Founded in 1962 by Frenchman Georges Ducruet, Eider are all about bringing elegance and a touch of class to the slopes. Ducruet, who was based in Annecy, was a fan of the fast-growing sport of alpine skiing, but was fed up of getting cold and wet while doing it.

A tailor by trade, he decided to solve the problem by making his own warm waterproof gear. But he didn’t want a jacket that was purely functional – it would have to meet up to the same exacting standards of style that he’d expect of the suits which came out of his atelier. This approach, combining elegance with performance, still characterises Eider’s line to this day.

“If there’s a blizzard blowing, the cosy little cocoon created by the ‘Fix A Shape’ zip, hood and collar will protect the lower half of your face without restricting your freedom of movement.”

The Shaper ski jacket, with its unique hood and collar shape, is a perfect example. Eider worked very closely with zip makers YKK over a three-year period to develop a fastener with special teeth that helps the collar hold its shape when it’s zipped up. This keeps it away from your face and gives you room to turn your head.

If there’s a blizzard blowing, the cosy little cocoon created by the ‘Fix A Shape’ zip, hood and collar will protect the lower half of your face without restricting your freedom of movement. This makes it great to wear with a helmet, and in the words of one of Eider’s marketing bods, it also means it’s the perfect jacket for men with beards.