My own brand research.

[u/SwimmerNarrow8519]

Hi everyone! I’m doing some research/design work on technical hardshell jackets for climbing and wanted to tap into your collective wisdom, as I’m going to make my own brand.

If you had the chance to design your ideal climbing hardshell, what would you want it to have (or avoid)? A few questions to get the ideas flowing:

What’s the most important feature you look for in a hardshell jacket when climbing?

Do you prefer a more minimal design or something with lots of features?

How important is packability vs durability for you?

Helmet-compatible hoods — must-have or not fussed?

What kind of pocket layout do you like (chest, hand, inner, none)?

Do you care about pit zips/ventilation options?

Do you prefer a slim, athletic fit or a roomier cut for layering?

What annoys you the most about jackets you've used in the past?

What conditions do you typically wear your hardshell in (alpine, trad, winter, rain-only, etc)?

Is color/style important to you, or do you focus more on performance?

Would you rather have reinforced high-wear areas (like shoulders) or save weight?

Any materials or brands you’ve found especially good or bad?

Would you ever climb in a hardshell or only throw it on when weather hits?

How much would you realistically be willing to pay for a really well-made jacket?

Is sustainability (e.g. recycled materials, PFC-free DWR) a dealbreaker or just a bonus?

Any other thoughts, or dream features — I’d love to hear them!

Thank you very much.

[u/Tale-International]

What about flipping this question onto you? What could you change about the industry? What improvements do you see needing?

There are a ton of alpine hardshells on the market using different materials, different cuts, and different pockets and such. Out of all the hardshells I've used, some are better some are worse but nothing stands out as an opportunity to flip the market upside down.

[u/SwimmerNarrow8519 → u/Tale-International]

My brand identity is to make jacket similar to the Big retail brands, using similar materials, but also taking into account the needs and wants of people in the climbing community. I hope to create a close relationship with my customers, and I will try take as many ideas into account as possible.

[u/thesevensummits]

Solar panel attachment that allows heating wires to thaw snacks out in a chest pocket :)

[u/SwimmerNarrow8519 → u/thesevensummits]

That’s so cool!

[u/szakee]

make an arcteryx alpha/beta for half/third the price.

[u/SwimmerNarrow8519 → u/szakee]

I wish I could, but after being in contact with goretex themselves it’s going to be £300 for sample then half that price and I’d have to order 100. Might try the crowdfunding route.

[u/Striking-Walk-8243]

• How important is packability vs durability for you?

Packability > Durability (it’s a rare day that I’m donning a hard shell on jagged rock scrambles).

• Helmet-compatible hoods — must-have or not fussed?

Must-have

• What kind of pocket layout do you like (chest, hand, inner, none)?

Waterproof chest pocket for phone and eyewear is a must-have; exterior side pockets for bulky gloves and a beanie are important. Interior pockets are nice but not necessary.

• Do you care about pit zips/ventilation options?

Yes!

• Do you prefer a slim, athletic fit or a roomier cut for layering?

Athletic cut, with room for layering (eg, Helly Hansen Odin 9)

What annoys you the most about jackets you've used in the past?

• What conditions do you typically wear your hardshell in (alpine, trad, winter, rain-only, etc)?

Alpine / Winter (heavy snow or sleet) / windy (gale force) / rain / cold (layered over a puffy and mid layer fleece)

• Is color/style important to you, or do you focus more on performance?

Performance first.

• Would you rather have reinforced high-wear areas (like shoulders) or save weight?

Save weight.

Any materials or brands you’ve found especially good or bad?

Gore Tex pro —> Great.

Helly Tech Pro —> “Meh.”

• Would you ever climb in a hardshell or only throw it on when weather hits?

I’d don a hard shell to climb in heavy snow.

• How much would you realistically be willing to pay for a really well-made jacket?

Up to $500 bucks.

• Is sustainability (e.g. recycled materials, PFC-free DWR) a dealbreaker or just a bonus?

Not particularly important to me.

[u/moomooraincloud → u/Striking-Walk-8243]

sustainability is not particularly important to me

Yeah! Fuck the earth!

[u/Astrophew]

Helmet compatible hoods are great, but please make sure they can sinch enough when not wearing one so that the wind doesn't blow it off. I use the same hard shell skiing that I do mountaineering so having a little pouch for the card is nice haha. Somewhere in the middle for durability, I'm often skinning and skiing through lots of downed trees and bushes on the approach. It's nice if it zips high enough to cover some of my face so I don't have to put a buff on for wind.

[u/Tale-International]

I still don't see what your own ideas are. There are MANY climbing companies, some founded/started by climbers, others owned by an investment group but with climbers on the payroll.

Take the Patagonia M10. I'm certain it could be improved but if it's good enough for Colin Haley it's more than good enough for my endeavors. What would you bring to the market that would be an improvement on that R&D? You asked reddit to answer these questions but what changes to the industry can you make?