Country Innovations Raptor Gilet

Once loaded up, multi pocket waistcoats are subjected to some serious strain, particularly where pockets are joined to the garment. The Raptor’s rip stop weave and the reinforced stitching in stress areas all go to provide the strength to combat this strain.

There are a fantastic 15 pockets and, unlike some waistcoats on the market, all of these are of a useful size: the two upper bellows pockets have press studded flaps and incorporate two pen slots.

Then there are the two really big vertical zippered pockets which are the size of the whole of the upper part of the garment… easily large enough for birdguides, notebooks etc. But of particular note are the lower pockets – six in all! Each of these lower bellows pockets has an inner zippered security pocket and side entry pockets to put your hands in, but the really clever bit is that the top opening of these pockets has been elasticated to not only be able to create a bigger opening (opens to approx. 15cm) but also to again take the strain off where the pocket joins the garment. Finally there are the large external and internal rear pockets and three inner pockets (one of which is ideal for phone or pager), to take the total tally to 15.

What a Waist

Additional features include the padding in the shoulders for comfort when carrying heavy loads, and shoulder epaulettes to secure binocular/camera straps. A two way main zip means that the Raptor can be undone from the bottom for ease of movement and additional ventilation, and the side adjusters can be pulled in for a neater fit. A rear pleat gives that little bit of extra room across the back and the slightly longer scalloped back is of a good length for comfort. The Raptor is available in sizes S, M, L, XL at £125 and XXL, XXXL.