New gear alert! Hot new outdoor kit from Mountain Designs
Stratus rain jacket
The new Mountain Designs Stratus outer shell uses well-proved Pertex® Shield fabric to offer plenty of breathability as well as optimum protection from the elements when you’re out on the tracks. The lightweight 2.5-layer construction uses a lightweight and robust outer fabric in combination with a wind- and waterproof breathable membrane. There is plenty of ventilation on offer, including handy pit zips, as well as a two-way zipper. Mountain Designs draws on its decades of apparel design to make sure the jacket doesn’t inhibit you in the outdoors, with articulated elbows, an adjustable hem, hood (also with a peak stiffener) and wrist cuffs. Add in a waterproof chest pocket and excellent build quality and this jacket is an enticing buy for those looking for a top-end outer shell for their adventures.
RRP: $350
Reclaim Tee
As the name suggests, this new tee for men is sustainably produced, with an eco-friendly blend of 60 per cent organic cotton and 40 per cent recycled polyester. This fabric mix ensures a nice soft feel for excellent comfort. Keeping those sweaty smells to a minimum is the use of Polygiene® anti-odour technology that is designed to minimise odour-causing bacteria from forming on the fabric, allowing you to wear it more than a few times if you need to when outdoors. Plus, the mix of fabrics also means the tee dries faster than a regular full-cotton equivalent. Winning! RRP: $80
Aventurine shorts
Another eco-friendly piece of apparel, the Aventurine shorts for women combines recycled polyester and elastane, to provide a super comfortable soft and stretchy fabric when worn, which does not inhibit movement. Further aiding freedom of movement is the side-split hem, making these shorts ideal for everything from hiking to camping to rock climbing, while comfort is enhanced by the ribbed waist band. The shorts are very quick-drying and, like the Reclaim Tee, feature the effective Polygiene® anti-odour tech to minimise odour-causing bacteria for multi-day use. An internal drawstring for fine-tuning the fit, and multiple pockets make these shorts not only comfortable but versatile and convenient as well. RRP: $90
X-Country 65L hiking pack
We are huge fans of Mountain Designs backpacks, and the new X-Country 65L (also available in 55 and 75L capacity), a technical hiking pack, shows why. With enhanced padding for optimum support for the wearer when lugging big loads, through to the robust harness system, this pack is built for big and tough outdoor missions. The pack includes a large main compartment with a handy three-way entry system for ease of access and more efficient packing of your gear. The internal divider is brilliant for keeping mucky gear away from your cleaner clothes, there are robust hiking pole loops and an excellent daisy chain attachment setup on the outside for stowing bulkier gear. We’re keen to get our hands on one of these for a gear test, so keep an eye out for our thoughts on this exciting new backpack. RRP: $300
See Mountain Designs for more info on these new products and the brand’s other outdoor gear.
