OUR MATERIALS
CORDUROY
COSSERAT COTTON CORDUROY FROM 1794
Corduroy is a truly vintage textile of cotton or cotton-mix fabric made from woven, twisted fibres which lie in parallel rows or ‘cords’ to form the cloth’s texture. The cords usually have a channel between them, making it very durable, while the velvety feel makes it soft to the touch. Mainly used for men’s working, military and sporting clothing throughout the centuries. Typically worn as trousers by mountain climbers, skiers and in soldiers’ uniform trousers.
The Cosserat company – created in 1794 – is the oldest corduroy producer in the world. For more than 200 years now, they still produce in the traditional way in Amiens, France. Cosserat is one of the last producers in the world still knowing to cut extremely fine corduroys, of more than 30 wales per inch, thanks to its process of continuous cut to the foil.
VENTILE®
DATING BACK TO WORLD WAR 2
Ventile is warm, windproof and weatherproof even in the most extreme conditions. Even so, as it is a completely natural material, spun from only the finest long-staple fibres, and not laminated or coated in any way, Ventile breathes naturally and unparalleled any other weatherproof fabric. At the same time Ventile is naturally silent so that you can enjoy nature in peace.
Ventile dates back to before World War 2, when Churchill promoted catapulting aircraft from the decks of merchant ships, there was no means of landing back on the deck. The pilot had to bail out into the cold sea, with life expectancy of only a few minutes. Most died from exposure.
There was an urgent need for a new, protective clothing fabric that would be comfortable in the cockpit under combat conditions and that would also keep a pilot warm and dry in the sea. After many trials, the fabric called ‘Ventile’ saw the light. When made into finished garments, life expectancy in the sea was extended from a few minutes to 20 minutes and rescue was now a real possibility. 80% of anti-submarine pilots who fell into the sea now survived.
Ventile® is still preferred for suits in modern Tornado jets with the RAF and other NATO airforces.
LODEN
ORIGINALLY FROM TYROL
Loden is a particular wool originally woven in Tyrol, felted and netted through a water beating process that makes it impermeable and resistant. The netting gives the fabric a soft cloth feel, while the final phase of combing permits water droplets to slide off the fabric, rendering it as one of the first high-performance materials to ever be manufactured.
All these technical characteristics answered the needs of shepherds and farmers living on the Alps who had to face extreme weather conditions during the winter. Only the finest cloth and nap loden, soft and double face loden as well as colour-woven fabrics for country- and sportswear leave Austria\’s oldest loden factory – Leichtfried – and that has been the case since 1884.This warm durable and weather resistant fabric is ideal for certain products and details in mountain wear still today.
c_change
c_change: THE BIONIC MEMBRANCE
c_change™ is a wind and waterproof membrane which independently reacts to changing temperatures and activities. Depending on the situation, breathability or heat-retention increases or decreases. As a result, c_change™ always ensures a pleasant body climate.
The function: c_change™ copies the similar effect of a fir cone opening and closing in response to different weather conditions. The c_change™-membrane reacts to different prevailing conditions. In doing so, not only temperature but also air and body moisture are balanced out. At high temperatures, or during aerobic activity, the structure of the c_change™-membrane opens as body moisture levels rise. Excess heat can escape to the outside air. Due to the lower level of body moisture development in cold weather or during inactive periods, the structure of the membrane condenses, retaining the heat directly on the body. Shivering or chilling is effectively prevented.
The benefits: due to the high breathability combined with heat retention adapted to the changing conditions, c_change™ always ensures a pleasant body climate. The c_change™ membrane is durable, wind and waterproof and therefore provides protection in all weather. This membrane in combination with Schoeller of Switzerland’s innovative fabric technologies is in our opinion unequalled in the world of 3-layer fabrics.
WAXED COTTON
DEVELOPED BY SAILORS
The concept of waxed cotton was originally developed in the early 15th century by sailors. Scottish North Sea herring fleets operating from east coast ports began treating flax sailcloth with fish oils and grease in an attempt to water proof their sails, keeping them light and efficient. Remnants of these sails were used as capes to withstand the high winds and sea spray, keeping the sailors warm and dry. These capes were the forerunner to the fisherman\’s slicker.
The beauty of waxed cotton is its durability and longevity. The fabrics are also highly breathable, the wax adjusting to ambient temperature to be softer/more breathable in warm weather and stiffer/more wind proof in cold conditions. Its proofing can be maintained by the end user, by applying wax into the surface, keep it soft, supple and weather-resistant. The finish ensures that the fabric looks better with age. The wax naturally picks up marks and creases through use, which add to the character of the fabric itself.
Both our suppliers of waxed cotton; Halley Stevenson\’s of Scotland since 1864 and British Millerain of England since 1880, have pioneered the development of waxed cotton to this day.
ONE-OF-A-KIND
UNIQUENESS IN FABRIC
With the completely innovative dyeing process, One of a kind, Schoeller has succeeded in capturing the fascination of uniqueness in fabric. This ecological dyeing process makes every garment a distinctive, uncommon item as fabric designs occur by chance. These highly abrasion proof schoeller-dynamic outdoor fabrics, produced in natural shades, are the destinctive camouflages of tomorrow. One of a kind fabrics not only comply with the strict bluesign ecological standard but, thanks to the addition of NanoSphere, repel dirt and stains and need much less frequent washing.
No two pair of garments will ever be the same again.
BOILED WOOL
COMPLETELY RECYCLABLE
A boiled wool sweater, hat, or socks are made by the ancient methods of felting and fulling wool, and still used today, almost exclusively carried on from ancient times as a heritage and traditional method in Austria\r\n\r\nWool is a high performance material, giving outdoor enthusiasts many advantages. Not only is the boiled wool sweater made from a sustainable, all natural material (sheep wool) that has been produced by methods without added chemicals, but it is also completely recyclable.
Naturally, wool offers at least 10% more breathability to the wearer compared to other performance designed materials derived from synthetics. Wool is naturally water resistant, and next to waterproof and windproof when made in the boiled wool method. When wet, wool still insulates, unlike down filled insulative layers. Wool is extremely durable, naturally rugged in tough mountain environments.
KEPROTEC
ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED FOR MOTORCYCLE RACING
This extreme protective fabric was originally developed for motorcycle racing. High-tensile aramide fibers, such as DuPont™ Kevlar® fibers, ensure high durability as well as temperature stability in combination with a high level of clothing comfort.