Musto unveils newest iteration of the MPX Collection at the London Boat Show
by Michael O'Shea 31 Jan 2018 09:00 GMT
Ian Walker talks on the Musto stand at the London Boat Show 2018 © Musto
- Coastal range is brand new to the MPX series, adding a lighter weight option for coast sailing.
- Updated MPX collection features fresh garment developments from the Volvo Ocean Race.
- Two-time Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker MBE discusses developing technology with team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Musto unveiled brand new developments to the MPX collection at the London Boat Show this January, including a new Gore-Tex range dedicated to the coastal sailor. This marks the first redevelopment to the popular collection in over 5 years. Introducing the newest Coastal line to the collection was two-time Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker MBE, Musto international marketing manager Nick Houchin, and interviewing was host of Sailing Uncovered podcast Alec Wilkinson.
First introduced in 1995, the MPX collection has set the standard and become a firm favourite among offshore sailors. It's been the subject of extensive testing and redevelopments over the course of two decades, whittling it into the perfect kit for sailors across the spectrum. This process has not just evolved with time however, as it was the input from both professional sailors and customer feedback that has helped the MPX line to grow.
"If you want to test offshore racing gear, give it to a Volvo Ocean Race sailor because they're going to be wearing it 24/7, all the way around the world," Musto ambassador Ian Walker MBE explains during the interview with Alec Wilkinson.
"It's about trying to put as many hours and as many demands on the clothing as you possibly can, and then feeding that back."
It's no secret that to test innovative new technologies you must first put them through their paces. During the six months of sailing before this year's Volvo Ocean Race, Musto worked tirelessly with the teams to produce kit that was built for each crew member. From the skipper, to navigator, to bowman, every team member fed into the production of the team garments in order to produce the best clothing possible.
"The sailors will always want to move things on and to see the progress. That is certainly something which helped us with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing", Walker continues.
It's all about learning lessons and putting these into the development of new kit. The effect of this is that the advancements then trickle down into the other consumer ranges, such as with the MPX collection.
Nick Houchin, Musto International Marketing Manager, goes through the new developments in the collection.
"For the MPX gear this year we have incorporated developments learned from the Volvo Ocean Race and slimmed it down to create a new MPX Coastal category."
"We have a Coastal jacket and trouser which has been treated to slightly lighter weight fabrics, a slightly smaller collar, and is generally slightly shorter. This is targeted at the kind of coastal sailor that needs a jacket that's more suitable to fairer winds and fairer conditions."
"The offshore jacket alone has saved 250 grams in its weight, that's 15% of its weight reduced. That's due to developments in seam reduction, and also in garment production itself."
"The MPX range has been around for a long time, so each time we redevelop, it is those continual developments that drip down from the Volvo Ocean Race and go into the garments for the everyday sailor."
The new Coastal range is designed for the exact needs of the coastal sailor. This helps the entire MPX collection to be accessible to every type of sailor, making it a top choice for anyone. The new Race and Offshore range were also on display alongside the Coastal garments and are available now from the Musto website.
To find out more about the Musto brand, the MPX collection and its launch at the London Boat Show, visit www.musto.com/en_GB/blog-article?cid=mpx-collection-launch.