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Paying homage to a storied 60+ year history, the fighting spirit for exploration and an uncompromised approach to the creation of unforgettable garments, is what sums up Zanter in a nutshell. In a space where outerwear is commonly talked about as "just fashion", Zanter and their ethos continues to defy this notion. Fulfilling the outerwear needs of Japanese researchers and mountaineers in the most unforgiving of environments, has fueled the brand to continue to innovate and bring warmth and joy to all that don their outerwear. Over their 60+ year history, Zanter have supplied the likes of the Manaslu Expedition Corps, along with countless Arctic and Antarctic research expeditions. It is gratitude for that spirit and undeterred resolve of those that rise up to the ultimate challenge, that we can thoroughly appreciate these amazing down wear pieces ourselves.
New for 2022, Zanter dive deep into their heritage to bring to fruition two exceptional pieces that put aesthetic and function in tandem on an elevated plane. Alongside their new N1 Down Jacket and Manaslu Pullover Jacket, the brand have also added to the roster an Olive colorway of their coveted Down Vests.
First developed in the early 1940's during the midst of WWII, the US Navy's N1 Jacket sought to meet the demands of harsh climate conditions faced by personnel while on deck. Sailors of the wartime period were no strangers to Arctic seas, and the newly developed jacket quickly became widely popular for its supreme warmth and durability. N1 Jackets from this period were produced from a thick Jungle Cloth fabric base, paired with wool lining. First produced in a Navy color, this hue was eventually replaced by a Khaki Green for greater camouflaging when storming beaches.
Zanter's N1 Down Jacket is an amalgamation of both a military classic and the brand's cut-no-corner approach to material and construction. The predecessor of Zanter; Toyo Feather Enterprises began experimenting with various specially constructed winter garments that contained down during the early 1950s. While many designs were lost along the way, the original set of blueprints for the N1 Jacket from that era were thankfully retained, allowing Zanter to unleash their technical prowess and create a masterpiece that pays homage to their heritage. Aesthetically, this is one of the most versatile jackets available by Zanter while still an absolute scorcher when it comes to heat retention and comfort.
Zanter's Manaslu Pullover Jacket traces its roots all the way back to 1956, when a Japanese mountaineering team made the world's first ascent of Manaslu in Nepal. Standing at over 8,000m, it is the 8th highest mountain peak in the world and is regarded as highly dangerous to climb due to the frequency of avalanches in the area. Each member from the team that made it to the summit donned what was originally dubbed the Manaslu Expedition "Yakke" - A pullover jacket designed to be worn over down jackets to protect them from rain during the expedition. Thankfully, Zanter had retained several of these historical pieces which served as base models for the updated version they have produced for 2022.
The 100% cotton "Ventile" fabric used for the outer shell is composed of an ultra-dense weave, with the cotton fibers designed to swell even when submerged in water. Not only is this fabric highly water-resistant but is very breathable and light. In terms of construction, seams in areas exposed to rain are reduced as much as possible to prevent water from entering. The entire jacket is lined with their odor preventing MOFF fabric, designed to minimize moisture buildup inside the garment. Designed to be worn over outwear, this jacket has a very generous silhouette - following the same design cues as the "Yakke" that was worn by the Japanese mountaineering team over 60 years ago.
