This autumn, Berghaus are launching their latest range of Extrem products, which the brand describe as ‘taking mountaineering performance to a higher level’. Tested by the likes of Leo Houlding, Mick Fowler and Angelika Rainer, the Berghaus athletes have also been actively involved in the design and development of the new range, with Houlding using the kit during his successful expedition on the Mirror Wall in Greenland, and Fowler during his first ascent on remote Gave Ding in the Himalaya.
While the range is new, Berghaus’ ‘Extrem’ has been around since 1986. 30 years and over 90 expeditions later, they’ve launched their latest range. This came after much advising on and testing of concepts, early prototypes and final samples by the athletes. Berghaus claim the new range to be “the most technical range of mountaineering clothing” that they’ve ever released – a collection of waterproof, down/synthetic and fleece garments such as the ISPO award-winning Extrem 8000 Pro jacket and Ramche 2.0 Down Jacket – both of which T&M have been testing over the last couple of months.
Extrem 8000 Pro Jacket (left) and Ramche Down 2.0 Jacket
Extrem 8000 Pro Jacket
The new Berghaus Extrem 8000 Pro is a heavy-duty lightweight, breathable mountaineering shell jacket made out of 3L Gore-Tex Pro Shell. The jacket uses a combination of two face fabrics, including an exclusive lightweight 40D face, which has been developed especially for the jacket, in partnership with WL Gore. T&M tested the 8000 Pro on our recent Nepal 6,000ers expedition and were impressed with its ‘best in class’ features and the protection it provided for its weight. You can read our full review of the 8000 Pro Jacket HERE.
Leo Houlding wearing Ramche 2.0 Jacket on Mirror Wall
Ramche Down 2.0 Jacket
The Ramche 2.0 is lighter, warmer and more durable than its predecessor (which was pretty damn light and warm itself! – Ed) and uses 850 fill goose Hydrodown. For autumn/winter 2016, Hydrodown forms part of the Berghaus ‘MADEKIND’ initiative and uses Nikwax’s PFC-free hydrophobic down, which provides water-repellency, while three-zone body-mapping ensures optimum distribution of the insulation and offset baffle construction eliminates cold spots. New Reflect aluminium mesh sewn into the core reflects heat back into the jacket. The super lightweight 7 denier 100% polyamide outer is windproof, water resistant, breathable, and twice as strong as the previous version.
Mick Fowler used a sample of the Ramche 2.0 on Gave Ding and this is what he said about it: “The Ramche 2.0 was absolutely brilliant in temperatures that dipped to around minus 30 degrees Celsius. It was also really tough compared to the previous version. At one point I got it caught in my abseil device and had to descend a fair way with the fabric caught – but there was only superficial damage!”
Houlding and team on top of Mirror Wall
You can read T&M’s review of the Ramche 2.0 in an upcoming issue.
The 30th anniversary Extrem range is available now from www.berghaus.com/extrem and selected specialist outdoor retailers.