James Cracknel and Ben Fogel Clothing?

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steve a

Settler
Oct 2, 2003
819
13
south bedfordshire
Ah, just checked the sponsors page, and guess what, Gortex are a main sponsor, so in response to your question, they are wearing it because it was provided by their sponsor, LOL
 

jimford

Settler
Mar 19, 2009
548
0
84
Hertfordshire
Ah, just checked the sponsors page, and guess what, Gortex are a main sponsor, so in response to your question, they are wearing it because it was provided by their sponsor, LOL

So they put their lives at risk in the most hostile environment in the World, by choosing an inferior product?

Jim
 

jimford

Settler
Mar 19, 2009
548
0
84
Hertfordshire
Do you not think the most reasonable explanation is that their clothing was chosen for them by Polar experts as being the most suitable for the task, and they then went to the company for sponsorship? If they'd been advised to chose Ventile, I imagine they wouldn't have had much problem with sponsorship from the manufacturer, Courtaulds.

Jim
 

steve a

Settler
Oct 2, 2003
819
13
south bedfordshire
I would not know, but Gortex are sponsoring the whole event not just one team, I really could not care what they wear, both Gortex and Ventile has been used on trips to the poles, I suppose its down to personal prefrence really but as Gortex are an event sponsor it might just be that they provided clothing for everyone.
I have both Ventile and Gortex clothing, I wear what I feel like wearing and dont have any hang ups about either, both have their positive and negative points. Neither in my opinon are faultless but each has its place.
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
1,947
Mercia
Following the discovery of Mallory's body on the north face of Everest in 1999, a team of forensic textile experts from Lancaster, Leeds, Southampton and Derby universities embarked on an experiment to recreate the outfit from samples of Mallory's clothing which had been preserved in ice.

Side by side

The three-year project, lead by Professor Mary Rose and Mike Parsons, revealed that Mallory's clothing was highly effective at providing protection at high altitude.

The layered natural materials used to construct the garments were found to be excellent at trapping air next to the skin.


The mystery of Mallory and Irvine's expedition has endured

The outer layer of gabardine was hardwearing and water-resistant yet breathable. But the clothing was also lighter than modern gear - the lightest ever to be used on Everest.

Parsons said: "The results stand out as a challenge for future outdoor innovators because Mallory's clothing and footwear was 20% and 40% lighter respectively."

The results of Hoyland's in-the-field experiment have now confirmed the experts' investigations.

Wearing the replica clothing for two days on Everest, Hoyland tested the suit alongside the expedition leader who was wearing a typical modern down suit.

A good feel

"I immediately found the underclothes warm to put on, whereas the modern polypropylene underwear feels cold and clammy," said Hoyland.

"When exposed to a cutting wind blowing off the main Rongbuk glacier, I found the true value of the Gabardine outer layers. These resisted the wind and allowed the eight layers beneath to trap warmed air between them and my skin.


It has been a three-year project to create the replicas
"We both got too hot working on the glacier so we felt that Mallory's clothing would have been more than adequate to climb to the top in, although it would be hard to survive a bivouac near the summit."

Hoyland also discovered that the clothes were more comfortable to wear than modern day gear.

"Like most mountaineers, I am used to synthetic outdoor clothing: polypropylene underclothes and outer fleeces which are bought pre-sized, off the shelf and never quite fit properly.

"They are unforgiving in stretch, and begin to smell unpleasant if worn for more than a couple of days. There is a harsh synthetic sensation next to your skin. By contrast, the Mallory clothing was made to fit me.

"This meant that the shirts didn't ride up, exposing my kidneys when I stretched, and the whole ensemble felt of a piece when walking. Instead of feeling bulky, the layers fitted very well."

Freedom of Movement

But the main difference for Hoyland was the level of movement the clothing allowed - which can mean the difference between life and death when at high altitude.

"The patented Pivot sleeve of the jacket enabled me to lift my arm to full extent when cutting steps with an ice axe without displacing the warm layers of air. If you can reach above your head and climb faster, you could get to the summit before nightfall."

Mallory's clothing did have one major drawback, as Hoyland discovered.


Mallory and Irvine probably wore their clothes for the duration
"The immediate problem was fastening buttons with cold fingers. I suspect Mallory and Irvine would have put the clothes on at Advanced Base Camp and left them on for the duration. Fly buttons may have been left undone as there are enough layers to interleave."

But Hoyland says: "All the other climbers thought the jacket was stylish and wanted to know where they could buy their own versions of the clothes!"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5076634.stm

I guess if forensic textile experts and Everest climbers can see value in older fabrics, they may actually have some merit......not just a "could survive" but lighter, more comfortable etc,
 

Wallenstein

Settler
Feb 14, 2008
753
1
46
Warwickshire, UK
I think the key phrase is "following the discovery of Mallory's body on the north face of Everest".

Not a particularly ringing endorsement of the fabric - "as he slowly froze to death at least Mallory had the comfort of knowing he didn't rustle on the slopes".

;)
 

British Red

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Dec 30, 2005
26,709
1,947
Mercia
Sadly the same could said of many wearing Goretex. :(

The entire point of the research was to prove that the clothing was adequate to the task. I guess if the experts of four univesities conclude that it was following testing recreated garments having tested the garments on the mountain itself, then the matter is settled - until better qualified people prove otherwise!

Red
 

jimford

Settler
Mar 19, 2009
548
0
84
Hertfordshire
So you all say it's the best, and the recent research says it's very good - so why is it all the extreme expeditions you see on the box, Everest, Arctic, Antarctic etc aren't kitted out with Ventile? Or is it that they are, but it's dyed the typically bright colours that synthetics are?

Jim
 

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