For the past 30 years those of you in the know have found Countryside Ski & Climb to be one of the best (or possibly the best) stockists for choice of Patagonia clothing and gear in the UK. Year on year we have seen the brand grow and improve and this winter we are really excited to be showcasing what we believe is their strongest range yet. It seems we always say that, but it really is the truth.
Patagonia has been striving to use business initiatives to tackle the environmental crisis since day one and in 2012, they really are playing hardball in scrutinising everything they do and produce in order to maintain that delicate and critical balance.
If you are new to the brand, the majority of what they make (particularly their technical clothes for active outdoor pursuits) reflects their bias towards the multifunctional and durable. All of their technical shells, whether using fabrics made by W. L Gore or those they develop themselves, all either meet or exceed Patagonia’s seriously formidable H2NO Performance standard – which means not only are they at the pinnacle of waterproofness and breathability from new, they also have to earn a grade from Patagonia’s continuous 24 hour ‘Killerwash’ (a wet-flex and abrasion test) that simulates years of use in soaking conditions. The resulting standards are twice as high as some manufacturers hold for their own brand new garments.
We know the true test of outdoor clothing though, is in the mountains and Patagonia’s ambassadors and testers are renowned for punishing the garments. The point of all this you may ask? What better small environmental step can we as individuals make, than by buying only what we need and what we know we’ll wear and look for a level of quality in that choice that in return does what it says on the label after years of abuse. Buy well, buy once.