Elevate

Technical Outerwear from Arc'teryx

With a solid few seasons spent in our camp, Arc'teryx are one of the world's leading outerwear brands. Founded in 1989 by local climbers in North Vancouver they began by developing solid lines of climbing gear before expanding to the world of apparel. The name Arc'teryx is a reference to the Archaeopteryx, a bird-like dinosaur, as a way of presenting their passionate plan for evolutionary innovation in the outerwear industry. This drive to improve on already tried and tested design is the reason that Arc'teryx were given the go-ahead to work with GORE-TEX® fabrics before they even created their first jacket.

Their gear is the product of choice for world-class athletes and has been taken on expeditions to the highest and steepest slopes of the globe. Finally however, the Beta SL Hybrid jackets have reached their pinnacle of testing - we woke up late and took them for a photoshoot up in the Lakes on a comfortable, only slightly soaking day. Lights! Cameras! Make-up! Action!

As part of the SL (meaning "Superlight") range, our chosen jackets are ideal for travel and daily use as well as for expedition and technical climbing. Made from seriously lightweight GORE-TEX® shells they're durable, comfortable, and most importantly they keep you completely covered from wind and rain. With Paclite® Plus technology these silhouettes can be rolled up and scrunched down to a tiny size, and stowed away into your bag just waiting for you to get decked by some showers.

With a clean range of t-shirts, caps and bags to match you can fully kit yourself out like a pro.

b4 Basics: Minimal Outerwear and a Good Cause

A new brand to make its way onto our list is b4 Basics. They're making seriously stripped back, though just as effective, outerwear garbs with a proper minimal look. Their select and fine range of jackets and gilets all feature a zippered pocket to the back in which the insulated piece can be stowed away, mint for travelling.

The padded pieces are all insulated with a superlight, warm synthetic and they have elasticated trims and full-zip fronts, as well as an embroidered logo to the chests.

The best bit is that all the money made from b4 is going to cystic fibrosis charities - it's a win/win, you get to stay warm and your cash goes to a fantastic cause.

Superga's 2390 Cotu Shoes

Summer is a time for plimsolls. Granted, so is year 4 PE, but I don't remember those weird old school pumps being as fashionable, durable and comfortable as Superga's iconic 2390 silhouette. Last season we rocked some winter ready ones in a tough suede but for summer we're feeling something a little lighter, more breathable.

The Cotu version of the sneaks is made from a 100% cotton canvas, which is paired with an expanded PU insole and the signature vulcanized rubber outsole with the textured toe and heel, and a grippy tread. Simple and clean, the shoe has a woven logo patch to the tongue.

The First of the Summer Norse

Right now we're looking out of the window of our office with a little hope. Between the grey and sleety clouds there's a wee bit of sunshine poking through. It's not a lot, but it's enough for us to justify a cap. Maybe a colourful sweat. Luckily Copenhagen's Norse Projects have arrived in our warehouse with some fresh lines of their classics, such as the twill sports cap, the summerized, loopback-lined Vagn sweatshirt and some Niels tees, striped or plain.

Sometimes less is more, but just make sure you grab the most colourful one. It's basically sunbathing weather (2°C).

Dr Martens x Nanamica

We're a proud stockist of Dr Martens much revered Made In England collection. A world renown label and purveyor of some of the finest boots in the market, Dr Martens have strength, versatility and durability in the bag. What their silhouettes were lacking, however, was a little Japanese design note to push them into a brand new light. That's why this collaboration with Eiichiro Homma's Nanamica looks the absolute business.

Good for casual drinks, through smart officewear all the way up to a wedding, the Plymouth Officer shoe is a classic British shape, and Nanamica have added metallic D-ring laces and advised an upper made from either a smooth and luxurious leather in black or a plush looking suede in navy or brown. Naturally they're made with Goodyear welt construction and an AirWair rubber outsole.