Craghoppers Adds Stretch To Its Gore-Tex

The new stretchy Craghoppers Reiko Jacket.

This is the new for this autumn Craghoppers Reiko Jacket, it's their top-of-the-range Gore-Tex waterproof and it's a first in that it uses four-way stretch Gore-Tex fabric technology which is apparently exclusive to the brand.

If you're wondering how you can have four-way stretch in a three-dimensional world, we hear what you're saying. The whole two-way, three-way, four-way stretch thing is confusing, but as we understand it, it means the fabric should stretch in any direction as against two-way stretch, which is normal in one plane, but stretches in another, so it might have sleeves that can stretch lengthways, but not in girth. Or something like that.

The Reiko, anyway, is a top-end walking jacket which uses stretch panels for optimum fit and mobility. It also features waterproof zips, a fixed, fully-adjustable hood, two big OS map-compatible Napoleon pockets, twin hand-warmer pockets and a zipped inner pocket plus a brushed chin guard for chin comfort.

Because it uses a two-layer fabric with a separate drop liner, the Reiko isn't the lightest jacket out there, but at a claimed 710g it's not ridiculously heavy either.

Price is £250 more information at www.craghoppers.co.uk.