Rocky Grizzly & Mountain Jacket and Trousers

Rocky have always been known for its footwear, but over the last few years they have added to this with a range of clothing. The launch of their own pattern Backwoods Adrenalin series showed the world they can also make hi spec clothing as well as boots. What I have here are two separate suits called the Rocky and Mountain, so let’s get to it.

First up is the less expensive of the duo the Grizzly jacket and trousers. Manufactured from 100% Polyester the build is waterproof, windproof and breathable. To save on repetition, all garments share these attributes with a waterproof inner layer integrated into the design to achieve a high level of protection.

Keep It Simple

The inner of both garments has the black mesh lining familiar to what I’d term lighter inclement weather wear. To various degrees this lightness is something of a selling point for these two separate suits. Especially so the Grizzly as besides the liner there’s no padding, so don’t expect too much in the warmth department apart from what you wear underneath. The jacket features an integral hood with relatively small but adequate peak and side toggle fastened draw cord.

The front has a full length, single zip with overflap. This has a generous amount of press studs albeit a little on the small side but large enough to keep the ‘flap’ closed when required. The cuffs are elasticated and the jacket - though of a generous cut for ease of movement - is relatively short in a bomber-style. This in itself indicates it isn’t built for the harshest of weather. On the outer are two cargo pockets for stowage, with handwarmer slots behind. They close by one press stud on the flap; a nice touch is that they all have a light fleece lining.

Down below we have simple over-trousers with elasticated waistband and toggle fastening draw cord; the cuffs have press studs to close at the ankle. Though apparently a pull-over design I noted that there’s not a huge amount of room to get them over your boots. So if wearing high leg boots or if you’ve just got big feet you’ll most likely have to remove your footwear to put on the trousers.

Mountain

To some that’s no hardship, but come a sudden downpour not ideal. However, the bonus of the Grizzly ‘set’ is it’s so light it will easily pack down for transportation and will be of most use in inclement warmer weather.

Now to the higher spec Mountain suit. These are more substantial in build and manufactured from a technical material that Rocky calls PU. To me it’s a sort of stretchy ripstop, which is an unusual combination. The lining is 100% Polyester while there is a reasonable amount of Neoprene positioned at the inner collar and at the outer and inner cuffs. The jacket has an integral hood with peak but longer and therefore more useful than the Grizzly. Also for a more snug fit should the rain come; it uses a 3-way toggle adjustable drawcord to cinch it around the head and sides of the face.

Closure is by a heavy-duty double zip and stormflap with press studs. All are weatherproofed with the studs having finger-friendly rubberised outers. The cuffs can be adjusted by a wide Velcro strap and the ‘stretch’ Neoprene at this point really does help to prevent water ingress while at the collar the generous strip of inner Neoprene adds more protection, comfort and gives some warmth at this area.

Pockets

Externally there are two generous sized cargo pockets with double press stud fastening over flaps, behind are pass-through slots. On the upper breast are two, zip fastening diagonal hand warmers, which will hold smaller items, all are lined. Inside there’s a zip pocket that can securely hold keys or documents. The Mountain uses a parka style design with a slight fish tail at the rear. The lower hem has a drawcord that can be adjusted by two easy access toggle fasteners, as does the waist.

The trousers are as expected and of an over-type design and fully lined. They are well featured offering an elasticated waist band with belt loops, zip fly and press stud fastening. There are three pockets, all zip-closed with two at the front and one at the rear. All are lined and like the jacket all zips have Nylon pulls attached for ease of operation.

The lower legs have ¾-length zip openings that fasten at the ankle with a heavy duty press stud. Only one ‘setting’ but personally I found due to the stretch nature of the fabric they’ll suit almost any footwear.

To sum up; both sets offer a high quality build and suit the situations they’re designed for. The Mountain really endeared itself, as we’d had some awful weather while I was testing it. Also, the fact the material is so cleverly designed and the cut of the garments generous then they are amongst the most comfortable I’ve experienced.

However, though they offer total waterproof, windproof and have breathable attributes, you must be aware that the level of warmth is very much up to what you decide to wear underneath.

For: Useful, all-weather light weight designs
Against: Not a lot
Verdict: Well priced and effective designs

PRICES:
Grizzly jacket £59.95, trousers £44.95
Sizes: M - XXL

Mountain jacket £89.95, trousers £69.95
Sizes: S - XXL