A versatile outdoor wardrobe is not just a collection of pieces for every situation: it’s a coherent system designed to support effort, manage moisture, withstand harsh weather, and adapt to changing pace and conditions. At AYAQ, versatility is not a marketing term but a direct result of 100% European manufacturing, carefully selected materials (RWS merino wool, high-performance hydrophilic membranes, premium recycled polyamides), and rigorous feedback from Vincent Defrasne and Mike Horn, testers in real conditions. AYAQ’s philosophy is simple: every piece must perform year-round, across multiple environments, without technical compromise.
1. The Three-Layer System: AYAQ’s Universal Wardrobe Grammar
A versatile wardrobe starts with a mastered layering logic:
- RWS Merino Wool Base Layers: BIAFO (lightweight), MEFONNA (versatile), SHIRWALI (warmer), ISEO (breathable long sleeves). Merino regulates temperature, limits odors, and performs even when damp.
- Active Midlayers: KOKANEE fleece for continuous effort, MEOLA for lighter insulation. These create a warm air volume and stabilize temperature.
- Hardshells: SKORA, SKORA-XT, LONAK, or BATURA depending on intensity, cold, and moisture. Featuring the world’s most waterproof membrane for outdoor use (52,000 Schmerbers), always breathable (RET < 12), and PFC-free.
This structure allows adapting the entire wardrobe to seasons without multiplying pieces. A solid base, a suitable midlayer, and a thoughtfully chosen hardshell: that’s the AYAQ signature.
2. Pieces Designed for Multiple Uses, Not Just One
AYAQ’s versatility comes from product design:
- SKORA: minimalist, lightweight, suitable for summer hiking and winter skiing.
- SKORA-XT: same uses as SKORA, with advanced features (chest pockets, revolver pockets, skin pockets, adjustable closures, RECCO) for mountaineering, technical skiing, or expeditions.
- LONAK: iconic hardshell with raglan sleeves and Inuit taping, worn year-round for strong wind, blowing snow, or heavy rain.
- BATURA: the only insulated hardshell, ideal for damp cold, cold rain, skiing, and winter mountain conditions.
- KOKANEE: active fleece jacket transitioning from trail running to ski touring.
- RIMO: breathable softshell for continuous effort.
- NUNATAK: lower-body hardshell for rain, snow, and very wet terrain.
Each piece is developed with broad specifications: never designed for a single activity but for the full outdoor lifestyle.
3. Materials Selected for Durability and Year-Round Consistency
Versatility also depends on material choices. AYAQ manufactures in Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Portugal) with three strict criteria: durability, consistent performance, and reduced impact.
- RWS Merino Wool: thermoregulation, moisture management, lasting comfort.
- Premium Recycled Polyamides: abrasion resistance, fit stability, dynamic comfort.
- 170 g/m² Hydrophilic Membrane: extreme waterproofing, stable breathability even when saturated, no micropores to clog.
A wardrobe built on these materials performs from spring through winter without losing coherence.
4. Versatility as a Tool for Exploration
AYAQ’s athlete partners — Vincent Defrasne in Nordic terrains, Mike Horn on expeditions — share one demand: carry less, but carry right. Their approach shaped AYAQ’s philosophy: a garment must always enable more than expected. A SKORA works for hiking, urban rain, and strong alpine winds. A KOKANEE transitions from trail running to ski touring. A BATURA becomes the single piece to face snow, damp cold, and mixed days.
5. A More Responsible Wardrobe Through Smarter Use
Versatility is also a sustainable choice: fewer pieces, better designed. A hardshell worn twelve months a year has a much lower impact than a specialized jacket gathering dust. 100% European production, material traceability, and zero PFCs align with this logic: a durable garment replaces multiple unnecessary ones.
AYAQ’s philosophy rests on a conviction: exploration doesn’t require an endless wardrobe but an intelligent one. A controlled, coherent wardrobe that follows the user from summer breezes to winter storms. A wardrobe where every piece is an ally — everywhere, in all weather.