The line between city life and outdoor adventure blurs when technical gear is seen as a tool for comfort and safety rather than just a sports specialty. AYAQ’s philosophy is straightforward: a truly well-designed garment must perform everywhere without cosmetic adjustments. Thanks to high-performance membranes, RWS merino wool, and minimalist designs, AYAQ pieces transition seamlessly from rugged terrain to urban daily life.
1. Why use technical gear in the city?
The urban environment is neither neutral nor simple. It presents real challenges:
- frequent, often cold rain and unplanned exposure to showers,
- rapid temperature changes (heated transport, windy streets, indoor/outdoor transitions),
- active walking over short but repeated distances,
- wind acceleration caused by street architecture,
- need to dry quickly between trips.
Outdoor garments engineered for performance perfectly address these everyday urban demands.
2. AYAQ hardshells: optimal urban protection
The hardshells SKORA, LONAK, and SKORA-XT all feature a hydrophilic, non-microporous membrane tested up to 52,000 Schmerbers with breathability RET < 12. In the city, this means:
- complete protection against sudden downpours,
- total windproofing for cycling or walking commutes,
- superior condensation management compared to standard microporous membranes,
- no PFCs, preventing rapid degradation of the durable water repellent treatment.
Their lightweight construction (170 g/m²) and understated aesthetics enhance daily wearability. The membrane pants CLIFTON follow the same principle for lower body protection: highly windproof, protective, and ideal for cool morning commutes.
3. Active fleece jackets: warmth in motion without overheating
KOKANEE
In urban settings, the active fleece KOKANEE excels during alternating fast walks, heated offices, short outings, and breaks. It manages body moisture vapor without causing overheating.
AROLLA
Warmer, it suits cold urban environments, damp mornings, and days with frequent indoor-outdoor transitions.
4. RWS Merino: daily comfort, odor control, and thermoregulation
AYAQ base layers — MEFONNA, BIAFO, SHIRWALI — deliver immediate urban benefits:
- gentle thermoregulation for overheated transport,
- odor neutrality during long days,
- skin comfort even under a hardshell or dressier jacket,
- ability to stay dry despite rapid cold-to-warm transitions.
A merino T-shirt can be worn several days without discomfort — a clear advantage for active urban weeks or business travel.
5. Compact down jackets: targeted warmth, full mobility
ULTAR
For harsh winters, AYAQ’s warmest down jacket provides genuine insulation during chilly morning commutes or cold evenings.
BALTORO
Blown insulation, excellent freedom of movement, and a discreet silhouette: a technical down jacket that naturally fits an active urban lifestyle.
FORNO (sleeveless)
Especially relevant in the city thanks to its magnet system allowing easy on/off under a hardshell without disrupting the fit. Ideal for modulating warmth between cold outdoors and heated interiors.
6. Hybrid softshells: RIMO and RAVEN for variable days
RIMO (windproof membrane front, enhanced breathability back) and RAVEN (membrane front + ultra-breathable back) perform well in windy urban environments or when a heavier jacket would be excessive. They suit cycling, active walking, and uncertain weather days.
7. Why AYAQ technical gear fits so well in the city
Urban life ultimately demands the same qualities as outdoor pursuits, but at a different pace:
- managing internal moisture from rapid movement,
- blocking wind funneled by narrow streets,
- resisting sudden showers,
- remaining lightweight and breathable,
- drying quickly when chaining trips.
AYAQ’s sober, technical design naturally suits this city-to-mountain transition.
8. 100% European manufacturing and sustainability
As with the entire AYAQ range:
- fabrics sourced from France, Italy, Germany,
- production carried out in Portugal,
- recycled materials of very high technical quality,
- RWS-certified merino wool,
- each piece tested in real conditions by Mike Horn and Vincent Defrasne.
Conclusion
Wearing technical gear in the city is not a compromise: it’s the natural expression of clothing designed to handle weather, exertion, moisture, and rapid transitions. AYAQ’s 52,000 Schmerbers hardshells, active fleeces, RWS merinos, hybrid softshells, and compact down jackets deliver the same reliability in urban settings as in the mountains. AYAQ’s philosophy is simple: a well-designed garment must perform everywhere — because technical gear belongs beyond the summits.