high-tech jackets Archives

High-Tech Hiking Jackets scientifically proven

Alpine sports blog Bergsteigen.com does the stress test in comparing high-tech hiking jackets. The blog Bergsteigen.com writes interesting articles all about hiking, mountaineering, climbing and so on. Presentation of trends, testing new equipment and discussion of new routes are fields of duty for this outdoor blog.

The team of Bergsteigen.com tested Alta Quota Outdoor Jacket and Roccia Rossa Hybrid Jacket – both polychromelab’s high-tech jackets – over several months in the absolute stress test. Here you can read the full report of Bergsteigen.com! Here you’ll find out, how we proove our high-tech hiking jackets scientifically!

Bergsteigen.com does the stress test for outdoor jackets

This is an article of Bergsteigen.com. Translation by polychromelab.

The team of Bergsteigen.com tested two reversible jackets by polychromelab in a test over several months and all seasons: Both the modell Alta Quota and the modell Roccia Rossa have been tested.

Both modells excel in having little weight (modell Roccia Rossa size S 300 grams) and in beeing manufactured cleanly. Remarkably, both jackets do not look worn out after months of not really caring use in the mountains.

Additionally, all seams are welded to make the jacket waterproof. Windproofness is outstanding. For example, for one stormy and cold ski tour we only have worn a thin Merino-Baselayer, a Merino-Vest and of course a polychromelab jacket to be dressed adequately.

This jackets made of a three-layer laminate are conceptualized as reversible jackets: whether it’s cold or hot, one wears the warming, dark-coloured side (99 % absorption) or the cooling, light-coloured side on top (45% reflection). This is highly functional, because this way the wearer is dressed allright in a great range of temperature. If you search for something to criticize, you could find fault with weldseams on the reflecting side, which are distinctly visible, and with some of the pockets, which aren’t that good to reach.

Bergsteigen.com: Our Résumé

The Roccia Rossa is prettier, the Alta Quota the more functional jacket. This is why we as alpine sportsmen fancy the Alta Quota. For example, the clean tailored Roccia Rossa compared to the Alta Quota hardly has any pockets, which is a lack of storage room for tours in the mountains. A true disadvantage of both jackets stays with the price: both modells are € 700. One, who spends this amount of money for outdoor jackets, will be happy about having a great high-tech textile for many years. For persons, that make a point acting sustainable, will be interested in the fact that the production of the jackets take place only in Austria and Italy, rather than in Far East.

polychromelab concept store

Our video-tip, if you’re interested in outdoor stress tests for hiking jackets:

ORF Newton Outdoor Jackets Test from polychromelab on Youtube

Do high-tech Jackets keep their Promises?

Nowadays high-tech jackets have to stand up against nearly everything: they should be waterproof, windproof, stretchy, sturdy, hard-wearing, warming. light and looking good. Additionally one has to add to each one of these functions an attribute like “extremely, 100%, highly, maximum, optimal” to tag a high-tech jacket. Producers make many promises, but most outdoor jackets have to work for the first time, when the customer allready has bought the jacket and is wearing it in the mountains. If a jacket shouldn’t be a 100% waterproof then, one’s smitten.

Therefore the inventor of polychromelab reversible jackets, Michele Stinco, had the idea to test jackets under extreme alpine conditions, before it is available on the market.

High-tech Jackets tested in Tyrol

This is, how an original polychromelab-jacket-extreme-test looks like in practise:

Firstly, fabrics get spaned on wooden boards. Installing sensors we detect whether the fabric is suitable for outdoor use or not.

If the fabric is ready for manufacture, we design a reversible jacket. This prototype then is worn by dummies in our alpine laboratory at the Glungezer in Tyrol. Again we install sensors. Additionally we prepare a webcam to watch the jackets day and night for some months. Here you’ll find out what kind of weather high-tech jackets have to stand in our textiles research laboratory.

Then we evaluate the collected data. This way we’re able to detect waterproofness, windproofness and breathability by the means of temperature curves, humidity measurements and so on. By visual examination we can see, if outdoor jackets have been damaged by wind and weather or at seams and skirts.

If the prototype passes this test, we send it to the textile laboratory at the University of Innsbruck, where elasticity, scrub resistance and colour intensity get scientifically proven.

But there is one last test in our polychromelab 2610 alpine lab for the prototypes: the high-tech jackets get proven at applied extreme sports tests, like trailrunning, skiing, climbing and so on. Only this way one can proof what outdoor jackets have to be suitable for.

Alpine Proof – the Future of Outdoor Gear

Prospectively the project Alpine Proof will create an alpine seal of approval for outdoor gear to award high-tech jackets, which passed tests consiting of a combination of applied and scientific examination.

A true high-tech jacket doesn’t leave somebody out in the rain alone, but protects against wind and weather like a friend. High-tech jackets by polychromelab are available in our online shop.

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