MOTIVATION - INSPIRATION - CREATION - The three words that best describe the process associated with the creation of the Mountain Junky brand of eco active outdoor wear and accessories.

MOTIVATION – Spending a lot of time in the hills and mountains around the world puts me in a very privileged position, a position I’m careful not to take for granted. In such environments one experiences first hand, the social, economic and enviromental impact of technical clothing. Quite often once clothing has becomes surplus to requirements it is either passed onto trekking guides and porters in places such as the Himalayas or, simply thrown away where it will take many years to decompose or will be incinerated.

Looking closer at the clothing I was wearing in the mountains I began to realise just how much of the materials used were derived from the petrochemical industry and that they were far from kind to our environment. It seemed the only alternative was cotton which, we all know is far from ideal once it becomes wet through either rain or perspiration.

Motivated by this issue I began to investigate alternative fabrics and in the relative early development stages, sourced my first bamboo/cotton mix t-shirt which I wore on an expedition on Everest in 2006.

INSPIRATION – Having worn this white t-shirt as a base layer for a number of weeks it became apparent that the cotton content limited its ability to function adequately. Even so, it impressed me immensely and inspired me to delve further into alternative technical textiles to the polyamides we are so used to.

CREATION – And so began the long and sometimes difficult road to creating a range of technical garments and accessories that would meet the demanding role of the outdoor enthusiast whilst addressing the ever growing concerns to harm we are doing to our environment. My background dictated that I would need a lot of help and guidance throughout the design, development and marketing stages and for this I owe a lot of people a lot of gratitude.

Bamboo can grow upto 120cm per day depending on the growing conditions.
Bamboo has the potential to grow to full size in only one season (about 3-4 months).
Bamboo consumes five times more greenhouse gasses and releases 35% more oxygen than a simular stand of timber trees.
Bamboo is a naturally hardy plant and doesn’t need the help of pesticides or fertilizers to grow.
The root system of the bamboo plant has been linked to improving soil erosion in high risk areas.
The yield a farmer can harvest from an acre of bamboo is 10 times greater than what he would harvest from an acre of cotton, making it a fantastic use of land.
Almost all water required to sustain a bamboo stand is done through rainfall - a fraction of what is used to grow most textile plants.
Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, super strong, biodegradable and is considered a sustainable crop.

Bamboo fabric is known for its softness. Un-spun bamboo fibers resemble cotton - light and fluffy but exceptionally strong. Round fibers make the fabric exceptionally soft to the touch. The fabric’s softness also adds to its reputation as an excellent option for anyone with skin sensitivity or allergies. Bamboo fabric acts as a thermal controller. Bamboo fabric is highly breathable and also acts as an insulator. This means that it will keep you cooler in hot conditions and warmer when you need the extra heat.

Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial in nature. Mountain Junky products are designed for hiking, climbing and other active sports - activities that are not done in clean enviroments. Our clothing is well known for not smelling - even after being worn continually for long periods. We’ve got bamboo’s anti-bacterial properties to thank for this.

Bamboo fabric is known to be excellent for wicking and absorbing moisture. This makes the fabric perfect for active clothing and accessories and allows you to go on your most adventurous treks without worrying about staying dry. The Mountain Junky towels are also an excellent example of this as they can absorb an enormous amount of water and are ridiculously quick to dry.

Bamboo’s natural strength gives the fabric the ability to retain its shape after multipule washes. The fiber’s strength also means it can withstand wear and tear exceptionally well.

Bamboo fabric protects skin. Upto 98% of UV rays are blocked by bamboo fabric. To add to this, bamboo also has anti-fungal properties which allow you to use the fabric without irritation for long periods of time.

Bamboo fabric is Biodegradable. Bamboo is one of the few fabrics on the planet that is 100% biodegradable. Once you’re finished wearing it, the fabric will break down naturally and create no waste.