Montane New Zealand
Engineered for endurance.
Montane has become synonymous with lightweight and breathable clothing and equipment. For over 25 years Montane has worked closely with serious mountain professionals working in hostile conditions across the globe as a proving ground for garment design. From the British Antarctic Survey to British Mountain Rescue Teams. Professionals who demand the toughest credentials from their clothing and equipment choose Montane.
The first to truly push the limits of single layer mountain clothing with the Extreme Smock and then, later realising the true value of windproof clothing, creating the first super packable, windproof and breathable windshirt - the Featherlite Smock. The Featherlite Smock was probably the most functional and innovative piece of windproof garment design since Fridtjof Nansen, whilst planning the first crossing of Greenland over 100 years ago, realised that the windproof properties of a garment were the secret to moving quickly and comfortably in the mountains.
The importance of functionality.
The importance of functionality in garments and packs does not stop at product design alone. Fabric technology is critical to producing the best products, Montane works with the world's leading fabric suppliers to engineer new cutting-edge materials that push the boundaries of what is possible with clothing, equipment and accessories in order to create the lightest, toughest and most functional products available on the market.
Technologies.
Driven by technical know-how and experience, Pertex have now collaboratively worked alongside Montane for over 25 years as a leading fabric technology partner. Globally recognised for their trusted approach to fabric design, Pertex understand and appreciate that protection from the elements is paramount to maximise the enjoyment factor and experience in the outdoors.
Here are the other technology and fabric partners Montane work with: Gore-TEx, Primaloft, Polartec, CoolMax, Polygiene, Cordura, Gore Windstopper, Allied Feather and Down, Cuben Fiber, Chameleon, Dimension Polyant VX-21, drirelease, Pontetorto, Raptor and Schoeller.
Where are the contemporary limits of endurance?
They are in ultras. Imagine this: you've run 256 miles across the frozen Canadian Yukon. You've experienced consistent -30C and felt the low of -40C, you're cold and alone and you still have 174 miles to go to the finish line....stay focused. In July you've run 60 miles of toughest trails in the British Lake District, some of the cruellest terrain underfoot in Europe. You've just left the warmth of a friendly checkpoint and as you step out into the cold pouring rain, peer into the darkness and contemplate the terrain ahead, you realise you have 40 miles left until the finish line. From the Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra to the Montane Lakeland 100, this is one of the main areas where we believe endurance is being tested to the absolute limit and where Montane products thrive.
Further. Forever.
As outdoor adventure enthusiasts we are inherently connected to nature and the great outdoors. It’s what drives us to do what we do: engineer outdoor clothing so more of you can explore the world’s wild places. We know these places we love to escape to are under increasing threat and that we have a responsibility to help to protect the planet for future generations.
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and to being transparent with consumers as this journey continues, so you are well informed and confident about the origin of your Montane products. In the meantime, to help us navigate our way, we are led by these four guiding pillars:
Durability is the cornerstone of our design and manufacturing philosophy. Extending the lifetime of the product effectively diminishes the impacts associated with production, by sharing them over more years and cutting down on landfill in the process.
This “built to last” policy combined with our detailed care instructions helps ensure the highest possible performance for the lifetime of our products. We also offer encourage repairing your gear which could help extend the life of your Montane product even further.
Our products are made for wild and extreme environments, so we’re passionate about the survival and ongoing maintenance of these places. Through our support of the European Outdoor Conservation Association, our partnership with the British Mountaineering Council, and annual donations to the Lake District’s Fix the Fells programme, we’re doing what we can to help protect the landscapes that we cherish.
We only work with manufacturers who respect the rights and wellbeing of the people who make our products. We have taken steps that help us to verify that our high standards are consistently being met. In doing so we have peace of mind and you can too.
In October 2019 Montane became a member of the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). The FWF is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with brands and manufacturers to improve labour conditions and worker’s rights in the global textile and apparel manufacturing industry.
As part of our factory selection process and ongoing partnerships, we require that our suppliers agree to and meet our business standards. Montane has always included our Social and Ethical Policy in all factory contracts, to help to ensure that our values, policies and standards are understood and adhered to. The policy was built upon the same International Labour Organisation (ILO) foundations that underpin the Fair Wear Foundations (FWF) work. Montane’s FWF membership and regular visits to our factories support long term and effective implementation of these standards.
The below labour standards are the fundamental values we strive to communicate and support throughout all garment and product manufacturers Montane works with. To raise and maintain awareness with all of the workers, these standards are displayed in the local language of all factories we work with. Workers also receive training about the CoLP, which builds understanding and supports open dialogue between factory management and the workers.
An anonymous complaints mechanism operated by Fair Wear and their member brands further supports transparency of working conditions and gives workers a voice. Working together with Fair Wear and any other member brands present in the factory, we work hard to resolve any concerns raised quickly. Our factories also undergo regular audits, to ensure that our high standards are being upheld.
For more information about the Fair Wear Foundation please visit www.fairwear.org
Microplastic Statement.
As knowledge increases with regards to the environmental effects of plastic waste, questions have been raised about the impact of synthetic fibres shedding from textiles and clothing. Montane is committed to working with our textile suppliers and organisations such as the European Outdoor Group (EOG) to continuously monitor the situation and the viable options available, which can help to limit the impact of the products we produce.
What can you do to limit microfiber shedding?
- Invest: Higher quality materials will last longer as well as shedding fewer microfibres when washed. Montane strongly believes that committing to quality materials from reputable fabric mills allows our products to be as durable as possible, extending their lifespan and lowering their environmental impact.
- Wash Less: Only wash your kit when absolutely necessary, to reduce water consumption, limit microfibre shedding and extend the lifetime of your garment. Many of Montane’s next to skin products are treated with Polygiene, a Bluesign approved anti-odour treatment which reduces the need for regular washing whilst keeping the wearer smelling fresh!
- Catch the microfibres: Research has shown that front-loading washing machines reduce the number of microfibres shed during a wash cycle. To further reduce this consider using a GUPPYFRIEND washing bag or a Cora Ball to catch the microfibres and prevent them from contaminating waterways.
Recycled Fabrics.
Montane continues to work closely with our fabric suppliers to introduce the latest recycled materials to our product range where possible, helping to reduce demand on virgin fibres made from oil. In turn, this helps reduce CO2 emissions and limit quantities of virgin fibre ending up in a landfill.
Performance and longevity are at the heart of our designs, and where these are not compromised we have integrated recycled fabrics from suppliers including PERTEX, POLARTEC, PRIMALOFT and Allied Feather and Down into our range.
Animal Welfare.
In Autumn Winter 2015, Montane became the first brand in the world to implement the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) across our entire down collection.
The RDS is a comprehensive global, third-party-certified, animal welfare and traceability standard for down and feathers. The RDS ensures that the down in a product does not come from birds that have been live-plucked or force-fed, and that the welfare of the birds is protected throughout their full life.
The entire supply chain – farms, collectors, slaughterhouses, down processors, sewing factories and distribution centres – are inspected by independent, professional certification bodies annually to guarantee complete traceability and compliance.
In Autumn Winter 2022 Montane introduced recycled down into our range. This cannot be certified to the RDS as the origin is unknown due to it being recycled. For the same reason, we do not specify whether this down is from geese or ducks. Where Merino wool is used in our range, this is always certified to be mulesing-free, prohibiting the act of mulesing. This act describes a form of treatment for flystrike, a common infection for merino sheep, where infected flesh is removed from the sheep often without the use of anaesthetic. Whilst regular shearing and anti-biotics can be used to prevent and treat fly strike, these are more time consuming and expensive for farmers. They are ultimately more humane however, which is why Montane places importance in ensuring all of the merino wool we are sourcing is certified mulesing free.
Montane sources small quantities of leather for use in some of our accessories. All of the leather used by Montane is CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) certified, which ensures that skins from endangered species are not used. We are currently working towards certifying any leather used in Montane products to a more comprehensive third-party certificate. This will help to protect environment through the processes used to source, tan and dye the leather, as well as the workers in this supply chain. No exotic skins, angora, or silk are used in any of Montane’s products.
All garment factories Montane works with globally are working in alignment with the Code of Labour Practises Montane has committed to through our Fair Wear Foundation membership.
Organic Cotton.
With huge quantities of insecticides, pesticides and water being used in conventional cotton production, Montane has committed all of our t-shirts to use 100% organic cotton. This gives cotton farmers greater flexibility, protects them from first-hand chemical use and prevents chemicals from draining into local waterways used for agriculture and drinking water.
All of our organic cotton is sourced in India and our organic cotton t-shirts are made in a factory certified to SA8000 (Social Certification Standard) and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). Our cotton is not sourced in the Xinjiang region of China, where there have been reports of forced labor and human rights violations.
PVC and Phthalates.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is commonly used for the screen printing of garments, in conjunction with plasticisers such as phthalates. Prints are heat-fixed to fabrics to ensure durability throughout their lifespan, however, phthalates can leach out from garment manufacturers wastewater, and even onto the wearer's skin after purchase. Phthalates have been linked to disrupting hormone levels as well as being a suspected carcinogen. For this reason, Montane only use printing inks which are free from PVC and phthalates.
The t-shirt manufacturer Montane uses is also GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified, as is their local dye house. This ensures that any wastewater is processed in line with GOTS certification and monitored at regular intervals to maintain this and ensure zero discharge of effluents (chemical residues) into local water systems.
Designed for the most demanding weather conditions in the world.
Constructed to work hard during tough physical conditions.Built to cope with harsh physiology. Sweat, heat and cold.
The leading lightweight and breathable garments on the market.
Understanding the intricacies of Climbing, Mountaineering, Running and Hiking at the first stage of development.
Demand for innovation in the pursuit of functionality and performance.
The use and continuous search for leading performance fabrics.
The use of the right fabric in the right way to maximise garment potential.
Highest standards of quality and construction.
The use of leading garment construction techniques, processes and skills.
Extensive testing on endurance pursuits in the harshest of extreme conditions, from rain and wind-swept British mountains, to the Greenland Icecap, hurricane winds in Patagonia to Cold Climb classics on Scotland's Ben Nevis.
Laboratory testing of fabrics and components to ensure all fabrics are fit for purpose and meet Montane's exacting standards.
Where to buy?
Hunting and Fishing, Dunedin.