Building on the success of its insulation icon, Kathmandu, Australia and New Zealand's number one outdoor brand, introduces a groundbreakingly better version of its Heli franchise, the Heli R.
Kathmandu's Heli R spearheads a saturated insulation market. It's made almost entirely from recycled materials and is incredibly lightweight at 220g, 25% lighter than the original.
Packable into its pocket, and is just as warm and strong as its predecessor, making it a wardrobe essential that can transcend the seasons.
Throughout the upgrade, Kathmandu's team of designers and engineers prioritised people and the planet, harmonious with the brand's B Corp status.
A vital aspect of the Heli R's warmth is the use of Traceable Down, meaning consumers can trace where their down came from, in line with the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), an assurance that Kathmandu sourced down from the most ethical suppliers available.
Beyond the technical features, the Heli R comes in an all-new playful colour palette derived from the local landscape of New Zealand's South Island.
Kathmandu understands that colour positively impacts mood and can help consumers open their hearts and minds when in nature. Hence, the jacket has eight colourways, including mustard yellow, light quartz, undertow blue, beech green and lolly orange.
"So many things set our new Heli R apart from its predecessor and other puffer jackets in the market! One of those being we employed recycled materials wherever we could; it used to be that you had to sacrifice performance when choosing a more sustainable route, but with the Heli R, we've made the product significantly lighter (25%), much more packable, and just as warm as it's always been while using these recycled materials", said Robert Fry, GM of Product.
Beyond the improvements, Kathmandu's Heli R is the first to embed Digital ID technology.
Unique Digital IDs are sewn into every Heli R product, helping customers discover the unique sustainability story behind their jacket, including learning about its design and manufacturing process, the factory it was made in, the materials used to make their piece, repair information, and eventually, traceability and resell recommendations.
"As a certified B Corporation, we prioritise people and the planet in all elements of the business. Digital ID technology is an innovative step towards our circularity ambitions, helping shift customer mindset to think circular by giving them the option to repair their product and access to recycling information for when their Heli R is no longer serving them but is still in excellent condition to serve someone else," said Robert Fry, GM of Product.
The launch of the Heli R cements Kathmandu as the go-to destination for all outdoor gear, especially puffer jackets in winter.
The full Heli R range includes vests, hooded and non-hooded down jackets, longline coats, and synthetic jackets. They range from sizes six to eighteen for women and XS to XXXL for men.
For those who prefer an alternative to lightweight jackets, Kathmandu's iconic Epiq range has also expanded its colourway offerings this winter, providing even more options for outdoor adventures or morning walks.
