Editor’s Note: This Craghoppers clothing review was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2023 Issue.
In late 2012, we said goodbye to our home in Cape Town, South Africa, and packed the Land Rover for an expedition that would take us around the world without pause. We researched and sourced gear that would serve us best in preparation for the journey. When living an adventurous lifestyle on the road, you learn to depend on the layer which buffers your body from the elements. Wind, sun, rain, heat, and cold will erode your enthusiasm as sure as they erode rock, and, as the Norwegians say, there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. We eventually agreed to source a limited wardrobe of Craghoppers clothing for each member of the family, including waterproof and winter jackets, shirts, summer dresses, hats, cargo shorts, and trousers, and later boots and hiking socks (we are still waiting impatiently for the company to produce a line of underwear). The images accompanying this article span from 2012 to 2022, and not all articles of clothing are depicted, as we have chosen to focus on a few stand-out products.
Craghoppers is a British clothing manufacturer that has been producing high-quality garments since 1965, focusing on technology and durability, and they do their job very, very well. It is incredible to wear an item of clothing that has the ability to moderate your body temperature, to keep you cool or warm, depending on the weather. How is it possible that a piece of fabric can wick moisture from your body and disperse it to avoid sweat spots and odor while simultaneously providing an effective barrier to the wind? Incredible.
My children have hiked Torres del Paine in Argentina and Chamonix in France wearing Craghoppers clothing. We have circumnavigated South America and driven across continents, and we still have almost every article of Craghoppers we have ever possessed. Those that we no longer have were lost or stolen from a washing line. The fabric does not tear, nor do the seams fail. There may have been broken buttons but no worn holes, no broken zips, and no drama. The clothing itself is not high fashion, but instead high tech. And if you are a tight-fisted muppet like me, it is the tech you are after, as you soon realize that low-quality, low-cost clothing is a false economy. Driving across Western Africa, my wife and I used our NosiLife mosquito repellent clothing religiously and did not contract malaria; our children, being children, were not as disciplined, and both contracted malaria (worry not, they are both fine after a course of Coartem).
Please note that the majority of clothing reviewed was selected for travel in hot climates and that many Craghoppers products, which are available in the UK and Europe, are not directly available in the USA. However, some items can be sourced from REI or Amazon.
Read on to see our Craghoopers top of the pops gear.
Salado Hi Boots
These waterproof hiking boots are waterproof yet highly breathable and are completely resistant to odor-causing bacteria—no more stinky boots fouling the camper. The Salado features a high-cut, ankle-protecting top with a ghillie lacing system for additional support. The mosquito repellant NosiLife suede-and-mesh upper adds a barrier of protection, while the Crawlerguard “net” is a stroke of genius. The Crawlerguard is packed within the tongue of the boot and stretched over the collar when not worn, providing an effective barrier to creatures such as snakes, scorpions, and spiders, which might crawl into an unattended boot—my worst nightmare, and I suspect yours as well. These boots weigh next to nothing, are incredibly comfortable, and are a pleasure to wear all day. The comfortable Vibram outsole is complemented by a soft and comfortable ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam midsole.
My singular criticism of these boots is that the laces (which have never been replaced during the last three years of use) are a few inches too short for a double knot if you prefer a loose fit. Yes, we long-term overlanders have only two pairs of shoes—hiking boots and flip-flops—and hiking boots serve as driving boots, walking boots, and everyday boots.
Despite nearly constant hard use, these boots have never let me down. Whether covered in red African soil or clinging Central American clay, hiking through streams, walking up desert mountain trails, or searching a city for car parts and a reliable ATM, the Salado boots are fit for purpose. I will be replacing my current pair with another.
$179
Men’s Nosilife Adventure II Long-sleeved Shirt
The Adventure II is my go-to shirt, no matter the weather. It offers sun-protective and anti-insect properties and is constructed of lightweight ripstop material, which wicks moisture away from the skin for effective cooling and anti-odor action. In hot and humid climates, the vented back allows cool air to reach your skin, and the shirt also features a sunglass wipe on the lower right front hem, equally useful for cleaning misty camera lenses. With five pockets, it’s a pickpocket’s nightmare—not even Copperfield himself would be able to get a sleek hand onto your passport or credit card zipped behind the breast pocket. A cavernous concealed and zipped pocket on the right breast can securely store large quantities of precious gear against your skin. An extendable collar allows greater sun protection, but, in my experience, this extension is not entirely necessary for a tall man with a short neck; the collar is a bit too chunky and not as crisp as I would like.
I have two Adventure II shirts; one has been my faithful companion since 2015. I truly believe that the shirt has gone a long way to prevent malaria infection and might well have saved my life. Whether it is still mosquito repellent after eight years and countless washes is up for debate, but I do not suffer bites to my torso or arms when wearing the shirts with unrolled sleeves. One would think that wearing long sleeves is counterintuitive in hot weather, but I find the UV protection and moisture-wicking keep me cool. Available in women’s sizes as well.
$105
Women’s Nosilife Savannah Dress
When our Jessica was six years old, we loaded the Defender and drove from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam. Her all-time favorite dress was a khaki button-up, which she wore as often as possible until she outgrew the little safari dress (she named it her Eira dress after a Spanish friend who wore a similar dress). A few years later, when asked to choose clothing from the Craghoppers website, she came across the Savannah dress, and her eyes lit up. The Savannah is a classical, timeless adventure dress reimagined for contemporary travelers. It features a button-through design with a belted waist, patched-on bellowed pockets, and a neat collar. The quick-drying anti-insect ottoman fabric combats odor for a fresh feel all day long, and the garment includes an extended collar, a modesty button, a back hem vent, and four practical pockets. The Savannah is constructed of polyamide synthetic fibers that are durable, abrasion-resistant, and designed to absorb but not retain moisture.
Despite years of use across rugged terrain, the dress looks and feels nearly as good as new and will likely continue to bring a smile to Jessica’s face now that she has stopped outgrowing all of her favorite clothing.
$105
Nosilife Insect Shield Adventure Jacket II
The Adventure jacket is designed for a hot climate but is an all-around performer, the kind Indy would have worn while chasing baddies from Europe to Egypt to Indonesia. I find it perfect for those days when you need to carry extra essentials and keep the wind from your skin. For Southern Hemisphere winters, it can be combined with a hoodie to provide an extra layer of comfort. The jacket incorporates all the tech you need for a long-haul adventure, featuring NosiLife anti-insect treatment and sun protection. It boasts 11 pockets, an RFID pocket, a zipped sleeve, and a dry bag for storing precious documents.
With all the storage I need and rugged good looks, the jacket is functional, comfortable, and perfect for overlanding. The dry bag is essential as the jacket is not waterproof or water-resistant. Despite this, the Adventure jacket is never far from reach, no matter the weather (except for deep, Northern Hemisphere winters). Again, the benefit of being mosquito repellent is a major advantage.
$240
Craghoppers Men’s Nosilife Cargo II Shorts
A good pair of shorts is essential when on the tropical trail, and the Nosilife Cargo II offers excellent hot-climate performance. These low-maintenance, go-anywhere cargo shorts are mosquito repellent and anti-odor with a European-style fit, a part-elasticated waist, and nine pockets. The right-side hip pocket is complemented by a second zip-up security pocket which is perfect for carrying a wallet or mobile phone in areas where you require security against theft or loss. The left thigh pocket also features a second security pocket and a dry bag for those unexpected wet adventures. While snug, the shorts are never restrictive, and the one repair after years of use was a replacement waist button. The only design feature which is not entirely necessary is the two clipped hip belt loops which tend to pop open.
$80
Conclusions
Craghoppers offers a range of clothing that offers exceptional value, good looks, and excellent functionality. For overland travel, we find the range of apparel impressive as these items tend to be lightweight, compact for storage, difficult to dirty, simple to clean, and quick to dry. And by reducing laundry on the road, we save resources, time, and energy. The technology invested in the materials is simply astonishing, and you will be amazed by how long and well the clothing will serve you.
Public Service Announcement: To avoid the problem of incorrect fit when purchasing online, we encourage buyers to make use of the size guide available on the Craghoppers website. Take time to measure yourself and buy according to your exact size.
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