Sherpa Adventure Gear - Ski Clothing Beyond the Norm
This year the Start Haus is carrying a wider selection of ski clothing than ever before, thanks in part to our new soft goods guru, Jennifer.
One line Jennifer was excited about when she got to check it out in person was Sherpa, a small mountaineering-oriented clothing line actually made by Sherpa mountain guides in Nepal.
"The story is amazing behind Sherpa - it's a family owned company, which is rare these days, and it's actual Sherpas that climb Mt. Everest," Jennifer said. "They could pick any gear out there, and I think that says a lot."
The company contributes to schools in Nepal, and brings local details into every garment, from prayer flag symbols on the zipper pulls to the "endless knot" symbol on the back.
"What stands out about Sherpa Clothing is it's technically really advanced - it can go up against The North Face or Marmot, but at a much lower price," Jennifer said.
Case in point, the Sherpa Lithang Jacket.
Pronounced "leetung," this waterproof shell uses a 3-layer stretch fabric rated to 20,000mm hydrostatic head on the shoulders and key areas, 15,000mm elsewhere, which means its really well waterproofed. It's also rated to 20,000g for breathability, good for keeping it from getting clammy. A bendable wire in the brim of the hood, pit zips and great pockets rounded out the features we liked on this athletic-fitting jacket.
This is a great value for extra warmth, either under a shell on a storm day, or on its own when the weather is more cold than stormy. Synthetic works better when wet than down, and doesn't compress as much, meaning it stays warmer under a heavier shell.
Everybody needs a fleece in their ski wardrobe, but not all fleece is created equal. Sherpa uses a high-quality Polartec fleece that stands up to use, washing and wear while resisting pilling better than most. The Ladies cut actually fits ladies, Jennifer said, with a cute, flattering look.
That's just a quick look at a few of the pieces we've picked up from Sherpa. Shop the whole line here:
