Back in my home country of Australia, the name Kathmandu is synonymous with outdoor adventures.
Not because it call to mind the capital of Nepal and Himalayan peaks, but because of the New Zealand-based clothing and gear brand.
In Australia and New Zealand, Kathmandu’s kit is hugely popular, whether you’re in the middle of Auckland or halfway along the Te Araroa trail.
And being an ethically-minded company that makes quality clothing, it makes total sense that Kathmandu is so popular.
But, when I moved to the UK, I immediately noticed that Kathmandu was missing. Where did people get their fleeces and down jackets from, I wondered?
Excitingly however, Kathmandu has officially launched in the UK and Europe since then.
So, I wanted to dig a little deeper looking at this iconic Kiwi brand and see what it has in store for UK and Europe-based adventures.
A history of innovation and sustainability
Volcanoes, mountains, fiords (they spell them with an ‘i’ over there), and lakes: New Zealand is a country of unparalleled, unspoiled natural beauty.
So, NZ really is the obvious place to found a company dedicated to creating gear to help people explore the incredible environment just outside their doors.
And that’s exactly how Kathmandu began, back in 1987. From the off, the brand was interested in sustainability and accountability, long before it was a major concern in the industry.
It created one of the world’s first recycled fleece jackets in 1991, and since then Kathmandu has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to environmental concerns.
In fact, Kathmandu is Australia and New Zealand’s first outdoor equipment retailer to become a certified B Corp. This means it actively seeks to positively impact its employees, their communities, and the environment, and is transparent with its supply chain, material sourcing, and ecological footprint.
By 2025, Kathmandu aims to source all of its wool in compliance with the Responsible Wool Standard, which has commitments to the welfare of the sheep and the land they graze on, and by 2030, use only recycled or recyclable polyester in all its garments and equipment.
Aside from all this, they happen to make great quality outdoor kit as well.
Here’s some of our favourites that you should check out.
Valorous 28L Pack
Whether you’re on a city escape or a weekend ramble, the Valorous 28L backpack is a versatile option for any pursuit.
The wide-opening main compartment has plenty of room to fit your gear, with a inner sleeve which is perfect for a hydration pack – or a laptop if you’re working on the go.
The harness is designed for maximum breathability, with ventilated shoulder straps and a clever design which sits slightly away from your back to allow plenty of airflow.
Plus, there are tamper-proof zips to secure your gear, compression straps to compact your kit, and a water repellent finish.
As you’d expect from Kathmandu, the main fabric also contains recycled nylon ripstop.
You can find out more about the Valorous pack here.
Trailhead Stretch 2.5-layer Rain Jacket
Everyone needs a reliable rain jacket, but you don’t want one that’s uncomfortable or cumbersome to carry.
That’s why we like the features that Kathmandu’s Trailhead Stretch jacket offers.
Its articulated sleeves and stretch fabric allow a comfortable, snug fit while also providing plenty of movement, whether you’re climbing, running, or hiking.
It uses a waterproof and windproof ngx™ 2.5-layer fabric to keep you dry and warm through all kinds of conditions, while it also features underarm zips for ventilation during those summer showers.
It’s also highly packable (you can pack it away in its own pocket) and weighs only 265g in size Small. And, we love that the main fabric is 100% recycled polyester.
It’s available in men’s sizes here and women’s sizes here.
Find out more about Kathmandu’s range of gear
Having used plenty of Kathmandu’s gear back home, I’m glad to see it arriving in the UK.
Whether you’re after a packable rain jacket, a versatile backpack, or an ethically-produced down jacket, Kathmandu has it all – and for affordable prices, too.
You can check out the full range of Kathmandu apparel and equipment, as well as browse its sustainability reports and policies, on its UK website here.