Three product developments from the latest Berghaus range have been recognised in the 2014 OutDoor Industry Awards, presented during the annual trade show in Friedrichshafen. The HyperTherm Race Smock picked up an award in the Performance Clothing category, while the new ECO Wovens collection was successful in the category that focuses on products of high ecological and sustainable value. In addition to those accolades, the design team behind the new Hyper Smock 2.0 was presented with a coveted Gold Award in the Performance Clothing category.
This year’s OutDoor Industry Awards attracted more entries than ever before, but a tightening of judging criteria led to fewer awards being handed out. Berghaus submitted three entries and following judging by six international experts, all of the products were successful.
The Hyper Smock 2.0 is part of Berghaus’ VapourLight collection, developed by the company’s MtnHaus® innovation team. Made out of new Hydroshell™ Hyper (hydrostatic head – 15,000mm, breathability – 10,000g/m2/24hrs), the smock is the world’s lightest waterproof top. A men’s large Hyper Smock weighs in at just 75g and the women’s specific version weighs only 67g (size 12).
The award jury stated: “Berghaus has again managed to significantly reduce the weight of an already lightweight model. The fit is exceptionally good, given the minimalist concept. Berghaus did very well with the hood design in particular.”
Designed and developed with ultra-runner Philippe Gatta, the reversible HyperTherm Race Smock sets out to redefine lightweight synthetic insulation. It features non-migratory, extremely lightweight HydroLoft™ Elite and different weave face fabrics to deliver the optimum combination of warmth and breathability, depending on levels of action and weather conditions.
The award jury added: “Given its low weight, the Berghaus HyperTherm Race Smock offers particularly high insulation properties. Its clever reversible design means that it can be worn to provide either more wind resistance and greater insulation or more air permeability and less insulation.”
In developing its new ECO Wovens range, Berghaus has removed key stages of the textile dyeing process that impact the environment. In the dyeing stage, when compared to standard processes, production of ECO Woven styles uses 89% less water, 63% fewer chemicals, 62% less CO2 and 67% less Chemical Oxygen Demand. The end products also boast improved colour fastness and the use of durable nylon means that they last longer. In addition, the incorporation of Polygiene® odour control technology allows consumers to wash the shirts and legwear less often, minimising environmental impact post purchase.
The awards jury noted: “Because of the innovative dry yarn dyeing process used, the jury sees the ECO Woven shirts and trousers as a pioneering development in the area of resource saving production. The clothing also requires less maintenance than comparable products when in use.”
David Heath, Berghaus Vice President of Product and Marketing, said: “Berghaus is delighted to have been recognised in the OutDoor Industry Awards and particularly with the Gold for the Hyper Smock 2.0. These awards are testament to the hard work of everyone who contributed to the products during their development. The Hyper Smock and HyperTherm Race Smock epitomise all that is best about our MtnHaus innovation programme, while ECO Wovens are a very important step in developing more environmentally sustainable products. We are all incredibly proud that Berghaus has been recognised in this way.”
All of the Berghaus products that won awards are part of the spring/summer 2015 collection which will be available from berghaus.com and specialist outdoor retailers from March 2015.
