Hilltrek Braemar Hybrid Smock - Olive

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  Only just got this smock, so haven’t been in really inclement weather yet, but it has performed admirably in wind, rain and snow giving a real sense of protection. I was really torn between this jacket and the Sasta Peski but opted for the Hilltrek Braemar as it seemed to be more suited to the wetter weather here in the uk but could equally perform in the the dryer, colder climate to be found in Scandinavia. It has double layer protection on both shoulders and hood and further protection with the kangaroo pocket and hand warmer pocket at the front. What really impressed me was the quality of the finish and the stitch work, really beautiful, I must get out more. Some nice details that have been given practical thought as well. The draw cords around the bottom keep the weather out and warmth in when required, and the zipped vents at the bottom would allow ventilation for the warmer months and make getting the smock on and off easier. The length of the jacket ensures that your lower back and backside are covered. The hood has a wire in the brim and together with the draw cords offers protection from rain and wind which doesn’t easily distort giving good visibility. It is slightly heavier than the Peski, 400g more because of the greater protection on shoulders and hood. but still comes in as a lightweight jacket. The Ventile cotton material is robust yet quiet and provides good freedom of movement and breathability. Perfect for mountaineering, mountain biking, skiing and other persuits. Together with being a UK outfit, made in Scotland I believe, and providing that little bit extra rain protection tipped me into buying this similar priced item to the Peski. Although that waist draw cord on the Peski looks useful. I have been really pleased with my purchase as being on a modest income this represented a high value investment. I get the feeling this will see me right for many years to come.  

  William Cowdrey

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  I have owned a number of conventional waterproof coats of various brands and am always afraid of them getting ripped. Which has happened. This is not the case with this smock, which is very robust and very comfortable. I have worn it in snow storms in the Alpes, torrential rain on my bike and have so far kept dry.  

  Adam Tomline

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  The combination of features on this smock have been very carefully thought through by the Woodlore team when selecting from the range of Ventile smocks and jackets which Hilltrek make. The combination of double layer Ventile on the hood and shoulders and single layer Ventile elsewhere give you the very best waterproof capability combined with breathability for active all day use. Double layer Ventile is required for the smock to be deemed waterproof by Hilltrek with single layer Ventile being weatherproof, meaning it can turn showers but not sustained rain. However if you factor in the chest pocket and additional hand warmer pockets on the front of the smock, the Ventile used for these features makes the front of the smock virtually all double layer Ventile. Use the smock when carrying a rucksack on your back and the protection afforded by the rucksack means both your front and back are fully protected from sustained rain. My experience with this smock in severe rain in the High Peak District where I live has proven this to be the case. No wetting through at all over this first week of ownership where the smock has been worn daily and it has rained daily. The DWR coating applied to the smock is very good at keeping the rain beading off the surface and this undoubtedly has assisted in achieving this level of performance. Particularly on the sleeves which are single layer Ventile. The smock is also noticeably able to breath better and avoid the boil in the bag effect of many membrane based waterproof jackets I own and regularly use which despite being the very best of their kind and nearly twice the price of this smock cannot allow body heat and water vapour to Pass through as effectively as cotton Ventile does. This is the most noticeable difference when using Ventile. You can wear this all day without overheating and needing to stop to remove your waterproof layers and putting them in the rucksack. The smock is also extremely well made. By this I mean the quality of the stitching is at a level where on the single layer on the inside where you can see the stitching- it is as neat and well done as on the outside. No lose threads. No badly cut and finished cloth and stitching. This was not the case with the Sasta Ventile smock I purchased for my girlfriend. This needed some considerable tidying up both on the outside but particularly so on the inside. Hilltrek’s attention to detail and quality of work is exemplary. These smocks will be a life time investment. Ventile can last and work effectively for decades. I have two double layer Ventile jackets with a third layer on the hood and shoulders for extreme wet weather use which I had made in 2005 and they are still going strong. I over specified these and they are a bit too heavy and warm for active hill use. Hence the decision to go for this smock. On sizing please contact Paul and the team to get them to give you the actual measurements for each size . The smocks are very generously sized.  

  Peter Wilson