A truly versatile wardrobe isn’t about piling up pieces but about a limited, coherent selection that works year-round in varied conditions. AYAQ designs its apparel as modular tools — RWS merino base layers, active or brushed fleeces, 52,000 Schmerber hardshells, insulated jackets tailored to effort intensity, technical pants — engineered for use from deep winter to warm alpine days. The key lies in understanding physiological needs: warmth, ventilation, wind protection, moisture management.
1. Understanding Versatility: A Garment Is Not Limited to One Season
Outdoor clothing isn’t designed for a temperature range but for a function. A lightweight merino tee can be worn summer or winter; a hardshell protects in heavy rain or dry strong winds; a fleece works solo in shoulder seasons or layered under a hardshell in winter. Versatility comes from layering and intensity management.
2. Merino Base Layers: The Core of the 4-Season System
AYAQ’s RWS merino plays a central role, performing year-round:
- BIAFO (men / women) and MEFONNA (men / women): 100% lightweight merino, ideal for active spring-to-fall use or ski touring.
- SHIRWALI (men / women): merino-Tencel blend, warmer, perfect for winter or cold alpine days.
- MOLVENO, TENNO, LÉVICO: ultralight pieces for continuous effort, suitable summer, shoulder seasons, or as a base in three-layer systems under variable conditions.
Merino fiber enables genuine seasonal thermoregulation: cool in summer, warm in winter, even when wet.
3. Fleeces: Two Complementary Approaches
- KOKANEE (men / women): active fleece designed to wick moisture during ski touring, winter trail running, or fast hiking. Perfect alone in shoulder seasons and layered under a hardshell in winter.
- AROLLA (men / women): brushed fleece, warmer and cozier, ideal for winter, post-activity, or cold-weather hikes.
These two fleeces complete the four-season wardrobe through simple layering.
4. Hardshells: Consistent Protection Year-Round
AYAQ hardshells — SKORA (men / women), LONAK-XT (men / women), LONAK (men / women), BATURA — are engineered for all weather. Their hydrophilic membrane tested at 52,000 Schmerbers delivers extreme waterproofing without micropores:
- rain protection for summer mountain use,
- high-level windproofing for exposed winter summits,
- breathability (RET < 12) for intense efforts.
BATURA adds integrated insulation for cold rain or winter conditions.
Ergonomic raglan sleeves on LONAK (men / women) and tailored volumes ensure mobility for skiing, hiking, or climbing.
5. Insulated Jackets: Warmth Tailored to Effort
- ULTAR (men / women): warmest option for harsh winter, extended waiting, or static outings.
- BALTORO (men / women): award-winning innovative design, excellent freedom of movement for active pursuits.
- FORNO (men / women): magnet-closure sleeveless jacket, ideal for shoulder seasons or dynamic layering.
Again, versatility depends on use: the same insulated jacket can be a main layer in autumn or a mid-layer in deep winter.
6. Pants: Seasonality by Design, Not Thickness
- RIMO (men / women): versatile softshell, windproof, ideal from spring to winter depending on layering.
- NUNATAK (men / women): full hardshell for rain, wet snow, or strong winds.
- CLIFTON: Sympatex fabric, windproof and highly waterproof, designed for technical daily use.
- VERNAGO (men / women) and LUGANO: lightweight pieces for active efforts.
Each pant covers multiple seasons depending on activity intensity and weather.
7. Accessories: The Final Element of the 4-Season System
- Upsala Beanie: 100% RWS merino, effective from mild cold to deep winter.
- Technical Gloves: essential in winter, useful in shoulder seasons.
- Breathable Caps: summer protection and heat management.
- Merino Socks: thermal regulation year-round.
Accessories complete the wardrobe’s performance.
Conclusion
AYAQ’s wardrobe doesn’t separate seasons: it meets the physiological needs of the user—warmth, protection, ventilation, mobility. Thanks to the synergy of RWS merino, active fleeces, some of the world’s most waterproof hardshells, insulated jackets adapted to all rhythms, and multi-use technical pants, a limited number of pieces can support a full year of outdoor pursuits.
