Salewa climbs with hemp
For the 2021 climbing season, mountain brand Salewa unveils a new collection of garments made from Alpine Hemp, hybrid fabrics based on textile hemp that offer a natural, sturdy, breathable and temperature-regulating solution for climbing – from the gym to the wall.
By climbing you learn what you can trust. Your climbing partner, yourself, your equipment. When it comes to clothing, climbers trust natural materials that protect them without restricting their freedom of movement and expression – pants and shirts that are comfortable to move in, pleasant to wear, with an informal and ergonomic design. Fabrics must be durable, breathable, lightweight and practical. Salewa offers the solution to these needs with the Alpine Hemp collection, created by engineering hybrid fabrics that combine textile hemp fibers with certified organic cotton, recycled polyester and elastane. To ensure the elasticity and abrasion resistance needed when climbing in the gym or on the wall, the experts at the South Tyrolean brand were able to draw on experience developed with Durastrtech technology. The colors of the 13 products in the Alpine hemp collection are inspired by the natural hues of the spectacular landscape of the Dolomites, Salewa’s home.
Textile hemp – a perfect combination
Textile hemp is like this: practical and super strong. The plants grow quickly without herbicides and pesticides, and require very little irrigation. As a functional fabric for technical clothing, textile hemp has natural performance characteristics: it regulates body temperature and humidity, has superior breathability values, inhibits odors and dries quickly. In addition, textile hemp is extremely robust and resistant to dirt. These characteristics explain why for centuries textile hemp has been used to produce the highest quality fibers and fabrics. However, economic and political sanctions in favor of cotton, and later in support of synthetic fibers, have led to the abandonment of the use of textile hemp, whose cultivation has been penalized by association with that of its psychoactive cousin, marijuana.
In Favor of Cultivating Textile Hemp in South Tyrol
Hemp has a genuine tradition rooted in the Alps, and Italy has long been the world’s leading producer of the highest quality industrial and textile hemp. With its new collection, Salewa has made a long-term commitment to support the Alpine economy through the use of natural resources. In fact, d 2016 the South Tyrolean brand is committed to bringing the tradition of textile hemp cultivation back to Italy, and ten percent of the revenue from the sale of the Alpine Hemp collection will be invested in starting the cultivation of this fiber in the Alpine region, with the aim of reviving this tradition by producing clothing that meets the strict functional standards required for climbing.
Hybrid technologies for climbing
Salewa uses textile hemp fibers in combination with other technologies, resulting in innovative hybrid fabrics that enhance their natural characteristics of sustainability and functionality. In the Alpine Hemp collection, hemp textile fibers have been combined with Durastretch technology, Salewa’s proprietary softshell. The result is innovative solutions such as Alpine Hemp Ripstop, a fabric that combines textile hemp, recycled polyester and elastane to give greater flexibility and freedom of movement, suitable for use in pants and shorts. Or Alpine Hemp Jersey, a soft fabric suitable for tight-fitting suits and tops, made by spinning together textile hemp, organic cotton and recycled polyester. The structure of these exclusive blends gives the fabrics superior performance in terms of breathability and abrasion resistance, while enhancing the characteristics of comfort and elasticity. With the Alpine Hemp collection, climbers can now count on a reliable climbing companion to tackle the most vertical lines and the most technical passages. And at the same time feel comfortable with a practical and informal style in the natural tones of the Dolomites, where Salewa’s home and heart are located.
