Colourkind adds colour to the nylon chips prior to heating and extruding into fibres.

Berghaus COLOURKIND™ is a fabric dyeing technology that is kinder to the environment, with a particular focus on water. That focus is a result of the World Economic Forum listing water scarcity as the number one social and economic risk facing the world over the next 10 years. Less than 1% of all the water on earth is available for the entire global population to share for drinking, hygiene and food production, and clothing manufacture is a major contributor to this situation.

Compared with regular processes, Berghaus COLOURKIND™ fabric dyeing uses fewer stages, resulting in savings of 89% in water usage, 63% fewer chemicals used, and a 60% reduction in CO₂ emissions. This is done by adding colour to the nylon chips before they are extruded into fibres, which also results in a higher quality fabric with improved colour fastness.

Working closely with GORE-TEX®, Berghaus has now used this ground-breaking technology to bring a new waterproof fabric innovation to the outdoor market. Exclusive to Berghaus, COLOURKIND™ partnered with GORE-TEX® is a new fabric that is 100% waterproof, while also being kinder to the environment. The fabric combines a waterproof and breathable 2L GORE-TEX® membrane with a 40 denier ripstop nylon COLOURKIND™ face.

For autumn/winter 2016, COLOURKIND™ partnered with GORE-TEX® features in the Island Peak collection of men’s and women’s all season walking jackets and pants. The range includes: the men’s Island Peak 3-in-1 Hydroloft jacket; the men’s and women’s Island Peak jackets; the men’s and women’s Island Peak 3-in-1 jackets; and the men’s and women’s Island Peak pants.

Island Peak 3in1 Hydroloft inner

Each product in the Island Peak collection is designed for year round walking in all weathers and is constructed to Gore's Extreme Wet Weather standard, with a comprehensive set of considered features. As well as the new COLOURKIND™ face fabric on the jackets, Berghaus has also taken environmental impact into consideration when choosing other materials that make up the garments. In the Island Peak 3-in-1 Hydroloft® jacket, the Hydroloft® Elite in the inner features 50% recycled fibres, and recycled fleece is used in the men’s and women’s Island Peak 3-in-1 jackets.

Women's Island Peak inner

Along with other COLOURKIND™ styles, products made with recycled materials and all bluesign® approved lines, the new COLOURKIND™ partnered with GORE-TEX® range continues to build on the wider Berghaus MADEKIND initiative. In combining such a strong water saving message with well-designed performance garments, Berghaus COLOURKIND™ partnered with GORE-TEX® aims to make getting rained on feel better than ever.

The Berghaus autumn/winter 2016 collection will be available from www.berghaus.com and selected specialist outdoor retailers from September 2016.