A measure of a fabric’s waterproofness. Refers to how high a column of water, measured in millimetres, a fabric can withstand before allowing water through. Higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric.

 Breathable means the fabric allows transfer of water vapour. Driven by a difference in humidity either side of the fabric, measured in g/m2 over 24hrs. Waterproof means the membrane doesn’t allow water droplets through from the outside and is measured in Hydrostatic Head (see above). This is acheived using a membrane which is a selectively permeable barrier. In fabrics, a waterproof membrane has holes big enough to allow water vapour through but small enough to not allow water droplets in and so remain waterproof yet breathable.

 Well that depends, doesn’t it! What is it for? Plodding around in heavy rain all day with a pack on or to carry just in case or to satisfy kit check? Do you value weight saving and low pack size over breathability and features? Do you want bells and whistles or stripped back performance? Does it need ot be waterproof at all or would a windproof do? The Kamleika is a soft and stretchy option with lots of freedom of movement and incredible comfort for a waterproof shell, it is full adjustable with full length zip and pockets. The Halo is a super-light option that still offers fully waterproof protection but with reduced breathability and durability, perfect for racing or when weight is key. The Kamlite uses a mixture of both fabrics to optimise performance. The Sonic range is windproof but has no membrane so i very breathable but will eventually let rain through. When choosing your Outer Layer, consider your priorities and then compare across the ranges. WE also have a useful comparison table on each product page. 

 Just like owning a top end sports car, a performance Outer Layer is only as good as how well you care for it. In the same way a sports car still needs oil changes and screen wash, you need to regularly maintain your OMM Clothing to keep it performing at its best. It is important to follow the Product Care Instructions and use the correct wash and proofer product as these can affect your clothing’s performance. Check out our Product Care Guide for more information. 

 OMM use PrimaLoft® synthetic insulation as it is widely regarded as the best quality available; with insulating properties very close to that of down plus largely manufactured from post-consumer recycled product (PCR). Usually manufactured in a roll or sheet of ‘wadding’, think loft insulation but a lot nicer! From PrimaLoft® we mainly use their Gold Eco with Cross – Core Technology, their highest rated and most sustainable option plus the latest ACTIVE fabric in the Core Ranges, built from a synthetic plume woven through a knitted mesh, CORE offers the warmth of a fleece but with less than half the weight.

Just like owning a top end sports car, a piece of performance Insulation is only as good as how well you care for it. In the same way a sports car still needs oil changes and screen wash, you need to regularly maintain your OMM Clothing to keep it performing at its best. It is important to follow the Product Care Instructions and use the correct wash and/or proofer product as these can affect your clothing’s performance. The benefit of using a synthetic insulation is it is much more resilient when washing plus dries a lot quicker.

That depends how cold you expect to get or perhaps you know you always run a little hot and so don’t need so much. The amount of insulation a product has, generally the warmer it will be. The amount of insulation in synthetically insulated products is quoted as per square metre. When using PrimaLoft® Gold Eco, the lowest value we use is 40gsm, up to 233gsm in our warmest Mountain Raid Sleeping Bag. We also use PrimaLoft® Active which is a much more breathable option as iti does not require the layers of fabric either side of it to stabilise the insulation. Though not as warm aas traditional options, the breathability and next to skin comfort makes it a great option. 

 Most OMM Clothing tends towards the “fitted” end of things. Designed for performance use, the fabrics often work best when dead air is reduced whilst also reducing drag and bulk when moving quickly. We use three different fits in our clothing ranges; Contact Fit, Fitted & Regular Fit. Most of our Insulation uses our Regular Fit, with a little more room and a squarer cut. You’ll find a link to the Fit Guide on each product page. You also find a link to our Size Guide, a more in depth table that shows measurement ranges for each size. Insulation should fit comfortably over a First & Mid Layer and are designed to work well with our Outer Layers.