Mammut

Mammut is a Swiss label with a genuinely practical starting point. In 1862, Kaspar Tanner was making ropes for farming and industry in a small Swiss town, and climbers soon noticed how strong they were and began using them for mountaineering. By the 1950s the company was producing specialised glacier ropes, a major step for alpine safety.

That background still shows in what it makes today: robust Gore-Tex outerwear, waterproof shells, down jackets, fleece mid-layers, functional layers and footwear, all built for demanding conditions. It also sells equipment and avalanche gear. If you want outdoor clothing from a brand with over 160 years behind it, this is a sensible place to look.