20 Nov 2013

A Guide to Winter Layering

As Winter sets in for another year, it's worth remembering the basics of layering. We layer up thin layers of clothing to trap air warmed by the body between each garment. Some fabrics are better than others. A good layering system will take advantage of fabrics which promote the movement of moisture away from the skin and out through the layers, whilst trapping warm air.

The EDZ Performance Layering system is designed to be flexible. Add a layer for extra warmth remove a layer to cool down. Here's 4 layers to keep you warm this winter:

200gsm Merino Baselayer - wear it next to the skin, it's your first and best line of defense against the cold, with anti-odor and moisture management properties.
Men | Ladies

200gsm Merino Wool Zip neck top - Either worn as a baselayer or second layer, the Merino Zip neck is the ultimate in climate control with a front zip for venting when things hot-up and high collar for extra protection around the neck.
Men | Ladies

Midlayer Microfleece - Our soft to touch, lightweight fleece fabric contours the body with a precise fit. Amazingly low bulk for freedom of movement, yet super insulating.
Men | Ladies

Yeti Jacket - Have you ever heard a yeti complain about the cold? The Yeti is our no messing insulation piece, made from double sided high-loft fleece. Lighter and smaller packing than a conventional fleece yet warmer.
Men | Ladies

Finally, depending on your activity you might want to finish your layering system off with a windproof layer to stop the exchange of warm air for cool and prevent wind chill. Our Windshells can be worn over any combination of layers. Check out our windproof layers.

24 Oct 2013

Autumn 2013 - New Products

This Autumn see's the launch of several new products from EDZ, and some new colours added to our already varied Merino range.


New in the Natural 190gsm Merino range is a men's and ladies Vest top, which is great as thermal layer next to the skin. A lot of people asked for these last winter to wear under shirts or in situations where a vest would be more discrete but still give merino warmth to your core. Its also great as a vest top for high activity and hot sunny conditions.


Also new for this Autumn is the Men's Merino Wool Capri. This is another response to customer demand. The Capri is ideal as a thermal long-john for wearing with high boots, such as Ski, Snowboard or Motorcycle boots as it doesn't interfere with the wearers socks and avoids the problems of bunching fabric on the shin. The Capri also works well as a legging for running or other aerobic activities.











We are doing Children's baselayer sets for the first time, for ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. These are the same Superfine grade Merino Wool we are known for, with flatlock seams, in two great colour choices.


Finaly, we have added some new colours to our Merino Beanie Hats, Merino Multi-Tubes, and added Black to our Merino Baselayers:
Men's Black Merino Long Sleeves
Ladies Black Merino Long Sleeves
Ladies Black Merino Leggings

17 Oct 2013

MEGA COMMUTE - via Skiddaw!?!

Our Keswick shop manager tells the story... 

Sometimes you get a crazy idea and it just keeps coming back. If you're like me and always looking to fit your outdoor hobbies into any remaining slot in your busy day you may have discovered the cycle commute or even a run commute is a great outdoor fix.


Well, I hate running on the road (no offence if you're a roadie) so I decided I would run home over #Skiddaw. Only, that wouldn't quite get me home, so I stashed my Bike at a secret location near Bassenthwaite, and from there I would ride the last 8km home. Sounds far fetched, I know. But on Tuesday night that was my #MegaCommute
 
 

The term 'Mega Commute' is used in America for the six hundred thousand commuters who travel at least fifty miles and ninety minutes to and from work. Wow, that sound like hard work... 

I got away from work later than planned because I was faffing with my gear choices. It may sound silly but I was a bit nervous and quite excited too. I had been scheming this little adventure for a while but never quite got round to doing it. 

The ascent of Skiddaw on the Keswick side is steep, once you climb past Latrigg it gets a bit painful. The steepest bit hit and I dropped to a walk. It was a beautiful moon lit night. The Mountains to the south west faded to blue with wisps of cloud, the almost full moon high over Clough Head shone bright. The steepest part ended and I started to run again. It's a great feeling running in the mountains. Passing behind Skiddaw Little Man the red sunset disappeared. Should I get the headtorch out? 

Swinging around to the pass behind Little Man the view opened up again to the last red of the sun to the west, with the twinkling lights of Keswick behind. Breathtaking. Pulling on an EDZ Merino Tube in headband mode I pressed on into swirling cloud coming and going over Skiddaw summit ahead. By the time I was on the summit ridge it was fully dark, but every time I went to grab the head torch the cloud would clear and a massive moon lit the ridge line in front. 

Its always windy on top of Skiddaw. I have run here a lot in the last few years and refuse to believe anyone who has been up there with no wind or cloud! Windshirt and Headtorch well overdue I battled against the wind to pull over a Pertex jacket, Merino gloves, and to swap headwear for an EDZ Thermal Helmet liner (they make a great no nonsense hat). 

The cloud closed in proper now, so had to run with headtorch held low to stop the glare. Found the descent path to Carl Side (tricky to find sometimes in the dark and the mist) and we're off! apart from a couple of exposed bedrock steps its pretty fast down to Carl Side. By the time I got there I had warmed back up so stripped back to my Merino Baselayer. I love the dynamics of the zip neck: open zip to cool off, zip back up when you cool down, sleeves up/ sleeves down. 

The path along Ullock Pike is very runable, with switch backs to avoid the craggy bits. Out of the cloud now the views across to the coast with all the street lights and the blue tones of Bassenthwaite Lake below. It was a great evening to be out, and a privilege to have the mountain to myself. 

By the time I joined the road I was 20mins behind what I had anticipated. Never mind that, I had ran out of water and was feeling a bit of cramp in my left calf. The road was easy and fast though and I was in Bassenthwaite village before I knew it. Bike retrieved, Pertex shell back on, flashing lights fitted... 

The ride home was slow and hard though. It's up hill all the way, gradual enough to make it hard but flat looking enough to doubt how hard it feels... and I felt sick from eating a chocolate bar on the run up the road, with no water to wash it down. The cramps were getting worse and I had no choice but to plod along in an easy gear. And that is what makes a mini adventure like this so great: The real high moments and the struggles. 


I got home to my wife's bolognese (yum), and wondered what my next Mega Commute will be. "I think I might drive tomorrow"...


Ultrashell Pullover Jacket 

Baselayer

Hat

Multi-Tube

Gloves

Underwear


6 Jul 2013

Midlayer's - Back in Stock

Our Midlayer is the middle bit the sandwich in the EDZ clothing systme. It's the insulation between the Baselayer (1st layer) and the Shell (3rd Layer). This warm microfleece is back by popular demand, and we have some new designs and colours too. 

The EDZ Midlayer is designed to be worn on top of a Baselayer to trap heat from the body. It is amazingly warm for its weight and packable size. It is remarkably breathable and suitable for any outdoor sport or activity. 

Now available in Full Zip Jacket and Quarter Zip Pullover styles, from thermalshop.co.uk


15 May 2013

Colourful Merino Wool Baselayers


In addition to our standard Merino Wool Baselayer ranges, we have gone colourful this Summer. "Why would I want to be seen in my undies?" you might ask. Because our baselayers are not just underwear, or thermals. They are baselayers! Let me explain... 

Our baselayers are great! We know, because people tell us, and because we use them ourselves. But a good baselayer is not just for hiding under lots of layers. We want you to get your EDZ Merino baselayer out this Summer! 

A good baselayer doesn't just keep you warm, it keeps you cool too. Impossible? 
Well, it works like this: Our Merino Wool baselayers form a micro mesh over the skin which when layered under a second layer, traps the warmth escaping from your body, creating a layer of insulation right next to your skin. The Merino Wool is particularly good for this. You may notice however that we call our 1st layer of clothing a 'baselayer', not a 'thermal', because while it does have thermal properties when layered, it is not limited to being just a thermal. 
A baselayer should do some other crucial things to keep you comfortable. Our Merino baselayers manage your moisture, taking sweat away from the skin and drying quickly so that you don't get cold during periods of low activity. 
You can wear our Merino Wool baselayer on it's own, without overheating, because due to the knit we use they are air permeable, and that's how a good baselayer keeps you cool. 


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