Lady Venture Waistcoat  

Customer Reviews

1. So glad I found this item Review by Lynne Webster

   As I have become a more committed birder I was getting steadily more annoyed with how inadequate most women's jackets are for carrying all the items that a day's birding trip might need - field guide, notebook and pen, maps, gloves, hat and scarf for if it turns cold, iTouch (with bird sounds app), phone, muesli bar etc etc. These were all stuffed into a small rucksack, which tended to get in the way all the time when getting in and out of hides, bending down to look through scopes and so on. I looked with envy at the jackets the male birders were wearing, with all those handy pockets, but they would have swamped a small person like me.
   
   I am so glad I found this Venture waistcoat - all the pockets a girl could wish for, and a shaped fit! Medium size was roomy enough to fit over a fleece on a blustery hill walk, and snug enough over just a T shirt on a warmer day. I love it - and I didn't see anything remotely similar from any other supplier. (Posted on 30/12/2011)

2. Great find! Review by Foxilein

   I was after a lightweight waistcoat for ages and stumbled across the Country Innovation Website by accident. I'm glad I did...
   The item arrived quickly, fits perfectly and is very flattering. The numerous pockets are functional and make carrying an additional bag around redundant. I can highly recommend it. (Posted on 03/08/2011)

3. For a more flattering fit for the female birder Review by Birds Illustrated Autumn 2009

   Hilary Cromack tested the Lady Venture and was full of praise for the design and tailoring, as an elasticated back panel helps shape the waistcoat to fit the female form more accurately than the previous unisex model. Two shaped side panels in a darker olive green help to create a slimmer effect.
   
   The absence of breast pockets is a noticeable difference between the men’s and women’s versions, but there is still plenty of stowage space. Like the men’s garment, there are hand-warmer type pockets behind the main outer pockets and a specific compartment for a mobile phone. Other features are common to both the men’s and women’s garments.
   
   Reviewed by Hilary Cromack Birds Illustrated Autumn 2009
   
   (Posted on 07/09/2009)

4. Lightweight, comfortable and stylish Review by Birdwatch Magazine Jul 09

   The first thing most women ask after an accident is where their handbags are. In the face of such bag addiction it's hard to see where Country Innovation is going with its new multi-pocketed Lady Venture Waistcoat, designed especially for women. But the fact is that birding with a bag is a hassle - and with all the kit you need, going without one is impossible. And that's where this new waistcoat comes in.
   
   From a practical point of view the waistcoat is similar to the men's version (see Steve Young's review in the August 2009 issue): the same 13 pockets, a collar to prevent binocular and camera straps rubbing, lightly padded shoulders to provide comfort if carrying a tripod and a fob to keep those keys safe. All of which are extremely useful.
   
   I rely on public transport, so everything I need I have to carry with me, and I found the pockets to be plentiful and roomy enough to hold everything I might want - camera, field guide, notebook, pen, water and a couple of tasty snacks. The security pockets, especially, are a great idea, keeping my purse, mobile phone and Travelcard safe whether I was ensconced in a hide or trudging through the undergrowth.
   
   Where the Lady Venture differs from the men's waistcoat is cut and colour. Country Innovation has tried to create a stylish, more feminine garment, and while you won't see it at this year's London Fashion Week, it's certainly no slouch in the looks department. The women's waistcoat comes in a lighter shade of green than the men's, with darker green side panels. An elasticated section across the back gives a more fitted look, making for a slimmer, more flattering silhouette, as they say in the fashion mags.
   
   Overall, I was impressed with the waistcoat. It is lightweight and comfortable to wear, the many pockets make it very functional, and it doesn't look half bad either.
   
   Rebecca Armstrong (Posted on 25/07/2009)