IENKI IENKI has designed gear for Ukrainian mountaineer Antonina Samoylova, who has conquered the highest mountain on the planet, Everest, for the third time.
The first Ukrainian mountaineer to summit Everest three times, Antonina Samoylova began her mountain conquests in 2018 by reaching the summit of Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. Antonina dedicates each of her ascents to Ukraine. She continued this tradition during her third ascent of Everest, for which she was outfitted in gear from the Ukrainian outerwear brand IENKI IENKI.
An Everest ascent typically lasts 40 days, so the clothing you wear plays one of the most crucial roles: mountains are unforgiving and demand attention to every detail. Specifically for the mountaineer, the IENKI IENKI team developed two sets of gear: a bright yellow climbing suit and a two-layer jacket and pants for the base camp. The gear was created in collaboration with Antonina to consider all necessary nuances and ensure maximum comfort during the ascent. This collaboration is part of the Advanced Research project, in which IENKI IENKI aims to incorporate various cutting-edge technologies into clothing to push beyond the limits of what's possible.
This time, the brand has achieved a new standard in Ukrainian mountaineering clothing: Antonina's suit is filled with down with a Fill Power rating of 950. This provides the best insulation with the lightest weight, just 1800 grams. This small, compared to alternatives, indicator is incredibly important in the context of using the suit during climbs to high altitudes in challenging weather conditions. This achievement sets a precedent—the development was practically tested and certified by IDFL (The International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory), an organization that conducts about 50 thousand tests per year.
The gear for the base camp is made from high-quality hygroscopic down, providing optimal moisture protection, and lightweight Japanese 2L membrane fabric. The technical hardware with aquaguard ™ï¸ technology ensures optimal ventilation and protects against wind and moisture.
Focusing not only on utility but also on aesthetics, the IENKI IENKI team aimed to make the mountaineer's clothing as elegant as possible. Drawing inspiration from bold color combinations, beloved by the iconic style of Princess Diana, the team chose bright pink and red colors to pay tribute to sophistication and symbolize bravery and readiness to overcome any obstacles, as evidenced by each ascent of Antonina Samoylova.
"In 2022, I was the only one from Ukraine to raise our flag on Everest—summiting despite anxiety and fear because I didn't consider myself adequately prepared for such a climb. And now I think that making an Everest summit and raising the Ukrainian flag at the top should become an annual tradition," reflects Antonina.
In any case, IENKI IENKI is delighted to support the desire for incredible climbs of various scales—inspired by the strength and resilience of Ukrainians, the brand dedicates its inventions to everyone who boldly marches toward extraordinary adventures with courage in their hearts.
