/ Fabrics & Technologies

Fabrics & Technologies

Rain, wind or a lot of sun? Some of mother nature’s challenges can only be faced with the the right material. In this category you will find everything you need to know about various materials and technology.

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Alpinetrek-Expert

Florian K.

Who doesn’t know this situation: you once again want to compare apples and pears. You will quickly realize that they are both fruits, but have some significant differences. This situation is similar to that of the chemical materials polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE). They are both part of mountain sports and sewn slings (sewn runners) […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Simon

High-quality down is the very best when it comes to providing reliable protection in cold and dry conditions. But, what if it’s bucketing down and your clothes are getting all wet? Or what if your insulating layer gets all sweaty from a really tough uphill climb? Well, this is where down reaches its limits. If […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Florian K.

Carabiners have noses? Indeed they do! And just like the ones on people and animals, carabiner noses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The only difference: carabiner noses don’t have a sense of smell! But what they do have are some great names: “HoodWire”,“Wirelock”,“MonoFil”, “Keylock” or even “Clean Wire”. Not bad, eh? Yeah, […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Guest author

Today, GORE-TEX is the epitome of waterproof and breathable garments. Regardless of whether you’re skiing, cycling, mountaineering at work or just going about your everyday life, you can always rely on the high-quality products engineered with GORE-TEX membranes – at least that’s what the American brand claims. In the following, we’re going to have a […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Simon

Picture this: you’ve been lugging around a heavy pack for hours in the pouring rain, trying to make the most of the bad weather. And to your surprise, you notice that underneath your waterproof jacket it doesn’t feel like a sauna, even though you’ve been sweating like mad. How’s that even possible? Well, the jacket […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Guest author

A lightweight, cut and puncture-resistant fabric that is used for bulletproof vests, heat-resistant uniforms or even aircraft construction. Yeah, at first glance, aramid, otherwise known by the brand name Kevlar, seems much more suitable for superhero costumes than for outdoor sports. But the properties of this very special fabric come in extremely useful in a […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Guest author

GORE-TEX PACLITE product technology is engineered to be extremely lightweight and packable. Plus, it has the full functionality of the microporous ePTFE membrane and provides excellent protection against the wind and rain. Amazingly, the same pores that prevent water and wind from getting in are just large enough for moisture vapour to pass through, so […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Lisa

The 1970s were a decade in which a wide variety of new fabrics became available on the market, leading manufacturers in the outdoor industry to jettison those more traditional fabrics, such as cotton and wool, in favour of these new, more advanced materials. These functional fabrics had a clear advantage over traditional fabrics: they have a […]

Alpinetrek-Expert

Lisa

If you enjoy being out in nature in colder temperatures and want to stay warm, then you need a good fleece. Wearing warm gloves and a comfortable beanie can also make a big difference in your comfort level. So, we would like to introduce you to a material that’s been around for decades and is […]