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"MAMMUT" X "Nigel Cabourn": A Powerhouse Collaboration Fusing Their Unique Strengths
The story of MAMMUT begins in Switzerland in 1862. What started as a rope manufacturing business has since evolved into a world-famous outdoor brand, acclaimed for its mountaineering gear and apparel.
On the other side, we have Nigel Cabourn, a British fashion label helmed by designer Nigel Cabourn himself—a world-renowned collector of vintage military and outdoor wear. His designs, which consistently draw from vintage clothing, fabrics, and details, have captivated a global audience, building a devoted fan base in Europe, the US, and especially in Japan.
Now, for this Fall/Winter season, these two iconic brands are joining forces to release a collaborative capsule collection.
To get the inside scoop on this impressive, high-quality, and stylish lineup, we sat down with Shota Utsugi, Assistant Brand Manager at MAMMUT Sports Group Japan, who walked us through some of the standout pieces from the collection.
A Collaboration to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the High-End 'EIGER EXTREME' Line
"The upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 season is a big one for us—it marks the 30th anniversary of 'EIGER EXTREME,' our high-end line developed in collaboration with athletes.""We were already planning a complete overhaul of the line to mark the occasion, but we felt an anniversary this special deserved something more. That's when we started brainstorming ideas for a unique celebration."
"That's how the idea of a collaboration with Nigel Cabourn, a designer MAMMUT already had a connection with, came to life."
"In 1969, a Japanese mountaineering team famously tackled and conquered a direct route on the North Face of the Eiger[1]. This world-renowned route is called the 'Japanese Direttissima'—*direttissima* being Italian for 'the most direct path'—and it's considered one of the most challenging direct climbs in the Alps. It was Nigel Cabourn's idea to create a collection paying homage to this incredible feat, and that's what kicked off this entire collaboration."
Concept of Japanese Direttissima
Now that we know the backstory of the collaboration, let's dive into the design process. The design was led by Nigel Cabourn, with production handled by MAMMUT. Let's hear more."Many people probably associate Nigel's work with a military aesthetic, but he's actually designed numerous pieces that are homages to mountaineering apparel."
"He often brings up topics like, 'What were the Japanese Everest expedition members wearing on their first ascent?' and I've heard he possesses an enormous personal archive of mountaineering garments."
"We feel incredibly honored that he values history so deeply and channels it into his work. This collaboration truly feels like a project where our passions perfectly aligned."
"This collection was designed entirely under Nigel's direction. The entire design process was based on one central question: What kind of apparel was the Japanese team wearing when they took on the direct route of the Eiger's North Face back in 1969?"
"The process began with Nigel pulling pieces from his vast archive to serve as the foundation for this collaboration. The resulting lineup features numerous items that evoke the style of that era's mountaineering teams, including shell jackets, flannel shirts, fleece mid-layers, and knitwear."
"The result is a capsule collection of about 12 distinct looks. Everything—from the patterns and hardware to the very tags—was created from scratch. I believe this collection is a testament to MAMMUT's renowned quality rising to meet Nigel's meticulous attention to detail."
A Down Parka Delivering Ultimate Warmth
Now, let's highlight a few pieces from the collection and take a closer look at what makes them special."Let's start with the most substantial outerwear piece in the collection: the "Mammut x Cabourn Direttissima IN Parka." This is a classic down parka.
The outer shell features Ventile®, a high-performance material cherished by adventurers and mountaineers for weather protection since its development in the 1930s. The design takes cues from original expedition parkas, reinterpreting them for the modern era.
It’s insulated with 850-fill-power [2] goose down for ultimate warmth. Plus, Nigel's signature attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the chest pocket and 3D fleece-lined pockets to the military-inspired front buttons and wooden cord ends.
Additionally, the mammoth logo featured in this collection is a revival of a design MAMMUT actually used in 1969. The commitment to quality extends to every component, including zippers from the legendary Swiss brand riri.
It’s truly a symbolic parka jacket, a fitting tribute to the incredible achievements of the pioneering mountaineers who blazed the trail."
Insulating Wool Pieces: The Mid-Layer of Choice for 1960s Mountaineers
Back in the 1960s, wool was the go-to material for mid-layers in mountaineering apparel. In honor of that tradition, this collection includes two distinct wool pieces. Let's take a look."Next up is the "Mammut x Cabourn Direttissima Wool ML Jacket."
While designed as a mid-layer, it can easily function as an outer jacket depending on the season and location.
The jacket features a striking jacquard knit pattern that weaves the mammoth logo into an authentic, traditional Swiss design. It’s crafted from a lightweight and soft merino wool fleece from PONTETORTO, the renowned Italian fabric mill.
It’s a timeless design that will be cherished for generations, channeling a homage to the past into a distinctly retro vibe."
"The other wool piece takes a different approach.
The "Mammut x Cabourn Direttissima Wool ML Sweater" is directly inspired by the sweaters worn by the expedition teams that are the theme of this collection.
We commissioned a world-leading mill in Scotland to knit the original pattern, which integrates the mammoth logo into a traditional jacquard design.
The highly insulating wool, beloved by 1960s mountaineers as a warm mid-layer, is another cornerstone material of this collection."
1960s Mountaineering Wear, Reborn with Modern MAMMUT Technology
As this collaboration was taking shape, Nigel Cabourn had the opportunity to meet Michiko Imai, a member of the original Japanese team, at the foot of the Eiger North Face.For Cabourn, who had centered the collection's theme on the "Japanese Direttissima," it's easy to imagine this was a deeply moving encounter.
This collaboration with Nigel Cabourn marks MAMMUT's first-ever partnership with a fashion brand. During the collection's development, Cabourn remarked, "I've made plenty of 'mountain clothes' in my time."
Speaking about the collaboration between the two brands, Utsugi said, "I believe we've created a collection that will excite both mountaineering enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike."
Based on Cabourn's design vision and combined with MAMMUT's manufacturing expertise, the mountaineering apparel of the 1960s has been masterfully recreated with modern quality. The result is a stunning collection unlike any other.
[1] The Eiger is a 3,970-meter mountain located in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. Along with the Jungfrau and the Mönch, it is one of the "Three Great Mountains of the Jungfrau Region."
[2] Fill power is a unit measuring the loft or "fluffiness" of down. A higher number indicates that the down traps more air, resulting in superior insulation and higher quality. High fill power also means that less down is needed to achieve the same loft, making the garment lighter.
PROFILE
Shota Utsugi (宇津木 正太)
Mammut Sports Group Japan
Assistant Brand Manager
He is responsible for a wide range of tasks, from the overall marketing of Mammut products to media relations. A seasoned mountaineer with 15 years of experience, he actively enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits, including climbing and trail running.
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