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Carinthia: clothing and equipment for extreme conditions!

19. listopadu 2024Testing and reviewsHana SedlákováReading time 6 minutesRead: 395x

Carinthia is synonymous with quality insulated clothing, sleeping bags and equipment for extreme conditions, developed by professionals for professionals. The focus of this Austrian brand's success lies in constantly moving forward and using advanced materials and technologies, such as the legendary G-LOFT® insulation or the revolutionary Loftshell® technology, which ensures exceptional comfort even during demanding activities. Be perfectly prepared for winter with Carinthia!

Carinthia is a brand of the Austrian company Goldeck Textil GmbH and a global market leader in outdoor and tactical clothing and equipment. The range of products is divided into civil and military sectors. The military range is popular among members of the armed forces and Carinthia brand equipment is used as standard by many armies.

Within the civilian market, it specializes in the equipment of mountaineering expeditions moving in high-alpine terrain or in arctic regions. The use of the most modern materials and technologies with an emphasis on innovation guarantees the best functional properties. Carinthia has its own development department, thanks to which it can respond flexibly to user feedback and adapt to their special needs.

The Carinthia® Micro Tent Plus Gore-Tex and snipers in winter. Source: Rigad, carinthia.eu

Carinthia also offers bivouac bags with a highly durable surface finish. The Carinthia® Micro Tent Plus Gore-Tex bivouac bag is equipped with a supporting structure. Source: Carinthia.eu

A brief history of the Carinthia brand

The name Carinthia in military circles probably escaped few people. Their insulated clothing and equipment has become a household name, much like its equally well-known British competitor Snugpak. Anyone who has ever slept outdoors in a Carinthia sleeping bag probably has a good idea of the quality of the equipment. But what do we really know about this brand?

The day synthetics were ahead of their time

The founder of Goldeck Textil GmbH, Augustin Mayer, was ahead of his time when, in 1975, he became intensely interested in polyester-based synthetic fibers and their practical use for the most efficient insulation of clothing and sleeping bags. While investigating their properties, a new world in the field of thermal insulation literally opened up in front of him – synthetic fibers provided a much better ratio of warmth to weight than down used up to that time.

And because the spirit of innovation accompanies this company from the very beginning, after a long phase of intensive research and development, the premium insulation material G-LOFT® was born. The first fully functional G-LOFT® production facility began operating in Seeboden, Austria in 1981, and the following year saw the first order from the Austrian Army for winter sleeping bags.

Expansion (not only) into world armies

In 1984, Carinthia took over 100% of the production of sleeping bags from the Italian outdoor leader Salewa. Meanwhile, the Carinthia military sleeping bag line with G-LOFT® insulation was gaining popularity and gradually expanded to other European armies, e.g. Swiss, later also German and Swedish. A giant order for 70,000 sleeping bags came from the Indian Army in 1999.

Thanks to business expansion and, above all, due to the need to increase production capacities, the modern G-LOFT® production plant in Poprad, Slovakia has been operating since 2017. Carinthia is one of those brands that still concentrates 100% of its production in Europe and has control over the entire production process. European production hand in hand with Austrian precision forms a guarantee of high quality.

Carinthia® Tropen sleeping bag. Source: Rigad

It can be said that the Carinthia brand has become famous for its sleeping bags. But it does not only offer sleeping bags for arctic conditions. For example, the Tropen sleeping bag is ideal for tropical conditions and in combination with the legendary Defense 4 sleeping bag forms a comprehensive year-round sleeping system.

Premium G-LOFT® insulation

An important and at the same time connecting element of insulated clothing and outdoor equipment of the Carinthia brand is the G-LOFT® material. This premium synthetic fiber insulation mimics the properties of down while taking advantage of synthetic materials.

G-LOFT® insulation keeps you warm even when wet, it is lightweight and breathable. It stands up well even in extremely wet and cold weather. Another good feature is the effective memory, when the sleeping bag or clothes return to their original fluffy state even after being crumpled. The insulating filling does not slip anywhere, which makes it suitable for a wide range of activities. Compared to down, G-LOFT® requires less maintenance and is more affordable.

Revolutionary Loftshell® technology

A novelty of the innovation laboratory of the Carinthia brand Carinthia is the Loftshell® technology. This material combines an elastic outer shell with an ultralight comfort G-LOFT® Climate Lining, which efficiently transports moisture to the outside, so that unpleasant moisture does not accumulate on the skin even during high activity. Thanks to this, a wide range of temperature comfort is maintained. At high temperatures or intense activity, Loftshell® dissipates excess heat, while at lower temperatures it absorbs energy losses. In addition, it is very pleasant to the touch.

Key properties of the Loftshell® material:

  • Excellent moisture wicking.
  • Optimal breathability.
  • Effective temperature regulation.
  • Wide range of comfort temperature.
  • Noiseless material.
  • High comfort.
Carinthia<sup>&reg;</sup> G-Loft<sup>&reg;</sup> MIG 4.0. Source: Rigad

The Carinthia® G-Loft® MIG 4.0 jacket has an IR camo finish and a number of other functional features.

Clothing of Carinthia

Carinthia insulated clothing provides maximum comfort thanks to the optimal ratio between low weight, high warmth and breathability. The range also includes special clothing for survival in cold and adverse weather conditions in all climate zones. Carinthia products are tested by professionals and further developed and improved.

A substantial part of the offer consists of transitional and winter jackets, of which we will now briefly introduce a few products. But here you will also find high-quality tactical and outdoor trousers, T-shirts and knee pads of this brand.

Carinthia® Loftshell® Hydro jacket

Loftshell® Hydro is an innovative and quiet outdoor jacket with excellent technical properties. Special construction with a membrane and fully taped seams guarantee absolute waterproofness and wind resistance. The comfortable G-LOFT® Climate Lining absorbs moisture and efficiently wicks it away through the membrane, keeping you dry even during demanding physical activity.

Carinthia® G-Loft® MIG 4.0 jacket

The MIG 4.0 winter jacket was developed in cooperation with special forces and created with the help of 3D mapping. The result is a perfectly fitting anatomical cut and a decent range of motion. The outer material with IR camo treatment combined with a special seam treatment reduces IR radiation and makes it difficult to detect with a night vision device. Exposed areas are reinforced with durable Cordura. Of course, high-quality G-LOFT® insulation and a number of functional accessories are included. How is this jacket worn? Take a look in our video.

Carinthia sleeping bags

In its early days, the Carinthia brand was primarily based on high-quality sleeping bags insulated with innovative G-LOFT® insulation. As examples that speak for themselves, we will mention two legendary sleeping bags, which also represented milestones for the brand itself. These products were launched on the market in 1996 and 2002, respectively, and even though they have undergone several upgrades and innovations over that time, they are still among the top sleeping bags available even today.

What else is interesting about them? For example, the fact that they can be combined with each other. Together, they form a comprehensive year-round sleeping system suitable even for demanding conditions.

Carinthia® Defense 4 sleeping bag

The three-season sleeping bag Defense 4 has long been a bestseller in its category. Over 800,000 units have been sold to date. The sophisticated mummy construction in combination with a small shaped opening for the face reduces heat loss to a minimum.

The upper material made of polyamide is equipped with a light ripstop finish, which ensures mechanical resistance to tearing. The insulation consists of G-LOFT® material. With a comfortable temperature of -9 °C and a limit of -15 °C, this is a three-season sleeping bag in which you can withstand even a mild winter without any problems.

The tactical advantage of this sleeping bag is the quick opening in the middle. It is produced in two sizes. You can find a great description of the Defense 4 sleeping bag in our video.

Carinthia® Tropen sleeping bag

But Carinthia is not just clothing and equipment for arctic conditions. In 2002, it launched the legendary Tropen sleeping bag with an integrated mosquito net, which is designed for warm and humid nights. The comfortable temperature is 10 °C and the limit is 5 °C. It perfectly insulates its user from moisture and creeping cold, while at the same time it is characterized by high vapor permeability, which ensures the necessary comfort even in tropical conditions. The compact package has small dimensions and light weight. This sleeping bag is also available in two sizes. For a detailed description of the Tropen sleeping bag, click on our video.

Bivouacs and sleeping in nature

But Carinthia offers much more for survival in nature. Another domain of this brand is bivouacs – whether with or without a supporting structure. But every time in a compact package and with a durable and functional surface treatment including, for example, a Gore-Tex membrane, which ensures waterproofness, breathability and you can rely on it even in adverse conditions. Some models have an integrated mosquito net.

In addition to bivouacs, you can also find insulated hunting blankets, a quality underquilt for fans of sleeping in a hammock at any temperature, or perhaps a practical travel pillow.

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