Galbraith Smock
Mat Manning takes the lightweight Jack Pyke Galbraith Smock out on his rounds to see how the affordable waterproof performs in the field
ritish weather being what it is, it’s wise to have waterproof clothing at the ready whatever the time of year. The Galbraith Smock from Jack Pyke provides an effective shield against sudden downpours while being light enough to prevent you from overheating should the sun decide to put in an appearance.
Jack Pyke clothing has a reputation for being affordable while offering performance that can cut it in the field, and this practical smock certainly lives up to expectations on that front. Its retail price of £78 is within the
Breach of most shooters and there are no obvious signs of skimping on quality.
Design
The Galbraith’s smock design means that getting it on is a heave-over-the-head job. Remember to undo the collar zip first and it’s actually a doddle to slip on. Pull the zip up and the snug collar closes right up to your chin – that zip also has a double-layer storm-flap that fastens by means of three Velcro patches to prevent wind and rain from creeping in.
Waterproofing is courtesy of a laminated inner membrane while the outer shell is made from polyester brushed tricot.
The combination keeps wind and rain at bay, but it’s also breathable to minimise moisture build-up on the inside should you work up a sweat. Given this smock’s price point, the fabrics are remarkably quiet, and free from the harsh crackle you often get with garments that feature a laminate lining – something that’s sure to find favour with shooters who need to get up close and personal with wary quarry.
When it comes to sealing out the elements, the Galbraith really does deliver the goods. Wind and rain are unlikely to creep in through the sleeves, as the inner cuffs are elasticated for a snug fit. Those close-fitting cuffs also do a decent job of ensuring that the sleeves don’t creep back up your arms when shouldering your gun – they’re fastened by secure poppers, which makes it easy to slip the jacket on and off over large hands. The outer cuffs feature Velcro straps for further adjustment.
There’s also a generously-sized hood for when the heavens really open. A soft inner lining helps to stop your head getting itchy, plus it has a drawstring fastener with twin toggle locks so you can really batten the hatches when the wind is howling.
The Galbraith is best described as a three-quarter-length smock. It’s not as long as a lot of its counterparts (including the more expensive Jack Pyke Argyll Smock) and comes down to about six inches below the waist. The bottom hem features an elasticated band with locking toggles on the left and right – tighten that band right down for an improved shield from the weather and the Galbraith won’t ride up over your backside.
Lightweight
This is an exceptionally lightweight smock. While that means it’s not really suited to bitterly cold winter weather, it also makes it less of an encumbrance than a heavier option and it’s easily rolled up and stuffed into a backpack or game bag. The relatively light outer shell is more likely to suffer