Sprayway has been making outdoor clothing since 1974. Founded in Greater Manchester, with the Peak District on their doorstep, Sprayway is a brand that grew up on UK hills, in UK weather, designed and worn by people living in the UK. If you were walking in the 80s and 90s, there’s a good chance you would have seen a Sprayway jacket out on the hill. Most likely their Torridon Gore-Tex jacket, which was launched in 1988, since it was one of the most familiar sights on hills for over a decade.
Sprayway works on a simple idea it calls “Function First”: make a reliable, comfortable piece of outdoor clothing that does its job whilst making it accessible to as many walkers as possible. Today, that translates to a focused range of waterproof jackets, walking trousers, fleeces, shorts and t-shirts, which are the core layers most of us actually need for a day out hiking and walking in the UK.
We have stocked Sprayway in our Llanberis store since 2014 and in Beddgelert from the day our new store opened in 2021. All of our stores are based right in the heart of Eryri, we see first-hand who buys it, what they use it for and how it holds up over time. What follows is my honest take on whether it’s right for you.
Who Is Sprayway Best Suited To?
Sprayway is best suited to hikers and hill walkers, people who get out regularly, want comfortable weather protection and don’t need more technical kit built for alpine ridges or winter mountaineering.
Think valley walks, lakeside circuits, forest trails, coastal paths and the well-trodden hill routes that make up the majority of walking and hiking in the UK. In Eryri, that’s the kind of day you’d have on a low-level circuit or a walk up Snowdon on one of the popular paths in good conditions.
Sprayway is also a brand that works just as well off the hill. We’ve realised from customer feedback that many of our customers wear Sprayway clothing for the daily commute, walking the dog and a weekend in town just as often as on the trail. It’s understated enough that it doesn’t look out of place anywhere, and durable enough that customers aren’t overly precious about how often they wear it.
If you’re someone who walks a lot, wants outdoor kit you can rely on and would rather not pay for features you’ll never use. Sprayway is where we’d start in-store. The essentials like a Sprayway waterproof jacket and a pair of Sprayway waterproof trousers, will cover you for most of what the UK weather can throw at you, and only set you back around £200.
What’s impressed us over the years is that Sprayway’s quality is a better match for its price than you might expect, and you’re about to find out why.
Why Is Sprayway Good Value?
Sprayway really doesn’t try to be something it isn’t.
A lot of outdoor brands load their kit with features primarily designed for extreme conditions and competition:
- extra pockets
- heavy-duty or ultra light fabrics
- details built for climbing or high-altitude use
Which is brilliant if you need it but for mostly walking in the UK, you end up paying for things that you’ll never use.
Sprayway takes a different approach, their ethos is different. It focuses on what walkers genuinely need in the UK, which is staying dry, warm and comfortable. With Spraway you still get trusted technology where it counts, including Gore-Tex in some of their jackets, but at a price that sits attainably below the premium end of the market.
That’s the trade-off. You get an honest, well-made piece of kit at a fair price.
Let’s face it, when you get outdoor clothing that’s comfortable, practical and easy to wear every day it gets used and pays for itself many times over. Whether it’s a pair of black walking trousers or a fleece you end up living in, Sprayway is built to be worn and rarely looks out of place.
That said there are more affordable brands that we could stock but we feel like they don’t quite cut the mustard. We’ve a small team at Crib Goch Outdoor and our buyers only want to range stock they’d be confident selling to a friend, because they often do when working on the shop floor.
But if you’re looking for more technical clothing for things like climbing, alpine routes, trail running we would guide you towards other brands like Keela and Paramo who provide more niche options and alternatives for other outdoor activities and extremes of weather.
Sprayway is guaranteed for the lifetime of the product which is around 3 years depending on wear and tear, and care! But this will be reviewed on a case by case basis. It’s worth getting in touch with them should you have a problem as they have a repair center that does excellent work.
The Sprayway Range, Category by Category
As we’ve said, Sprayway is made for hikers and walkers, people heading out on hill walks, valley trails and popular woodland paths, and for people who want outdoor clothing that works just as well around town. Here’s how each part of the range stands up with some staff favourites.
How Good Are Sprayway Jackets?
Honestly? For the vast majority hiking and walking in the UK, in all weathers, a Sprayway jacket will do the job perfectly well.
Browse the full range of Sprayway jackets and gilets.
Our recommendations
Sprayway Arderin Jacket (men’s) & Sawel Jacket (women’s)
This is where Sprayway’s value really shines. The Arderin and Sawel give you a Gore-Tex waterproof at a price that most brands can’t even get close to. Retailing at a very reasonable price of £190. Making them ideal for walkers who want trusted GTX waterproof protection without paying for features built for the high mountains.
Pros of Sprayway jackets
- Proven waterproof protection, including Gore-Tex options, at an accessible price.
- Straightforward designs that are easy to use and don’t overcomplicate things.
- Understated looks that work on the hill and around town.
Cons of Sprayway jackets
- An essentials only feature set rather than mountain-focused shells.
- Not designed for technical mountaineering or winter climbing.
How Good Are Sprayway Trousers?
If you’re after an everyday walking trouser or a dependable waterproof, Sprayway’s trousers are definitely comfortable, practical and durable. Their waterproof trousers are genuinely waterproof and I can attest to that with many hours hiking around Eryri in Wales wearing them.
Explore the full range of Sprayway trousers.
Our recommendations
Sprayway Compass Pant – the Compass pant is a great all-rounder for walking days when you want freedom of movement and something that dries out quickly after a shower.
Sprayway Walking Rainpant – the walking rainpant is our best-selling waterproof trouser. It’s simple, reliable and comfortable against the skin. It’s the rainpant that everyone who’s bought one is grateful that they have when the weather turns.
Pros of Sprayway trousers
- Comfortable against the skin, including their waterproof trousers.
- Great value technical outdoor clothing.
- Easy to wear, great movement for walking and everyday use.
Cons of Sprayway trousers
- A focused range, so fewer specialist options for very technical terrain.
- Not aimed at winter mountain use.
How Good Are Sprayway Fleeces?
Sprayway fleeces are simple, warm layers that work just as well on a cold summit as they do on a chilly evening at home.
Browse the full range of Sprayway fleeces.
Our recommendation
Sprayway Tarn Fleece – Lightweight with a great warmth-to-weight ratio, the Tarn is an easy layer to pack and an easy one to wear. It’s also very good value, which makes it a sensible choice whether it’s your first proper fleece or a spare for the car.
Sprayway High Trail Hoody – Lightweight technical layer often used as a base layer, becoming popular for running when cooler temperatures start to hit. It’s fast wicking, with great freedom of movement and HeiQ Fresh odour neutralising technology.
Both the Tarn and High Trail are available in Mens and Womens sizes with a selection of colours.
Pros of Sprayway fleeces
- Good warmth for their weight.
- Easy to layer under a waterproof or wear on their own.
- Great value for an everyday layer.
Cons of Sprayway fleeces
- Fleece isn’t windproof, so you’ll want a shell on top on exposed days.
- A smaller selection than more specialist layering brands.
Expert Summary
The best thing about Sprayway is that it’s honest outdoor clothing. It doesn’t pretend to be built for Everest and it doesn’t cost you like it is.
The best thing about Sprayway is that it’s honest outdoor clothing. It doesn’t pretend to be built for Everest and it doesn’t cost you like it is.
If you’re heading into winter mountains or planning technical routes, there are other options and we’ll happily point you towards them. But for the walking most of us actually do, week in, week out, Sprayway is a brand we’re confident recommending and stocking in our shops.
Interested in Sprayway Products?
If you’re interested in buying any of our Sprayway products, view our full range of Sprayway clothing, or come and visit us in one of our stores. Our expert team will happily talk you through the range and help you find the best fit for you and the walking you do.
