rohan - november catalogue 2014

PLUS: WOLVES RETURN TO EUROPE | PIONEERS OF INSULATION | CONQUERING THE ALPS | CHRISTMAS STORE EVENTS | WATER RESISTANT DOWN | WINTER BAGS

NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE

LOVE WINTERLOVE WINTERWARM, WATERPROOF, LIGHTWEIGHT AND

PACKABLE COLD CLIMATE CLOTHING WARM, WATERPROOF, LIGHTWEIGHT AND

PACKABLE COLD CLIMATE CLOTHING

OUTDOOR & TRAVEL CLOTHING

CONTENTS

This page: Men’s Mountain Leader Jacket and Women’s Mountain Leader Jacket see page 5

Location: Mer de Glace from La Flégère

Front cover: Men’s Downtown Jacket and Women’s Downtown Coat see page 15

PEFC/16-33-533

4 THE DEFINITIVE HILL & MOUNTAIN JACKET

Our Mountain Leader Jacket

6 PIONEERS OF INSULATION

8 WINTER PROOF TROUSERS

10 BEST IN CLASS There is no better

down jacket than the Nightfall Jacket

12 RETURN OF THE WOLF

Their image is more fearsome than the facts

14 CITIES HAVE WINTER TOO

Water resistant down, all the urban protection you’ll ever need

16 ALL CLIMATES ALL WEATHER ALL YEAR

Technology disguised as a shirt

18 A TECHNICAL FLEECE THAT LOOKS LIKE A WOOLLY JUMPER

20 BREAKING THE ALPS

From a place of horror to a playground

22 THE SHIRT THAT THINKS IT’S A JACKET

Stealth warmth meets the classic work shirt

24 OUTFITTED FOR LIFE

Performance gear with classic styling

26 A WARM WELCOME AWAITS

Rohan Christmas events

28 ACCESSORIES The last thing you

think of, the first thing you need

30 EVERYDAY STYLE FOR EVERYWHERE

The Globetrotter Mac – an urban waterproof that really works

31 HOW TO BUY

Summer is an easy friend. Learning to love winter needs a little more patience and the very best gear. Rohan has a long relationship with some of the coldest and fiercest weather on the planet.

Over forty years ago our unique softshell salopettes were worn on the first oxygen free ascent of Everest; their heritage is reflected in Striders on page eleven – brilliant winter walking trousers.

Our insulated Winter Bags also go way back, but with such a devoted following amongst arctic travellers and researchers, we daren’t change anything about them. You can find Winter Bags on page twenty-two.

We were the first to pioneer wadded insulation – championing it because of its performance when wet and its warmth-to-weight ratio – the Icepack Jackets and Cocoon Coat on page seven use the very latest iteration of this.

And the water resistant down featured on the Downtown Jackets on page fifteen offers ‘real world’ performance for drizzly European climates.

If you still don’t feel ready for winter, there’s limitless advice in over fifty stores around Britain and even more choice online at rohan.co.uk

PEFC/16-33-533

THE DEFINITIVE HILL & MOUNTAIN JACKET

C L A S S I C W A L K I N G G E A R

Rohan have been making mid‑length waterproof jackets from day one. With a jacket like this, it’s not about reinvention, it’s about looking at every component part, no matter how small, and making small incremental improvements. The overall effect is

then dramatic. A functional design approach together with an obsession for getting the details right is what makes the Mountain Leader the best in its class and able to deliver many years of uncompromising use. For 2014 the Mountain Leader

replaces the Mountain Guide, shaving 10% off the weight and streamlining the design. The end result is four season versatility, both on and off the hill – a classic and rugged waterproof shell, designed to tackle the very worst weather that winter can throw at it.

4 | ROHAN MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE

Men’s OutsidersColours: Moonlight Blue (shown)

and Graphite £80; code: 03438

Men’s Superfine Merino 200 Zip

Colours: Cobalt (shown) and Charred Black

£85; code: 03773

Women’s TroggingsColours: Moonlight Blue (shown)

and Black £57; code: 03099

Women’s Superfine Merino 200 Long Sleeve Top

Colours: Indigo (shown) and Patina Blue

£65; code: 03702

Men’s Headland JacketColours: Chilli Pepper Marl (shown),

Slate Marl and Ultramarine Marl £75; code: 03454

Women’s Mountain Leader JacketColours: Yale Blue, Teal Green and Ruby Red

£185; code: 03742

Men’s Mountain Leader JacketColours: Charred Black, Chilli Pepper and Ultramarine

£185; code: 03741

You can rely upon the best British design to guard against the most unpredictable

winter weather. The essential layering pieces are a solid water resistant shell and

a classic mid-weight fleece over a warm and fast wicking merino base layer.

Team these up with warm, wind resistant and fast-drying trousers and you have 90% of British winter weather covered.

Women’s Shivling JacketColours: Patina Blue (shown),

Indigo and Claret Red £75; code: 03455

HEAD FOR THE HILLS WITH THESE ROHAN WINTER ESSENTIALS

ROHAN.CO.UK | 5

ROHAN – PIONEERS OF INSULATION

Pound for pound, InsuloftTM is almost as effective as natural down. Unlike down, however, it doesn’t lose its warmth when it gets wet. So, for the damp, cold conditions that are likely to be experienced in a typical British winter, it’s absolutely perfect. And of course, it’s also ideal for cold‑weather trekking, travel and everyday use.

It’s also easy to wash and dries quickly – it doesn’t require any special treatment, protection or extra care. Which is very reassuring if you’re on an extended trip. The outer fabric for the Icepack range and Cocoon Coat is a tough, lightweight polyamide that has been treated with a twenty wash Durable Water RepellencyTM finish.

The Icepack Jackets and Vests are also compatible with the Rohan InterchangeTM system, which means they can be zipped into any compatible Rohan shell – turning your waterproof into an insulated ‘winter coat’. If you’re in town or out skiing, it’s sometimes really convenient to be able to remove, or put on, both layers at the same time.

Rohan has been championing InsuloftTM filling and its predecessors for many years. It is now widely accepted as a

key ingredient for many of the lightest, toughest winter jackets. It offers an incredible warmth‑to‑weight ratio in conjunction

with great durability and is the cornerstone of this range.

I C E P A C K & C O C O O N


WOMEN’S COCOON COATWe’ve made the Cocoon Coat because sub‑zero temperatures aren’t restricted to the mountains. It uses the same fabrics and insulation as our most technical jackets, which means its warmth‑to‑weight ratio is outstanding. It’s water repellent and totally windproof. For autumn 2014 it’s nearly twice as warm for just a small increase in weight, and subtle improvements to the styling give it a more flattering profile. It still features a fleece lined PackpocketTM allowing it to double up as a travel pillow.Colours: Carbon (left) and Deep Navy£195; code: 03712

Men’s Icepack JacketColours: Indigo (left) and

Ember Orange (above)£125; code: 03710

Women’s Icepack Jacket Colours: Anemone (left) and

Neptune Blue (above) £125; code: 03713

ICEPACK TECHNOLOGYWith a better warmth‑to‑weight ratio than

fleece and better performance than conventional down when wet, these InsuloftTM filled jackets and vests are

essential lightweight insulation. They are easycare, machine washable, fast drying

and durable. And if you like the look of these Icepacks, it’s a good idea to pop into your

nearest shop to see just how light and warm these jackets really are.

Women’s Icepack VestColours: Cirrus Grey (above) and

Anemone (below)£95; code: 03714

Men’s Icepack VestColours: Charred Black (above centre) and

Ultramarine (above)£95; code: 03711

ROHAN.CO.UK | 7

W A T E R P R O O F T R O U S E R S

MEN’S DRY REQUISITE TROUSERSThese are technical chinos that you don’t have to hang at the back of the wardrobe as soon as the leaves start to turn brown. In fact, they are full on winter walking trousers that just happen to have a simple everyday style. That means they work on the hill, in town, on the golf course or when working outside. Colours: Black (left) and Caribou (above)£98; code: 03733

WOMEN’S DRY ROAMERSDry Roamers add a whisper thin lining to our classic Roamers – meaning they’re waterproof, windproof and perfect for the worst weather. They retain the stretch and cut of original Roamers, making them highly breathable waterproofs that look and feel just like regular walking trousers. Simply brilliant. Colours: Black (left) and Deep Navy (above)£98; code: 03437


Nobody really likes wearing waterproof overtrousers. As soon as you put them on, it either stops raining or you start to cook. And that whole palaver of hip hopping around on the edge of a mountain, trying to get bulky boots through leg holes doesn’t help. Rohan’s super‑charged, waterproof chinos are the answer. They look the part in the pub, toe the line at work and cut the mustard on the golf course. They’re packed with the sort of fabric technology you normally only find in technical trekking trousers. The BarricadeTM lining uses Active DiffusionTM to offer amazing breathability alongside dependable waterproof performance. And the tough, textured polyamide outer fabric has a Durable Water RepellencyTM finish. And for the times when you need a just‑in‑case pair of light and packable waterproof trousers, it’s safe to say the Elite overtrousers are the best in their class.

WINTER PROOF TROUSERSTOUGH CHINOS WITH A WATERPROOF LINING AND A DURABLE WATER REPELLENCYTM FINISH

MEN’S DRY EXPLORERSOvertrousers can make you feel overheated and overweight. You carry them but often don’t need them. Dry Explorers are a brilliant alternative. They look and feel like smart walking trousers, yet are waterproof and highly breathable with just the right amount of stretch. You can comfortably wear them all day long, come rain or shine.Colour: Graphite£98; code: 03436

AND THE TROUSERS WE HOPE YOU NEVER NEEDMen’s & Women’s Elite OvertrousersHighly featured waterproof overtrousers made from tough 3-layer BarricadeTM fabric, yet weighing about as much a cotton T-shirt. Long side zips make for easy ‘on and off’, and there’s adjustment around the waist and ankles. They also pack small enough to be a permanent fixture in your rucksack – they’re always worth carrying ‘just in case.’ Colour: Graphite£145; codes: Men’s 03044; Women’s 03047

ROHAN.CO.UK | 9

AT HIGH ALTITUDE, WHEN WARMTH AND PROTECTION ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST, THERE IS NO BETTER

JACKET THAN THE NIGHTFALL JACKET

The Nightfall Jacket offers the perfect combination of thermal technology and comfort – whether you’re winter camping, trekking or just making your way around town during a bitter, cold snap. At Rohan, we like to use the best and nothing else – the premium European goose down we specify has a fill power of 800+. That’s the best that’s commercially available and practically usable. It makes sense to protect this precious filling with our Durable Water RepellencyTM finish on the outer fabric.

Realistically this doubles the number of days you can wear the Nightfall Jacket. If you’ve never experienced down of this quality before, you’ll be astonished at just how warm and light this jacket is. And what could be more satisfying than wrapping up warm in a top quality goose down jacket on a freezing wintry day. The Nightfall Jacket is equally at home with the pace of the city or the peace of the mountains. Perhaps a luxury in town but definitely an essential piece of kit for the mountains.


Rohan were at the forefront of the new wave of Alpinism in the seventies. This light and fast ideology quickly replaced the siege tactics of the past. Critical to this self‑supported system was a high‑performance clothing system that allowed climbers to take everything they needed but nothing they didn’t. And this meant layering for the top half of the body and softshell for the legs. This approach is still relevant today, and even though the fabrics and styles have evolved, Rohan stays true to the original principles of light, fast and free.

1. Men’s Microgrid Stowaway ZipAvailable in Chilli Pepper Marl (shown), Charred Black Marl, Cobalt Marl and Titanium Marl; £60; code: 03722

2. Men’s Radiant Rollneck TopAvailable in Graphite (shown); £49; code: 03729

3. Men’s StridersAvailable in Graphite (shown): £90; code: 03519

4. Women’s Microgrid Stowaway ZipAvailable in Acacia (shown), Indigo and Ruby Red; £60; code: 03725

5. Women’s Superfine Merino 200 ZipAvailable in Indigo (shown) and Patina Blue; £85; code: 03774

6. Women’s StridersAvailable in Black (shown) and Indigo; £79; code: 03770

TACKLE THE HIGH MOUNTAINS WITH ROHAN’S LAYERING SYSTEM

Men’s Nightfall JacketColours: Cobalt (left) and

Charred Black (right) £245; code: 03718

Women’s Nightfall Jacket

Colour: Teal Green (left) £245; code: 03721

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W I N T E R P R O T E C T I O N

ROHAN.CO.UK | 11

W O L V E S I N T H E A L P S

RETURN OF THE

WOLFWolves have returned to the Alps and are pushing into areas

where they haven’t been seen for centuries, says Vanessa Harriss. But their image is more fearsome than the facts.


Yellow-eyed packs on the prowl. Grandmothers murdered in their beds. Little pigs’ houses blown down. From fairytales to anecdotes, wolves have had a bad press from humans over the centuries, and news that numbers in the Alps are growing has been greeted with alarm. Shock headlines of their progress west –

‘Wolves within 100 miles of Paris/60 miles of Berlin/40 miles of Madrid’ – send an atavistic chill down the spine, but are we right to fear the Big Bad Wolf?

‘Despite the reputation they’ve acquired through mythology and folklore, wolves are actually quite shy of contact with humans so the general public has little to fear from them,’ says Tim Relf of Farmers Weekly, although livestock is certainly at risk. From Italy and across the Alps, wolves are once more on the prowl, and proliferating. As a result, attacks on sheep and goats in the region are bad and getting worse, according to farmers.

There are several reasons for wolves’ resurgence, says Teresa Palmer, founder and director of the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. In the 1980s the grey wolf was put on an endangered-species watch list and hunting it was banned. Economic recession has also played a part, drawing people into cities and away from the countryside. Forests are growing on the abandoned land, meaning more deer and therefore more wolves. The area around Chernobyl, for example, abandoned in 1986, now supports around 50 of them.

But it’s also the case that wolves have never really left mainland Europe and have simply multiplied in the more benign regime. After all, wolves are second only to humans as the world’s most successful mammal. Supremely adaptable, they can eat almost anything, from hunted prey to kitchen waste, and will live in a range of habitat – high mountains, pastures or plains – as long as they have food and forest nearby where they can hide. ‘There have probably always been a few in the forests of France and Germany, but they are good at remaining hidden,’ says Palmer. ‘They’ve learned over generations that we are the top predator.’

Farmers’ anger over attacks on their livestock is justified, but perhaps we need to learn tolerance. Relf agrees, though cautiously, ‘Farmers understand the importance of biodiversity – and do lots of fantastic work in this respect – but they have understandable concerns about the reintroduction of wolves.’ Eastern Europe, where predators have never been eradicated, sets an excellent

example of how this might work. When Neale McQuistin, a farmer from south-west Scotland, went on a fact-finding trip to Romania, he says, ‘I was struck by how proud farmers and shepherds were in the way that they co-existed with the wildlife in their countryside. They had wolves, bears and lynx in huge numbers.’ And the people were realistic about hunting’s role in a balanced ecosystem.

‘Everyone I talked to supported hunting all forms of wildlife in Romania, even the top-level predators, but no one wanted to hunt any of those species to the point of extinction. That is an important distinction.’ And despite their relative proximity to potentially dangerous animals, says McQuistin, ‘No one seemed to be frightened for their own safety, either.’

It seems that while humans are safe from wolves, we need to relearn old techniques of animal husbandry.

However, in a recent study of the effectiveness of ‘livestock guardian dogs’ in the French Alps, pastoral expert Jean-Marc Landry and his team found that today’s Alpine dogs are, in layman’s terms, too soppy for the job. Modern breeders select for domestication, and as a result, the dogs weren’t scary enough to frighten the wolves away. The shepherds too were ineffective, unarmed (by law) and resorting to shouts and throwing stones. In the Carpathians in Romania, however, the shepherds take turns to patrol the pastures all night, armed with clubs, and are almost as frightening as their half-feral dogs, great burly brutes bred to attack and chase predators.

It is also possible that wolves get the blame for crimes of which they are innocent. It’s probable that farmers overstate the number of wolf attacks, either accidentally – it’s not easy to tell whether it was a fox, a wild dog or a wolf that mangled your sheep – or deliberately, because wolf attacks attract financial compensation from the government.

It could be, in short, that we’re getting in a flap about nothing. Once we relearn the techniques of livestock protection

– fences, tougher dogs, even howling to keep the wolves away – we really have very little to fear from our new neighbours because, ultimately, humans are still top dog. As Teresa Palmer explains, ‘Wolves and humans should get on but it has to be man-managed. Of course we can’t just let them roam free; at a certain point humans will step in. I mean, really: wolves in Paris? They’d be shot on sight.’

‘Despite the reputation they’ve acquired through mythology and folklore, wolves are actually quite shy of contact with humans so the general public has little to fear from them’

ROHAN.CO.UK | 13

Men’s Downtown Jacket Men’s Outsiders see page 5 Ecco Urban Lifestyle Goran GTX rohan.co.uk

Downtown CoatJeans Plus (Boot Cut)

rohan.co.ukBraemar Scarf see page 28

Alloa Hat see page 29Ecco Trace Siberia

rohan.co.uk

D O W N T O W N R A N G E

Cities have winter too

ALL THE URBAN PROTECTION YOU’LL EVER NEEDWater resistant down

Women’s Downtown CoatThe latest hydrophobic down, together

with a Durable Water RepellencyTM finish, a longer length and great city

style make this the ideal coat for urban winter protection.

Colour: Black Rose£245; code: 03719

Men’s Downtown JacketFeaturing urban good looks, it’s perfect

for rainy autumnal days and freezing winter weather. It looks like a regular lightweight down jacket, but the first

downpour will let you know the difference. Colour: Indigo

£195; code: 03716

Men’s Downtown VestWith a Durable Water RepellencyTM

finish and hydrophobic down packed to a 650+ fill, it’s fair to say that this gilet knocks the stuffing out of most of the

down vests sold on the high street.Colour: Espresso£125; code: 03717

Women’s Downtown VestIncredibly light, with its own

Packpocket.TM Wear on its own on milder days or fix it into one

of our shell jackets using the Rohan InterchangeTM system.

Colour: Indigo£125; code: 03720

Applying the lessons learned in the world’s wildest places to urban clothing has always been at the heart of Rohan. And the recent development of

water resistant down plus our Durable Water RepellencyTM finish makes these jackets far more practical for our damp Northern European climate.

ROHAN.CO.UK | 15

ALL CLIMATES. ALL WEATHER. ALL YEAR.SHIRTS WITH STEALTH TECHNOLOGY.

M E N ’ S S H I R T S

Men’s Sentinel ShirtColour: Cobalt Check

£65; code: 03442

Men’s Sentinel ShirtColour: Russet Check

£65; code: 03442

Men’s Sentinel ShirtColour: Dark Shadow Check

£65; code: 03442

Men’s Sentinel ShirtColour: Garnet Red Check

£65; code: 03442

Men’s Sentinel ShirtColour: Ink

£65; code: 03442

Men’s Backcountry ShirtColour: Eclipse Blue Check

£97; code: 03700

At Rohan we make many different types of shirts, and not one of them is cotton.

For many brands, a simple cotton men’s shirt is a very straight forward way to get the tills ringing. However, Rohan customers expect something that takes a little more thought. We operate with a strict design ethic that dictates that everything we make must be built on a solid technical foundation. Many of our shirts may look and feel like cotton, however, the wicking performance, drying time, crease resistance and sun protection are in a different league.

The Backcountry Shirt featured on page 23, is a warm, lined overshirt that insulates better than a fleece jacket. It’s main fabric features the same hollow core fibre that keeps the Sentinel Shirt so incredibly warm despite being light and soft – just like brushed cotton. The Overland is a serious expedition shirt with every piece of protective technology built in, and the Worldview and Envoy shirts are work shirts that work far harder than cotton shirts ever could. They fight odours, shed stains and creases, and dry in a flash.


Men’s Overland ShirtColour: Boulder

£65; code: 03602

Men’s Overland ShirtColour: Flint Blue

£65; code: 03602

Men’s Worldview ShirtColour: Dark Iris Gingham

£65; code: 03273

Men’s Worldview ShirtColour: Indigo Micro Check

£65; code: 03273

Men’s Envoy ShirtColour: Lilac

£65; code: 03736

Men’s Envoy ShirtColour: Oxford Blue£65; code: 03736

Men’s Envoy ShirtColour: White

£65; code: 03736

Men’s Worldview ShirtColour: Indigo Stripe

£65; code: 03273

Men’s Worldview ShirtColour: Mariner Blue Gingham

£65; code: 03273

ROHAN.CO.UK | 17

W O M E N ’ S C A S U A L S

Looks like a woolly jumper, works like a technical f leece.Hiding technology in clothing is at the very heart of Rohan. That’s because, the less overtly technical your clothing looks, the more versatile it becomes. If a mid-weight fleece can work as a warmth layer on the hills and still have everyday good looks it becomes twice as useful – a hard-working fleece is now also a great casual jumper. This range of fleeces look and feel like comfortable woollen knitwear, yet they insulate like technical fleece. They will not bag or sag over time and they won’t complain about a quick spin in the washing machine. Like everything we design, they are packable and will dry in next to no time. Science made soft and friendly.

Women’s Finnic CardiColour: Charcoal Print

£75; code: 03694

18 | ROHAN MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE18 | ROHAN MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE

Women’s Boundary Hooded Jacket

Colours: Anemone Marl (left) and Teal Green Marl (above)

£80; code: 03695

Women’s Alloa GlovesColour: Indigo

£36; code: 03759

Women’s Carrig Crew TopColours: Natural Marl (left)

and Neptune Blue Marl (right)£59; code: 03696

Women’s Alloa Hat & ScarfColour: Indigo

Hat £26; code: 03748; Scarf £36; code: 03749

Women’s Iona Reversible Hat & ScarfColour: Chilli Pepper

Hat £22; code: 03750; Scarf £26; code: 03751

Women’s Pathway CardiColours: Mahogany Red Marl (left)

and Ivory Marl (right)£70; code: 03693

FROM A PLACE OF HORROR TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS, THE ALPS BECAME A PLAYGROUND FOR THE SPORTY, WEALTHY AND WELL TRAVELLED.

W O R D S V A N E S S A H A R R I S S

BREAKING THE ALPS

‘Lord, restore me to my brethren, that I may tell them, that they come not into this place of torment.’ Thus prayed John de Bremble, a 12th century English monk making his way through the Alps. Most shared his low opinion; even the locals had little affection for the landscape, believing it to be haunted by witches, demons and dragons.

Certainly a combination of capricious weather, peculiar phenomena – the unearthly groans of glacial ice, for example – scant education and little contact with the outside world tended to make the locals a credulous bunch. Yet even sceptical outsiders became suggestible in the mountains. Eyewitness accounts of dragons, for example, were so convincing that in 1723, Johann Jacob Scheuchzer, an eminent scientist with the backing

H I S T O R Y O F T H E A L P S


of Sir Isaac Newton and the Royal Society, published a study of the several types to be found in the area.

Even without the predations of supernatural nasties, mountain life was tough well into the 20th century. Every spring for at least 300 years, thousands of children were sent by their half-starved parents to walk hundreds of miles, guided if they were lucky by one adult, down to the markets of Swabia. Here employers could buy child labour for the summer, sending their exhausted little workers home in the autumn, with perhaps some new clothes and a little money.

Inhospitable though the Alps were, travellers had crossed them since Neolithic times. Nomads pastured animals there, Roman armies marched north, pilgrims headed south, but all had stuck to the established routes, such as the Great St Bernard Pass that had so horrified de Bremble in 1188. Even the names mont and alp (or alm), which have come to mean mountains and summits, originally meant pass and alpine meadow. The peaks didn’t need words because no one – bar the very odd exception compelled by personal vow or royal order – was fool enough to try scaling them, or even talk about them. They might be giants, those mountains, but they were oddly ignored.

However, the Enlightenment swept away fear. Reason, rather than superstition, was the order of the day, and everything was up for debate – religion, politics and the social order. Suddenly, from being boring and inconvenient, the natural world was in fashion, cherished by philosophers as a corrective to the corrupting influences of industrialised city life. According to contemporary philosophers, the life of the peasant should no longer be seen as short and awful, but as simple, pure and closer to God.

Access to the region was improved by Napoleon, who built transalpine roads via which his imperial army could pour into Italy. Idealistic young writers like Wordsworth, fired with new ideas of liberty and the transformative power of nature, took advantage of easier travel, writing rapturously of the mountains’ sublime beauty. They were backed up by the work of artists such as Turner (Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps, pictured left), and a new generation of high-spending visitors on the Grand Tour, showing off their wealth and cultured tastes.

At last, exploring the peaks became a real prospect. First came a trickle of climbers interested in scientific discovery, then came the mountaineers who climbed for fun, generating tales of derring-do that were devoured by a

breathless public back home. Tragedy was inevitable, and in 1865 the first successful Matterhorn ascent, by Englishman Edward Whymper, was horribly marred on the descent when four of his companions were dragged to their deaths over a 4,000ft precipice. The international press thundered its condemnation, but nothing would stop the stream of adventurers, their heads full of conquest, from staking their tweeds, hobnail boots and hemp ropes against frostbite and worse.

The summer mountaineers did not have the place to themselves for long. Travel agents Thomas Cook, and later Alfred Lunn, spotted an opportunity and brought in enough tourists (and their money) to convince authorities and investors to build railways, hitherto considered too expensive and complicated in such difficult terrain. Soon, along with the healthy in summer came the sick in winter, as the high Alpine air wrought what seemed an almost miraculous effect on TB. Accounts in letters home of beautiful alpine winters, plus the new railway

lines, attracted ever more visitors, who introduced sports like skating and tobogganing to liven up the tedious weeks of recuperation.

But what really assured the success of the alpine resorts for another century was the curious Norwegian snowshoe, or skee. Long pieces of wood tied to boots distributed the wearer’s weight and made walking on snow possible. Naturally, young men and women started to play around with this new import, and by the 1920s, downhill and slalom skiing had become the sport of glamorous society.

Today, the remote wildness of the Alps is long gone, thanks to roads and railways blasted through mountains and valleys strung with cable cars. And yet, although the dragons and witches may have gone, there is still magic in the thin, clear air.

Pioneers and players(clockwise from top left) The First Ascent of the Matterhorn by Gustav Doré. Pioneering mountaineer Edward Whymper. Skiing comes to the masses. Alpine holidaymakers in the 1920s.

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ROHAN.CO.UK | 21

When the cold snap sets in this year, it might be time to set aside the omnipresent Bags. The good news is that our Winter Bags will do the trick no matter how low the thermometer dives. Whether you wear them on cold playing field touchlines as a luxury, or in the Arctic as a necessity, Winter Bags are supercharged with a warm InsuflexTM filling to give you everything great about original Bags with an extra season thrown in.

In the seventies, better protection meant heavier clothing. Rohan was founded to turn this traditional view on its head. Bags achieved this. They said they would never sell, they were too light, had too many pockets and were way too different. Imitation followed scepticism and now, whatever people might say, all modern outdoor trekking and travel trousers owe something to our iconic Bags. And the qualities that made them a hit forty years ago still have equal appeal today. They are light, tough and protective – ideal for work, adventure and travel. They feature two hand pockets, four security pockets and an accessory D-ring. Comfort, practicality and versatility, all in one very clever pair of trousers.

Winter versus the best outdoor trousers in the worldFirst there were Bags – the world’s first multi-function trousers. Then there were Winter Bags, all the features and same classic fit, with added winter warmth from an InsuflexTM filling.

Men’s Winter BagsColour: Ink Blue; £87; code: 00485

Men’s BagsColours: Rum (shown), Carbon, Ink Blue

and Woad Blue; £57; code: 00030

B A G S


B A C K C O U N T R Y S H I R T & F I N N I C C R E W

THE SHIRT THAT THINKS IT’S A JACKET

Stealth warmth meets the classic work shirt 50% lumberjack, 50% scientist, 100% Rohan.

A CHRISTMAS JUMPER YOU’LL WANT TO WEAR ALL WINTER

With classic good looks and a subtle Nordic inspired pattern, the Finnic Crew has all the appeal of a Christmas jumper together with the technical performance of a fleece top. It’s cosy and easy to care for and features a brushed inner face that further boosts warmth and comfort. And unlike a traditional woolly jumper, it won’t fade or bag over time and is more than happy with a quick spin in the washing machine.

ABOVE

Men’s Backcountry Shirt Looks like a shirt, protects like a jacket and insulates like a thick fleece.Colour: Eclipse Blue Check£97; code: 03700

Men’s Superfine Merino 200 T A high‑performance T‑shirt for outdoors, travel and everyday.Colours: Ember Orange (shown) and Charred Black£55; code: 03465

Men’s Winter JeansThe winter version of our Jeans Plus; warm, wind resistant and perfect for cold weather. Colour: Dark Denim£95; code: 03429

It’s easy to be misled by the everyday good looks of Rohan clothing. Don’t be deceived, this is serious winter kit. The hollow core fibres within the ThermocoreTM fabric of the Backcountry Shirt capture warm air without hindering breathability, and a wind resistant liner further boosts performance, creating a shirt that protects far more thoroughly than most jackets. And despite its simple T‑shirt styling, there’s no better winter base layer than our Superfine Merino 200 T. Our Jeans Plus are a technical rethink of classic denim and have been a huge success, this winter version boosts performance even more with a soft, extra warm liner. Easy style with uncompromising winter warmth.

Men’s Finnic Crew TopColour: Charcoal Print

£59; code: 03692

ROHAN.CO.UK | 23

Creating performance outdoor clothing doesn’t mean making everything look overtly technical. A classic style with pared-down features wins every time. We know that if clothing works on the hill, yet still looks great in the evening or out in town, its versatility will be greatly appreciated.

This makes Rohan virtually unique, you probably won’t see anything like these jackets, technical trousers, jumpers and base layers anywhere else. As you would expect, that’s absolutely fine with us. This is Rohan at its best, simply and quietly helping you through the journey of your life, every day.Travel lighter. Go further. Stay longer.

WOMEN’S OUTFIT LEFT

Countrywide JacketThe perfect choice for wet country walks, or trips to town. Colours: Mahogany Red (opposite) and Deep Forest (above)£225; code: 03766

Pathway CardiA technical mid‑layer fleece for walking, trekking and cold‑weather travel.Colours: Gold Ochre Marl (shown – low stock), Ivory Marl and Mahogany Red Marl £70; code: 03693

Stria TopDesigned in a relaxed, casual style, but offering all the performance of a technical base layer.Colours: Deep Forest Stripe (shown), Yale Blue Stripe and Elderflower Stripe£37; code: 03627

Winter CrossoversAdding warmth without bulk to our popular Crossover Trousers.Colours: Falcon (shown) and Indigo£80; code: 02913

MEN’S OUTFIT RIGHT

Countrywide JacketThe protection of a mountain waterproof in a classic town‑to‑country style.Colours: Ranger Green (opposite) and Espresso (above)£225; code: 03765

Headland Zip Jumper A highly technical fleece offering performance and classic good looks.Colours: Ivory Marl (shown) and Russet Marl£68; code: 03460

Sentinel ShirtThe harder working work shirt. Looks and feels like soft brushed cotton, but is much, much more.Colours: Garnet Red Check (shown) Dark Shadow Check, Russet Check, Cobalt Check and Ink£65; code: 03442

Element TA highly functional alternative to a basic, cotton top.Colours: White (shown), Caribou, Chilli Pepper, Golden and Yale Blue £29; code: 03593

Winter Route TrousersThe winter version of our classic On Routes with a highly insulating lining. Colours: Shale Rock (shown) and Graphite£85; code: 03520

O U T F I T T E Dfor life


ROHAN.CO.UK | 25

C O U N T R Y W I D E J A C K E T S

Many of our shops will be hosting special Christmas events throughout November and December, and we really hope you can drop in and see what we’re up to. Besides mince pies and mulled wine to welcome chilly visitors, we’re laying on special events, from gift wrapping to travel advice – all on top of the usual fantastic gear and knowledgeable staff.

From Cowbridge to Nottingham, to Beverley to London, many of our shops are near some world-class Christmas markets taking place across the country – starting in late November. Why not combine the two: a trip to a traditional-style winter fair, with an opportunity to see our range of new-season outdoor kit (and drop some heavy gift hints to anyone still stumped).

There’s a warm welcome waiting in our shops

Don’t let midwinter’s short days keep you indoors. We’ve got all the gear you need to brave the fiercest days

and we’re getting into the seasonal spirit too. We hope you can join us.

Keep an eye open for more information on Rohan Christmas events in the coming weeks – even better, register your email address at rohan.co.uk to make sure you don’t miss out on

a Rohan Christmas event near you.


Covent Garden Christmas Pudding Race6th DecemberCovent Garden in London, historically a magnet for London’s fun lovers, hosts its 34th annual Great Christmas Pudding Race on 6 December, in aid of Cancer Research. It’s a team event and there’s only one real rule but it’s strictly enforced: competitors in fancy dress must carry a Christmas pudding at all times.

This year the Rohan Covent Garden team has mustered a crack squad to compete for the coveted trophy. The fancy dress costumes haven’t been decided yet, but we’re open to creative suggestions – as well as donations, of course – to support this fantastic charity.

The race, along with lots of street entertainment takes place in Covent Garden Piazza from 11am–1.30 pm. Come along and cheer us on, and if the chill gets too much, pop into our new store at 6a Langley Street, just around the corner from Covent Garden tube station, where you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome and a mince pie, plus some great winter gear. www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk/London_Race.html

MarketCovent GardenBedford St

Sout

ham

pton

St

Tavistock StMaiden Lane

Henrietta St

King St

Garrick St

Lang

ley

St

CoventGarden

Floral St

Mer

cer S

t

Long Acre

Shelton St

STRAND

Cowbridge Reindeer Parade30 November

Cowbridge welcomes Father Christmas and his elves as they travel through the town on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Beginning at 12pm followed by live music, the day culminates with the Christmas lights switch on. cowbridgeguide.co.uk/whatson/reindeerparadecowbridge2014

Nottingham Winter Wonderland20 November – 5 January

A Victorian theme, Christmas trees and a real ice rink in the city’s enormous and ancient Old Market Square lend a touch of magic to this traditional festival, which promises to be even bigger this year than last.www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk

Beverley Festival of Christmas14 December

The fair might be brief, but the singing, dancing and more than 100 stalls of food, gifts, toys and traditional crafts draw the crowds into the streets of this beautiful Yorkshire town.www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk

Don’t forget we’ve movedVisit our team and shop at 6a Langley Street

ROHAN.CO.UK | 27

C H R I S T M A S E V E N T S & F E S T I V A L S

http://www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk/London_Race.html

W I N T E R A C C E S S O R I E S

Fleece Flat CapColours: Charcoal (shown) and

Iron Stone£25; code: 03488

Headland GlovesColour: Slate Marl£18; code: 03757

Braemar HatColour: Dark Grey Marl

£22; code: 03753

Braemar ScarfColour: Dark Grey Marl

£26; code: 03752

The last thing you think of, the first thing you need.

Iona Reversible HatColour: Chilli Pepper£22; code: 03750

Accessories are so easy to overlook if you’ve just pulled on a winter coat and trousers, but insulating the extremities makes all the difference.

Braemar GlovesColour: Dark Grey Marl

£26; code: 03763

Iona ScarfColour: Chilli Pepper

£26; code: 03751


Whether the devil is in the detail or not is hard to say. What we are sure about is that getting the details right in your clothing system is the key to staying warm this winter. Losing precious heat from your head, hands and neck will quickly negate even the warmest winter layering system.

And because these are Rohan accessories, just as much design attention goes into them as our ‘top of the mountain’ jackets. Once again, warmth-to-weight ratio, drying times and durability mean that technical fibres like fleece and knitted acrylics make up 90% of the range.

There’s no need for mountain gear to look like you’re on your way to battle nature. The secret of versatility is once again classic everyday style, boosted with technical fabrics to make a range of accessories that comfortably fit into city life, but perform faultlessly on the hills.

Alloa GlovesColour: Indigo

£36; code: 03759

Alloa ScarfColour: Indigo

£36; code: 03749

Superfine Merino 200 Hat

Colours: Grey Herringbone (shown) and Black£30; code: 03199

Microgrid GlovesColours: Titanium Marl (shown)

and Charred Black Marl£16; code: 03771

Colonsay ScarfColour: Dark Fig/Grey Marl

£36; code: 03483

Countrywide HatColour: Ranger Green

£50; code: 03743

Alloa HatColour: Indigo

£26; code: 03748

ROHAN.CO.UK | 29

Everyday style for everywhere in the world.

Men’s Globetrotter MacColour: Carbon

£225; code: 03425

The Globetrotter Mac is a raincoat, a travel coat and an overcoat. Unlike so many macs it is really built to do its job. It has a generous below-knee cut and uses the latest BarricadeTM fabric to keep you completely dry. It has a proper mountain hood and

zipped security pockets. It’s fully waterproof, windproof and pretty much world–proof.

Women’s Globetrotter MacColour: Black Rose£225; code: 03426

HOW TO ORDER:

CUSTOMER SERVICES0800 840 1411If you need help and advice, you can ring our Customer Service Team between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (or 24 hour answerphone). Or, if you prefer, you can email us at [email protected] at Rohan, we take customer service very seriously. That’s why we’ve got a fully-staffed Customer Service Department – and we’re here to help. So, if you’re not quite sure, give us a call. We absolutely do our best to delight you with our service. If we haven’t, please let us know. It’s the only way we’ll get better.

DELIVERYOur standard charge is £4.95 to mainland UK addresses; you should have your parcel within three working days. Please call for a price, or check online if you need next-day or worldwide delivery. Alternatively, we also offer a Deliver to Store service. You can pick your order up from one of our stores with no delivery charge. Someone from the shop will give you a call when it’s ready for collection.

RETURNS OR EXCHANGESPlease package the clothes carefully and include your exchange/re-order form which came with your original delivery. Use recorded delivery or something similar. If it’s more convenient, take them into your local shop.

OUR GUARANTEERohan products are designed and manufactured to be as functional, comfortable and durable as we know how. If for any reason they don’t live up to your expectations, we will be amazed, disappointed and keen to know why. We will then offer you a replacement, a refund or a repair. Damage from wear and tear will be repaired for a reasonable charge.

FOUR WAYS TO BUYWHETHER YOU’RE AT HOME, ON THE MOVE, OR IN A FAR CORNER OF THE GLOBE, ROHAN IS ALWAYS EASY TO FIND.

1 ORDER ONLINEROHAN.CO.UKYou can view the entire range with easy and totally secure ordering. You’ll also be able to read about all the relevant technologies for each product, as there’s a detailed list of features and benefits. While you’re there, why not check out the Rohan Souk – the best place to grab the biggest bargains. You can sign up for our email newsletter to ensure you’re the first to hear about all the latest news and offers. And you’ll also find Rohantime, a forum to share ideas and opinions with other enthusiastic Rohan wearers.

2 FIND A STOREWe have over 50 shops – to find your nearest one and to check opening times, visit rohan.co.uk or give our Customer Service Team a call. Whichever shop you choose to visit, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and you’ll get some great advice. You’ll also be able to see a great selection of clothing, shoes and luggage – and of course, try it all on!

3 BY POSTIf you prefer to place your order by post, give our Customer Service Team a call and they will post you an order form. Alternatively, go online to the Customer Service section where you can download the form.

4 OVER THE PHONE0800 840 1412You can place your telephone order with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Calls are free from a BT landline. Call costs from a mobile or networks other than BT may vary.

ORDER ONLINE ROHAN.CO.UK

FIND YOUR NEAREST STORE

ORDER BY POST

ORDER BY PHONE0800 840 1412

A Rohan Gift Card is a sure way to bring happiness to the Rohan enthusiast in your life. Available in-store, online or by mail order.Code: 99999

Give a Rohan Gift Card this Christmas

H O W T O O R D E R

ROHAN.CO.UK | 31

We would love to show you everything we make but that’s virtually impossible in print. You will, however, find everything at rohan.co.uk and, of course, with over 50 shops around the country, it’s easy to see for

yourself just how light, protective, warm and comfortable all our gear really is.

IN-STORE AT OVER 50 SHOPS ONLINE AT ROHAN.CO.UK PHONE 0800 840 1412

WE COULDN’T SQUEEZE ANY MORE IN

rohan - november catalogue 2014

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