To keep you warm and allow you to have a wide range of motion, your coat must have specific technical qualities and be able to adapt itself to your activities.
To keep you warm and allow you to have a wide range of motion, your coat must have specific technical qualities and be able to adapt itself to your activities.
ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN URBAN ACTIVITIES OR HEAD OUT INTO THE GREAT OUTDOORS TO TAKE PART IN ADVENTUROUS SPORTS?
HOWEVER YOU’LL BE USING YOUR COAT, SEARCH FOR STYLES WITH TECHNICAL QUALITIES THAT WILL BEST SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE.
THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH YOU LIVE IS AN ACCURATE INDICATOR OF THE TYPE OF COAT YOU’LL NEED.
LOOK FOR STYLES WITH CHARACTERISTICS ADAPTED TO YOUR AREA, BE IT A DRY, HUMID, OR EXTREMELY COLD CLIMATE.
A TECHNICAL COAT HAS A MORE ATHLETIC FIT AND PROPERTIES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO EASE AND FACILITATE YOUR MOVEMENT WHILE YOU’RE ENGAGED IN WINTER ACTIVITIES.
WATER RESISTANCE, BREATHABILITY, INSULATION, AND DURABILITY ARE ALL CRITERIA TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING YOUR FINAL CHOICE.
Bien définir l'usage de votre manteau pour savoir lequel choisir.
A REAL FAN OF FRESH POWDER, OFF TRAILING, OR FREESTYLING?
SET YOUR SIGHTS ON A COAT WITH HIGH BREATHABILITY THAT WILL WICK AWAY HEAT AND MOISTURE. BECAUSE SNOWBOARDING IS SUCH A HIGH INTENSITY SPORT, YOUR BODY WILL BE GIVING OFF A LOT OF HEAT.
SEEING AS WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE MOUNTAIN CAN BE EXTREME, IT’S BEST TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A COAT THAT’S BOTH WIND AND WATERPROOF.
ALSO, CHOOSE A LOOSE FITTING COAT THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO MAKE THE LARGE MOTIONS REQUIRED WHEN ENGAGING IN THIS SPORT.
BEGINNER, TECHNICAL, OR OFF-TRAIL SKIER…
WHATEVER YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL, GEAR UP WITH A BREATHABLE COAT THAT WICKS AWAY MOISTURE, BECAUSE, WHEN IT COMES TO DOWNHILL SKIIING, QUICK DESCENTS ARE FREQUENTLY FOLLOWED BY STOPS.
TO AVOID LOSING HEAT AND TO MAXIMISE YOUR SPEED AND PERFORMANCE WHILE RACING DOWN THE SLOPES, OPT FOR A SLIM-FITTING, ERGONOMIC COAT THAT WILL CUT THE WIND.
ALSO BE SURE THAT YOUR COAT IS HIGHLY WATERPROOF SO THAT YOU STAY DRY DURING YOUR DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN.
HIKING, SLEDDING, SKATING, SNOWSHOEING…
SINCE THE BODY RELEASES LESS HEAT DURING THESE OUTDOOR WINTER ACTIVITIES THAN WHILE PARTICIPATING IN MOUNTAIN SPORTS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO LOOK FOR A COAT THAT WILL KEEP YOU WARM.
CHOOSE STYLES THAT ARE WELL INSULATED AND ARE 3/4 LENGTH SO THAT THEY WILL COVER THE BACK OF THE THIGHS.
TO STAY WARM DURING YOUR FAVOURITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, DRESS IN MULTIPLE LAYERS.
HERE ARE THREE IMPORTANT LAYERS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE AND ADAPT TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS:
• THE BASELAYER: WORN DIRECTLY AGAINST THE SKIN, THIS THIN LAYER WORKS TO WICK MOISTURE AWAY TOWARDS THE UPPER LAYERS.
• THE MIDLAYER (INSULATING): THIS LAYER TRAPS IN HEAT AND KEEPS THE BODY WARM, ALL WHILE CONTINUING TO TRANSFER THE MOISTURE OUTWARDS.
• THE EXTERNAL LAYER (SHELL OR COAT): THIS LAYER PROTECTS YOU FROM COLD TEMPS, WIND, AND WATER. IT SHOULD ALSO RELEASE THE MOISTURE FROM THE INTERNAL LAYERS.
MULTI-LAYER DRESSING IS THE KEY TO ENJOYING YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES TO THE FULLEST!
Here are a few insulating materials that are known for being warm and comfortable.
DOWN IS A TOP-NOTCH NATURAL INSULATOR BECAUSE IT HUGS THE BODY AND ITS UNBEATABLE BREATHABILITY ALLOWS MOISTURE TO EVAPORATE.
IN ADDITION TO BEING LIGHT, IT HOLDS MORE HEAT THAN SYNTHETIC INSULATORS. ITS FIBRES TRAP TINY POCKETS OF AIR, WHICH ALLOWS IT TO INSULATE EXTREMELY WELL.
EVEN IF HAS BEEN COMPRESSED OR FLATTENED, DOWN'S EXCEPTIONAL ELASTICITY ALLOWS IT TO REINFLATE AND REGAIN ITS SHAPE SIMPLY BY BEING VIGOROUSLY SHAKEN.
FILL POWER MEASURES DOWN'S QUALITY. THE MORE VOLUMINOUS IT IS, THE PUFFIER, MORE DURABLE, AND INSULATING IT WILL BE. GOOD QUALITY GOOSE DOWN HAS A FILL POWER OF 600 TO 700, WHILE EXCELLENT QUALITY GOOSE DOWN HAS A FILL POWER OF 750 TO 850.
PRIMALOFT® IS A PACKABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT MICROFIBRE INSULATOR THAT IS COMPARABLE TO DOWN.
IT IS THE WARMEST SYNTHETIC INSULATOR, WHETHER IT IS WET OR DRY.
IT DRIES QUICKLY AND IS ALSO VERY SOFT AND BREATHABLE.
A TECHNICAL MATERIAL THAT IS AS LIGHT AND PACKABLE AS DOWN, THERMOLITE® INSULATION GUARANTEES EXCEPTIONAL WARMTH, EVEN WHEN IT IS DAMP.
IT IS SIX TIMES WARMER THAN POLAR FLEECE OF THE SAME WEIGHT.
AS IT IS NONALLERGENIC AND MACHINE WASHABLE, IT’S EASY CARE FOR AND DRIES VERY QUICKLY.
THINSULATE® INSULATION IS VERY EFFECTIVE AT CONSERVING BODY HEAT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GUARANTEEING GREAT BREATHABILITY.
IT’S A TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED FOR SERIOUS WINTER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR COMFORT AND WARMTH.
POLARTEC® FABRIC IS MADE OF PURE POLYESTER THAT IS SCRAPED ON BOTH SIDES, WHICH GIVES IT A GREAT CAPACITY TO THERMALLY INSULATE WHILE ALSO BEING LIGHT AND EASY TO CARE FOR.
IT COMES IN VARIOUS WEIGHTS AND FINISHES ADAPTED TO HOW IT IS USED.
MERINO IS A 100% NATURAL FORM OF INSULATION.
IT REGULATES BODY TEMPERATURE BY RELEASING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF HEAT WHILE ALSO ABSORBING MOISTURE.
MERINO WOOL STRETCHES, IS SOFT TO THE TOUCH, MACHINE WASHABLE, AND DURABLE.
Discover the features and advantages of a coat that keeps you dry.
WATER RESISTANCE IS MEASURED IN MILLIMETRES AND SIGNIFIES THE CAPACITY OF A COAT’S MEMBRANE TO STOP THE PENETRATION OF WATER.
AVERAGE WATER RESISTANCE FOR A SPORTS COAT IS 5,000 TO 8,000 MM. THE HIGHER THIS NUMBER, THE BETTER THE MEMBRANE WILL PERFORM.
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THIS IS A PROCESS WHERE A PROTECTIVE STRIP IS APPLIED ON THE INTERIOR OF THE COAT’S SEAMS TO MAKE THEM AIRTIGHT AGAINST WIND, RAIN, COLD, AND HUMIDITY.
SOME COATS HAVE CRITICALLY SEALED SEAMS AND OTHERS HAVE FULLY SEALED SEAMS:
- CRITICAL SEAMS ARE GENERALLY THOSE ON THE HOOD, NECK, AND SHOULDERS.
- FOR FANS OF MOUNTAIN SPORTS, IT’S BETTER TO OPT FOR A COAT WITH FULLY SEALED SEAMS SINCE THIS GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL BE COMPLETELY DRY AND COMFORTABLE.
DURABLE WATER-REPELLENT TREATMENT (DWR) IS A PROCESS IN WHICH A WATERPROOF POLYMER IS APPLIED ON THE EXTERIOR LAYER OF A FABRIC. THIS WAY, WATER BEADS OFF THE FABRIC INSTEAD OF BEING ABSORBED.
YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THIS TREATMENT IS NOT PERMANENT. IN FACT, WASHING AND NORMAL USE, COMBINED WITH EXPOSURE TO DIRT AND IMPURITIES CAN DECREASE ITS DURABILITY.
BREATHABILITY IS A FABRIC’S CAPACITY TO WICK AWAY WATER VAPOUR. THIS IS MEASURED IN GRAMS PER SQUARE METRE.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE BODY AGAINST BECOMING COLD OR EXCESSIVELY HOT, A FABRIC’S PERMEABILITY TO WATER VAPOUR IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO WICK AWAY MOISTURE QUICKLY AND KEEP THE BODY DRY AT ALL TIMES.
AVERAGE BREATHABILITY FOR A SPORTS COAT IS 5,000 TO 8,000 MM. THE HIGHER THIS NUMBER, THE BETTER THE MEMBRANE WILL PERFORM.
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FOR FANS OF INTENSE WINTER SPORTS, THERE ARE ALSO COATS EQUIPPED WITH AIR VENTS UNDER THE ARMS TO HELP REGULATE BODY TEMPERATURE.
THIS IS A TECHNIQUE WHERE A THIN AND FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE IS PLACED BETWEEN THE EXTERIOR FABRIC AND THE COAT LINING IN ORDER TO ENSURE ITS BREATHABILITY AND WATER RESISTANCE.
LAMINATING CAN BE DONE IN TWO OR THREE LAYERS. GORE-TEX MEMBRANES ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE.
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There's now advanced, cutting-edge technology that's been specially developed for outdoor enthusiasts who have specific needs.
GORE-TEX® IS A BREATHABLE AND WATERPROOF MEMBRANE THAT WAS INVENTED BY BOB GORE IN 1970. THIS MATERIAL IS A MUST FOR OUTDOOR AND MOUNTAIN SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS, AS IT’S KNOWN FOR ITS DURABLE PROTECTION AGAINST BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT IT PROVIDES.
IT’S A SYNTHETIC FABRIC DRAWN FROM POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE), BETTER KNOWN BY THE NAME TEFLON, WHICH WE FIND AS A COMPONENT IN MANY TECHNICAL PRODUCTS.
GORE-TEX® MEMBRANES ARE LIGHT, ULTRA-THIN, AND HAVE A MICROPOROUS STRUCTURE. THEY ARE INSERTED BETWEEN THE FABRIC AND LINING OF A GARMENT (COAT, PANT, GLOVES, ETC.). THIS LAMINATING TECHNIQUE MAKES THESE GARMENTS HIGHLY BREATHABLE, WINDPROOF, AND WATERPROOF.
ARE YOU A FAN OF OFF-TRAIL SKIING AND EXTREME SPORTS? THIS EMERGENCY SYSTEM COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
EMERGENCY AVALANCHE RESCUE TEAMS USE IT TO FIND PEOPLE BURIED UNDER THE SNOW.
THIS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY CONSISTS OF 2 PARTS: A RECCO® DETECTOR USED BY RESCUERS AND A RECCO® REFLECTOR THAT’S BUILT INTO THE CLOTHING OF SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS ON THE MOUNTAIN.
DURING RESCUE MISSIONS, THE RECCO® DETECTOR EMITS A SEARCH SIGNAL THAT IS THEN RETURNED BY THE RECCO® REFLECTOR. THIS SONAR SIGNAL GUIDES RESCUE SERVICES TOWARDS THE PERSON NEEDING TO BE RESCUED.
Careful use of your coat and regular care once a year will guarantee that it remains effective and will prolong its life.
WASH YOUR COAT SEPARATELY IN A FRONT-LOADING WASHING MACHINE WITH COLD WATER ON A DELICATE CYCLE, AND USING MILD LIQUID DETERGENT.
RINSE 2 TO 3 TIMES TO REMOVE ALL DETERGENT RESIDUE. RINSING DOWN COATS MULTIPLE TIMES WILL HELP THE FEATHERS TO REINFLATE.
DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER. THIS PRODUCT CAN BLOCK THE PORES IN YOUR COAT’S MEMBRANE AND CAUSE IT TO LOOSE ITS BREATHABILITY.
DON’T FORGET TO EMPTY YOUR POCKETS, ZIP UP THE ZIPPERS, AND REATTACH ALL THE VELCRO FASTENERS AND SNAP BUTTONS BEFORE WASHING YOUR COAT.
REMOVE THE FUR AND WASH IT BY HAND. DO NOT PUT IT IN THE DRYER.
NOTE: DRY CLEANING AND BLEACHING ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DOWN COATS
TUMBLE DRY LOW.
IN ORDER TO BETTER FLUFF UP THE DOWN, ADD 2 OR 3 TENNIS BALLS TO THE DRYER. THIS ALLOWS IT REGAIN IT’S ORIGINAL VOLUME.
USING THE DRYER WILL REACTIVATE YOUR COAT’S DURABLE WATER-REPELLENT TREATMENT.
WHEN THE TREATMENT CAN NO LONGER BE HEAT ACTIVATED, APPLY A NEW SPRAY-ON WATERPROOFING TREATMENT.
NOTE: IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO AIR DRY DOWN AS THIS ENCOURAGES THE GROWTH OF MOULD.
