Country Innovation Rover Jacket - £325
One of the unique attributes of the Country Innovation Rover Jacket is the double-layered Ventile material from which it is constructed. 100% cotton, the fabric originally came about during World War II, with its wind and water-repellent properties proving to be highly useful in the manufacture of fighter pilot suits.
Country Innovation recognised the benefits of using a natural fabric that's wind and weatherproof while still breathable, and integrated it into some of its latest products.
The jacket is surprisingly light given its overall bulk, and – with its careful craftsmanship and attention to detail in terms of the design – feels like it's really built to last. Available in men's and women's versions, it features a longer cut for extra protection from inclement weather, with drawstring waist and hem adjustment to ensure a snug fit.
During one particularly torrential downpour, we really appreciated the generously-sized, detachable hood, which features several points for adjustment and a wired peak.
Coupled with the Moleskin-lined high collar on the jacket and the high front-fastening on the hood itself, you can easily protect almost the entirety of your face from the wind and rain.
The jacket offers a decent selection of pockets – both internally and externally – with zips on some for any items that require a bit of extra security. The remaining compartments feature water-repellent flaps and – particularly in the case of the two lower front pockets – are well-proportioned and offer useful fleece-lined side access too.
The one drawback is that the top opening is rigid (rather than being elasticated or expandable), so can't accommodate really bulky items such as a pro camera body. However, they're generous enough to take most medium-sized lenses/ flashguns.