Coming later this year from Sprayway, waterproof shell jackets with integrated controls for an iPod, plus a full-on technical shell designed to be used with a two-way radio.
We popped over to see the nice people at Sprayway yesterday
and while we'll be telling you what's new from them in the next month
or so, we couldn't resist looking a bit further into the future and
giving you a scoop look at their 'Wearable Electronics' shell
jackets.
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Due in the shops in late summer, there are two jackets in the range.
A neat, lifestyle-friendly waterproof that has integrated controls to
work with an
Apple iPod and a proper high mountain shell
designed to work seamlessly with a
two-way radio.
They're both very neat and, in their own way, very cool, not that
we're shallow or owt like that...
Lyric and Opus iPod Jackets
The names are a bit of a clue to their nature - Lyric is
the women's version, Opus is for the fellas. They're both
neatly-cut, all-round waterproof, breathable, hooded shell jackets
made from Sprayway's own Hydro-dry two-layer fabric in a range of
subtle, urban-friendly colours and with a nice, herringbone face on the
fabric.
What makes them different is that just above the left cuff,
there's an inegrated joystick control that's linked by an integrated
and washable wire to an internal pocket which houses the iPod.
A removable connector means you can control the volume and track
choice using the joy-stick, while earphones are routed through neat
guides in the general direction of your ears.
The Sprayway jackets aren't unique, there are similar garments
available for boarders for example, but the projected
£180 price tag is a lot less than anything comparable. No,
it's not an outdoor essential, but it's a super-neat idea and ideal
if you habitually wire up for the outdoors. Like we said, available
late summer.
Icefall and Convect Radio Jackets
At the other end of the spectrum are the women's Icefall
and men's Convect shell jackets which are designed to allow
easy use of two-way radios for mountain communication.
They're both highly-specced full-on mountain jackets using a new
type of Gore-Tex called Pro-Shell which allows them to weigh in at
around 600 grammes complete with fully-adjustable wired hood,
reinforced wear areas, double storm flap and four external
pockets.
What makes them different is that they incorporate a special 'Push
To Talk' module which sits just below the chin-guard of the jacket
and houses both the PTT button and a microphone and speaker. The
radio itself is housed out of harm's way in an internal pocket.
If you've ever climbed using a two-way radio you'll know just how
handy they are for communication on windy, mountain routes when the
leader can disappear around a corner, but also what a faff they can
be to use while actually climbing.
We reckon these should do the job nicely and should go down well
with high tech mountaineers and instructors / guides. Price is
£300 for both men's and women's versions.
Add in a pack-top solar panel recharger for both jackets and
you're good to go we reckon...
Full details of the current Sprayway range at www.sprayway.com
