Ventile fabric was developed in the North of England in the 1930s. The aim of the project was to create a textile which was cool and comfortable on land, yet warm and impenetrable if it came into contact with water. This innovative technology helped Ventile to carve out a reputation as the world’s most effective, natural, all-weather cotton textile.

Today, the unique weatherproof qualities of Ventile ensure that it continues to be widely championed by outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Explorers throughout the years have utilised the high-performance fabric to ensure they can perform in some of the harshest conditions and climates on the planet. One such explorer, Sir Edmund Hillary, who, alongside Tenzing Norgay, was the first climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth.

New for 2019, Ventile is honoured to have been chosen to collaborate with the Edmund Hillary brand on its creation of the “Summit” jacket. As one of the most iconic jackets in the collection, the Summit Anorak is a reproduction of the one worn by Sir Edmund Hillary himself during his summit of Everest in 1953. The jacket is produced from the original densely woven, 100% cotton, Ventile fabrication, utilising the fibre’s ability to swell when wet to provide excellent weatherproofing and dryness.

The Summit jacket is made up of a soft touch fabric that offers the wearer a high level of comfort, breathability and durability, produced in the same Royal Blue colourway as worn by Sir Hillary. A roomier silhouette gives the wearer greater freedom of movement and the option to layer-up or down, in readiness for warmer or colder climates. To bring the jacket into the 21st century, the design has been updated with authentic brass accessories for a modern twist.

A percentage of proceeds from the sale of the Summit Anorak will go to support causes close to Sir Hillary’s heart. The Edmund Hillary Brand Trust build on work with grassroots charities in the MT Everest region of Nepal, and toward provisions for outdoor activities for young people around the world.

The 29th of May marks the 66th anniversary of the team’s ascent of Everest. Get your hands on a piece of history and discover the full Edmund Hillary collection here