Dear Ms Chilvers!

I am a retired soldier and I now write full-time. I have purchased several of your products over the past year and have now gone through different seasons using Country Innovation gear. I own a Rover, Falcon, Harrier and several of the fleeces. I have just bought a Lady Falcon jacket for my wife. I do regular long distance hill and field walking in preparation of some planned future mountaineering excursions. Because I have quite a severe injury suffered during a war that very often causes me severe discomfort and pain, I simply cannot compromise on clothing. Some of the newer clothes designs tend to be “sharp edged” and quite tight fitting.
The Country Innovation gear is “round edged” and loose fitting and the fabrics are really impressive. I have used many different types of clothing and operational uniforms under very often arduous conditions over the past 30 years in hot desert, tropical, mountain and ice conditions especially in North Canada, Russia and China. I have to say that your garments stand out as some of the very best I have ever seen and used. The finish is especially impressive.

I am now planning to purchase the Ventile Smock and have already started talking to your most helpful staff about this. I always ask many questions regarding each item that I order and I have to say your personnel are always helpful, very patient and deliveries are always on time.

Many thanks again for your excellent products and the innovative way in which you present your enterprise.
Kind regards

Peter.. (Posted on 17/02/2009)

Dealing with wet weather is a fact of life for British and North European birdwatchers, but if you've got the right gear, you can brave the elements with only a minimal impairment of your birdwatching pleasure.

Country Innovation was the first company to examine the birding market and develop products in the best fabrics and colours to meet our specific needs. Earliest jackets were made in Ventile, a specially woven cotton fabric that forms a breathable, rustle-free waterproof barrier when exposed to rain.

While perfect for the worst winter conditions, many birders found Ventile garments too heavy and warm for use in other seasons, so lighter products have now been introduced to the Country Innovation range. I've been testing the Falcon jacket and trousers for the past three months and am not surprised that they are the company's best selling products.

This year has been the windiest I can remember for a long time, so having a lightweight, breathable but windproof barrier has been a great asset. The Falcon jacket is made from an olive green soft polycotton fabric with a waterproof membrane bonded onto the lining material, which minimises rustling noise.

Country Innovation clearly states that the Falcon material is not as robust as other products in its range, but it scores in terms of wearer comfort. The cut of the jacket is generous, allowing you to wear several layers underneath and to move your arms up and down without restriction.

I like the fact the hood is detachable. It features a wired peak plus high front fastening as well as a drawcord, so you can achieve a very close fit when the weather is at its worst. Lastly you can use a draw string to adjust the volume of the hood, handy if you don't always wear a cap or wooly hat.

There's plenty of carrying capacity with a large internal zipped pocket and security pocket, plus two capacious bellows pockets. These are protected by flaps secured by press studs on the outside. During testing I found that when the press-studs were not secured, there was a tendency for the metal parts to click together as I moved.

Three evenly-spaced press studs are provided at the cuffs to stop water and wind getting into the sleeves and there are drawstring adjusters at both the waist and hem to ensure the snugest of fits.

Men's sizes range from small to XXL (the largest size costs £10 more than the basic £125 models) and all represent great value for money. A more tailored version of the Falcon is available for women in sizes ranging from small to XL.

David Cromack editor of Birds Illustrated magazine August 2008 issue.. (Posted on 17/02/2009)