Why We Chose The Sprayway Torridon Jacket: Perfect for rainy days on the hill, cool retro-styling, a classic reborn.
Originally launched in 1988, the Sprayway Torridon quickly rose through the ranks so that by the mid-nineties it had well and truly established iconic status in the UK hillwalking scene. If your mum didn’t have one of these for her outdoor strolls, you can guarantee that your dad, almost certainly, did.
For 2019, Sprayway have brought the Torridon back to life; modernising it in the process so that its fit for purpose in a present day context. The purple, green, and yellow colourway, which immediately brings to mind Britpop and the Manchester rave scene of the nineties, is still here. So’s the keep-you-dry Gore-Tex, albeit with a 21st century update. Squint your eyes at it from across the room and you might even believe that Sprayway have just rooted about in their cupboards, and dug out an old Torridon that was collecting dust.
“The jacket originates from the rainiest place on Earth (also known as Manchester)”
We don’t intend that as a criticism of the new Torridon. Instead, see it more as a testament to Sprayway’s admirable “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach that means the jacket is updated in the places it needs to be without sacrificing what made the original so great in the first place. Everything your parents loved about this waterproof jacket is still here, except it’s just better now. So much better.
The jacket utilises the latest 3-layer Gore-Tex PFC-free technology, and comes equipped with a durable 75D recycled polyester outer face. A fully adjustable stormproof hood, meanwhile, combined with the double storm flap means the Torridon is built to properly keep the elements out on those wet and wild days in the hills. This is especially apt when you consider the jacket originates from the rainiest place on Earth (also known as Manchester).
Other useful features include long underarm ventilation with waterproof zips, an internal valuables pocket, Velcro cuffs and a drawcord at the hem. There are also two huge zipped handwarmer pockets that can be accessed when you’re wearing a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness.
The new Torridon will relaunch in winter 2019 and has been built with Sprayway’s ‘Function First’ ethos at its heart; an ethos, it’s worth pointing out, that stems all the way back to 1974 when founders John and Simon set up Sprayway above a Mancunian launderette. From a tiny seed grows the mightiest of waterproof coats, and all that. Great jacket, this. Really great.
