Patagonia have announced some new additions to their Alpine Collection for spring 2012, including softshell and hardshell products. The Adze jacket is made of Polartec Windbloc stretch-woven fabric and is described as offering ‘mobility, durability and totally windproof’. Available in a range of colors for both men and women, the SRP of the Adze is £125. Next up is the Super Cell Jacket which is now Patagonia’s lightest Gore-Tex Paclite hardshell in their range (no figures available yet for just how light they are), and again the jacket is available in several colours for men and women. SRP is £230.
What has got us excited here at Trek & Mountain though is the Simple Guide Hoody (pictured) which is – as the name suggests – a hooded version of Patagonia’s popular Simple Guide Jacket. The Hoody is a lightweight softshell garment with no insulation, but is a technical piece ideal for layering up on summer alpine climbing trips, or spring and summer days out in the UK. We’ve just tested the Hoody (see the full review in our Feb issue Softshell Group Test) and we loved it for its no-nonsense design, comfort and fantastic price – not to mention that banana yellow livery! At just £115 the Simple Guide Hoody offers really great value for money, and we think it’s a jacket you’ll eat, sleep and climb in.
One last thing to mention is the green credentials of these new products. According to Patagonia, 49% of their Alpine styles are made with e-fibres, and 26% are made with bluesign-approved fabrics. Can’t be bad…
RELATED LINKS
www.patagonia.com