Packing to go skiing tonight, which is always an opportunity to test new kit. As well as some Dynafit Vertcial ST’s on some K2 COMBAcks and some BD Traverse poles, all of which are new to me, I have a pile of clothes from Mammut, Odlo, Mountain Equipment, X Bionic and Craft.
My dilemma with new clothes is that the only way to fairly test them is to put my faith in them and leave all my tried and trusted favourites behind. Not something I am completely happy doing, but out goes the ME Astron Hooded Jacket, ME Liskamm Pants, Ortovox Merino Top, Smarwool Merino Bottoms and Marmot Salopettes (can’t even remember the name they have lasted that long). I did however draw the line at my Marmot Ultimate Ski Gloves.
So what have I got? No hardshell salopettes at all but the new fabric G2 Ultimate Mountain Pants from ME and the lighter Advanced Base Jump Pant from Mammut. No softshell jacket either but an ME Shroud fleece and a windproof midlayer from Mammut. I have base layers, all synthetic from Odlo, X Bionic and Craft plus a synthetic/wool hybrid from Mammut. The one piece I have no doubt about is a trial jacket from ME. It’s an insulated jacket with a full 3 layer pro shell outer, dare I say it a ski jacket. Might be another season before it’s perfected but it looks great.
Had hoped to line up some Rab Vapourise and eVent as well but that will have to wait for another time. Will send some updates from my trip and have full reports when I get back.