Mountain Equipment: Built for the Unforgiving

Six Decades of Alpine Mastery and a Commitment to the Future

There are very few brands in the world that we would truly trust with our lives in the mountains, and Mountain Equipment is one of them. Since 1961, they have been the silent partner on nearly every major milestone in mountaineering history. From the first British ascent of Everest's South West Face in 1975 to record-breaking unsupported trips to the North and South Poles, they do not design for the high street. They design for the most inhospitable places on Earth.

The Manchester Roots: Born from Necessity

Mountain Equipment did not start in a boardroom. It began in a small shed in Cheshire in 1961, fuelled by the grit of the UK's early climbing scene. A group of alpinists began making gear because the equipment available at the time was simply not up to the task of surviving the brutal winters of the Peak District and the Alps.

What makes Mountain Equipment unique is their "Lived Experience" philosophy. Their designers are active climbers, hikers, and skiers who test every zip and seam with frozen fingers in 60mph winds before any product reaches the shelf.

Explore the Mountain Equipment Collection

To help you find the right tool for your next adventure, we have organised our range into technical categories. Each piece is engineered with a specific environment in mind.

Mountain Equipment Waterproof Jackets

When the weather turns, you need a shell that offers more than just water resistance. Our collection of Mountain Equipment waterproofs features the legendary Alpine Fit. These jackets are designed with articulated sleeves and high-reach hems to ensure you stay protected while moving through technical terrain.

Mountain Equipment GORE-TEX Range

Mountain Equipment has partnered with GORE-TEX since 1977 to produce the world's most reliable shells. We stock a variety of GORE-TEX technologies to suit your specific needs:

GORE-TEX PRO: The most rugged and durable membrane, built for professional mountain guides and extended expeditions.
GORE-TEX PACLITE®: Ideal for those who prioritise weight and packability, making it the perfect "just in case" shell for New Zealand's unpredictable weather.
GORE-TEX ePE: The next generation that is PFAS-free, providing high-performance waterproofing with a reduced environmental footprint.

Mountain Equipment Synthetic Jackets

For the damp and notoriously fickle conditions of the Southern Alps, synthetic insulation is often the superior choice. Unlike down, synthetic fibres maintain their loft and warmth even when wet. Our range features:

Polarloft®: Mountain Equipment's proprietary insulation, chosen for its exceptional durability and resilience during high-intensity use.
PrimaLoft® Gold: The gold standard in synthetic warmth, offering a warmth-to-weight ratio that rivals down while remaining highly water-resistant.
Superflux & Fitzroy: Iconic pieces designed to be thrown over all your layers during a storm-lashed belay or a cold lunch break.

Mountain Equipment Sleeping Bags

Mountain Equipment is arguably the world leader in down insulation. From the lightweight Helium series to the expedition-ready Glacier bags, their sleeping systems utilise the EXL elasticated lining to eliminate cold spots. Every bag is backed by the DOWN CODEX programme, ensuring the highest ethical and thermal standards.

Mountain Equipment Down & Insulated Clothing

For essential warmth in freezing temperatures, our down insulation range provides maximum thermal efficiency for minimum weight. We stock versatile, high-performance pieces like the Skyline and Frostline jackets, which use premium water-resistant down and Drilite® Loft outer shells to keep you warm and protected from light snow and spindrift

The Art of the Alpine Fit

Many outdoor jackets are cut wide for casual wear, but Mountain Equipment uses a specialised Alpine Fit. This involves complex articulated patterning where sleeves are pre-shaped to the natural curve of your arm. The torso is tailored to ensure that when you reach high for a climbing hold or adjust a heavy pack, your jacket does not ride up and expose your back to the elements.

The DOWN CODEX: A Global Benchmark

In 2009, Mountain Equipment realised the industry lacked transparency in down sourcing, so they created the DOWN CODEX programme.

Traceability: Every down product features a unique 12-digit code. You can enter this on their website to see the exact audit of your garment, including animal welfare conditions and the fill power (quality) of the down inside.
Animal Welfare: They strictly prohibit live-plucking or force-feeding. All down is now RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified, ensuring their warmth never comes at a moral cost.

Sleeping Bag Mastery and the EXL System

A sleeping bag is your most vital survival tool in the wild. High-end Mountain Equipment bags use EXL Technology, an elasticated lining that gently pulls the fabric toward your body. This eliminates "dead air" (empty space your body has to work hard to heat), making the bag significantly warmer without adding extra weight or bulk.

Responsibility: Planet, Product, and People

Mountain Equipment believes that great gear alone is not enough. Alpinism is a mindset grounded in honesty and respect for the world we explore.

Environmental Impact and Climate Action

Mountain Equipment is not just talking about sustainability; they are measuring it.

Emissions Targets: Since 2020, they have tracked their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They have committed to reducing their emissions by 6 percent every year based on their 2020 baseline, refusing to rely on "carbon offsetting" and instead focusing on cutting emissions at the source.
The 2024 Highlight: In 2024, they reduced their total GHG emissions by 26 percent, marking the second consecutive year of decline. They know that 83 percent of their emissions come from manufacturing, which is why they are obsessively refining their supply chain.

Chemical Management: PFAS-Free by 2025

One of the most significant shifts in the industry is the removal of "forever chemicals" (PFAS).

The Goal: Mountain Equipment aims to be PFAS-free across all new production by Autumn/Winter 2025. This includes all trims, membranes, and components.
GORE-TEX Partnership: In 2023, they launched the first PFAS-free GORE-TEX products using the new ePE membrane in the Makalu Jacket, proving that performance does not have to come at the cost of the environment.

Social Responsibility: Supporting the People

Mountain Equipment has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2012 and currently holds "Leader" status, the highest possible ranking for ethical labour conditions.

Auditing: They conduct regular, transparent audits of their production facilities to ensure fair wages, safe working environments, and the elimination of child labour.
Community Support: They are a long-term supporter of Community Action Nepal (CAN), a charity founded by climber Doug Scott that delivers health, education, and livelihood programmes to remote Himalayan communities.

Mountain Equipment: Technical Guides and Alpine Stories

To truly understand what makes this kit world-class, our blog offers a deeper look into the heritage and engineering that defines the brand. We have curated a collection of stories and guides that cover everything from the history of legendary expeditions to the complex science behind the DOWN CODEX and waterproof GORE-TEX membranes. It is the go-to resource for technical outdoor clothing insights, professional kit maintenance advice, and genuine inspiration for your next mission into the New Zealand backcountry.

Explore the Mountain Equipment Knowledge Hub

Revere Your Gear: Built to Last

The most responsible product is the one that lasts for decades. Through the Revere Your Gear initiative, Mountain Equipment encourages users to care for and repair their kit rather than replace it. They provide detailed care guides for everything from waterproof shells to sleeping mats, helping to keep high-performance gear out of landfills.

Why Choose Mountain Equipment at Outdoor Action?

We select gear based on performance, reliability, and ethics. Whether you are planning a technical ascent in the Southern Alps or a winter trek through the bush, Mountain Equipment provides the security of gear that has been proven at the ends of the Earth.

Equip yourself with the gear that has been to the top of the world and back.