This conversation has culminated in the pair heading into the wilderness together to produce their debut collab collection. Two jackets, inspired entirely by the Northern landscapes that shape both brands. The Kamen XT Jacket and the Alta XT, outerwear designed to handle everything that the North of England can and will throw at you. On the surface, both arrive understated in powder white with neon green co-branded detailing, but beneath the calm exterior lies serious technical credentials.
To put those credentials to the test, END. and Montane recruited three seasoned outdoor aficionados - Alice Whitehead, a keen climber and birdwatcher whose love for the outdoors originated from a catalogue of childhood holidays to the Isle of Skye. Joel Moore, an individual whose passion for peaks lead him to co-found the online outdoor community Common Ground. And finally, Lewis Smart, a self-proclaimed jack of all trades, master of none, who balances trail running in the South Downs with whittling cutlery in his flatblock’s residential car park.
These three individuals, connected by an unwavering love for the natural world, and armed with the Montane & END. gear were sent into the heart of the Lake District. In the valley of Great Langdale, the trio experienced exactly what the collaboration was designed for: the kind of conditions where light showers can transition to biblical storms in the blink of an eye.
In between shifting layers and traversing typically muddy Lake District terrain, the three shared stories of what continues to draw them to the outdoors. Each had their own favourite activities, areas and memories, but a single truth kept resurfacing: time outside feels like a complete mental reset - one that no amount of herbal tea or comfort television could ever replicate. Out in the wind, rain and whatever else natures decides to throw at you, everyday problems shrink to their actual size.
That revelation came with a caveat. The efficacy of the outdoor wonder drug is directly correlated to the quality of your kit. It’s hard to process anything other than the fastest route to the car when you’re soaked to the bone. Good gear can be the difference between clarity and misery. And on this particular outing, END. and Montane ensured it was the former.
The Kamen XT quickly proved itself as the plush, insulating layer of the pair. Packed with 800 fill power ExpeDRY™ goose down and wrapped in Pertex® Quantum Pro ripstop, it offered impressive warmth while carrying little to no bulk. On windswept ascents up toward Stickle Tarn , where gusts whipped the three like sandpaper, the jackets stayed resilient, insulating not only their bodies but importantly, the team morale.
The Alta XT was ready waiting when the heavens inevitably opened. With its GORE-TEX Performance shell - supported by Montane’s STORM GUARD and BARRIER technologies - it kept the team dry through the kind of rain that feels like a personal attack. Breathable, lightweight, and engineered from recycled synthetics, it handled some bouts of moisture that were bad even for Lake District standards.
After hours of navigating shifting terrain and unpredictable weather, the three were rewarded with what they had set out to find: a clear, unburdened mind. Even clearer than their thoughts were the views before them, stretching far into the distance and revealing the majesty the Lake District is famed for.
With tired legs, warm bodies, and relaxed minds, Alice, Joel, and Lewis made their descent from the fells back to the shimmering pavement of Chapel Stile. As the landscape unfolded, so too did the purpose behind Montane & END.’s collaboration. This was never just about technical performance - it’s a celebration of the North. Two North East brands, meeting in the middle, creating something that truly honours where they come from.
So while there may be some truth in the old saying ‘It’s grim up North’, there’s even more in its lesser heard counterpart - ‘It’s great up North.’ The conditions, no matter how bad, prove to bring people together in a sort of blitz-spirit kind of way. The landscapes up here may be unforgiving, but the communities built around them are the opposite.
