Regatta Gets Polartec Fleece For 2004

We spent an interesting couple of days with Regatta in the Lake District last week.

The company's best known for its ubiquitous high street presence - in simple terms, it gets everywhere - but although it's often overlooked, the X-Ert performance part of the range is getting more capable and is well worth a look if you're after decent-performing kit on a tight budget.

To underline that, the company took the opportunity to announce a big coup on the fleece front. From late this summer, Regatta will be using Malden Mills Polartec fabrics in some of its higher specced fleeces and at a brilliant price too.

The fabrics in the range will be Polartecs standard 100 - 200 and 300-weight fabrics - none of the flash Thermal Pro yet - but the real killer is the pricing. You'll be able to get your hands on a 100-weight microfleece top for £30, a 200-weight standard mid-weight fleece for £40 and a superwarm, thick, 300-weight top for just 45 squid.

If your first reaction is along the lines of 'so what?' remember that a genuine Polartec mid-weight fleece would have set you back around £60 or more just a few years ago, so you're getting a pretty good deal.

More generally, X-Ert clothing is being cut closer this year for active use and styling is more modish with brighter colours and a neater look. One of their waterproof jackets even features pit-zips for heaven's sake.

No-one's pretending that the company's about to go head to head with Arc'Teryx, but things are definitely looking rosier for entry level mountain walkers. We've been using one of the top-end X-Ert jackets too and it's not half bad. More information in the next few days.

For general Regatta information, see their website.