To coincide with the recent ISPO outdoor trade show in Munich, The North Face have announced a whole new range of ‘pinnacle’ mountain clothing and equipment, consisting of 21 pieces and four new technologies (five if you include the recently introduced FutureLight fabric). Named ‘Advanced Mountain Kit’, TNF say the range has been introduced to “meet the growing demand for innovation in high alpine gear” and is “a breathable, packable, warm and lightweight layering system that gives athletes the freedom to move quickly and efficiently in extreme Alpine conditions without compromising protection.”
The new Summit AMK system has been designed in collaboration with professional alpinists David Göttler, Herve Barmasse, and Andres Marin, who have been testing them in challenging situations such as a recent expedition to Chamlang (7319m) in Nepal: “As a brand founded on innovation and a commitment to building products that push the limits of exploration, the Advanced Mountain Kit is giving athletes the tools to help them climb faster and more efficiently in the world’s harshest climates.” said Scott Mellin, Global General Manager of Mountain Sports for The North Face.
The AMK layer system in close-up
So what’s so special about the Advanced Mountain Kit system then, you ask? Well as well as utilising the aforementioned FutureLight waterproof/breathable fabric, TNF have introduced four new, proprietary technology and construction innovations, as follows (in TNF’s own words):
- Cloud Down: Cloud Down is created using a discontinuous offset baffle construction for increased thermal performance in a lighter package. This unique construction features an asymmetrical inner and outer construction, allowing maximum space for the down to loft while keeping the lining close to skin for enhanced thermal performance.
- 50/50 Down: 50/50 Down is an entirely new approach to insulation, delivering a truly breathable down insulator. A series of down-proof baffles are paired with a highly air-permeable face fabric, which creates a ground-breaking breathable down layer with less bulk. This innovative construction allows heat and moisture to escape for enhanced temperature regulation during aerobic activity in extreme environments.
- FutureFleece: With FutureFleece, every detail counts when constructing a technical, lightweight layer – featuring a full-loop fabric construction made with octa-yarns, octagonal shaped yarn with hollow cross-sections for higher thermal performance. This seemingly subtle choice makes this extremely thin layer warm and soft for comfortable hours of wear in the some of the world’s harshest environments.
- Dot Fleece: This active base layer works with the athlete by pulling moisture from the skin and expelling it to the outside of the garment with the use of hydrophobic inner yarns, while hydrophilic outer yarns pull moisture through engineered holes throughout the layer, helping the wearer stay dry in the Alpine.
- FUTURELIGHT Technology: Our most advanced breathable-waterproof outerwear technology. For the first time ever, we’ve added enhanced air permeability to a waterproof membrane. Unlike conventional membranes, the nano structure of the FUTURELIGHT membrane allows air to pass through for better venting and breathability without sacrificing waterproofness and durability.
A complete AMK layering system
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
The Advanced Mountain Kit range will consist of a total of 10 garments across the five-layer system including the Summit AMK L6 Parka and Pant, Summit AMK L5 FUTURELIGHT Jacket and Pant, Summit L3 Pullover Hoodie and Pant, Summit AMK L2 Pullover and Pant and Summit AMK L1 Crew and Pant. Also in the range are four key glove and mitt styles: Summit L4 FUTURELIGHT Down Mitt, Summit L3 FUTURELIGHT Climb Glove, L2 Insulated Climb Glove, and L1 Climb Glove.
EQUIPMENT
Not content with providing a complete layering system for advanced alpinists, The North Face is also introducing a number of equipment pieces including summit tent and sleeping bag, utilising the recently introduced FUTURELIGHT membrane, alongside new, proprietary technology and construction innovations and partnerships including SPECTRA (a high-strength fabric made by Honeywell). Combining these innovative pieces, the Advanced Mountain Kit Equipment System will include the AMK ASSAULT Tent, AMK Superlight 10 sleeping bag, AMK Spectre 38L pack, AMK Spectre 55L pack, and AMK Base Camp Duffel XXL.
AMK Assault Tent
To complete the Advanced Mountain Equipment system, The North Face will be introducing a lightweight, innovative footwear solution to include the Summit L3 Insulated Climb Gaitor, Summit L2 Supper Approach Boot, and Summit FUTURELIGHT Down Bootie.
The Advanced Mountain Kit range will be available to buy from May 2020 through specialist dealers and directly from The North Face website at https://www.thenorthface.com/featured/amk.html