Six to Nine – Kick-start your day with Salewa

This is the motto with which the South Tyrolean brand Salewa presents Pedroc, the new speed hiking collection created to experience nature at its most magical hours.

Salewa has always been synonymous with a passion for mountain sports, high-level mountaineering, and a special connection to the mountains, and since its inception, it has made it its goal to create products that combine traditional materials with innovative design, following high environmental and social standards, and made with a keen awareness for regionality, quality, and value.

“The mountain is our source of‘inspiration. Always has been, since 1935. What is constantly evolving, however, is the way we approach the mountains. L‘mountaineering is a relatively young sport that has continued to change throughout its history, as has its very definition. Salewa has given itself the‘goal to evolve and grow hand in hand with mountain sports, offering the best possible technical solutions for each discipline. That’s why we are so excited to introduce our new speed hiking line for 2023.” Marco Busa, general manager of Salewa, reveals.

Precisely for summer 2023, Salewa is launching Pedroc, a speed hiking collection that combines tradition with innovative fabrics and technical solutions and a fresh, current design. The new Pedroc collection consists of lightweight, breathable and quick-drying garments, plus two models of shoes and a backpack in men’s and women’s versions. The line therefore combines the properties of technical mountain garments with the need for lightweight, fitness-oriented products, thus creating an ideal concept for speed hiking clothing, a practice that gives several benefits on both the physical and mental level. This is precisely where the motto of the new Salewa collection, “Six to Nine – Kick-start your day,” fits in. An invitation to get up early, even during the week, and start the day on the right foot, speed hiking wherever you are: parks, hills, coastlines, mountains. In short, any natural environment that offers a bitof ascent and a nice view, whether it is of a valley or the sea, a lake or a city.

Cornerstones of the line are the Pedroc Pro Polartec Alpha jacket, an insulating garment weighing only 160g that is ideal for intensive speed hiking in alpine environments but also suitable for shorter workouts close to home. Excellent thermoregulation, especially in situations of temperature excursion and variable weather conditions thanks to Polartec Alpha Direct fabric that ensures comfort and well-being even during prolonged activity. This technical material, made from recycled PET bottles, boasts active insulation technology that regulates body temperature in both static and dynamic conditions.

With the new Pedroc 2.5L Powertex Light jacket, instead, even the most ambitious goal becomes achievable and within reach of speed hikers. This model was created to have minimal weight (190g), small size when folded, and a perfect balance of breathability and weather protection. On the footwear side, we have the Pedroc Pro Mid PTX shoe that combines versatility, style, and durability in a single model that is as suitable for mountain sports training as it is for everyday life. Thanks to Pomoca’s Speed Hiker Pro outsole and reinforcement at the ankle, it comes across as a technical shoe that is agile yet gives safety and protection in the environment. The raised TPU edge, PFC-free Powertex membrane and Powertex padding protect the foot while keeping it dry during activity. Finally, the Pedroc Pro 22L M/W backpack, which, thanks to its close-fitting design, hugs the back without hindering movement. It is made of the new Duralite double ripstop nylon fabric, which promises remarkable resistance to tears and abrasions while being very light. This allowed Salewa to develop a backpack rich in detail but weighing only 570g. So light that you forget you have it on even when speed hiking.

To promote the launch of the collection, which will go on sale in spring 2023, a short film shot in different locations, such as the Dolomites, Nice, Singapore, and Boulder (Colorado), has been created and will be released on YouTube in early April.

For the occasion, Elisa Deutschmann, Salewa athlete and speed hiking enthusiast answered some interesting questions.

Elisa, what is speed hiking and how do you start practicing it?

“Speed hiking” means walking fast, but at your own pace and according to your own timetable, to see how far you can get in a short amount of time. It’s not just about fitness: in fact, the most important aspects are the health benefits on the one hand, and the opportunity to make new friends on the other. It is a sport that anyone can play, and to do so does not require taking long car trips or planning multi-day trips. Just immerse yourself in the authentic and unspoiled beauty of nature, without necessarily going far.

When can it be practiced?

The best time is just before sunrise. There is something magical about the moment when the sun rises and the world begins to wake up, and everything is still bathed in silence and tranquility. As there is less traffic and less noise, it is easier to notice the sounds of nature, such as birds chirping or even just our breathing, and to see small details that can inspire us. In the early morning we are more refreshed, curious and ready for discovery.