Two shiny new jackets arrived from WL Gore last week, following on from a test programme last winter involving a select team from the British Mountain Guides. Now we're on the next stage of the project, which is all very exciting.
So why do Gore choose to use Guides for their test programme? For a start, we're out there most days, rain, snow or shine. Secondly, we're all physically aware individuals with a good internal monitor of our temperature, comfort etc. Thirdly, it's great profile for Gore, having their product out there being used by professionals at the top of their game.
And additionally in my case, I was lucky enough in my previous life to spend 14 years in the textiles business, and while my business wasn't directly related to hard shell products, of course I have a broad knowledge of textiles work in the outdoors and the complex system by which ideas make it from the design studio to the shop to the mountain.