GEAR
NEW GEAR THE NORTH FACE SUMMIT FUTUREFLEECE™ HOODED JACKET If you’ve ever weighed all your gear and entered those weights into a dedicated spreadsheet, or even felt the desire to, then you’re probably a weight-weenie! No shame, I’m in the weight weenie club too (no, we don’t have matching jackets, they’re too heavy). So imagine my delight when I saw TNF’s new FUTUREFLEECE™ hooded jacket weighed a mere 208g - it damn near broke my spreadsheet! Aside from the outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio, it also features flat lock stitching, seamless shoulder strap zones, integrated thumb loops, and the least offensive full zip I’ve ever worn under a harness (as a devout ¾ zip wearer).
EVOLV SHAMAN PRO There is yet another addition to the Shaman family (in the best way possible). The Shaman Pro is a softer, more sensitive, and more ‘pro-er’ version of the current Shaman and Shaman lace shoes. Featuring Evolv’s new Evo Wrap technology that hugs your foot like it just fell off the last move of its proj, meaning you don’t have to downsize until your toenails drop off –unless you reeeaally want to. But fear not those who love to say ‘they don’t make em’ like they used to’ whilst shaking a closed fist in the air, Evolv didn’t change too much! The new Pro model is everything you loved about the shamans, just with a more bouldering and comp-oriented flavour.
Bonus: They actually do look pro-er.
Bonus: The women’s version is even lighter at 176g!
BOOT BANANAS ECO SCARPA INSTINCT S Please welcome the newest kid on the Scarpa Instinct lineup, Mr S (not to be confused with Mr Schneebly). “What does the S stand for?” you might be wondering? Well, though the shoe is softer, stickier, and more sensitive-er, we suspect the S stands for slipper. Scarpa has brought the performance and precision of the regular instinct shoes, to the comfort of a slipper and smothered it in a super sticky M50 toe rubber. If you ever wished your Instincts were softer and you’re keen to try a slipper, then this is the shoe for you.
Bonus slipper beta: By the time your mates are finished lacing up, you will have already flashed their proj!
70 AUTUMN 2023
Let’s face it, your shoes stink! Don’t bother denying it, I know… because mine stink too! Thankfully there’s a new fruit-shaped, homecompostable, definitely not edible solution to our community’s collective problem. The new Boot Bananas Eco model works the same as the old Boot Bananas do, but they’re now filled with activated coconut charcoal that’s sourced in Sri Lanka from coconut husks that would otherwise go to waste. They’re genuinely eco-friendly, it’s not just a name! So you can feel less bad about contributing to landfill and not have to worry about the people who have to smell your shoes.
Bonus: Finally rid yourself of the cartoon-style wiggly odour lines hovering over your shoes post-climb.
