Craghoppers
Craghoppers is a British outdoor clothing manufacturer and supplier that was founded in Batley, West Yorkshire in 1965. According to their website, the company was set up by outdoor enthusiasts who were planning an expedition to climb Mount Everest. They wanted gear which would withstand the harshest of conditions, so they researched and designed fabrics that would protect them from the extreme cold. They reached the summit of Everest and, upon their return, set up the outdoor clothing company. However this is not quite accurate.
In 1965 one of the first UK weather wear companies to use nylon in their garments was formed called G & H Products. Its founders, Brian Gaskin and Roy Holmes (from Batley, West Yorkshire), were outdoor walking, climbing and pot-holing enthusiasts who saw a gap in the market. After successful design achievements (including the creation of the "Cagjack") they were approached by the mountaineering expedition team of Chris Bonington to design their weather wear for the successful 1975 Everest Expedition. Brian Gaskin designed the Everest garments himself. This propelled G & H Products to new heights and, with fresh capital, they discovered the Clarke Brothers in Hebden Bridge who made walking trousers and breeches. The brothers were selling their business, called Craghoppers, because they wanted to retire. G&H Products bought Craghoppers and took the name as it befitted the aim of the company. The company was in financial difficulties and was later sold and taken over by the Regatta Group in 1995. In 2008 Craghoppers partnered up with TV's survival expert Bear Grylls, they worked with him in producing a range of clothes designed especially for him to wear in extreme conditions. Their innovation and expertise, coupled with Bear's thirst for adventure, have proved to be a rewarding and successful partnership. Many of the clothes produced for Bear can be purchased on their website.
Catalogues
Craghoppers produce two catalogues a year - Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. Each catalogue has a certain theme and the photo-shoots are done in specific places. Each catalogue takes the form of a mini-travel guide as well as a clothing catalogue.
Clothing
They have designed and promote the following Technologies
- NosiLife - Clothing with a non-toxic permanent insect repellent finish which has been tested to still retain over 98% of its initial effectiveness after 100 washes.
- Nosi (Previously Nosquito) - clothing with insect repellent finish which lasts for 39 washes.
- Breathable fabrics.
- Stretch fabric.
- SolarDry fabrics which give UV protection, it is currently rated as having a 40+ UPF (Ultraviolet protection factor) index and blocks 97.5+% of UVR (Ultraviolet Radiation) .
- Wash & wear fabrics - used for travel clothing where clothes dry overnight and need no or minimal ironing.
- AquaDry & AquaDry Stretch - Clothing which incorporates waterproof and breathable fabrics, also available in stretch fabrics.
- Lightweight clothing.
Craghoppers are one of a number of companies that meet Gore-Tex standards and are authorised to use and sell with Gore-Tex waterproof technologies. Many items of Craghoppers clothing have a hidden zippable security pocket.
Popular ranges include their fleeces, micro-fleeces, Kiwi shirts, Kiwi shorts and t-shirts (some of which use fairtrade cotton). Their Nosi range which include Nosi & NosiLife clothing products are popular among travellers entering countries which have cases of Maleria or just high mosquito levels.
They also produce luggage, soft shell jackets, down jackets and accessories such as caps and scarves. Their Kiwi walking trousers are extremely popular with ramblers.
Craghoppers produce a range of clothing which contains the name of TV adventurer Bear Grylls who uses these clothes in his extreme survival shows Man vs Wild & Worst Case Scenario.
Now owned by the Black family, which also owns Regatta & Dare 2b.