Back in the early 90s, I spent quite some time in Nepal. During this period, I purchased numerous hand-knit wool sweaters that I trekked in, climbed in, and stayed warm in, all of which I still treasure today. Sherpa Adventure Gear keeps this hand-knit wool sweater tradition alive while supporting the women who create them in the process. By adding some technical performance elements, these wool sweater jackets will be a versatile piece in your gear arsenal for years to come.
Kritipur is a small village in Nepal, resting in the shadow of the Himalayas. In this village, teams of women gather daily to knit and assemble sweaters for Sherpa. It takes a full four days for a woman to knit one of these beautiful sweaters – all by hand, of course. Tashi Sherpa, founder of Sherpa Adventure Gear, is proud to be able to support women in need from his community through more than just handing out charity. Instead, he looks to offer women purposeful and meaningful work in order to support themselves and stay out of harm.
A limited collector’s piece (only 500 were made for men, 800 for women), the Kritipur is extremely warm, made even more so by adding PrimaLoft Silver (PrimaLoft One in the women’s) insulation in the torso and a plush fleece lining in the hood, pockets, and collar. The sweater jacket sleeves are lined with slippery nylon for friction-free on/off and effortless layering.
Internal cuffs seal out drafts and help retain body warmth, while two hand pockets and an internal zippered Napoleon pocket hold any essentials. One of the best design details? The tiny brass prayer wheel dangling from the zipper pull. Om Mani Padme Hum.
For 2015/2016, Sherpa Adventure Gear will add some new limited edition styles for both men and women.
The Sherpa Kritipur wool sweater jackets retail for $249 and are available now from the company website.