The Snugpak ML 9 Softie Smock
Snugpak, the outdoors brand best known for its sleeping bags, has expanded its clothing collection with a new range that includes an insulated top aimed at mountain leaders.
The Mountain Leader Softie Smock, part of the West Yorkshire-based company’s Venture range, has been designed with input from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing instructors, meteorological staff and military personnel.
The Mountain Leader Softie Smock is available in three different Softie weights for a range of seasons: the ML3 (0C to –5C); the ML6 (–5C to –10C); and the ML9 (–10C to –15C).
Snugpak said: “This feature-packed garment is ideal for both mountain and lowland ventures, all year round, from hillwalking, scrambling and rock climbing to summer Alpine mountain walking and winter mountaineering.”
The smock has a blue and orange design to provide excellent visibility, and the quick drying Paratex Micro 100 per cent nylon material has a durable water repellent finish to keep the wearer dry and comfortable in short, light showers.
“Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against the cold, as well as high protection against wind, the Mountain Leader Softie Smock is a tri-layer garment and uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric, and an internal Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining,” the company said.
“The smock is lighter than normal expedition-style jackets and uses water resistant YKK zips, making it ideal for when size and weight need to be kept to an absolute minimum.
“The Mountain Leader Softie Smock allows essential equipment to be carried centrally, with easy access when wearing a day sack, expedition pack or climbing harness. It incorporates a unique design for the storage and use of essential equipment, thanks to the large chest pocket and muff-style, TS1 hand-warmer pocket, which provides access to a large internal frontal storage space.
“There is a central map case pocket in the chest area suitable for the storage of a full-size map case, and the main pocket incorporates two D-rings to secure essential items, such as a compass or whistle, to prevent accidental loss, as well as tethering other waterproof cases so that they do not need to be carried in an unsafe position around the neck.
Snugpak's factory in Silsden
“Snugpak’s Venture range also has additional storage space in the place of the hood, allowing the wearer to roll up items such as a neck scarf, Buff, fleece liner gloves or skull cap and store them close to hand.”
Throughout the Venture range, there are various hook and loop patches, designed to accommodate Apals personal identification LEDs, or 3M Scotchlite reflective tabs to make the wearer more visible in low-light conditions.
Small Apals patches are located on the back of the collar, as well as the left sleeve. There is also a larger soft hook and loop patch on the right arm, for IDs, morale patches as well as group and organisation patches, allowing the Venture Smock to be personalised according to the relevant activity.
The smocks are priced at £159.95 for the ML 3 Softie; £179.95 for the ML 6 and £195.95 for the ML 9. All three models are made in the UK.
More details are on the Snugpak website.
