Sherpa Adventure Gear at Outdoor Retailer 2011 Winter Market

January 27, 2011

By Jared Hargrave

I’ve been a fan of Sherpa Adventure Gear ever since I bought a black softshell jacket from them way back in 2003. I still wear that jacket, even though it’s been through the skiing/rock climbing/hiking/every-day living wringer. Sherpa is still going strong these days, and are putting out sweet gear that stands up to even the biggest outdoor companies.

Below are just a few of the mens and womens jackets and base layers that are new for 2011.

Sherpa Deoche softshell jacket.

The Sherpa Adventure Gear Deoche Jacket is a new softshell that is water resistant and breathable. It has a grid fleece interior to trap body heat when resting, and moves hot air away when moving. It looks perfect for high cardio activities on the mountain like backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Sherpa Varun insulated jacket

Synthetic insulation is finding its place in the Sherpa lineup of puffies, including the Varun Jacket. The Varun is a mens and womens piece that is set apart from the others by incorporating softshell fabric on the side panels and inner sleeves for increased range of motion. The front and back of the jacket is filled with 40 grams of Primaloft Eco insulation for warmth where it matters.

Sherpa Khushi merino wool base layer with hood.

The Khushi is a base layer that borrows from the stylings of ultra trendy pullover hoodies. It’s made from Merino wool and includes a hood that is ideal for using under a ski or climbing helmet.

Sherpa Mantra insulated/wool jacket for women

Sherpa’s Mantra is a nice looking hybrid jacket that combines the warm core of a puffy with the comfortable stretchiness of Merino wool sleeves. It has a hood for cold, stormy days, and is filled with 60 grams of synthetic insulation. Sherpa says it’s like wearing an insulated vest over a wool hoodie, but without the bulk. Available in both mens and womens styles.

Sherpa Shankar insulated jacket

Finally, we have the Sherpa Shankar Jacket. It’s a Primaloft One-filled insulated coat with a wind and water resistant nylon shell. It has an oversized hood that fits most helmets, is very compressible, and is light weight… perfect as a packable layer for cold aventures.

Sherpa Adventure Gear is run by Tashi Sherpa, along with his daughter Tsedo Sherpa, and they recently opened three retail outlets in Nepal. All the gear is tested in the Himalaya Mountains by actual sherpas, and a portion of Sherpa’s profits go back to the community to serve the underprivileged Sherpa children of Nepal. This is gear with a soul, and when the time come for my favorite Sherpa softshell to be pried from my hands, I’ll be looking for a replacement from Sherpa Adventure Gear.

For more, visit www.sherpaadventuregear.com