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Storm-proof:
The elements are no match for Nordisk tents
Extreme situations call for extreme measures – and for Nordisk, that means wind tunnel testing!
The wind howls as rain lashes against the tent. The icy air outside cuts the face like a knife – but the tent lets nothing through and stands firm enough to withstand a hurricane! To ensure that no obstacles stand in the way of great adventures, Nordisk has now introduced a special test procedure for all its tents: the outdoor shelters are put through their paces in a wind tunnel to prove their fitness for extreme situations. After all, the tents have to be just as ready for adventure as their inhabitants!
Nordisk tents have already undergone a whole range of experiences before they embark on their first proper journey! The Danish outdoor equipment supplier subjects its tents to extreme testing in a wind tunnel – the best way to ensure that the tents can withstand even the roughest storms! A Nordisk test team accompanies the progress of the mobile shelters part of the way – but entrance to the wind tunnel is prohibited at wind speeds of 20 m/s and upward. The tents are left alone to face their toughest test and earn their title as true masters of extreme sports!
Eye of the hurricane
A hurricane is equivalent to number 12 on the Beaufort scale – the highest level of the most widely used wind force measurement scale – and achieves a wind speed of 32.7 m/s (118 km/h). The scale describes sea conditions at this wind speed as 'Huge waves. Sea is completely white with foam and spray. Air is filled with driving spray, greatly reducing visibility.' On land, a hurricane inflicts widespread destruction, toppling mobile homes, damaging light residences and possibly breaking windows. In wind tunnel testing, the majority of Nordisk tents withstand even these wind speeds. Wind force is built up gradually in stages of 2.5 m/s, from the equivalent of a stiff breeze to gale force and hurricane level. At the same time, simulated downpours test the waterproof standards of the tents – after all, adventurers out in the wilderness don't get the choice between wind and rain either!
Storm Proof – New symbol
Thanks to these comprehensive wind and rain tests Nordisk is now able to offer all adventurers the perfect tent for their needs, wherever their travels take them. From a winter trip to the mountains to a summer trekking holiday with friends, Nordisk supplies the ideal outdoor shelter. The new Nordisk symbol indicates the wind speed which each tent can withstand undamaged – despite some buckling or deformation. Now there's nothing stopping outdoor fans from embarking on their next adventure – least of all the weather!
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Nordisk Laga for a good sleep |
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John Fenna let's us know his views on this Nordisk sleeping bag and cover
 A good sleeping bag is a must for comfort when sleeping out (though the hard core may be happy with their blankets!) and I have been trying out the Nordisk LAGA HP sleeping bag over the past winter with very pleasing results.
Made in Europe and filled with European duck down, the LAGA HP is part of the Nordisk “Green Zone” range of sleeping bags, designed to give comfortable, adaptable performance with “the best price/performance ratio”.
Unlike most sleeping bags, the LAGA HP has a rectangular shaped foot and the zip goes down the full length of one side (left or right options are available) and across the base allowing the sleeping bag to open up as a quilt when required, and also give you loads of “wriggle room” when zipped up as a sleeping bag. This shaping is not ideal for hammock use, but is great if you are a ground dweller!.
The hood is shaped to allow excellent lofting and there is “3D heat collar” across the chest for good insulation when you have the hood and front drawcords tightened for maximum warmth. An interesting feature of the hood is the large pocket that can be filled with spare clothing to form a pillow that will not slide away in the night. |
There is also a useful 14cm x 20cm valuables pocket inside the chest area of the sleeping bag – ideal for securing small items.
The hood and chest drawcords can be individually tightened through a cord lock, and the cord itself has reflective flecks woven into its structure.
The zip is a tough 2-way YKK coil, with reflective fleck cord puller extensions, and is backed by a deep (and very effective) anti-snag “zipper guard” and a generous baffle to avoid cold spots. At the ends of the zip there are zip “garages” to save you coming into uncomfortable contact with the metal zip pull and which also help prevent the zip easing open by itself.
The outer and inner are made from a close-woven synthetic Lite Cell 40 and Lite Tex 40 fabric that breathes well, dries quickly and feels very pleasant next to the skin. There is a more water-repellent version of the fabric at the foot to protect against the old problem of condensation, contact from tents etc.
The “Northdown” filling is a 550 + minimum fill European down (from bird-friendly sources) that is treated to be quick drying to give resistance to odours and mould while providing improved insulation and flexibility. As far as I can determine, the down is held in baffle-sewn compartments to give good insulation at the seams and to control “down migration” and to assist lofting. |
 Measuring 185cm long by 81cm wide (all the way from shoulder to foot), the LAGA HP 185 weighs only about 1,200gm, packs down to a tiny 24cm x 24cm (or even less if you are brutal) in its supplied compression stuff bag and yet is rated as comfortable at –1 degree Centigrade, limit at –7 degrees Centigrade and survivable at – 24 degrees Centigrade (all bag rating tested by the “Institut Thelma” in Norway and listed according to EN 13537). I have to say that I found the bag very comfortable during some very hard frosts – without even tightening the hood up fully! This was using it under a tarp with a down-filled airbed and ground sheet under me. At temperatures above O degrees Centigrade I found I had to get my head and shoulders out of the bag, and at temperatures above 10 degrees Centigrade (indoors) I found it comfortable when used as a quilt.
A 200cm long version of the LAGA HP is available for tall folk, but at 5’5” tall, I found the 185cm length more than adequate and the 82cm width comfortably wide for my 45 inch chest.
The LAGA HP sleeping bags come complete with a compression stuff sack and a generously large, mesh, fabric storage bag.
I found the Nordisk LAGA HP 185 sleeping bag very comfortable and versatile, well featured and well made, and warm for its weight and bulk.
Coming in “Chilli Red” only, the Nordisk LAGA HP costs around £185. |
 If you are one of those who likes to sleep next to the fire, or just wants to give their sleeping bag a little more protection from sparks, dirt, dew or even light drizzle, Nordisk also produce a 100% cotton sleeping bag cover that measures approx 210cm long x 76cm wide at chest, 38cm wide at foot. The “head” is cut as an uncontoured curve with a round face opening with a drawcord, and there is a 78cm long centre opening with 6 press stud closure on a 9cm wide cover flap. The foot has a box shaping of some 34cm x 38cm.
I found the cover a little narrow at the shoulder/chest for my bulk (but slimmer folk should not find this a problem) with the press studs popping open. I also found the press studs a little awkward to close when I was snug inside a sleeping bag with a side closure.
A useful feature of this sleeping bag cover is the pocket in the head of the bag. This contains an insect net that you can draw over your face. A very useful feature if you are intending sleeping out in the midge season!
The Nordisk sleeping bag cover comes in Olive Green, packs into a 26cm x 15cm diameter stuff sack, weighs approx 1 kg and costs around £30.
For more information visit www.arkconsultants.co.uk (the UK distributors) 01524 822084 or
www.nordisk.eu |
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Nordisk Tarp Front Page News |
Review of the Nordisk Tarp SI L by John FennaI am always on the lookout for a good tarp, and the Nordisk SI range has much to recommend it.
 Coming in sizes S (3m x 3m), M (3m x 4.5m) and L (4.5m x 4.5m), these are generously sized bits of kit made from Northtec SI-2000 double silicone proofed ripstop nylon that is incredibly strong for its weight.
The S size tarp weighs only 650gms, the M 950gms and the L only 1,400gms.
The size L is the model I have been trying out and this is made from 3 runs of fabric, giving two seams running the length (or width) of the tarp, but despite being out in some strong winds and heavy, continuous rain, there were no seam leaks.
The hems around all 4 edges are reinforced at each of the 3 webbing pegging/guying loops along each sideand at the 4 corners. There are strong reinforcement triangles at the pegging/guy points. |
At the very centre of the tarp there is a 16cm x 16cm reinforcing patch of heavier fabric that supports an eyelet that can accommodate a tentpole or be fitted with some sort of hanging loop (as I prefer) while the tarp I received for testing also came with 6 bright red guy lines with reflective fleck.
As there is only one support point away from the tarp’s edge, I was a little concerned about how well it would pitch in a high wind, but need not have worried. The tarp took some very strong winds without undue flapping or bellying. Having said that, more attachment points (perhaps along the seams) would have made the tarp even more versatile. Of course, fitting your own by tying a cord around a “button” (nut, pebble etc), twisted into the fabric where you want it is an easy option. |
 The quality of build on the review sample size L (4.5m x 4.5m) is excellent and the tarp has proved strong, versatile, waterproof, lightweight and big enough to be a generous group shelter or enormous personal shelter.
I have used the tarp in conditions ranging from snow through rain to frost, from winds calm to almost gale force, and have had no problem beyond worrying about my pegs pulling out of soft ground.
The lightweight of the size L is matched by its small pack size. The tarp comes with a stuff sack measuring approx 28cm x 60cm but can pack down to less than half fill it!
During one trip out (in pouring rain) I measured the area under our parachute “group shelter” not plagued by drips. The area was smaller than 4m x 4m, less than the area the Nordisk SI tarp size L would have given … but I was using that as my own shelter that weekend!
A parachute weighs a darn sight more than the tarp and will not fit in a jacket pocket as the tarp will – so it may well be getting its retirement papers soon! |
 The Nordisk SI tarps come in Forest Green and are made from fabric that is waterproof to a 2000 water column standard, but weighing only 54gm/m2 and are tough and tear resistant. I would imagine the fabric is not over-resistant to spark damage and would avoid pitching it too close to open fires.
In all, I have found the Nordisk Tarp SI L strong, light, versatile and supremely packable. A joy to use!
Costing around £160, the Nordisk “Black Zone” tent range focuses on lightweight and small packing volume. Similar sized tarps of less “technical” fabrics and higher weight and volume are available in their other tent ranges.
For more details visit www.arkconsultants.co.uk (the UK distributors) or www.nordisk.eu |
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Yeti Launch New Downproof Fabric |
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Trekking trailblazers: Yeti develops Next to Nothing fabric  Press Releases
Unique new fibre-locking technology significantly boosts volume of down fillings
Görlitz / Munich, 21 January 2011 – A product is only as good as the materials used to make it. Whether it's a gourmet dinner or a favourite jacket, the effort is wasted without the finest ingredients, the best materials. Innovative outdoor equipment manufacturer Yeti has taken this philosophy as its watchword and developed Next to Nothing fabric. Like its predecessor LightyGram, Next to Nothing is featherlight yet ultra-durable and offers superb thermal insulation. And thanks to a unique new advanced fibre-locking technology known as 'dotting', it also retains its shape superbly; the fibres are 'fixed' in the weave wherever they cross, preventing the fabric from distorting.
A down jacket or down sleeping-bag is a constant companion on adventures. Your sleeping-bag is with you on every summit, on tours through South America or crossing the Alps; the jacket provides reliable warmth when winter has the city in its icy grasp or when you’re longing to see the Northern Lights convinces you to brave the cold. But no sooner do you fall in love with these companions than they literally start to fall apart; the fabric rapidly suffers under the strain of washing and wearing, loosening the weave and impairing the density of the down filling (which requires close-weave fabric for optimum volume).
Keeping in shape thanks to sophisticated fabric finish
To ensure that your favourite down items stay in shape to join you on urban or outdoor adventures, Yeti has developed a sophisticated technology known as 'dotting finish' for its Next to Nothing fabric. This unique process locks fibres together at the points where they cross. At a density of around 15,000,000 dots per square inch, this effectively prevents the fabric structure from distorting, retaining its close weave and keeping even the tiniest crystal down feathers in the filling where they belong. As a pleasant side-effect, fabrics with this dotting finish are also practically creaseless and shrinkproof. Next to Nothing fibres are antistatic, with far less static 'crackle' than conventional synthetics. Equipment like this makes it fun to plan new challenges – whatever you aim for, your equipment will be there with you!
Keeping in shape thanks to sophisticated fabric finish
To ensure that your favourite down items stay in shape to join you on urban or outdoor adventures, Yeti has developed a sophisticated technology known as 'dotting finish' for its Next to Nothing fabric. This unique process locks fibres together at the points where they cross. At a density of around 15,000,000 dots per square inch, this effectively prevents the fabric structure from distorting, retaining its close weave and keeping even the tiniest crystal down feathers in the filling where they belong. As a pleasant side-effect, fabrics with this dotting finish are also practically creaseless and shrinkproof. Next to Nothing fibres are antistatic, with far less static 'crackle' than conventional synthetics. Equipment like this makes it fun to plan new challenges – whatever you aim for, your equipment will be there with you!
LightyGram becomes Next to Nothing
Always on the go and ready for new challenges – that's the spirit of a true adventurer. So it's only natural that Yeti continues to advance its products and materials and has moved to a new level with its new Next to Nothing fabric. With immediate effect, Yeti will introduce new Next to Nothing fabric with unique 'dotting finish' in all products previously made from LightyGram. In addition, Yeti is adding high-quality Velvet Stretch cuffs / shoulder openings to all Next to Nothing products. |
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