Henri Lloyd ELITE OFFSHORE range launched at METS 2013

Henri Lloyd launched the brand new ELITE OFFSHORE range at METS and celebrated nomination for DAME Award 2013

David Peach says, "The nomination itself is a fantastic achievement and real accolade for all of us at Henri Lloyd. The Henri Lloyd ELITE OFFSHORE range is this culmination of substantial research and development; our design team have worked closely with industry experts including GORE-TEX® with whom we have collaborated. The end result is something we are very proud of and continues our long tradition of introducing pioneering technology and design that enhance wearer comfort and safety.

"The nomination is also testament and tribute to our late founder, Mr Henri Strzelecki, who sadly passed away less than one year ago – the credit goes to him for establishing our ethos of intelligent innovation, for never accepting the status quo and for our focus on the wearer as the most important factor in the development of garments and equipment"

As well as the Henri Lloyd ELITE OFFSHORE Range other new products for 2014 were launched at the event including:

The New Orion Windstopper Range designed with the sports boat sailor in mind – a highly functional range which uses bi-component fabrics to deliver extreme breathability and flexibility whilst delivering wind and water protection

The New Cyclone Range of jackets – a highly breathable, high stretch soft shell garments – superbly versatile, flexible and comfortable

The New Ocean Warrior boot – waterproof leather sailing boot with Outlast technology to keep feet at the optimum temperature and with all the waterproof and slip resistance you would expect form Henri Lloyd.

The New Cobra Gloves – a range of gloves short fingered, long fingered and winter gloves for all sailing conditions.

The New Traverse Fleece - excellent thermal properties makes this fleece perfect for cooler temperatures as a mid layer or just as stylish on shore.

The 2014 range will be available in store and online from December 2013

Henri Lloyd Elite Offshore Jackets - photo © Henri Lloyd

Introducing the Henri Lloyd ELITE OFFSHORE Range – The Lightest, Most Breathable Offshore Gear Ever, Without Compromise

The unwavering commitment to "Intelligent Innovation" has led to the development of the game-changing Henri Lloyd Elite OFFSHORE range, designed for the Offshore Racers and Cruisers where performance and comfort is a priority.

Fact: 30% lighter

Elite Shell garments incorporating GORE-TEX® Technology are 30% lighter than the best in class predecessors. An individual wearing an Elite Offshore 3 layer system would be carrying around the equivalent of a 1Kg bag of sugar less, so fatigue is lessened and performance enhanced.

Fact: 20% More Breathable

Elite garments are 20% more breathable than existing best in class garments. This significant change creates the only Offshore garment in the world that can be classified as Extremely Breathable – this is no laboratory phenomenon and can be sensed by the wearer.

Fact: Without Compromise

What makes Elite Offshore such a game changing technology, is that through the science of developing specific performance characteristics of the yarn at molecular level combined with advanced weaving and finishing techniques these benefits have been achieved without compromising the durability of waterproofness.

Beyond the quantifiable benefits of breathability and weight, comfort and performance have been enhanced by a number of significant additional benefits.

Slide-Glide Technology:
By transferring the Gore™ Micro-Grid technology from Ocean garments the garment is not only tougher and more abrasion resistant but due to the low topography of the woven lining the outer layer glides easily over mid layers to reduce "interlayer grab" which makes donning and doffing easier and reduces fatigue in wear.

Optivision Hood:
Optivision Hoods are visibly better than their conventional counterparts. Exclusive to Henri-Lloyd the transparent TPU windows allow wider peripheral vision without compromising protection for the face.

Paul Strzelecki, CEO of Henri Lloyd explained, "Our core mission is Intelligent Innovation, at Henri Lloyd our focus is on enhancing comfort and therefore performance on the water. The new Elite Offshore range sets new standards in both of these areas, it is the culmination of years of intensive development and we are proud of this range and are certain it will become the benchmark for high performance sailing equipment."

"Tough, agile and lightweight – Three words I would use to describe the new Henri Lloyd Elite product. After wearing it for two weeks in tough conditions and open to the elements I felt the protection it provided. Above all, the connectivity I had with the gear meant I could move more quickly and precisely. This is very good essential equipment and there are lots of reasons why I would pick it over bulky heavy gear" says Charles Matthews, Professional Skipper, Clipper Round the World Race, who tested the Elite Offshore range to the full.

The brand new Henri Lloyd Elite Offshore range comprises a complete layering system which worn together provides the ultimate in waterproof and windproof protection, windproof, insulation, comfort, flexibility and performance.

The Elite Offshore system includes:

• The Outer "Protect" layer
• The "Micro Climate" mid layer
• The next-to-skin "Therm" layer

The Outer Protect layer includes the Offshore ELITE Jacket, Offshore ELITE Women's Jacket, and the Offshore ELITE Racer Jacket, a stripped down version of the jacket reducing bulk for racing scenarios, and Offshore ELITE Hi – Fit trousers in men's and women's cut.

The Elite Therm mid layer incorporates both TP and Primaloft technology to provide exceptional insulation and is 20% lighter than its predecessor. Both the Mid Layer Jacket and Salopette offer extreme breathability, 100% windproofness and waterproofness, with fully taped seams and DWR. Ergonomic articulated design also ensures excellent comfort and fit.

The H-Therm Base Layer Long Sleeve Crew Top and H-Therm Base Layer Tight complete the system, with extreme breathability, high stretch ergonomic design, fast dri and high wicking properties they also offer silver ion anti-bacterial technology, factor 50 Aussie Rules UV protection and flat lock seams.

The Elite Offshore range will be launched this year and will be available to view at METS in November before being available to customers in December 2013.

henrilloyd.com