Jack Pyke Weardale Knitted Jacket

I’ve become a real fan of Jack Pyke shooting kit over the last decade or so, and so have several shooting friends, and it’s really no mystery as to why. Okay, as a brand, the company maintains a fairly bold high profile, with wide advertising and good product recognition in shooting circles. But their success surely lies in getting the basic rights; and for that, read listening to customers, and processing feedback.

The bottom line for any business is all about making products that people want to buy, offering both quality and value for money, and the Weardale Knitted Jacket, on show here, is a classic example of what you can expect from this most vibrant of brands.

Style & substance

I get hot quite easily when out shooting, so any kit I buy, whether for summer or winter, needs to be finely balanced. The Weardale is best described as cosy yet versatile, and the 100% polyester material from which it’s made is wonderfully soft yet, all importantly, not too thick. My jacket came supplied in Brown, but it’s also available in Green, in the usual wide band of sizes, right up to XXXL.

Stylish and functional is clearly the remit, and the combination of what Jack Pyke term ‘softshell contrast panels’ and finely knitted fleece, works well. There’s a full-length front zip (double puller style), two wide lower zipped hand pockets, a handy zipped chest pocket, and elasticated cuffs for added cosiness when required. Attention to detail is something that this brand has become synonymous with, and here that sees soft lined internal pockets included, and the Jack Pyke name neatly picked out on the back of the neck.

Jack Pyke use the term casual or activewear, and that sounds about right when describing the Weardale. For this jacket is both smart and supremely comfortable, yet the softshell panels offer not only reinforcement, but a level of flexibility that every sportsman needs when indulging in outdoor activities. Add in that stand-up collar, and there’s trendy credentials to be taken into account too.

All occasions

I’ve got several garments tucked away which have semi-thermal properties, and whilst attractive, they simply won’t get a look in outside of the winter months. The Jack Pyke Weardale is a great compromise. It looks great, and is something that can be equally at home, donned for a late evening outdoors, or worn as an under-garment underneath the heavy artillery – come the dark and cold.

Well up to Jack Pyke’s usual standard, with that level of detail that wins them so many friends, it’s a quality jacket, designed to be used, feels great, and looks the part into the bargain.