The OMM Kamleika Waterproofs

Having tried almost every type of waterproof/breathable fabric since the mid eighties, it is rare that anything comes along that truly is different. Then came Kamleika - developed by those clever people at OMM - formally Kimmlite – This has to be a new generation of waterproof and this stuff is second to none. The jacket is all that you would expect for £100, full zip, 4 pockets, rollaway hood with peak, velcro cuffs etc, and the pants look like a close fitting overtrouser, but the magic lies in the fabric. Kamleika garments are extremely light, unbelievably soft and silent, so gone are the days of the ‘crisp packet’ effect. It is stretchy and comfortable, highly breathable, making wearing it a dream – To me it was like wearing a soft shell or windproof, I didn’t even know I was wearing it! It is made from a fabric called GELANOTS – I don’t think anyone else in the UK uses it, and I can find little about it on the net. What I can say (or plagiarise) that it is an elastomeric (means stretchy) hydrophilic laminate bonded to a knitted outer (which is unusual) The hydrophilic laminate 'breathes' well and better still because of the knitted outer (i.e. more open than weave structure. It stretches i.e. elongates because of its knitted outer and recovers shape because of the elastomeric laminate. This results in breathability that is amongst highest ratings anywhere and the garment is SILENT in use. 'The tops are good but the pants are just magic'.

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