Throughout the 20th Century and into the 21st, women have taken an increasing role in the outdoor arena. From rock climbing to paddling; backpacking to a leisurely hike; fishing in early Spring to a late Fall elk hunt; one common complaint endures among today's female outdoor enthusiast: "Most unisex outerwear fits me like a tent." According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), nearly 2.1 million women hunted last year while a whopping 21.4 million spent time fishing. And while they are taking to the outdoors as eagerly as men, they still want to look and feel like a woman.

To this end, Seattle-based outerwear manufacturer, Rivers West, debuts its Hydro2 PowerLock® (H2P®) System at leading-edge outdoor retailers and agencies this Fall. In the past, a consumer's choice for wet-weather gear was limited to Neoprene, GORE-TEX® (or one of its many replicas), coated nylon, or the old-fashioned vinyl rain slicker. What these 'status-quo' fabrics offered in waterproofing, they lacked in warmth, insulation, durability, comfort, or style. With Rivers West's H2P® System, those concerns are a thing of the past.

First and foremost, the new H2P® System offers 100% waterproof & windproof protection. Unlike other waterproof fabrics, H2P® materials can actually hold water for up to two weeks without leaking. A test performed by Rivers West before the H2P® label even goes on. The company makes large bags from test material, fills them with 5 gallons of water and hangs them for fourteen days. After which, if no leaks are detected, this fabric is cleared to carry the H2P® label. Rivers West believes that if a fabric can withstand that much water over that period of time, it can certainly sustain whatever wet weather you are likely to encounter in your routine outdoor pursuits.

Aside from this absolute protection from wind and rain, H2P® fabrics offer another benefit most single-layer waterproof systems do not: insulation. While most companies make you buy an expensive waterproof shell and then spend more money on a fleece jacket for insulation, Rivers West has combined the two with the H2P® System for about half the price of the shell alone.

Along with this warmth, style and 100% waterproof protection, H2P® garments are designed to be strong and durable as well. In an independent test performed by PSI, one of the country's oldest and largest testing agencies, H2P® fabrics outperformed GORE-TEX® in two key durability areas: tension & load.

It took an average of 115 lbs. of tension to tear H2P® fabrics, while GORE-TEX® faltered 58% quicker, with a mere 48 lbs. of tension. This means that a 50 lb. backpack, if snagged during removal, could completely tear a GORE-TEX® shell without so much as scratching the H2P® System.

The load test demonstrated another remarkable property of the H2P® System. This tested the puncture-strength of the fabrics as a nail was driven into them. Once more, the H2P® System outperformed the competition - it took an average of 14.7 lbs. of force for the nail to puncture H2P® fabrics. Conversely, only 7 lbs. of pressure was required to pierce through GORE-TEX®. Something to keep in mind as thickets and snags are quite common in the great outdoors.

These numerous advantages over traditional waterproof systems give the H2P® System a leg up in today's over-crowded outerwear market. As if this weren't enough, Rivers West tackled the unisex issue as well. Combining the warmth and comfort of their 100% waterproof H2P® System with stylish accents for the female form, the Stormy Point jackets and Misty Mountain vests were born.

Just as waterproof, technical, and rugged as Rivers West menswear, their women's line represents an air of comfort and style that remains truly feminine. Both Stormy Point jackets and Misty Mountain vests are "fleece-lined" to retain body heat while LYCRA® sides and underarms provide ventilation during active endeavors. Not only does this LYCRA® material work technically, but it provides aesthetic value as well. By tapering this highly water-resistant yet breathable fabric in at the waist, Rivers West accentuates your figure while increasing your overall comfort. Complete with interior pouch pockets and hidden interior draw-cords, these ladies styles remain every bit as formidable as the H2P® men's line.

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