Henri Lloyd's Transition hard shell jacket, which made its public debut at the recent London Boat Show, could well be my ideal sailing jacket.
Perhaps it's because I remember the cold, sweaty plastic affairs that preceded today's warm, comfortable, breathable foul weather gear, but I'm famous for failing to put on my oilies until after I've got soaked. A light, windproof fleece is much more to my liking. But they do have their limitations - especially when the first wave goes down the back of the neck!
The Transition - aptly named because it comes half-way between full oilies and that fleece-lined zip-up ¬- uses Henri Lloyd's TP2 Alpha fabric technology, which the company claims provides totally waterproof and windproof protection. It is also highly breathable, with “active moisture transfer” which should stop it getting damp inside even when winching hard.
This lightweight and comfortable jacket also has what is claimed to be a “super durable” water repellent finish, which not only “maximises breathable performance” but also stops it getting heavier when it gets wet.
A lot of careful thought has gone into the design, which has a nice long back to keep out the draught. The hem can be adjusted from inside the zip fastening front pockets to make it even more windproof. There is a zip-fastening chest pocket, too. The front zip has a Velcro-secured storm flap, and comes right up under the chin to seal out the weather, with a soft lining flap to protect your skin from chafe.
The high collar has a zipped compartment with a fold-away peaked hood, again quickly and easily adjusted for a snug fit, even with cold fingers. The cuffs have Velcro adjusters, too, so if you get caught out in bad weather before you have time to put those oilies on, this jacket should keep you dry.
Even better, it will keep you warm as well, because it comes complete with a zip-in Transition soft shell vest. This cosy sleeveless, high-neck top can be worn on its own as a mid layer, or zipped into the Transition jacket to provide extra protection from the cold.
Using Henri Lloyd's water-resistant and windproof soft shell fabric, the vest has a long back like the jacket, complete with hem adjusters inside the two front zipped pockets. There is a zipped chest pocket as well, and like the jacket, the vest has a soft, comfortable liner in the collar to protect your chin from the top of the main zip.
Together the jacket and vest form the Transition Combi, which retails at £150, reasonable value for two great garments in one.
There is also a Transition soft shell jacket, with sleeves, which can be bought separately and is also designed to zip inside the hard shell jacket for even greater warmth when sailing in extreme conditions.
My only complaint about what seems an extremely welcome addition to the sailing wardrobe is that the Transition range comes in the colour palette inexplicably adopted by all the main sailing gear manufacturers this year: shades of grey.
OK, it may look cool and smart. And I've no problem with the soft shell vest liner being black. But the hard shell jacket is available only in light grey - rather impractical, and likely to get grubby if worn other than for posing in the bar - and “carbon”: almost black, and therefore almost invisible if you should fall overboard.
However, to make up for this, the jacket is well supplied with highly effective reflective strips, on all the pocket zips, including the hood, as well as style features on the front and sleeves. The vest too has a good reflective strip on the back of the neck.
These add to the attraction of a design which is smart to look at as well as ticking all the boxes for practicality and comfort.
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The two-for-the-price-of-one Transition Combi would make an extremely versatile addition to anyone's kitbag. Wear the two pieces together in the early and late parts of the season. Take out the vest and you've got a great lightweight waterproof for the warmer days of summer - and a handy windproof waistcoat, too! I expect I'll be wearing one or both parts of this clever ensemble just about every time I go on the water in 2007. I'll report back later on how well it stands up to that treatment.
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For more information visit www.henrilloyd.com
