Gear Guide – Mountainwear, Rip Curl Ultimate Range

September 23rd, 2019
International team rider Sam Favret, testing the Pro Gum jacket and pants in the New Zealand backcountry. Photo: Tony Harrington

 

Mountainwatch | Gear Guide

Rip Curl have been using stretch fabrics in its Ultimate mountainwear range for over a decade, which combined with its high waterproof and breathability ratings, make the Ultimate range one of the most technical and comfortable ranges on the market.

The four-way stretch is designed for performance and comfort with the Rip Curl international team having input on the design and fabrics used and it is one of the most comfortable jackets you’ll ever wear. The Pro Gum jacket is the most advanced snow jacket of the range and features 4-way stretch panels and a 30K/40K membrane developed by  37.5 technology,  which guarantees the jacket is waterproof (30,000 mm) and the (40,0000mm) breathability keeps you dry from inside and outside all day long.

The 2020 Pro Gum jacket

The jacket has all the tech features you’d expect with fully taped seams, waterproof zips, and the high collar is designed for protection from the elements with built in vents for airflow.  Standard features include a powder skirt, under arm venting zips, pass pocket, internal goggle pocket, phone pocket etc.

 

The Pro Gum pant has has the same water proof and breathability ratings as the jacket as well as clima-mapping lining, 4x front zipped pockets, venting zips and pant to jacket connectors. Once again, the lightweight stretch fabric makes the pant super comfortable to wear and the breathability of the 37.5 technology make it the perfect pant for backcountry touring.  A number of backcountry features have been added to the Pro Gum pant in the latest range which has just landed in northern hemisphere stores include a zip-off tour g bib, avalanche transceiver compartment and a Primaloft, battery-saving pocket.

 

The 2020 Pro Gum pant, in store in December this year.

 

So, what is 37.5 technology? Rip Curl has been using it for a few years now, mountainwear designer Mark Godoy preferring it over Gore-Tex, which Rip Curl have used in the past. His reason is simple – “It is more waterproof and more breathable than Gore-Tex. The 37.5 membrane that we use is 30k water proof and 40k breathable, which is the best you can get for staying dry.”

“Rip Curl mountainwear uses the 37.5 technology in the membrane for outerwear, and embed it in the fibre of the yarns used for jacket wadding in the Ultimate range and in base layers and mid-layers for a complete moisture management system,” Mark told Mountainwatch. “So, 37.5 technology is not only more waterproof and more breathable than Gore-Tex, but it has a wider use. The 37.5 technology contribution is breathability across all product application.”

 

Chris Rasman, high performance in the Ultimate range. Photo: Tony Harrington

37.5 Technology works to enhance the body’s natural cooling system by helping to keep your body at the ideal core temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius, hence the name.

“When the body sweats, moisture is released as vapor before it turns into liquid (sweat),” Mark explained. “The micro particlesin 37.5 Technology work to remove this vapor from the micro climate (micro climate is the area betweenthe skin and the garment) before it turns into sweat, keeping you comfortable and dry. In cold climates the same micro particles act as a barrier trapping infrared heat when the micro climate is belowthe optimum 37.5 degrees Celsius.”

 

Internal lining with clima-mapping

Rip Curl have been producing a global mountainwear range since 1987 and like all of its technical products, Rip Curl mountainwear is made to last and the Ultimate range lives up to its name. At $549.99 for the Pro Gum jacket and $499.99 for the Pro Gum pant, this is great value for high-end gear, especially when compared to other brands with much lower technical ratings.

The 2020 range will be in-store in December, but the 2019 Ultimate Range is on sale now on the mountainwatch online store.