We send Scotland's favourite social media users on a mission: to test Sealskinz products to their limits. What did they think?
Whether they headed to Glen Coe, a windswept Argyll beach or even to the light-kissed lands of Norway, our photographers put Sealskinz to the test. Do you own a Sealskinz product? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Rab Ritchie(@itsrab) | Product: Waterproof beanie | Where: Glen Coe
‘Our quest to find out how good the Sealskinz hat was started in the Scottish Highlands. The great herdsman of Etive was waiting at the entrance to Glen Coe, drumming up wind, rain and the great mood the glen always seems to enjoy. The perfect recipe to put this beanie to the test.
The first thing you notice when putting on the hat is the rustle of the waterproof, windproof interior lining. You might be put off by this if you are trying it on in a store. Persevere though, and you’ll be thankful for the protection it brings. It sits on the head nicely, covering your forehead and ears.
Often with a layer of protection like this, you’d start to get hot pretty quickly. The Sealskinz in this situation, however, proved to be breathable. There were no sweaty brows! Gale force winds and rain didn’t seem to penetrate the beanie at all in the glen… Despite the best efforts of the Scottish weather!’
David Sutherland (@_dsutherland_) | Product: All Season Glove | Where: Tinto Hill
‘I tested the gloves on Tinto Hill and the conditions were extremely windy, with periodic heavy showers and sunny intervals.
I found the gloves provided excellent protection against both wind and rain. The wind was particularly biting on the day I tested them and there was a marked difference in the warmth compared to the existing gloves in my kit.
I especially liked the fact that you could still use your phone with them on due to the touchscreen compatibility.
I’ve since used the gloves in my job as an ecologist. It’s great to have a product I don’t need to worry about when working around water!’
Eilidh Cameron (@eilidh__cameron) | Product: Cable knit beanie
‘I really like this hat. I wore it to the beach when it was incredibly cold and windy and it kept my head warm and dry… it’s a proper cosy hat! The only thing I would say is that the sizes are quite small. The one I’m wearing in the photo is an extra large and it fitted me fine. However, a few of my friends have tried it on and it was too small for them. My advice? Go up a size!’
Ross Dickie (@ross.dickie) | Product: Dragoneye Gloves | Where: Isle of Skye
I took my pair of Dragoneye gloves on a recent photography trip to the Isle of Skye, testing them out in a variety of weather conditions. They shielded my hands from the winds at Neist Point, and kept them dry as I scrambled through the snow to the Old Man of Storr. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of the gloves, and they helped keep my shutter-finger warm for the duration of the trip. My only criticism would be that, contrary to the product description, I found it impossible to use my touchscreen phone whilst wearing the gloves.'
Marc Pickering (@lochgmarcp) | Product: Waterproof socks | Where: Norway
'I was a bit unsure about 'waterproof' socks when I received them. As someone who works outside every day, it sounded a bit mythical! But I took them with me to Norway on holiday. This photo is from the night I tested them. It was -23c and I was in trainers. I was totally amazed at how warm and dry they kept my feet while I was shooting the aurora. It was like I was wearing my walking boots. A great product!'
Mark Leitch (@marcus010) | Product: All season glove | Where: Ben Vrackie
'I tested my Sealskinz gloves on a cold winter climb up Ben Vrackie near Pitlochry last month. That day it was so cold that the loch 1500 feet up at the base of the mountain had completely frozen over. It was incredibly bitter.
'To my surprise - as well as keeping me warm - I couldn't believe how dry the gloves were. Using my ice axe on ascent scrambling through the snow they remained dry throughout. It was this protection from cold moisture more than anything that would make me recommend the Sealskinz gloves to any passionate climber or mountaineer.'
