The PHD K Series
Warmth-for-weight at the limit of what's possible
PHD have been leaders in ultralight warmth ever since we started. Our Minimus range back in the 1990’s created the lightest down sleeping bags and jackets in the world — and the world has duly followed us. Lightweight down jackets throng the High Street now as well as the hills, a real hot-spot in the outdoor market. They’re everywhere.
But we have a different view of ultralight and ‘everywhere’. The underlying idea is so good that we have always tried to make it work wherever you go, whatever you do. Our ultralight gear is not just for a walk in the Lake District. It will keep you warm on top of Denali or Everest, help you to sleep soundly on the Sahara marathon, turn a chilly camp in Scotland or a cold trek or even an Alpine bivouac from a trial to a pleasure. PHD’s ultralight warmwear already covers the whole range of outdoor activities, and we are the only company to seriously attempt such a thing. Now the K Series goes a step further.
K Series — Extreme Ultralight
The ultralight idea is based on freedom, pleasure, safety and more besides. A list of positives, which we believe in passionately. But to make it work at the highest level, we have had to put in a lot of time and make some tough decisions along the way. For a start, ‘Ultra’ performance means going to the limit on materials.
Take 1000 down for example. For years we have been searching it out and using it in our top gear, aiming well beyond slimline vests and jackets into a full range of clothing and sleeping bags right up to Himalayan level. 1000 down is not just rare, it’s also very expensive, but there’s no other way to get max warmth out of every gram you carry. All K Series gear is filled with 1000 down.
Fabrics too. We waited a long time for ultralight fabrics to come of age. It was test and reject until at last MX (our 15denier) came along and fully proved itself in mountain wear. Then 10X (our 10 denier fabric) earned a place in our range: first in the Wafer gear and now in the K Series after testing well in the Himalayas. And Ultrashell has come through our field tests and allowed us to cut the weight of proofed outers on our down gear dramatically.
Our K Series designs are focused on getting the best possible performance from these fabulous materials. It starts from the Wafer Vest, a winter warmer that will literally fit in your pocket, and goes on through the 280gm Alpine Ultra K, the ultimate Alpine down jacket which has already given good service in the Himalayas, and right on up to the Hispar Jacket K, a high altitude lightweight at 575gm. Sleeping bags too. The Filler bag is a tiny surprise package for campers, while at the other extreme the Hispar K bags are rewriting the packweights for expeditions.
And for the racing extremists, the even lighter fabrics, 7X (7-denier) and Hypershell have been added to develop the M.Degree “K” bags, the Wafer Ultima “K” pullover and vest, and the WaferLite “K” jacket, shirt, and vest.