February 8, 2001


Is European gear superior to American gear?

I don't want to start World War III, but I met a hiker from Europe who swore that European products, and those from LaFuma and Ferrino in particular, are superior to the American brands—Mountain Hardware, TNF, Moss, etc. His mountaineering tent, for example, the Ferrino HL2, is apparently better than anything American because the Europeans take their climbing much more seriously than the "fashion conscious" Americans. What do you think? Is the Ferrino HL2 THE tent to get? Give me a good response for him if I run into him again. Thanks,

— Jake Kim Irvine, California

Well, THAT is an interesting question! And one I was just thinking about during a conversation a few days ago.

I'll get to that shortly, but first, my general impressions: I don't think you can necessarily say that European gear is "better" than American gear, or vice versa. Still, European and American gear makers do use different designs which have their advantages and drawbacks. European packs, as a general rule, are a little cleaner in design than American packs, with fewer gear loops, accessory pockets and stuff like that. They also have inferior suspensions, so it's a trade-off. European tent-makers tend to favor all-in-one designs, meaning the tent, poles and fly are set up all at once. Better? Maybe — this does ensure the tent canopy stays dry. But European tents also have less ventilation than American tents, and lack niceties we've grown accustomed to, such as clear-view windows.

As for the HL2 ($400), it is A tent to get, but I'm not sure it is THE tent to get. It's a two-person, single-wall mountaineering tent that uses a polyester-based waterproof/breathable fabric that I believe is treated with a waterproof coating, and not inherently waterproof like Gore-Tex (that isn't a judgment, just an observation). It's light —- 4.4 pounds in the minimum setup configuration (without vestibule) and its external poles solve one of the bugbears of single-wall tents: crawling inside to get the poles in place. But before you buy one, compare it side-by-side to something like a Bibler I-Tent ($575), also a two-person, single-wall mountaineering tent. Compare the stitching quality, the heft of the poles, the overall feel of how the tents are built. I say this because the one Ferrino tent I've looked at carefully —- admittedly a backpacking model —- left me underwhelmed.

So there's that. As for your friend's remark about the "serious" Europeans, I think that's a crock. Serious as in, what, expecting a gondola ride halfway up the mountain, which is the case throughout the Alps? Or having your rescue insurance card in your pocket and knowing a helicopter is ten minutes away if you do something incredibly stupid? Europe produces fabulous climbers, but I think the style of mountaineering there is very different from what we have here. Perhaps a bit higher on the technical level, but much less wilderness-oriented. And certainly no more "serious."

As for fashion, just last week I had dinner with a group of outdoor designers who were meeting in Boston. Across from me was a German woman who is one of Malden Mills' (makers of Polartec) European representatives. I asked how she thought European and American outdoor-gear markets differ? Part of her answer was that the Europeans are much more fashion-conscious, placing color and panache above function. Well, except for the Brits, who don't want to be seen in anything but dark blue.

So there you go. Hope that helps next time you see your Euro-dog friend!