I’ve been in the market for a new waterproof jacket for a while now. It’s a really big decision, and I’ve done a lot of research and thinking about which one to get. I was after something that was super waterproof and breathable but also looked great, was thin, lightweight and would hold up against extreme elements. Not all of these qualities are easy to find in one jacket. After much searching, I managed to find a jacket that fitted all of my desired features – The Guardian Jacket by Rohan.

 
About a week ago we took a trip to Plymouth to visit the Escape Rooms-a game where you get locked in a room for 1 hour and try to escape by solving the hidden clues and codes. After this awesome activity, we went for lunch in a nice restaurant before making our way to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park on the Cremyll Ferry. It was a particularly misty and rainy day so our long walk around the Country Park definitely put my new coat’s waterproof and breathable qualities to the test. The coat is perfect for braving the elements outside. However it didn’t look at all out of place whilst in the city, running around a room, trying to solve very confusing clues or at a sophisticated restaurant.

 
What I love about this coat is that it combines all the performance of a specialist, technical jacket with the sleek design and contempory style of highstreet fashion. Although you can walk down any street without looking like you’re about to climb Everest, the Guardian Jacket offers all the durability, comfort and waterproof protection that you’d expect from the best technical, outdoor coat. Importantly, this means that this coat works not only in sleek cities but in the roughest, wildest terrain possible.

 
The most critical part of a coat has to be the fabric. That’s what it’s all about! To make this coat, Rohan worked with industry experts to create their 3-layer Barricade fabric. Not only this but Barricade is high wicking, quick drying and highly breathable. The design has been carefully thought through to make it super waterproof too; the two outside pockets have water-resistant zips and the full length front zip is protected by a front flap offering even more protection and a clean appearance.

I really like the look and touch of the fabric and it has a nice matte appearance which gives the coat a very modern aesthetic. What’s even better is that it packs down to 515g, making it excellent for travel as it can be easily stored in your bag. This is definitely the coat to take on holiday with you.

 
The Guardian has an ergonomic cut that makes it perfect for active sports – hiking and cycling. This is because it offers an unimpeded freedom of movement. It has a simple single pull hood that is adjustable and offers an excellent, customisable fit and unrestricted vision. This is great in the wild and in the town- it rolls away into the collar for a smarter appearance.

I’d recommend the Guardian Jacket if you’re after something that is especially stylish and well tailored. They’ve used ultra slim seam seals and have purposefully reduced the number of seams. This gives the coat loads of great qualities, like making it lighter and more durable. With the design they’ve gone for a very elegant and simplistic style that will look good everywhere. There are no big, garish logos or multi-coloured panels. Just a great fitting, unbelievably waterproof and breathable blue jacket.

Update! How the Rohan Guardian Jacket did in Snowdonia…

I used the Rohan Guardian every day in Snowdonia and on our other travels in less rugged environments. It’s poppep up in lots of posts about our trip; to see how it performed, check it out in these articles:

Climbing Four Mountains
Trekking Up Snowdon
Altberg Boot Review
Easter Holidays and Alton Towers

 
After all of my raving about Rohan, my girlfriend decided to get a piece of the action and bought the Women’s Trail Hooded Top by Rohan. So for all you ladies, here is what she had to say about it:

“I absolutely love this hoody by Rohan, it’s perfect for when I’m climbing, running or cycling. Being very lightweight and not bulky at all, I was surprised to find how warm I feel when I wear it, which suits me perfectly during these colder months. It’s because of Rohan’s Minimal Layer fabric technology which keeps it so lightweight, whilst ensuring good insulating properties. The Trail Hoody even has something called Insect Shield Treatment, so will thankfully reduce any insect landings and bites. Even with all this magic going on inside the fabric, it still feels super soft to touch and wear as it is made with something called Dryknit polyester. It’s UPF 40+ so is great for sun protection. With this and its hood, I’ll feel very protected from the harmful rays.

It is so comfy to wear and I love the thumb holes in the sleeve too. A really fantastic and useful item of clothing added to my wardrobe. I’ve noticed it packs down really small in my bag, so I can easily carry it around with me whilst travelling, just in case. I’ve been wearing it a lot recently, especially when going for walks by the coast and climbing. An essential addition to my wardrobe!”