ISPO Award Winner 2025: The Watusi Light Suit by Blackyak

Hybrid insulation, modular versatility, and technical minimalism: The new Blackyak Watusi Light Suit is the answer for demanding alpinists looking for lightweight, warm, and highly breathable gear. 

Icy winds, bitter cold, endless meters of altitude—anyone who has been out in the cold in the mountains knows the interplay between the forces of nature and their own performance. In this extreme environment, the right equipment often determines whether you succeed or retreat. With the Watusi Light Suit, Blackyak is launching an expedition suit aimed at demanding alpinists. It is ultra-light, highly functional, and uncompromisingly robust. Developed for those who want to combine warmth and freedom of movement with protection, it offers maximum performance in the harshest conditions – from base camp to the summit stage.

With a total weight of only 1.2 kilograms, the suit offers maximum thermal performance with minimum weight. At the heart of the concept is advanced hybrid insulation, a combination of hydrophobic G-Loft fibers and Nikwax-treated RDS down material. The result: consistent thermal performance even in wet conditions, excellent breathability, and quick drying. While conventional down suits become clammy and lose volume, the Watusi Light Suit retains its shape—and its function. 

The vision behind it: The expedition suit aims to bridge the gap between ultralight alpine clothing and bulky high-altitude suits and was developed as part of a modular clothing concept. It is therefore suitable as standalone thermal protection or as a separate insulation layer under the Javari Gore-Tex Shell Suit. This makes the Watusi Light Suit versatile and adaptable to any mission, weather, and altitude.

Every detail of the Watusi Light Suit is a statement of technical precision. The outer material is made of Cordura ripstop nylon with Vectran reinforcements, which offer maximum abrasion resistance and impressive lightness. The ergonomic cut and adjustable neoprene belt stabilize the torso, shift the load to the hips, and maximize freedom of movement. 

The suit also impresses visually with a clean, performance-oriented design. The “raspberry sorbet” color stands for self-confidence and precision—a modern contrast to the rugged mountain world. Despite its minimalist look, every seam is packed with functional intelligence: less overlap, no cold spots, optimized ventilation. 

But the Watusi Light Suit not only scores points technically, but also in terms of sustainability. RDS-certified down, recycled G-Loft fibers, PFC-free DWR C0 impregnation, and production under strict environmental and social standards in Vietnam make it a statement for responsible performance. Its long life and repairability also reduce resource consumption. 

In addition, Blackyak is committed to environmental and educational projects worldwide through its own charitable foundation. For example, the company supports the Icefall Doctors, who secure the dangerous routes in the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest every year – a commitment that goes far beyond pure product innovation. 

The Watusi Light Suit will be available in Raspberry Sorbet from September 2026. A separate compression bag is included to make the product easy to store and protect it in the long term. 

• Modular in combination with an outer shell or usable on its own for greater versatility and adaptability to different conditions 
• Advanced hybrid insulation made from hydrophobic G-Loft fibers and Nikwax-treated RDS down material 
• Lightweight technical precision weighing only 1.2 kilograms, ergonomic fit, Vectran reinforcements, and an adjustable neoprene belt that stabilizes the torso and shifts the load to the hips.