Mammut winter collection 09/10 is into snow & safety

21 Sep '09

4 min read

Mammut is breaking new ground with its underwear for mountaineers – a world first. It took specialists three years to develop a range of exceptionally comfortable Alpine Underwear which is tailored to alpine conditions – after all, mountaineers have high standards when it comes their choice of gear. The layer of clothing closest to the skin has the job of wicking, regulating, warming, cooling and drying. Mammut achieves this by skillfully combining natural and synthetic fibers through Advanced Bodymapping technology – the deployment of Merino wool and microfabrics where they most benefit the body.

Advanced Bodymapping incorporating merino wool and microfibers
Mammut – in a world first – combines merino wool and microfibers in its SYMBIOS base layer concept. In the all-year quality Advanced Bodymapping sees the Swiss mountain sports specialist using three different kinds of fabric around the body according to their properties. The reason is that different body zones make different demands of a fabric's functionality. A high proportion of merino wool, which is able to maintain warmth even when wet, is perfect for body zones requiring extra insulation, such as knees and elbows.

Fabric containing a high proportion of lighter microfibers is matched to body zones that quickly generate surplus heat and sweat – this ensures a consistent temperature at the arms, legs and around the hips. By contrast, 100% microfiber fabric is ideal for points of the body subject to intense sweating and not so sensitive to cold – the armpits, the backs of the knees and the back: Here, the fabric dries very quickly thanks to its optimized wicking properties.

For mountaineers in very cold regions or people who feel the cold a lot during general outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking the Alpine Underwear warm-quality is the ideal base layer. Here, Mammut introduces two qualities of fabric. A merino-microfiber blend containing a high proportion of wool insulates extensive areas of the body including the arms, the shoulders, the front of the torso, the calves and thighs, the buttocks and, for women, the hip area. Even when it's wet, the fabric can be depended on to keep the wearer cozy.

Zones of the body less sensitive to cold – the underarms, the back of the knees and the back of the torso – are matched to fabric containing 100% microfibers which quickly wick the sweat away from the skin, leaving the wearer feel nice and dry.

Why do mountaineers need special underwear?
Because the conditions in the mountains are more extreme. Weather is a critical factor and presents mountaineers with a series of challenges – the body experiences huge temperature fluctuations: freezing at the extremities, sweating down the back, cooling here – heat accumulation there. Hefty demands are made of the base layer, which tends to be worn all day long.

Because the alpinist has to “Stop&Go” – he is not constantly on the move – sweat-inducing climbing or hiking alternates with periods of rest during which the body quickly cools. The underwear has to help cool the body when activity is at its most strenuous and warm it when it is at rest.

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