Sprayway Arista Pro Shell Waterproof Jacket for Women
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Arista Pro Shell Waterproof Jacket for Women $Sprayway Gore-tex Pro Shell$ Vital Statistics: Colours: Raspberry, Black Sizes: 8-18 Weight: 333 gms SRP: £160.00

Arista Pro Shell Waterproof Jacket for Women

$Sprayway Gore-tex Pro Shell$

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Raspberry, Black

Sizes:
8-18

Weight:
333 gms

SRP:
£160.00

Sprayway says:"Waterproof, lightweight, packable jacket suitable to a variety of outdoor activities and travel"

Features to Note:

2 layer construction based on Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric
Wire peaked two way volume adjustable hood
Water resistant zip
Large zipped mesh venting/storage pockets
Articulated sleeve for forward movement
Adjustable hem drawcord

In-use Test:

I've worn the Sprayway Arista Pro Shell Jacket for Women (with breathable base and mid-layers and the Arista Pro Shell Pant for Women) on several day's walking in the Peak District during the Autumn. On these trips the weather has been predominantly showery and windy.

One of the benefits Gore-Tex claim for the the Pro Shell fabric (when compared to the ubiquitous XCR which it replaced late 2007) is a reduction in weight and bulkiness. And this is certainly the case, the Arista Pro is very light-weight and packs down easily into its stuff-sack. The lining is also smoother and glides more easily over other layers.

As expected, it certainly kept me dry during the wind-swept and rainy periods of the trips. For the most part, I did find the breathability to be perfectly adequate.

However, there were a few periods of more intense activity when - as someone who does tend to 'run-hot' - I would have liked some additional ventilation options (eg pit-zips). The only means of gaining some additional ventilation is by opening the front zip or the side pockets.

The overall fit is good (I'm female, 5'7", average build and was wearing the size 12/M) and the jacket includes a good size, adjustable hood complete with face-guard which fastens really snugly. There are two side pockets which are accessible even when wearing a belted backpack. Alas though, there isn't another pocket large enough to take a folded OS map ....!

I've subjected the jacket to periods of walking through some quite scratchy, overgrown vegetation and so far there's been no sign of this on the jacket at all. So - despite the very thin and light-weight feel of the fabric, it appears to be quite durable.

Buying Advice:

A fantastically light-weight, water-proof jacket that will work very well as the waterproof layer in a variety of conditions. It's quite pricey but if you need a good level of performance - and you're a Gore-Tex afficionado - then consider the Arista Pro Shell Jacket for Women for that (small) space in your back-pack.

What do you think?

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