Welcome to a Caravan Guard gear guide with a difference. Through the winter of 2022, we were putting a selection of outdoor jackets and trousers to the test –  thanks to the staff at Bishop Sutton Pre-School and Forest Club near Bristol, for their help in testing the gear for this article.

The small team of teachers here run a Forest Club for children every Thursday morning – whatever the weather – so they need gear that can perform in all temperatures, all-year-round.

Similarly, caravanners and motorhomers expect a good level of year-round performance from specialist outdoor jackets and trousers – hence the reasoning behind our testing regime.

Proof!

Every item has performed admirably in a mix of colder, wetter winter conditions. Read on for our advice on what to look for in outdoor clothing as well as how specific items have gone down so far

Top tips for buying outdoor jackets and trousers

• Weatherproof: As ever with weatherproof gear, there’s a balance to be struck between fabric breathability and degree of waterproofness. Ventilation zips and panels can help, too. If you really want to drill down into details, hydrostatic head and MVTR (moisture vapour transmission rate) information will guide you to how waterproof and breathable respectively a product is likely to be. Generally, the higher the numbers the better.
• Size matters: It’s not unusual to prefer a size above your normal wear when it comes to choosing jackets and trousers – just to give yourself extra room for manoeuvring and for layers of clothing.
• Learn the terms: As an example, water-resistant items won’t be as protective as those that claim to be fully waterproof (although they might be more breathable and hence more comfortable in hot conditions).
• Product details: Make sure any pockets are right for you in terms of location, size, accessibility, zip quality etc. Likewise, hood styles do vary, in terms of visibility and adjustability (if any), as well as whether the hood can be removed altogether or be used with a helmet for cycling.
• Sustainability counts: Increasingly, manufacturers are aware of being more environmentally friendly. Check labelling for claims regarding techniques and materials used, even amounts of water, in the manufacturing process. The Bluesign label, for example, provides independent proof of sustainability credentials.
• Go to the specialists: Just like shopping around for your leisure vehicle insurance, there’s no substitute for visiting specialist retailers and getting the best-possible advice, as well as the chance to compare and contrast a selection of gear. You can also try on products to see which fit you best – don’t forget, also, you might be wearing extra layers at different times of the year.

Star Player #1

Berghaus Hillwalker Interactive Jacket and Paclite Pants

An ideal walking/hiking/trekking jacket and waterproof overtrouser combination from Berghaus. The Hillwalker jacket benefits not just from Gore-Tex technology – making it fully waterproof as well as offering breathability so you won’t get too hot – but the fabric also has a ripstop function. That means less likelihood of tear damage to the fabric caused by getting entangled with gorse or similar vegetation.

The Paclites pants can, as their name suggests, be packed away in a backpack, ready for emergency use. They’re very light, too, at 233g. Their three-quarter side zips also means they’re easy to put on/take off, without any need to remove footwear etc.

Key features

Jacket: Two-layer Gore-Tex 2L shell, all fabric is PFC-free, roll-away hood, two lower pockets, weight 578g, three colour choices, sizes 8-20, Berghaus free repair service

Trousers: Gore-Tex shell fabric, Sizes 8-20, side zips, mesh pouch

Expect to pay £180 (jacket) and £130 (trousers)

Find out more: www.berghaus.com

Tester notes: “I’m no stranger to Berghaus jackets, they’ve always done me proud, but this (Hillwalker) is the best I’ve ever had… high marks for hood adjustability… comfortable and a top performer.

“(Paclite pants) are ideal to have packed away ready for any change in the weather…conveniently small pack size, too… so far, completely waterproof.”

Star Player #2

Sprayway Marsco Jacket and All Day Rainpant

Keen pricing allied to great performance is the promise from this pairing. The Marsco jacket, in a choice of four colours, claims to be fully waterproof, thanks to Sprayway’s HydroDRY – a two-layer Oxford polyester fabric. Comfort comes with the mesh and taffeta lining that will also wick away unwanted moisture.

The All Day Rainpant comes in black only, but a great choice of sizes. It benefits from exactly the same fabric technology, with polyamide for easier stretching. They can be worn over a base layer or on their own.

Key features

Jacket: Adjustable cuffs (hook-and-loop) and hem (shockcord), adjustable grown-on hood, two zipped pockets, internal pocket, sizes 8-20, typical weight 450g

Trousers: Sizes 8-18 with three different leg lengths, semi-elasticated waist with belt loops, zipped front fly with button opening, two zipped hand pockets, typical weight 330g, machine washable

Expect to pay £90 (jacket) £90 (trousers)

Find out more: www.sprayway.com

Tester notes : (Marsco) “The integrated hood’s wired peak means lots of adjustment (ideal for keeping your eyes on the children!)… I really liked the long zips for the side pockets and the adjustable hem, but an inner pocket wouldn’t have gone amiss

(Rainpant) “Very comfortable…happy to wear them all day… I see it says these aren’t really for winter use, but I had no problems keeping warm enough!”

Star Player #3

Keela Pinnacle Jacket and Nevis Trousers

Designed for anything up to mountain use, and across all seasons, Keela’s Pinnacle jacket comes in threes – a three-layer hard shell that’s waterproof, windproof and breathable.

Designed for mountain professional use, so you know it can take the toughest conditions, it uses Keela’s own Aquaflex Extreme – a three-layer fabric with a tougher outer finish – along with handy features such as under-arm zips (for optimum ventilation when needed).

The water-resistant Nevis trousers are also for all-season/trekking use, benefiting from Keela’s Stretch-Tec fabric, which includes Lycra, with added reinforcement panels for key areas.

Key features

Jacket: Three colour choices, sizes 8-20, typical weight 450g, two zipped hip pockets, two upper pockets, adjustable hem and cuffs, water-resistant front zip, chin guard

Trousers: Two colour choices, sizes 8-20, two zipped hip pockets, side leg ventilation, front fly zip with snap fastening, ankle zips

Expect to pay £184.95 (jacket) £69.95 (trousers)

Find out more: www.keelaoutdoors.com

Tester notes : “The hood is helmet-compactible, I’ve been using this (Pinnacle) jacket out cycling… really like the quality here…

“These (Nevis trousers) feel so comfortable, I really could wear them all day… really liked the stretchiness of the fabric…and the adjustable waistband…zipped pockets like these are a must.”

Star Player #4

Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak Jacket and Rainy Day Pants

Made wholly from recycled materials, the Highest Peak Jacket also comes in a huge choice of colours. More important is the performance of its three-layer Texapore Pro stretch fabric, for high waterproof, windproof and breathability levels.

The Rainy Day Pants are pack-away overtrousers made from Texapore Core fabric, with hook-and-loop cuffs so you can put them on extra quickly without having to take off any footwear first.

Key features

Jacket: 11 colour choices, sizes 6-20, adjustable hood, waterproof zips, typical weight 360g (size 6), machine washable

Trousers: Sizes XS-XXL, supplied with pack bag, typical weight 170g (size M), machine washable

Expect to pay £200 (jacket) £65 (trousers)

Find out more: www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk

Tester notes : “I’ve had a Jack Wolfskin coat for many years, so when the chance came up for another (Highest Peak) I leapt at it…no complaints at all…I do like its light weight…

“(Rainy Day) pants are straightforward, easy-wearing, seem very waterproof… small pack-away size…very light.”

Star Player #5

Craghoppers Caithness Jacket and Kiwi Pro II Winter Lined Trousers

A longer length jacket, Craghoppers’ Aquadry fabric for the Caithness is a polyester typically made from some 130 recycled PET bottles per coat. It also comes with a layer of insulating wadding.

The Kiwi Pro Winter Lined trousers are in Black (here) or Graphite colours, and again the fabric is sourced from recycled materials, with added stretch and a brushed lining for comfort, while its SolarShield layer gives UPF40+ protection from the sun’s UV rays.

Key features

Jacket: Sizes 8-24, choice of five colours, adjustable grown-on hood, seven pockets, typical weight 930g, PFC-free, guaranteed for life warranty

Trousers: Sizes 8-20 with three leg length choices for each, anti-insect fabric, three zipped pockets, heel tape, typical weight 460g

Expect to pay £135 (jacket) £75 (trousers)

Find out more: www.craghoppers.com

Tester notes: “That extra lining in the (Caithness) may add a bit of bulk but it makes it feel soooo cosy… the longer length makes it even cosier… great having so many pockets…

“The third, back pocket in the (Kiwi Pro trouser) is handy…there’s no elastication at the waist so a belt is pretty much essential…the main fabric has just enough stretch to make for easy movement.”

Star Player #6

Montane Phase Jacket and Pac Plus XT Pant

Phase is a highly waterproof three-layer, 40 denier Gore-Tex jacket with a longer than normal back and a two-way front zip (i.e. it can be opened and closed from the top as well as the bottom).

The Pac Plus XT Pant proved a perfect complement. Made from two-layer, 150 denier Gore-Tex, the long side zips make them particularly easy to put on/take off (and you can keep your footwear on) as well as the facility to partially open them for ventilation. Plus, the end of each leg has a section of hardwearing Kevlar-based product that’s been proven in the motorcycle gear world.

Key features

Jacket: Sizes 8-16, choice of three colours, fully taped seams, YKK Aquaguard front zip and internal storm flap, two zipped hand pockets, internal map pocket, grown-on hood with adjustment and wired peak, adjustable hem

Trousers: 150 denier nylon with Schoeller Peprotec Kevlar insteps, fully taped seams, elasticated waistband with adjustable drawcord, typical weight 325g (size 10)

Expect to pay £300 (jacket) £170 (trousers)

Find out more: www.montane.com

Tester notes: “A little thing, but the loop is so practical for hanging the (Phase jacket) when wet…and the zipped inside pocket will just take a (smaller model) iPhone… These (Pac Plus XT pants) are brilliant…I love the features like the two-way rainproof side zips and ankle adjustment…quality and durability seem excellent…”

Over to you…

Got any advice on outdoor jackets and trousers you’d like to pass on to fellow Caravan Guard blog readers? Please feel free to add a comment below.