Ski ClothingClothing Test
After years of work and testing, the Candide Collection is a reality. We present the test of technical mountain clothing created by Candide Thovex. Andrea Bergamasco tested the C1 Jacket 3L and the C1 Pants 3L at the end of last winter.
Tuesday 23 November 2021 24 minutes reading time
Candide Thovex French skier from La Clusaz, pioneer and icon of freestyle and freeride skiing, has created a line of highly performing and absolutely Eco-friendly ski clothing, composed of organic PET polyester and recycled polyester and without the use of harmful fluorocarbon PFCs.
Candid thanks to his spectacular videos and commercials on which he skis on any material alternative to snow, from desert sand dunes, passing and sliding on grass, gravel, water, to finish with his skis facing slopes with thick layers of dry leaves , puts the nature and effects of climate change at the center of his videos, which also depend on the choices of each of us. Even in the simple choice of clothing for winter sports we can do a lot to protect the environment. If we want to continue skiing on natural snow fallen from the sky and not resort to alternative materials, we must try to focus our individual choices on those Eco-friendly alternatives that the market offers us.
The Candide line was born from a desire for change for what is the use of biological and recycled materials without the use of waterproofing products that are harmful to human health and the environment (PFC) and a low emission of greenhouse gases and Co2 in the production of ski suits.
An innovation that goes hand in hand with a return to origins, a classic, clean and "stylish" line with a few classic colors that can be combined at will and a unisex cut.
The Candide collection is mainly divided into two lines:
Line C1 and line C1-3L
The C1 is the most popular line from Park & Pipe and Allround
The C1-3L is the line more oriented towards freeride, touring and ski mountaineering, but also for “skier” who don't mind pulling two curves on the track thanks to the freedom of movement that this ski suit can give.
Both C1 and C1-3L are a third layer (third layer - shell)
The Candide.co collection also offers a thermal first layer in Global Merino Wool ™
and a second layer (second layer) with a POLARTEC® fleece and a Primaloft Thermoplume® down jacket.
WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS:
We aspire to create exceptional products that empower the user, embodying the feelings of euphoria and freedom that come with skiing and the great outdoors to inspire limitless creativity.
The Candide collection is a testament to functionality, performance and sustainable quality. Each article is conceptualized, designed and conceived in close collaboration with Candide Thovex. With a lifetime of snow experience and working closely with passionate professionals in their fields.
We want to offer something different on the market, in an era of oversized products, Candide wants to go back to the essential, getting rid of the superfluous. This has led to concepts that respond to these needs, designed with contemporary designs and produced with the utmost respect for the environment. Its unisex and multi-look design guarantees a perfect fit that is always in step with fashion, regardless of what your size or morphology is. The aerodynamic construction of this design adds to its durability, meaning less waste during production but also less abrasion and wear over time.
The Candide collection is made with the key words in mind: performance and durability. Candide's approach to durability is a reflection of the longevity we wish to achieve with snow sports in their environment. We must do everything we can, in and out of the snow, to preserve the mountains and our planet. By default, our products are created or recycled in a sustainable way. To minimize our environmental impact, we work with organic, recycled and reused fabrics and align our production process with these principles. We focus on performance and sensations, to offer high quality and comfort that can offer total freedom of movement.
TECHNOLOGIES:
Unisex and multifaceted fit
Organic / recycled fabrics. We are proud to work with bio-based PET polyester materials (Tari Lyn).
Refined crystallized sugar is extracted from sugar cane waste, fermented and transformed into ethanol. Through the synthesis, bioethanol is converted into bio-mono ethylene glycol (Bio-Meg), the raw material that is the basis of our Bio Green materials. Furthermore, this process generates 25% less CO2 emissions than traditional methods.
All our outerwear, jackets and trousers are made with 57% Bio Green materials; with the remaining 43% in recycled polyester
Recycled polyester and organic cotton, we only use organic cottons and recycled polyesters, to minimize impact on the planet.
Waterproofing and breathability: 20,000 mm (water columns) / 20,000 g / m² / day
PFC FREE (Pfc free water-repellant coating) PFC-free water-repellent coating
PRIMALOFT® Primaloft Silver Eco® Insulation
PRIMALOFT (Silver eco, Thermo plum, Airgel) High comfort in the face of extreme conditions, Primaloft insulators protect against extreme conditions of heat and cold, they are ideal for variable climatic conditions of the high mountains. Designed for longevity, Primaloft insulators are made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials and are flexible, waterproof and lightweight.
POLARTEC® Premium polyester yarns are used for their hydrophobic properties, to repel moisture and to accelerate drying times. The loft structures create thermal air pockets to retain heat and still allow for optimal breathability.
Polartec® synthetic fleece is the most reliable and versatile fleece fabric.
GLOBAL MERINO ™ Lighter merino wool with greater strength, recovery and durability. Global Merino ™ works with development partners who create a durable, breathable yarn made from 100% wool fibers. Breathable: Merino wool can absorb large amounts of moisture and release it back into the air, keeping you warm and dry in all conditions.
Internal smartphone pocket with battery-saving Airgel® device.
YKK Aquaguard® zippers
FIDLOCK® Waist belt buckle (supplied)
C1 JACKET 3L TECHNICAL DATA:
Candide's most technical jacket
This 3-layer heat-sealed shell is our lightest jacket design, made for freeskiing whether it's freestyle, freeride or backcountry, also ideal for touring or ski touring, but also for piste skiing.
The shell is a third layer (3 layer) is highly breathable and waterproof it will protect you in adverse weather conditions by regulating your body temperature both up and down.
FEATURES:
· Waterproof 20,000mm water columns
· Breathability 20,000 g / m² / day
· Windproof fabric
Durable water repellent treatment without PFC (fluorocarbons / perfluorocarbons)
· Fully taped / heat sealed seams
· Ykk aquaguard® zippers
Axillary air intake
· Removable internal snow skirt
· Two-point adjustable edge system
· Inner hand warmer cuffs
· Phone pocket with primaloft aerogel® batery saver device
· Sleeve pocket with ski pass compartment
· Laminated internal pocket
· Internal mesh pockets
COMPOSITION:
57% bio polyester 43% recycled polyester
SIZES: XXS - XS - S - M - L - XL
COLORS: Sand (sand) and NAVY (blue)
C1 PANT 3L
(with modular overalls) TECHNICAL DATA:
These three-layer seam sealed pants are lightweight in design, breathable and durable. They will keep you protected in adverse weather conditions by regulating your body temperature both downhill and uphill, it is the most technical trousers of the Candide.co line, it comes with a detachable bib. Its optimal match is with the C1-3L jacket
FEATURES:
· Waterproof 20,000mm water columns
· Breathability 20,000 g / m² / day
· Windproof fabric
Durable water repellent treatment without PFC (fluorocarbons / perfluorocarbons)
· Fully taped / heat sealed seams
· Removable waist belt with fidlock® buckle
· Ykk aquaguard® water repellent zippers
· Mesh lined inner thigh air intake
· Stretch, waterproof gaiter
· Fabric reinforcement on the instep
· Side cargo pockets
· Pockets on the chest of the dungarees
COMPOSITION:
57% bio polyester 43% recycled polyester
SIZES: XXS - XS - S - M - L - XL
COLORS: Sand (sand) and NAVY (blue)
THE TEST:
During the months of March, April and May I had the opportunity to try the brand new Candide line created by Candide Thovex one of the greatest representatives of what the freeski world is.
Personally I met Candide Thovex during the freestyle competitions in which I participated and where at that time Candide was the undisputed ruler of the world scene, I remember our first meeting at the Orage Freeski Open in Laax (CH) in 2006.
Being able to test a line designed and created by Candide intrigued me a lot, sure that Candide would have focused on the goodness of the materials, with attention to detail and the elimination of the superfluous, focusing on the essentials that the skier needs, with a design classic, very “clean” and stylish, but above all a performing garment in the snow and rain.
I tested the C1-3L line dedicated to freeride and ski-touring in Navy blue for the jacket and Sand for the pants.
The whole Candide line wears oversize it is therefore very useful to take a cue from the tables and morphological examples found on the Candide.co website and in the catalog, to choose the right size.
The jacket is aesthetically very beautiful, very comfortable once worn and offers ample freedom of movement, I did not encounter manufacturing defects and annoying friction when worn. There are numerous pockets, the important ski pass pocket and the internal smartphone pocket in battery-saving material, which is very useful during the coldest days, are a must. All seams and zips are taped / heat sealed.
The trousers come with dungarees, suspenders and a belt at the waist. The overalls can be easily removed, personally I have always used it both uphill and downhill, finding myself very well as it protects the back and chest from any air or snow. I have always used the dungarees on a thermal shirt for the ascents with skins, while the jacket and the down jacket I stored in the backpack, to then wear them once I reached the summit.
The materials of both the jacket and the trousers are identical and the waterproofing and breathability of the 20,000 mm / 20,000 g garment is the same. With these parameters we have a highly breathable waterproof garment that allows us to stay dry even in the worst weather conditions.
I tested the outfit during the Neveitalia 2021/2022 ski tests on 3000m. of the Carosello di Livigno, on particularly cold days where temperatures reached -18 ° / -20 ° C being able to test the garment at very rigid temperatures.
I continued my test in the mountains of my home in the western Piedmontese Alps where I was able to carry on the test until late May with ski mountaineering trips, finding any weather conditions from wet cold, to spring heat through snowfall, wet / very sleet wet and rain. Fog and strong wind were also not lacking in my tests and the altitude at which the products were used ranges from 900m. at 3000m. s.l.m.
The complete tested is a third layer (third layer) and therefore must be completed by two additional layers in which we find in the first layer (first layer) a thermal underwear consisting of socks, tights and thermal technical shirt, and then continue with the second layer (second layer) with a fleece and a down jacket completing everything with the third layer (third layer) which is a waterproof and windproof shell which is what I tested, thus composing an optimal "onion" fit.
During the tests I found no defects in the materials or sagging, the fit was excellent as well as the comfort of the product worn. Even for the ascents with skins I found the garment highly breathable and the generous air intakes were a relief during the hottest days. Even small rubbing and contact with rocks and shrubs did not damage the materials which proved to be resistant and robust.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Materials used
-Waterproofing and breathability
- PFC FREE
- Fit
-Design with a clean and classic very "stylish" line
-Colors that can be composed at will
-Lots of pockets
-Air vents
- Outstanding bib shorts
- Waist belt supplied
WEAKNESSES:
-Not found
CONCLUSION:
I found the C1-3L ski suit excellent as regards the Eco-bio and recycled materials used and for the total absence of PFCs, I was amazed by the lightness of the jacket and pants, both as waterproof and breathable, and for how manages to retain body heat even during days with a lot of wind. The materials used are robust and resistant, a further point in favor for what concerns the durability of the product.
I am happy to have tested this outfit during such an "anomalous" winter (as far as lockdowns and closures were concerned) but very generous in snowfall, with cold temperatures until spring. The goodness of the materials made sure that I could enjoy my days in the high mountains without worrying about the adverse conditions that I might encounter.
Ideal for high-performance skiers and snowboarders who love the mountains at 360 ° who prefer off-piste itineraries also with the help of skins or the Split-board for ascents, excellent ski suit for mountain professionals such as ski or snowboard instructors and guides alpine.
I must say that the ski suit passed the test with flying colors, not only for everything concerning the "green" materials that make up the product and everything behind the production that goes towards a more eco-sustainable to safeguard our planet and our health, but also in terms of the performance of products with high impermeability and breathability and at the same time durability of the fabrics combined with a very elegant classic design.
The C1-3L is a ski suit that I would buy for my freeride and ski mountaineering days but it is a garment that I would use during my activity as a ski instructor and coach.
N.B.
You can view the entire line on the official Candide.co website where there are also accessories such as gloves, hats and ski goggles. The products can be purchased directly on the official website or in authorized dealers or at the shop in La Clusaz (FRA) The size table and morphological examples are to be taken into consideration when choosing the optimal size.
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