Gore-a The Explorer

The great outdoors dishes up many challenges that test the limits of human endurance. There are several circumstances which need to be taken into account, firstly with terrain, and then with the unstable weather one sometimes endures during outdoorsy escapades. Whether braving the bitter cold of mountainous regions, sailing dangerous waters or navigating sweltering hot climes, the right clothing is as crucial as a harness in safeguarding the wearer.

There are numerous brands dedicated to elevating the levels of performance during these excursions by ensuring comfort and usability; Arc’teryx, Salomon, Montane and Sherpa, to name just a few, continue an excellent tradition of crafting this specific sector of advanced apparel. The tech installed into the designs of these seemingly unremarkable items aid even the novice adventurer into bettering the accomplishments of the explorers of yesteryear…or, at least, gets them closer to such achievements than was possible before.

We truly live in privileged times; we don’t have to worry as much about saturation as Christopher Columbus did in his woollen pleated overcoat and girdle. Base layers were just his usual undergarments! Yet, with so much choice available, deciding the ideal clothing for the outdoorsman can quickly become a job as herculean as the jaunts they participate in.

Berghaus – Winter Adventurer

Many will be surprised to learn, especially considering the brand’s Nordic name, that Berghaus is, in fact, a business founded in the northeast of Britain. A further astonishing fact is that, compared to some of its competitors, the specialist outdoor store is a relative ‘new kid on the block’ having sprung from modest roots in 1966.

Still, this hasn’t disrupted their transition from niche marketers to one of the leading innovators of outdoor clothing.

Explorer Ridge Gore-tex® Walking Boots – £125.00

These boots were made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do (sorry). Explorers are footwear engineered to be as comfortable and durable across snow as they would be on level tarmac – actually, Berghaus promise that the industrial-looking waders are suitable for all challenging environments. As bragged within their title, the GORE-TEX® membrane plays a huge role in insulating your feet and, of course, preventing moisture from entering.

Ampezzo Windstopper® Softshell Pant – £150.00

These mountain trousers with thigh venting and detachable braces are particularly practical. They protect you from the elements by using a combination of the GORE-TEX® WINDSTOPPER® fabric which keeps out the chill and repels water, and integral hem gaiters that inhibits the cold from slipping through the seams. Think of it as having two security systems defending your stems.

Tulach Fleece Jacket – £90.00

When you hear of technologies that sound as methodical as the AT™-Optic Fleece fabric used here, you know that you’re in good hands (or, rather, good clothes). The Tulach Fleece utilises the fabric for improved insulation. It’s all designed to mould to your torso and stretch where necessary for a comfortable fit.

Sanyia Windstopper® Softshell Jacket – £240.00

This jacket is a perfect match for the softshell pant in that they share almost identical attributes. Additionally, there are four external zipped pockets providing plenty of space and sanctuary for equipment, and the adjustable hood offers extra cover for the hazardously exposed parts of your head.

Spectrum 3 Piece Pack: Fleece Hat, Glove & Scarf Set – £35.00

For £35, you’re paying a little over a tenner for each vital bit of kit. Stylish yet completely productive, the AT –Classic fleece collection’s double-sided velour finish means that you know the quality of care you’re purchasing instantly, rather than having to shop around for each item separately and hoping for similar result.

Watch: Suunto Elementum Terra Negative – £599.95

Features

• Time, date, alarm
• Backlight
• Altimeter
• Barometric pressure and trend
• 3D compass
• Chronograph
• Cumulative ascent/descent

ALTIMETER
• Altitude range -500 to +9000 m (-1600 to +29,500 ft)

WEATHER
• Trend indicator

The North Face – Water Resistance

From The North Face headquarters in San Leandro, California, to Blacks in Holborn, London, the internationally renowned experts of high performance outdoor attire exude invention and a distinct passion to continue delivering cutting-edge environmentally friendly services to every corner of the earth.

Havoc Mid Gtx Xcr® Boots – £140.00

These crimson red Men’s Havoc Mid Boots are an amalgamation of GORE-TEX®, full-grain leather and rubber-laden cushioning and stabilising on the outside. Inside, there is equally as much attention to detail afforded with the Northotic™ Pro+ premium EVA footbed with gel, Ortholite® forefoot cushioning pads and TPU Cradle™ support. The only instruments The North Face may need to consider for the future are wheels and a side mirror or two.

Resolve Pants – £70.00

Breathable, waterproof and seam sealed – airtight against any invasive components. Everything appears to be adjustable on these bottoms including Velcro strapping and a zipper gusset for the ankle area. But don’t feel like you have to be as toned out as our model friend here to fit into a pair as the elasticated waist to these standard fitting trousers will stretch to your bumps and curves.

Pursuit Jacket – £140.00

The North Face’s Pursuit Jacket range is specially made to be as impenetrable to stormy situations as possible – even the centre front zipper has a storm flap closure. If the rain becomes too fierce, you can quickly seal up using the hem cinch-cord, adjustable hood and brushed chin guard. This jacket is top of the line rainwear.

Granite Cap – £35.00

If you feel that it’s absolutely essential that you have a hat for that bit of extra fortification, then the Granite Cap is ideal. The ear flaps and HyVent® outer fabric are the main selling points. Throw the hood over the top of it and avoid the possibility of a head cold for sure.

Patrol Gloves – £100.00

The pièce de résistance to the entire look are as fashionable as they are expedient. You don’t have to be a skier to wear these bomber ski gloves; instead, you only require a necessity for handy (pun intended) apparel that is FlashDry™ tempered and forms snugly around your digits.

Watch: Accurist Chronograph Watch Ms880b – £109.00

Features
• – Chronograph Function
• – Quartz Precision Movement
• – Black & Red
• – Hard Mineral Glass
• – 100m Water resistance
• – Date Window At 4 O’clock
• – 24 hr Dial
• – 43 mm Case Width
• – Stainless Steel Case And Black Bezel
• – High Quality Black Leather Strap With Red Stitching

Helly Hansen – For When The Heat Is On

For a company based around a man who spent years captaining ships over icy seas, the people at Helly Hansen know a lot about preventing heat and exhaustion from becoming a nuisance.
Norwegian captain Helly Juell Hansen began by revolutionising waterproof clothing using linseed oil on his creations in the late 19th century. Fast forward a couple of decades and they have refreshed their philosophies even further, experimenting with new materials and opening up to new markets that keep them ahead of the game.

Ahiga Cross Training Shoe – £75.00

Let’s assume, for argument sake, that you’re a sporty athletic type looking for a class of shoe that will help you across sweltering uneven territory – you’d need a shoe that grips, is robust, is breathable and, one better than that, prevents the type of foot odours associated with perspiration. That’s where the AHIGA Men’s Cross Trainer pips the competition.

Odin Cargo Short – £65.00

These cargo shorts – so-called because of the style of the large pockets sewn into the thigh – are constructed from polyamide woven tightly together, subsequently they refuse to retain heat, let in good airflow and dry extremely quickly when wet.

HH Cool SS T-Shirt – £25.00

Helly Hansen brag that this t-shirt range has “on-body air conditioning” amongst several warm weather characteristics intended to keep the temperature down during activity. Its slim fit flat lock stitching make the material thin yet resilient, whilst the sensationally named HH Cool fabric, Coolgrid™ and X-pulsion technologies work to increase airflow and dryness so that the wearer remains as cool as the shirt looks.

Training Cap – £15.00

This cap is available in far more reflective colours than this standard black, but they all feature the same important characteristics. The previous hats within this article were all about keeping the warmth in; this one, however, strives to expel perspiration through its mesh panelling and avoid itching using a 100% polyester blend.

Salt Sunglasses – £70.00

I heard recently that the correct level of UV protection is vital to preventing complications; too little will damage the eyes whilst too much will coax the iris into letting in too much radiation, hastening the possibility of eye cancer. It’s a good thing then that these handmade acetate optical quality CR-39 lensed shades shield against UV A and UV B rays.

Watch: Polar Rcx3 Multisport Watch – £136.00

Features
• Instant training feedback
• Smart Coaching intelligence
• Personal Sport Zones
• Easy-to-read display
• Upload, analyse and share training data with optional Polar DataLink
• Tracks route, speed and distance with optional G5 GPS sensor
• Automatic lap recording
• Graphical target zone indicator
• Number of laps: 99
• 4 fixed sport profiles

Columbia – Changing Climate

For Helly Hansen’s Coolgrid™; for The North Face’s FlashDry™ and HyVent® systems, there’s the Columbia Omni series which is constantly being upgraded to deliver the most ground-breaking qualities to the outdoor fashion industry. Columbia have come a long way from specialising in hats.

Silver Ridge™ Convertible Pant – £60.00

Convenience is a must when out adventuring; the climate can transform dramatically and you don’t want to be caught out in the wrong attire. Luckily, water resisting sun protective convertible trouser/shorts exist and Columbia sell them at a very reasonable price, so pack a little lighter.

Ultrachange Parka – £360.00

The name says it all really. Not many jackets can boast the ability to deflect heat, keep you warm, ventilated and safe from unforeseen downpours all at once. This jacket is a multipurpose leviathan, so much so, that we’re going to leave you with just a partial list of its capabilities:

• Omni-Heat thermal reflective and insulated liner
• Omni-Wick EVAP advanced evaporation
• Omni-Dry ultrabreathable waterproof fully seam sealed 3-point Interchange System
• Liner with breathable stretch panels
• Attached, adjustable storm hood
• Helmet compatible hood
• Vented hand pockets
• 2-way centre front zipper
• Waterproof zippers