Author
Alex Rakestraw
Photographer
Klättermusen
Next to hatchbacks and trail mix, the puffy mid-layer is as outdoorsy as it gets. OG Swedish mountaineering brand Klättermusen has upped the ante for FW20 with a seriously impressive synthetic: the new Vale jacket($320).
The Vale is a sustainably-minded puffy jacket made for skiers and alpinists—and thus well suited for brutal weather conditions in town, too. A breathable 100% recycled Levitend nylon face fabric protects from the outside. Behind it, fistfuls of biodegradable Primaloft Bio 125g insulation make the Vale toasty enough for winter sports and coffee shop commuting. Fleece-lined hand pockets double as vents for use during high-output activity, and as an added touch, there’s a slight asymmetry to the front zipper for additional comfort with a backpack or harness and to keep the zipper storm flap off your chin.
The net of these details is a dummy warm, eco-conscious insulator that breathes as hard as a corgi on a trail run. Like Arc’teryx’s beloved Proton LT, the Vale was made to keep up with the pace you set, even if that just means hanging out in camp. Unlike the Proton, it’s meant for colder weather pursuits and packed with push-the-envelope sustainable tech—a trademark of Klättermusen gear.
For those unfamiliar the brand, Klättermusen was founded in 1975 as a maker of “refined mountaineering equipment.” What started as a DIY workshop between friends is now a premier gearmaker with a worldwide following, mostly due to the line’s biodynamic, nearly H.R. Giger-esque aesthetics. An earthy, Scandi-highlands-in-spring color palette also makes the brand unique—and uniquely popular with the “haute outdoors” crowd.
If you saw a Klätter garm on @organiclab or @unownedspaces and were looking for an excuse to cop, heed the call here. Let Vale be your signal. Puffy mid-layers are an outdoors staple. Klättermusen’s latest makes for a sustainable standout.
Published 10-15-2020
