In reply to Andy Hyslop - UKClimbing.com:
> Based on longevity, long term product focus, sustained high quality of manufacture. It took my about 30 seconds to knock up this list so feel free to rip it apart.
>
> Helly Hansen
Are their products any better than Patagonia's capiline and regulator, base layers and fleeces? Arguabley Patagonia invented polyester base layers and very the first company to producede none pilling fleece in form of synchillia.
> Grenfell
Who? Aren't they a running brand?
> La Sportiva
Granted - Very High Quaility well made and inovative products that have been around for ages like: Mythos, Nepals Tops, Spaniks, Olympus Mons, Trangos ect.
> Grivel
Great well made kit, however i feel Black Diamond are more deserving of this place due to still being making the only ice tool, which you can realistically change a broken pick on a route. As well as the orginal Wiregate krab, and the first descent screwin/out ice screws and the first asermetric hexentrics and camalots.
> Patagonia
Granted. Really nice well made and inovitive brand. Constantly redesigning their products and making brilliant bits of kit like, Mixmasters pants and Jackets, Grade VI jackets, DAS Parkas and other sythetic products.
> Buffalo
Although its well made kit. I don't tihnk it deserves a place in the top ten best brands ever.
> Primus
Arn't MSR a more inovitive and equally well made brand.
> Silva
Well made stuff that lasts, but i think a tent or sleeping bag company deserves a place more.
> Arc'teryx
Very nice looking kit, that well made. But as brand have the actually done anything revolutionary? Alot of their features seem very gimmicky to me. I think TNF, who although arn't a fraction of the brand they once were, but have made some fantastic products, like those mountain jacket and bibs that came in pink and yellow and Tents like the VE25, which have remained virtually unchanged for near 25 years.
> DMM
Absolutely, all their gear is superb well made an inovitive. They are also constantly improving perfectly good products.
In My view from a purley climbing and winter climbing view the top ten most influentcail and inovitive brands would be:
DMM
Wild Country
Friends - arguable the most important devolpment in climbing since the invention of karabiner. Also Rocks and HB offsets.
Black Diamond
Mammut
Really nice well made ropes, which handle nicely and very durable. + a range of inovitive and well made clothing.
Aiguille Alpine
Extremly well made rucksacks, which are made still made in the UK. Also the only rucksack manufacture which will customise their bags to suit you.
Peter Hutchinson
The best down bags and clothing avalible anywhere.
The North Face
Patagonia
Hilleberg
Well made, light weight, but durable tents.
Sportiva