We popped over to see Manchester-based gear guys Sprayway
the other day and took a quick look at their latest kit. We've
already told you about their interesting new wired
clothing, but we thought you might also like a look at what
they have coming out in the next month or so in their spring/summer
2007 range.
Fading Jackets And Pants
Sprayway is using something called Pigment Print for some
of their range of clothing this spring in both waterproof and
non-waterproof fabric. It's a way of applying dye to fabric so that it
fades through washing and wearing - think denim - to give a faded
look to the fabric. There's around 20 per cent fade in the first
wash.
It actually looks really cool in the flesh and means you can have
a subtly different waterproof shell jacket. What's more the treatment
doesn't have any drawbacks as far as the performance of the garment
goes.
The men's version is called the Evolution and the women's
is the Mica. Both use Sprayway's own brand hydro/dry
waterproof and breathable fabric and retail for £100. Subtly
different and nicely cut too with a detachable hood. Great for round
town or general use we reckon. Apologies to Sprayway's Nick Purcell,
the latest victim of our strange ability to take truly unflattering
photos, sorry Nick.
As well as the waterproofs, you'll also be able to find technical
pants in the Lifewear range using the same fading process.
Great Budget Waterproofs
We were also very impressed with Sprayway's sub-£100
waterproof shell jackets. To be honest, at £80, you expect quite
a basic jacket, but the Illusion - below - and Mirage
jackets, for men and women respectively, turn that on its head.
Using hydro/dry in a two-ply version with stretch no less, they
have the sorts of features you'd expect from far more expensive kit.
That includes a detachable hood with stealth chin-guards for better
looks and facial protection, wired peak and even a lazer-cut chesty
pocket. The fabric has a lovely soft feel too. Looks like a great
value general waterproof. Just about the only downside is the weight,
a relatively hefty 890 grammes odd.
The new jacket falls into the same price bracket as the company's
best-selling Hydrolite jacket. That's a neat 510-gramme beast
with an incredible specification for the money - this is the company
that made the first £100 Gore-Tex jacket remember.
The Hydrolite uses a two-and-a-half ply hydro/dry flex fabric with
stretch, is cut with a neat drop tail and features a removable and
packable hood with wired peak, lazer cut chest pockets, articulated
sleeves and more. A lot of jacket for £80 and in the current
range - women's above.
Also impressive are the
£150 Phantom Sew Free
and
Spectre Sew Free jackets
picured above. As you
may have guessed from the name, they're made using welded seam
technology that reduces weight and bulk making for a 510-gramme
jacket.
The fabric is Sprayway's own-brand Hydro/dry Plus in a three-ply
version and again you're getting lazer-cut pockets, removable ZAP
hood with wired peak and lots more. Again it looks stunning and the
price is impressive for a fully welded garment. Again it's in the
current range.
Kid's Stuff
Sprayway has a wide range of children's outdoor clothing and fresh
out for this spring is some amazing stuff called Energlo. It's
a glow in the dark waterproof and breathable fabric that absorbs
natural light during the day then uses it to glow in the dark.
It's self-powered rather than reflective and was inspired by
'bioluminescence' in deep sea creatures, it says here. The new
Wombat Packaway is fully waterproof and has Energlo panels
incorporated into it. Here's how they look in a darkened room with
just a minimal charge from artificial light...
And here's the same jacket without the Redybrek effect in normal
light.
Gore-Tex for Kids
This is a peak into the future as it's not out until this autumn,
but Sprayway is launching the first Gore-Tex jacket for kids that we
know of.
It's a two-layer Gore-Tex shell jacket called the Cougar TL
and available for both boys and girls. Price is going to be £70
and it looks spot on.
You can find full details of the current Sprayway range at
www.sprayway.com. Coming soon, details of Mountain Equipment's
latest kit. And look, it really is Gore-Tex :-)
