I stood on the Arctic Ocean in March between two pingos, my beard frozen and a smile on my lips. I monitored my body for cold and found that only the exposed skin on my face was cold, as I had recently removed my fleece garter to drink a rapidly cooling cup of coffee poured by my Inuvialuit guide, James. James was fiddling with a rifle he had recently restored for defense against polar bears, but the rifle failed to fire; it was too cold, and, perhaps, too old. I wore soft armor against the cold, a suit of Craghoppers clothing beneath an insulated coverall, and I was warm, content, and satisfied. My wife, Luisa, and I heavily relied on our Craghoppers’ winter gear for day-to-day travel in extreme cold above the Arctic Circle and were never let down.
The British Craghoppers brand of clothing had been a companion to all of my family’s adventures over the last decade, and we had developed a sincere trust in a spectrum of activewear packed with technology and designed to last for the long haul. Not only is the Craghoppers gear packed with tech (and potentially life-saving features), but generally, the range is priced well below competitors’ offerings. Craghoppers is, unfortunately, a well-kept secret, but not for much longer.
Men’s Bishorn II Insulated Jacket | Size – XXL
The Bishorn II Jacket is stylish and effective; the material prevents wind from infiltrating the clothing, decreasing the impact of wind chill. Produced from repurposed plastic bottles transformed into polyester, the jacket incorporates airy materials that facilitate body temperature regulation and ensure comfort by enabling moisture dissipation while being designed to repel water, ensuring absolute dryness. The coat provides impressive heat retention, making it versatile for various activities. Not once did I feel claustrophobic or uncomfortable, except when the jacket was worn indoors, in which case I soon overheated. Packed with features, the Bishorn II includes a secure pocket featuring both RFID defenses and a Zip’n’Clip mechanism for added safety. To help keep your hands toasty, it has special hot pockets. An O/S (Ordnance Survey, Great Britain) map pocket is conveniently provided, the waist can be adjusted for a comfortable fit, and an additional accessory pocket is included for a whopping total of fifteen pockets. The top pockets are located a bit too high, with angled openings, which proved difficult to open and access with gloved hands, a minor negative in a garment packet with plenty of positives. The snug, grown-on hood incorporates a practical, warm, detachable faux-fur trim and a wired peak. The Bishorn II jacket is very well priced for an extreme cold weather jacket; a similar coat may very well cost four times as much from a competitor.
$200 | Men’s Bishorn II Insulated Jacket
Kiwi Pro Winter Lined Pants Mens | Men’s Size – 42R, Women’s Size 14R
The Winter-ready Kiwi Pro Pants are designed to provide comfort, protection, and functionality in colder conditions and kept me warm many times without needing a base thermal layer. The pants are made from agile, UV-protective recycled stretch polyamide material, which offers flexibility and helps protect against harmful UV rays. The fabric incorporates a snug brushed lining, a part-elasticated waist, and heel tape that enhances durability and helps protect against wear and tear in high-friction areas. Additionally, the pants have four zipped pockets, are effectively water and dirt-repellent, and, like the Bishorn jacket, are constructed of recycled materials. We regret not ordering two pairs each, as we wore these winter pants daily. As with the Bishorn II jacket, these pants are very well-priced, even underpriced, for their performance.
$88 | Men’s Kiwi Pro II Winter Lined Pants
$88 | Women’s Kiwi Pro II Winter Lined Pants
Women’s Waterproof Elison Parka | Charcoal Size 16
The Elison parka proved to be stylish, incredibly warm, and comfortable. Available in Charcoal and the equally attractive Smoked Paprika colors, the Elison parka is sustainably crafted by repurposing plastic bottles into polyester. The parka’s lightweight textiles maintain optimal body temperature, ensuring comfort through breathability and superior water resistance. The parka’s length is perfect as it protects your rear and lower back from biting wind and cold, allowing you to enjoy a bitter but beautiful winter day without discomfort. The large yet perfectly sized front pockets were a comfortable refuge for gloved hands, and the elasticated cuffs ensured no exposure between gloves and jacket sleeves. Again, as with the products mentioned above, the pricing of this parka is simply unbelievable, an excellent value proposition.
$280 | Women’s Waterproof Elison Parka
Accessories
Our larger garments were combined with pairs of Gallus Gloves and Archive Beanies, which proved the perfect accessories when out and about in the cold. The Gallus gloves were sufficient when worn under mittens and for quick forays into the elements, while the Archive Beanie, in particular, proved to be excellent in extreme cold when worn with the faux-fur trim hood of the Bishorn jacket. Unfortunately, the Gallus Gloves and Archive Beanies are no longer available in the USA but may be ordered from the Craghoppers UK site, craghoppers.com.
Read more: Portable Power Stations :: Buyer’s Guide
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