The “Big Five” are the five key concepts that drive product development at Jack Wolfskin. Our apparel and equipment is designed and engineered to provide reliable protection whatever the conditions, trip after trip. This means that the various design parameters and components incorporated in a product have to be perfectly tailored to complement one another.
However, certain requirements apply to all JACK WOLFSKIN products, right across the range. These are the core concepts that are intrinsic to everything we make.
The Big Five are:
Weather Protection: We’re talking protection from heavy rain, high wind and low temperatures. How to keep dry while on the move? Which tent construction best withstands storm force winds? What are the best ways to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter? ... Weather protection is JACK WOLFSKIN’s top priority. Throughout the last thirty years, we have continually been working on this aspect of our products. As a result we have a wealth of experience to draw on for the development of each new product.
Climate comfort: Closely connected to weather protection, climate comfort is a key element of our product development. We’re involved in on-going research to produce better technologies, more breathable fabrics and details that allow better ventilation. This often requires creative and innovative thinking.
Lightweight design: We spend a lot of time and effort trying to make our products as lightweight as possible. However the end product always remains the overriding criteria. If robustness or extreme weather protection are the most important feature of a product then saving weight might take a lesser role. Nevertheless, it’s an ever-present theme. Some of our products – our lightweight models – are primarily engineered to ensure a lightweight specification.
Functionality : If your hood is easy to adjust, your tent is easy to pitch and your lacing can be quickly adjusted, then we’ve done our job properly. We see functionality as carefully designing products down to the smallest detail, so that they are easy and intuitive to use.
Activity profile : The design of clothing and equipment ultimately depends on the activities it is going to be used for. An Alpine jacket has different characteristics to a trekking jacket. Minimalist users have different requirements to lovers of details and accessories. We see our products from a user’s viewpoint, to best decide what he or she needs. This helps us select the right cut, the best fabrics and the most suitable details.