NEW REVIEWS Chris like this warm insulated smock with impeccable environmental credentials
Chris Townsend puts exciting and interesting new gear to the test
Fill: 75% HD Wool insulation/25% Ingeo PLA
Shell: Primaloft Bio recycled polyester
Front: short neck opening with four poppers
Cuffs: poppers
Hem: side opening with poppers
Pockets: one handwarmer
Sizes: men XS-XXL, women XS-XXL finisterre.com ‘Circular’ products are made from recycled or renewable materials that can be recycled and are biodegradable. Finisterre’s Biosmock is one of the first outdoor products made using this system.
The Biosmock has a shell made from Primaloft Bio Yarn recycled polyester and an unusual fill of 75% HD Wool, which is traceable via a scannable tag and comes from four farms in south-west England, plus 25% Ingeo PLA, which is made from greenhouse gases and is compostable and recyclable. The poppers are biodegradable recycled plastic and organic cotton is used for the stitching.
The design of this windproof, warm and comfortable insulated smock is basic. There’s a short neck opening, a short lower side opening, a big pouch-style handwarmer pocket and adjustable cuffs. It’s about as warm as a thick fleece or a thin synthetic insulated top. The wadding fill feels denser than 100% synthetic or down fills.
The fit is on the small side, the Large fitting me fairly closely over a base layer. The side opening is needed for ease of getting it on and off. I can only just do up the collar and the sleeves are only just long enough – they ride up when I reach out. As a substitute for a fleece this fit is fine. To wear it over a fleece I’d need a bigger size. It would have to be very cold for me to need to do that whilst walking, however. Indeed, it has to be freezing or below with a breeze for me to walk far without overheating anyway as you can only ventilate it at the neck. A fully opening front would make a big difference. Breathability is good as long as it’s cold enough. Wind resistance is excellent. The pouch pocket sits above a hipbelt and is great for your hands. But it can’t be closed.
The Biosmock is slightly bulky and it’s not that light. The cost is a little high too. As a garment for winter walking and as warmwear for stops it works okay. The environmental credentials are excellent.
Materials: outer: 80% nylon/20% Lycra, inner: 50% merino wool/50% acrylic
Weight: 60 grams (9-10)
Sizes: UK 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12
Cost: £24.99 mid-calf, £29.99 calf edz.co.uk Chris likes these waterproof and comfortable socks – a good way to keep your feet dry if your footwear isn’t waterproof
Waterproof socks are a good way to keep your feet dry if your footwear isn’t waterproof. I also like them for camping – they warm up the feet far more quickly than standard socks. In my experience they don’t usually stay waterproof for long, though. Even then they are windproof, and this can still be a boon when wearing footwear with large mesh panels in cold winds.
Since the autumn I’ve been wearing EDZ mid-calf length waterproof socks. So far, they’ve remained waterproof. How long they’ll remain so I should find out over the next year.
The socks are stretchy with tough-feeling outers and soft dense terry-loop inners. Comfort is good and they fit well. Warmth is good too. I’ve worn them in non-waterproof footwear with mesh panels on cold, sodden ground and in snow, and my feet have felt fine. I suspect I may find them too warm in the summer, however. Some rubbing is visible on the heels on the outside, but the inners are fine.
The weight is low and the price reasonable for waterproof socks. As well as wearing them when it’s wet, I’ll be carrying them for campwear to see how they last. I like them.