get to test these new generation jackets. And test them we certainly would...!

This included a windy day on Buachaille Etive Beag, practicing moving on steep ground, ice axe self-arrests and building Rutsch blocks and snow holes - all this was perfect for testing that durability and abrasion resistant fabrics that GORE-TEX products are so well known for. Despite some hilarious shapes being thrown as we each took our turns sliding down the hillside and plunging in our axes, and despite the wind knocking some of us around more than we had anticipated, the jackets stood up to the test.

Perhaps the most special day though, certainly for me, was our last day on Ben Nevis, which saw the whole team (including those of us doubting our physical - and mental - capabilities) take on Ledge Route. Arguably the best route of its kind in the UK, the Ledge route has a bit of everything - starting in No. 5 Gully on Ben Nevis and weaving an improbable line up Carn Dearg Buttress, leading to a narrow ridge and finally the summit of Carn Dearg on the Ben Nevis plateau. And as well as being on one of the best routes of it's kind, we were also joined by one of the UK's top climbers - Dave MacLeod, what a privilege.

The walk in was gentle and kind to those of us who were tired from the previous days out on the hill, and was a great warm up before tackling the steeper ground of Ledge Route, including a few rock steps to negotiate and a few exposed ridges.

Warm, dry, comfortable and happy

The Plas Y Brenin guides overwhelmed me with their patience, encouragement and commitment to seeing not only the group, but each of us individually, achieve things that some of us doubted we could achieve.

After a windy, cloudy and snowy climb, we were rewarded on our descent with spectacular views over the Scottish Highlands... a magical moment.

While the view, the climb and the people I shared it with all made this a memorable experience, I was able to enjoy it all the more because I was protected, warm, dry and comfortable throughout the whole trip.

For someone who "runs hot" when it comes to activities, but chills off very quickly when stationary, I was overwhelmed at how little (if at all) I needed to play around with my layering system when wearing our Mountain Equipment new generation Gore-tex Pro jackets. I wore it on all three days as my outer shell with either just a base layer, or a base layer and fleece, and despite the freezing temperatures, spindrift and wind chill, despite the frequent work-rest cycles - I stayed comfortable and my regulation of body temperature remained at a near constant.

The technology
New generation GORE-TEX Pro is designed for extreme and extended use on the hill which is going to offer you better comfort in more conditions - and while it's going to keep you protected from the wind and rain when walking the dogs, or strolling along the coastal path, it's also going to withstand multi-day trips tackling mixed routes in the Scottish Winter to multi-week excursions backcountry skiing in Canada. It's going to handle your heavy packs, your harness, ropes and slings. It's going to work whether you're in temperatures of -20 or +10 C. It's also going to work whether the humidity you're operating in is 35% or a rather unbearable 100%!
This new generation fabric has a completely new membrane, exclusively used in GORE-TEX products, and consists of multiple ePTFE layers with a unique microstructure.

Ledge Route

Ultimately, it's the durably waterproof windproof GORE-TEX you have come to know, love and depend on, but with improved ruggedness and up to 28% increased breathability.

The Thank You's
I really can't emphasise how wonderful our stay was, nothing was too much trouble for the hotel staff, we were looked after so well and the meals were all wonderful.

And of course the guys at PYB, Mountain Equipment and Gore-Tex for providing us with not only all the amazing kit but the knowledge and experience to back it all up.
After looking forward to it for many months, it feels sad to know it's all over... but it has fueled an already burning passion for the mountains, and inspired me to keep getting out there, to make the most of my limited and precious time off - and to wear the best gear to ensure my time on the hill is safe, enjoyable and most of all memorable!

• New Generation GORE-TEX Pro will be launching exclusively to Cotswold Outdoor in early June, before hitting other stores! 
• Cotswold will be running a customer blog competition throughout June and July - keep an eye on the website for news! 
• Thanks to GORE-TEX, Mountain Equipment, DMM and The Mountain Boot Company for the use of equipment throughout the course. 
• Thanks to the PYB Guides and staff at Alltshellach for a memorable stay. 
• Thank You to The Cotswold Academy Team for the experience. 

Review: Haglofs Womens Barrier II Q Hoody

The problem with insulated jackets, for me anyway, is that once you put them on... they're pretty hard to take off. Once the nights get dark and the evenings get colder, so begins my insulated season.

I used to live in my decade old Rab down until I recently lost it (or so I thought, has since been found - hurrah) and so begun the hunt for another.

Haglofs Women's Barrier II Q Hood Jacket

As always, I wasted far too many hours looking online and in-store to find the 'right' one ...And did I want Synthetic or Down?  British weather vs. Weight/cost?

Whilst in North Wales this January I was lucky enough to stumble accross the Haglofs Womens Barrier II Q Hoody in the Betws-y-coed Planet Fear store. The closest thing I had tried on before finding this was the Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody (although the Arc'teryx is 155g lighter!), which I came very close to buying - until a close friend of mine bought it for his girlfriend, also a friend of mine... and well, we wouldn't want to be seen in the same jacket would we...!   And well, the real reason was the cost, which at this point was around £180. Reasonable but a big ask for my current student budget.

So when I saw the Haglofs on sale for half this cost... well I couldn't resist trying it on. A compliment from a male friend later and I was at the till with my debit card*

*may not be based on actual events

I've never really considered buying Haglofs before. The price tag maybe? Alongside a few other quality outdoor brands, I can nearly always be seen in Rab, and while I believe they still design and produce great clothing, it was a shame to be so disappointed with my recent purchase of a Microlight Alpine Down jacket from them. While, as always, I love the colours and cut of the jacket, it leaks down all over, piercing tiny holes in the fabric, which even tore in the first week of wear.

The Cons

Are there downsides to the Haglofs jacket?

Yes, the outer shell, has an almost matte finish to it, which looks and feels lovely. But it is terrible to mark and stain! Having a toddler who often catches round or reaches up to me with sticky/snotty/wet/dirty hands, and with our regular jaunts out to the woods or beach, I have found I am having to wash it on a bi-weekly basis, which means it also requires DWR re-treatment more often.

This really though, is it's only down side.

The Pros

As my brother would say "Women with a map, good luck!"

I am utterly impressed with the quality and attention to detail in this garment, from the comfortable Polartec Power stretch cuffs and articulated elbows, down to the tags on the zips and drawcords (which happen to be a bit of foam and knotted elastic on my Rab microlight down... eek). It just feels quality, without wanting to sound pretentious.

The cut and fit is perfect for my curvy, 5ft 4" frame, but I would hazard a guess that the body length may not suit tall athletic frames... although I may stand corrected.

And it's warm. Really warm. It's first outing was along Crib Goch in lovely snowy conditions. And I haven't really taken it off since!  (Except for it's rather frequent laundry trips). 

While I may only be able to afford it when it's Last Season/On Sale - Haglofs will definitely be making more of an appearance in my outdoor wardrobe.

The speccy bit:

• Women's model.
• Highly compressible.
• Body section in a warmer insulation.
• Very wind and water resistant.
• Hood with 3-way adjustment and elastic cord.
• Full-length front zip.
• Cuffs in Polartec® Power Stretch®.
• Articulated elbows.
• Two handwarmer pockets, of which one that also works as a stuff sack for the jacket.
• One inner pocket with zip.
• Single-hand adjustable hem with draw cord. DWR treated (Durable Water Repellent).
• Weight: 520 g (size M)

• BARRIER II HOODY FABRICS
  Shell layer
  
  • Performac™ 1001
    A 30-denier mini ripstop weave with low weight and bulk. Highly breathable, windproof, downproof and fiberproof by construction and calandering. DWR treated surface with a great touch.
    Material: 100% Polyester
    Weight: 58 g/m²
  Lining
  
  • Thermolite® Micro 100 g/m2
    We use only the best product from Thermolite® called Micro. This patended microfiber technology provides a natural and soft feel for comfort. One of the warmest synthetic insulations on the market compared to others with the same thickness. Very compressible and easy to care for. Haglöfs uses three different weights/thicknesses, i.e 80, 100 and 150 g/m2.
  • Thermolite® Micro 150 g/m2
    We use only the best product from Thermolite® called Micro. This patended microfiber technology provides a natural and soft feel for comfort. One of the warmest synthetic insulations on the market compared to others with the same thickness. Very compressible and easy to care for. Haglöfs uses three different weights/thicknesses, i.e 80, 100 and 150 g/m2.

Review: Berghaus Chogori Gore-tex Jacket, Womens

I would love for this to be a review of a new Gore-tex Active Shell or Polartec Neoshell jacket, but alas, I am yet to own one...! In the mean time...

Berghaus Chogori Gore-tex Jacket, Womens

This jacket is quickly becoming my new best friend, especially considering the weather we've had here this summer...

Before purchasing this jacket I was a proud owner of the simple but effective Rab eVent Jet Jacket which served me well, from long days multi-pitching in North Wales, to windy days down the beach and wet days in town. 

In my new jacket I was looking for 3 main things:

• Durable - working and playing in the outdoors I wanted something that was going to stand the test of time, despite rigorous use
• Breathable - a must for all of us outdoor bods who regularly do stuff that gets us sweaty!
• Design - an obvious one yes, but a good womens cut is a must for me, which is something Rab consistently do well. And colour - my previous jacket was black and, while ok for town, I was looking for something that would stand out on the hill or crag.

With these things in mind, I spent a good few weeks searching online and on the high street for something that ticked all my boxes while being something I could realistically afford on my student budget.

I eventually narrowed it down to two choices: the Rab Latok and what you see before you, the Berghaus Chogori. 

So what were the deciding factors?

Well, one major problem was finding a retailer that stocked the Womens Latok in my size (a common UK 12) and colour preference. While I found the Latok Alpine to be easily available, this higher spec jacket was more of a challenge. 

The other deciding factor was the tough choice between eVent and Gore-tex.

While I find eVent to offer exactly what they say on the tin ("let the sweat out") in terms of massively effective breathable clothing, I have also found Gore-tex to offer remarkable durability - I know someone who is still rocking a 10yr old gore-tex jacket with little sign of wear and tear despite it's extensive travels.

Finally, not wanting to spend more than £200, the Berghaus Chogori Gore-tex womens jacket, on offer from LD Mountain Centre (excellent service from these guys), met all my criteria.

So what do I like about my new jacket?

• It came in at a reasonable £160.99... leaving me some change to blow on more climbing gear!
• It's in my favourite colour (purple!) and pink, and while not very subtle, this is exactly what a wanted - something obvious to spot when I eventually get lost on the mountain for the first time (... naah, that's not going to happen with my shit hot nav...!).
• The cut is good for my lady curves...! Allowing enough space for a layering system underneath and giving me freedom of movement, whilst not being too bulky under my climbing harness.
• The Gore-tex feels really tough, and while only time will tell, it's coped well so far with a few scrambles over barnacle laden rocks on the beach, and such like.
• I have been able to wear this over just a sports vest on wet evening runs, and not break into a sweat, which is saying something considering how my body usually reacts to running. The pit-zips were great for this.

The Berghaus Chogori is part of their EXTREM range, with Pro-Shell Gore-tex. Other nice features that in my eyes are worth a mention: the helmet compatible hood and the primaloft collar to keep your neck warm - so lovely.

That, my friends, means it ticked all the boxes.

Review: Evolv Womens Elektra VTR climbing shoe



A comfortable yet sensitive, eco-friendly shoe

Being a relatively new climber - comfort was hugely important to me when buying my first pair of climbing shoes, but I also wanted something that wouldn't let me down on performance. After trying out a few, these shoes have turned out to offer me exactly that.



Bouldering in the Evolv Elektras

They are sticky - especially good for smearing, and the sensitivty is great too - even in the toes where they feature their VTR (Variable Thickness Rand) technology. This sounds pretty cool right? It basically means that the rand of the Elektra is more durable in the high wear zones and reduces toe bulge whilst maintaining the toe box structure. This manufacuring process has the added bonus of reducing waste materials. Happy Days.

An added bonus for me was the shoes eco-credentials. Read more here.

These shoes have accompanied me bouldering in the peaks, training on the wall, sea-cliff climbing in Pembs, and long days multi-pitching in North Wales. Having now climbed a little longer and gradually pushing harder grades, I still wouldn't object to buying these again.

Which I may have to do soon with the smell that is coming from the boot of my car...

Post climb

My other half climbs in Boreal Spider's - see what he thinks here.