50 Years Of Sprayway - Your Stories

I absolutely love my Sprayway jacket—it’s better than any other brand I’ve used over the years. Recently, I took it to Nepal to trek up to 6,000 meters and saw the most amazing view of Everest. The jacket is robust, absolutely waterproof, and has such a cool color scheme. I recommend Sprayway to all my friends and family!

 

Mark Williams
As a young scout in around 1976, I can recall going hill walking in the Carneddau. It was a wet, windy day, and I got soaked to the skin, but I still came away having enjoyed the adventure. A few days later, after much pestering, my parents bought me a Sprayway cagoule! I was very proud of my green waterproof, and it gave me good service for several years. Fast forward to 1998, and I purchased a Torridon jacket. By then, I’d had several waterproofs and had many adventures across the UK and further afield. I wore this Torridon jacket for my Mountain Instructor Certificate assessment in 2000. I was really impressed with its robustness, ease of use, and the fantastic hood!

Around 2009, my path crossed with Sprayway again when they began supporting (and continue to this day) Lindley Educational Trust's Ashton Youth Club. Sprayway generously provides waterproofs, fleeces, hats, gloves, and more for our annual winter skills week. Ashton Youth Club works with young people from a range of backgrounds in one of the UK’s poorest localities. I get some great kit off Sprayway and have fully tested the Torridon waterproof jacket and Torridon insulated jacket in the Himalayas and Arctic Sweden. They've performed exceptionally well. Closer to home, when delivering Mountain Leader courses in the worst of weather, my Torridon jacket is the waterproof of choice.

 

William Wright
I first fell in love with Sprayway jackets because of my late brother. He was five years older than me and had a knack for influencing our dad’s decisions. I still remember when he persuaded Dad to buy him his first Sprayway jacket in the 1990s. It was a bold red that stood out. I must have been around seven or eight at the time. My brother often took the bus home from William Hulme Grammar School, and one day, at a bus stop, he was mugged, and they took the coat right off his back. He was devastated. I remember the three of us—my brother, my mum, and me—heading to the police station to report the incident. Not long after, my dad took us to replace the stolen jacket. This time, my brother picked one from the women’s section. The shop assistant pointed it out, but my brother didn’t care. He loved the colourway, a green-and-blue combo. My brother was always a trendsetter. If he said it was cool, it was cool, regardless of the label.

Unfortunately, his luck didn’t improve. The replacement jacket was also stolen at an under-18s rave at Bowlers. Despite his misfortune, my brother’s love for Sprayway never wavered—and neither did mine. After his passing, I finally got my own Sprayway jacket in 2019—a Torridon. It wasn’t just about owning a jacket I’d admired for so long; it was about honoring the memories and connection we shared through Sprayway. That jacket has been my trusted companion ever since. Together, we’ve conquered Ben Nevis, the Old Man of Coniston, Scafell Pike, and Helvellyn. It’s also seen match days at Old Trafford and countless adventures in between. What made it even more special was discovering that Sprayway was founded in Chorlton, a place where my brother and I spent a lot of time growing up. I’d had no idea, and when I learned that, it felt like another layer of connection. Wearing and supporting a Manchester brand fills me with pride. Sprayway jackets will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for their quality and style, but for the memories they carry—of my brother, his boldness, and his influence on me. Thank you for being part of my journey.

 

Hazel Wright
I won this Sprayway limited anniversary jacket for your 40th! I'd never had a decent waterproof jacket before despite spending loads of time on outdoor adventures! This photo was taken during a late autumn Cornwall coastal walking trip. Despite the sunshine, the jacket kept me cozy in the breeze! It’s spent the last 10 years looking after me with just a slight leaky elbow in the worst rain now! So cozy!

 

Shona Johnson
My first Sprayway purchase over 10 years ago was a half-zip fleece. I'm wearing it today. It has stood the test of time because of its great quality. It's so cozy… like a warm hug on a cold day. I love Sprayway!

 

Felicity Bush
In January 2023, after a traumatic and difficult time in my life, I was lucky enough to get a chance to go on an expedition to the South Pole. Antarctica had long captured my imagination, and this was the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I received a list of required equipment from the organizers with a message saying that my kit would be inspected the day before we left, and if it wasn’t as specified, I would be left behind! On the list was a waterproof Gore-Tex jacket and trousers, with Sprayway being the recommended brand. I ordered them, and when they arrived, I thought they must be the wrong items as they were so light and comfortable. I expected to need thicker clothes. The secret is layering with merino wool and polar fleece underneath—so warm and cozy but dry and protected from the wind on top. Needless to say, my Sprayway outer layers did not let me down. I made it to the South Pole, was comfortable in -43°C, and had the most wonderful and inspiring travel experience of my life. My Sprayway outerwear still protects me from the sometimes atrocious weather when I’m hiking at home in the UK, and I am always extolling their weatherproof virtues. Thanks, Sprayway, for keeping me comfortable on the most exciting and invigorating adventures.

 

Lois Davies
Hi, Pic #1 was taken in Wales 30 years ago! It’s my hubby, Stu (wearing his old favorite Sprayway jacket), with our son Kieran, sporting current Sprayway colors! Sadly, the jacket was stolen 😐. Pic #2 was taken today. Stu, Kieran, and our little granddaughter Phoebe. Where did those years, and the jacket, go?

 

Nicola Nelson
In 1991, I started going out with a boy who loved the outdoors and walking. I was a girl who liked to go clubbing and hated anything to do with the outdoors and roughing it. We hadn’t been going out long when I was invited to go away for a couple of nights with him and quite a few friends to Nant Peris in Wales between Christmas and New Year. I reluctantly agreed but wasn’t told where we would be staying and assumed it would be a B&B or similar. In fact, we were staying on a farm in a freezing cold shed above the pigs. It was so basic (but clean, in fairness) with mattresses on the floor and holes in every other part of the loft space. There was no running warm water, but there was a pub about half a mile up the road with great breakfasts and dinners. I was pretty horrified but tried not to let it show.

The first day we went for a long hike in the snow, and I had an old-fashioned cagoule-type coat, which ended up soaking wet through. At the end of the walk, I was so cold, wet, and miserable. We called into an outdoor shop on the way back to the pub, and there was a sale. Although they only had large Sprayway jackets left, I decided that if I was to survive the next couple of days, I needed to buy one. My first proper waterproof Sprayway jacket in green. I wore it to the pub that night and was lovely and dry when I got there. We ate great food and had a brilliant night. The following day was another walk, and thanks to my new jacket, I was bone dry at the end of it, even after falling in the snow.

Needless to say, I ended up loving our weekend away and have never looked back since. I married my then boyfriend 28 years ago, we still love hiking and the outdoors, and we’ve had so many adventures all over the world along the way. My first Sprayway jacket lasted a long time too—this year, we will be walking the Inca Trail. I’ve attached a photo of it from when I first bought it.

 

The lakeside bank was cold and damp. My fishing rods were set up and shrouded in icy early morning rain. I was huddled up in my chair, under my brolly, waiting for any tell-tale sign of a fish. Even the concentration didn't keep me warm. As I sat and shivered, the one thought that kept running through my mind was, "Why oh why didn't I buy some Sprayway gear to keep me warm and dry?"

 

Wow, where do I even begin to express my love for Sprayway!? Okay, so my parents separated when I was 8, and my mum moved us to St Helens a year or so later. I had never heard of Sprayway before, until I was in the park one day, on the swings, in a very colourful jacket that my great aunt had brought me back from Canada. "Is that a Sprayway!?" Some bigger kids were taunting me and laughing at me. "What's a Sprayway?" I thought. (These memories are so clear, as I am autistic and remember the finer details of things that are of great significance to me). I asked my friend what a Sprayway was. He pointed one out to me that one of the older kids from the neighbouring council estate was wearing. I instantly fell in love with the style; it was mustard in colour and had "Hydro-Dry" stitched across the chest, a wired hood, and loads of pockets. We must remember that there was no internet back then, and so even with the well-established outdoor culture of the town, the jackets were somewhat of an enigma to me. If I saw somebody in a Sprayway, I'd follow them and admire their jacket. Sounds crazy now as I sit here reminiscing, but I was obsessed with them.

When I started Sutton High School, I was in my element as they were everywhere! Hydro-Dry, Gore-Tex, Polartec fleeces! I can still, to this day, recollect what everybody wore, 27 years later. There was a lad called Pey (short for Peter), a cool kid in the year above me, who had a bottle green Gore-Tex shell, and his best mate Damon had a burgundy Polartec fleece with the Sprayway badge on the chest and the neck at the back. I'm the proud owner of both of these jackets now. My absolute favourite was the one my design teacher wore; the colours on it were exquisite. It was apple green and sky blue. I now know it to be a 1997 Ice Jacket in the glacier colourway, and I know this because I now own one too.

When I reached second year, my nanna took me to Dirty Sports in Liverpool, that's where folk on that side of the North West got their Sprayway jackets from. I chose a mustard/orange Hydro-Dry, and it was amazing, so much that I remember sleeping in it that night! It made me feel like a king, like I belonged and that I had arrived on the scene! In 1998, mum moved us back to Wigan. I started a new high school and saw my best friend from primary school, and we were instantly best friends again. "I like your jacket!" I remember him saying to me. Nobody at my school in Wigan had a Sprayway, so I was somewhat of a trendsetter. People used to come up to me and ask me where I bought my jacket. I was so proud to be flying the flag for Sprayway. In the years that followed, all of my friends had Sprayways! My best friend Lee, who unfortunately lost his life in 2018, saved his paper round money and bought a cherry red and navy Sprayway Gore-Tex jacket. He wore that jacket everywhere, for every occasion! Last year, I was lucky enough to find the exact same model, and I now wear it on his birthday every year, which conjures up fond memories and brings me great joy 💙.

I wear all of my old Sprayway jackets as much as I can, on hikes around the Lake District or out shopping, and they still make me feel the same way they always have. So many memories of this amazing brand are flooding in as I write this, but I'll save those for another time. I just thought I'd share some of my journey with Sprayway and the impact it's had on me throughout my life. Thank you.

 

Mel Waszkiel 

I was late to the party and got my very first Sprayway coat only 2 years ago. Last year, my son moved to Canada, and we were lucky to be able to go out and visit him over Christmas. I took my Sprayway coat, which kept me cosy and warm in the coldest temperatures I’d ever experienced! The highlight for me was ice skating on Lake Louise in my Sprayway coat, which not only kept me snug and warm but also provided much-needed padding when I kept falling over! I wasn’t quite as good at ice skating as I remembered!

 

Philip Collins 

#MyFirstSprayway Jacket was the Windbloc fleece in bright red. I had been working 68-hour night shifts for Rank Hovis McDougall. Over one Easter vacation from University, I was working nights on a production line to make thousands of bread rolls. I remember this jacket being quite expensive, but it was THE fleece to have back in the day. I decided to treat myself. When I turned up to my University Rambling Society Walk, there were several admiring glances and comments. I explained I had been working 68-hour a week night shifts, and this was my treat to myself.

 

Winfred Van Vliet
I bought my first Sprayway fleece vest in the '90s. After years and years of use, it still isn't worn out. In fact, it still looks like new. Even the color (red and black) is good. All zippers are fine. What amazing quality! I'm now looking for a new one in other colors.

Camouflaged in Sprayway fleece at the Callanish stones, Isle of Lewis. My two daughters loved their Sprayway fleeces with built in mittens. They are perfect for having fun and keeping warm in the Western Isles weather. They had them in white, grey and pink and loved the pink snowsuit with built in mittens and toe covers. They appear in lots of our family photos.

Seona Stevenson

The best memories involve a Sprayway fleece. The day my daughter skippered an island ferry.

#myfirstsprayway was purchased in Summits Paisley some 28 years ago. Those jackets were the height of fashion amongst my class mates! That jacket has stood the test of time but it didn’t so much as see a mountain until I took up hill walking 5 years ago. Since then it’s even topped Ben Nevis.

It was autumn, and my bright red Sprayway jacket was probably the most prized possession in my rucksack. I'd saved up for months working weekend shifts at the local pub to buy it. My best mate Dave and I had this crazy idea to tackle Scafell Pike - our first proper mountain climb. We were young, probably a bit too confident, and completely unprepared for what Mother Nature had in store. The morning started clear enough, but halfway up, the Lake District showed its true colors. The rain came in sideways, and the wind howled like nothing I'd ever heard before. Dave's cheap raincoat gave up within minutes - he looked like he'd jumped in Wastwater! But there I was, dry as a bone in my Sprayway, sharing what little warmth I could with him as we huddled behind a boulder. We did make it to the summit, eventually. The clouds parted just enough to give us this incredible view that lasted maybe 30 seconds before the fog rolled back in. Dave never let me forget how I wouldn't shut up about my jacket the whole way down. He bought his own Sprayway the very next weekend - guess I wasn't the only one who learned a lesson about proper gear that day! That jacket saw me through another decade of adventures before the zipper finally gave out. Still have it hanging in the garage though - too many memories attached to let it go. These days, my daughter wears her own Sprayway on our family hikes, and every time I see her in it, I think back to that mad day on Scafell. Some things just become part of your story.

Back in the late 1990s, I was just beginning to discover the joy of outdoor adventures, and my Dad knew I needed something to protect me from the elements, and he treated me to my first Sprayway waterproof jacket. Its (and my) first test came during a hiking trip to the Scottish Highlands. The forecast was grim, with constant rain showers expected to batter the mountains throughout the weekend. The group I was with was seasoned, but I was still a rookie—unsure of what to expect from this "high-tech" jacket. We set out early, and sure enough, the rain began to fall in sheets, turning the path into a muddy stream. I remember doubting the jacket's promises. But as I continued on, something miraculous happened. Despite the downpour, I remained dry, the fabric repelling the water like it was made of magic. As the day wore on, the rain never let up, but my confidence grew. I felt invincible, like the rain was no longer an enemy, and the jacket was my shield against nature's most unpredictable force. It wasn’t just the technical aspects of the jacket that made it memorable, though. It was the sense of independence it gave me—the feeling that no matter how wild the weather got, I was prepared for it. That jacket didn't just protect me from the rain; it gave me the freedom to keep exploring. By the time I returned home, that jacket had become more than just a piece of gear—it was a symbol of my growth as an adventurer. The Sprayway jacket had taught me something important: that with the right gear, you could embrace nature on its terms. From that day on, I wore it on every trip, through rain and wind, until eventually, the fabric started to show its age, and I reluctantly retired it. But I always kept it as a reminder of those first trips, of that sense of fearless freedom.

I remember my 1st Sprayway jacket, it was around 1991/1992, it was the Brand to be seen in at school, some of my friends had one, and I begged my Mum to buy me one, she did get me one for my birthday and I absolutely loved that jacket, it was green, purple and yellow like the one in my pic. I recently bought my own Daughter a Sprayway Jacket, and she has had lots of wear out of it, such amazing quality.

Sprayway a name synonymous with quality

Jamie Norris
I was handed down a Sprayway windproof gilet about 15 years ago. It has been one of the most used bits of kit I've taken on the hills because it keeps me unreasonably warm for how little it restricts movement. I've used it on my first winter days in Coire Nan Lochan, it took me up my first Troutdale Pinnacle on a chilly October day in 2015, and I have used it mid-winter as a kayaking layer. Honestly, the most versatile thing I've ever worn.

Paul Thompson
My first Sprayway jacket was when I was 11 and moved to secondary school. I used to cycle the 5 miles, and my jacket kept me dry on the wettest of days.

Ewen Cameron
My first proper waterproof jacket was bought in 1982 from the Cotswolds mail order catalogue. It was a Sprayway Mountain jacket in green. I was 16 and can still remember opening the parcel from Cotswolds Camping, 42 years ago. It was a proper jacket, built for Scottish weather, and it did me proud for about 10 years until it was retired. That jacket was well used and abused, but it did me proud.

Liam
In the gritty, vibrant heart of Manchester in the 1990s, a young visitor stepped off the train, eyes wide with anticipation. The city hummed with an electric energy, a pulse that matched the rhythm of the burgeoning music scene. As they wandered through the streets, the lively chatter of the locals filled their ears, and every corner seemed to reveal a new facet of this eclectic urban tapestry. Amidst the throngs of people, something immediately caught their eye— a group of effortlessly cool teenagers lounging by a record shop, each one clad in a sleek Sprayway jacket. The jackets, with their bold colors and distinct style, seemed to encapsulate the essence of Manchester’s youth culture—rebellious yet united, stylish yet practical. The young visitor couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration and a longing to blend into this dynamic crowd, where fashion was a statement and identity was forged in the streets. The image of those Sprayway jackets stayed with them long after they left, a symbol of the city’s indomitable spirit and unyielding cool.

Phil Fishwick
Being on Scout camp and 90% of us wearing Sprayway—probably due to a certain John Hunt being one of our leaders!!!

James Ross
My first Gore-Tex jacket was a Sprayway Merlin, which had Isodry insulation. I used the jacket for winter walking and skiing. It was one of the best jackets I have ever owned, and at the time, I was a 17-year-old who spent most of my time outside in all weathers wearing the jade green jacket. Its biggest test was winter in Voss, Norway. I went for a week of alpine skinning. The Gore-Tex kept me dry in the constant rain at lower altitudes, and the insulation kept me warm in the -28°C at the summit of the mountain. Sadly, 12 months into ownership, it had a minor issue with delamination. The jacket was unfortunately stolen in the post when I sent it back to Sprayway for repair. I was so impressed I replaced it with a Torridon jacket and fleece.

Scott Wilber
My first Sprayway jacket was the WNW fleece. I still love that jacket as it is so comfortable and warm. I love the chest pocket. So convenient. It is my go-to jacket for fall days and walks, and in the spring, I break it out too. I'll never get rid of it. I know you recently reintroduced the WNW fleece jacket, but it doesn't have the chest pocket. Can you make one with that for people like me? I also love my Sprayway raincoat. Put the WNW jacket under that and you're all set for any weather.

Christopher Vincent
What can I say? We were living on the northeast coast on a cliff top. Strong winds from the sea every day. Bought a Sprayway Windbloc fleece. Walked the dog on cliffs every day for years, never felt the cold. Perfect life. Still have it, though the dog has changed.

Jonathan Harris
Hiking up Scafell in 2003 with the girlfriend I married and my first dog... Georgina, the Border Lakeland terrier.

James
I spent quite a lot of my student loan in ‘99 on a yellow and black Sprayway high mountain jacket. It saw me through many Black Mountain storms assessing DofE expeditions before I lost it in Swansea on a night out. Three years later, I saved up enough to replace it, and that Sprayway 4-season jacket is still with me! The elastics have given up, the wired brim has snapped, the toggles are down to bare metal, and there’s a Gore-Tex patch or two, but it’s seen me up Munros, the three peaks, and I’ll be taking it back to the South Atlantic next week for another tour in the Falklands.

Thomas Curtis
My first piece of Sprayway equipment was the Santiago rainpants, which I bought from the only outdoor store in the small seaside town of Filey, North Yorkshire. While browsing the various trousers, I settled on deciding between two pairs: one, the Santiago rainpant from Sprayway, and one pair from another brand. Both were of similar price, but slightly different features. The lady who ran the shop was standing with me, and she pointed at the Sprayway pair and said in a strong Yorkshire accent, "The lad who cleans out wheelie bins wears those, says he won’t wear owt else." So I thought, if they’re good enough for cleaning out wheelie bins, they’d be good enough for an outside broadcast cameraman, so I bought them. I’ve had them a few years now, and haven’t had so much as a drop of rain get through. Practical, warm, and functional, and now, much like my friend the wheelie bin cleaner, I’d never wear owt else.

Nikki Maffia
Reminds me of my sister and our trip across Canada. I bought a Sprayway jacket beforehand, and it was the best item to take. We traveled between Vancouver and Toronto over 5 weeks. She has now passed away in her twenties, so my memories are incredibly precious ❤️

Richard Field
My dad had an old orange jacket that he called his "cagoule." He left it in the car that he gave me and said, like the car, it was worn out but not completely so. I repaired the car and the jacket, and they both served me well on numerous car camping adventures until it broke down for the last time. The jacket went on for a few more years, as did my dad. In the end, all three have gone, but none are forgotten.

Katy Davies
My first Sprayway memory was out on the farm with my mum. We were feeding sheep, and I got completely soaked (not helped by the fact I loved puddles and mud). She wouldn’t let me get back in the car in such a state, so it was a case of pulling off all my clothes and being wrapped up in her best red Sprayway jacket that was always kept in the car for emergencies—the same jacket she also used to keep us dry when her car broke down on a motorway. Ever since then, I’ve always carried a jacket in the boot of my car for such occasions!

Neil Taylor
This is a tale of four jackets, faulty fabric, a theft, a cycling accident, and two insurance claims. I bought my first Gore-Tex waterproof in 1986 from Field and Trek. I can’t remember the model name, but it was straight up and down, had a good hood, big pockets, and was pale blue. I felt pretty proud of it, but within three months, it started to delaminate on the back. I phoned Sprayway, sent it back, and within a day or two, a replacement arrived. Great service, and I was proud again.

After weeks of great use, I found myself in the Old Dungeon Ghyll after a great day in the Langdales. After a few beers, imagine my horror when the jacket was nowhere to be seen on the coat pegs—nicked by some rat who knew its value. Gutted. Fortunately, it was insured with all my kit, but not so great service, and I had to wait a month to buy a replacement. Proud again.

A few months later, when I was training to be a teacher, an idiot driver sent me flying off my bike on the way into college. Fortunately, my limbs and body were intact, but I feared the worst for my jacket—my lovely jacket! The elbows and shoulders were shredded, but my skin was fine—triple-layer Gore-Tex saved the day. So, another insurance job (from the driver’s insurance), a longer wait, but onto my fourth Sprayway in under a year. Proud again, and for the next eight years or so, I wore it in every upland area of the UK, in all weathers, with the addition of some matching overtrousers.

Despite TLC, the jacket eventually looked tired and in need of retirement. In steps my girlfriend, who took things into her own hands and bought me a new waterproof for Christmas—sadly, a different brand! Sorry, but I just never felt quite so proud again. I’ve forever missed those big, big pockets!

Olly Burrow
I was handed down a used Torridon in about ’92 by my uncle, who was a keen outdoorsman. The jacket had been well-worn but was still in good condition. As I hazily remember (probably through rose-tinted specs), mine continued its life on the cold, damp streets of North Manchester.

Jonathan Hammond
I had a Sprayway waterproof jacket, and that thing kept me dry through all kinds of weather, from wind to rain. Being from North Yorkshire, you never know what to expect. However, because I had my Sprayway jacket, I was ready for any weather condition.

Lucy Emery
When I first got into outdoor climbing during university, my dad donated some of his old kit to me. Amongst that was a Sprayway black fleece that no longer fit him. I took it on many adventures and grew fond of it, as it was one of my first pieces of kit and held sentimental value since my dad used to climb. Even though we didn’t climb together (he stopped due to age and arthritis), it feels nice knowing he’s sort of climbing with me when I wear it. Since then, I’ve bought my own Sprayway kit. I have a fond, sentimental association with the brand. It makes me feel young at heart again, as I think I used to wear it on wild camping trips with other families when I was a kid.

Bernie Tyrrell
Getting my first Sprayway jacket as a gift and realizing how truly waterproof a jacket could be while visiting my son in Pembrokeshire. It rained non-stop, but I stayed dry!

James Harvey
I was once given an old Sprayway jacket after mine got soaked. The jacket I was given saw me through the rest of a very wet climb in the Lake District and kept me dry. I held onto that jacket for another 10 years—a fabulous bit of kit.

Phil Myers
I still have all the Sprayway products that I’ve ever bought, including my favorite WNW (West by Northwest) fleece.

Ali Lias
When I started hiking seriously nearly 35 years ago, I often got cold and wet. I went to an independent outdoor clothing store and asked for a recommendation. They suggested a Sprayway coat—waterproof and windproof. I had that coat for at least 12 years, and it kept me dry and warm the entire time until it eventually started falling apart. It was brilliant!

Derek Moriarty Eames
My first GORE-TEX jacket was a teal Sprayway Torridon. It was special because I bought it with my own saved money as an eager 16-year-old! I wore it on adventures to North Wales, the Lakes, and the Alps.

Jack Willis
My Sprayway waterproofs kept me warm and dry at the top of Admiralty Arch during the coronation of King Charles III. It didn’t stop raining all day, but as a BBC cameraman, I had to wait it out and bring the pictures to the public. Having the best gear was one less thing to worry about when it mattered most!

Hayley Tierney
My cream Sprayway fleece was one of my most memorable Christmas gifts as a teen in the ’90s. Sprayway was street trendy but expensive, and coming from a big family, we didn’t have much money, so I didn’t expect it! I wore that fleece every day. Now, as I approach my 40s, I have much more practical uses for outdoor kit, as I hike and run ultramarathons in the mountains.

Glen Dugdale
My first-ever waterproof jacket was a Sprayway, bought from a shop on King Street in Blackburn. The shop is still going strong decades later. I recall one of the shop assistants talking me through the features, as he was part of the jacket design team!

Nigel Jones
Over 20 years ago, I was given a pair of Sprayway waterproof trousers by a farmer I worked for (second-hand). I still have them and wear them to protect me from the great Welsh weather. I would love to win and have the experience of wearing the best. 👌

Lizi Smith
When I first began my hiking adventures in my 20s, my rain jacket was a navy Sprayway. I must have used it for nearly 20 years. Now in my 60s, I still remember it with fondness.

Lee Yeates
I proposed to my partner in the Lake District in 2023, and both of us were wearing your coats. We still have the coats.

John Whitehead
In my high school in Salford in the ’90s, everyone wanted a Sprayway jacket. I was buzzing when my mum got me a yellow/mustard jacket with navy blue under the arms. I wore it every day with my mahogany Rockports and thought I was the coolest. 😂 That jacket got me through some pretty gnarly winter walks to school while looking great. 👌 I wouldn’t wear the Rockports now, but I’d definitely wear that jacket again if I could find one.

Colin & Tonka
We took early retirement in April 2022, traveling across Europe and visiting some spectacular places. Rain, snow, cold, and sunshine—the Sprayway products have been put to the test. Great memories and great pictures.

John Dunn
I bought my Sprayway jacket before Covid to walk the Coast to Coast. I still use it now for long-distance walks.

Luke Arnold
I still have my dad’s massive red Sprayway rain trousers from the ’80s! When paired with the jacket, they give major Father Christmas vibes.

Harry Evans
I remember growing up playing in the garden with Dad in his green Sprayway coat. When I was a teenager, I have memories of squinting out of the window into the rain, and there he’d be, gardening with it on. Seeing it hanging by the back door as I’ve grown older is a reminder that all is right with the world, as Dad is somewhere nearby. He’s still going strong, and so is the green Sprayway coat. One day, I hope to be out there in the garden with it on, keeping those memories close and making new ones with the next generation.

Jake Darnley-Robinson
I remember having a Sprayway waterproof as a child. It came on many family holidays to Scotland, exploring all over the west coast!

Carl Borum
I purchased a second-hand Sprayway jacket in 2002 when we moved to run Snowdon Lodge group hostel in Snowdonia. I joined the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, using the jacket on all call-outs and training sessions. It never let me down. It has some duct tape repairs on the inside, but it’s still my best buddy on the hill.

Pauline Jones
My first waterproof breathable jacket was from Sprayway! I bought it as a university student in the ’90s and used it all over Wales, the Lake District, Ireland, and Scotland. Thank you for the fun and the memories!

Paul Jenkner
Iconic outerwear that reminds me of my school days, when it was the most sought-after coat to be seen in. The perfect addition to be worn with Rockport boots.

Sandra Grinevicius
I discovered mountains quite late in life, but they are the only places where I feel accepted, challenged, and at peace.

Craig Watt
I’m now in my 51st year. The simplicity of the outdoors is mine—one hour, one day, one week, it doesn’t matter. It’s time outside. This has been my life since I could crawl.

Killien Dean
I got my first black Sprayway coat in high school—you know the one—and have loved the brand ever since!

Tim Fairbrother
I have some Sprayway mountaineering salopettes (Alpine Pant 1112, according to the label) that I’ve had for 25 years. They’ve always been a great fit and functional. They’ve aged as the company has but are still great as a shell layer for skiing, though no longer fully waterproof after plenty of use.

Andy Koziol
I completed the Lakeland 50-mile race with my Sprayway waterproofs to protect me from the elements. It rained a lot during that race in 2022!

Lee Eves
In the 1990s, I went to school in my blue Sprayway and Rockports every day. It was a £250 coat as a teenager, and I still have the same coat today. Plus, I’ve bought some newer ones since, as I love your brand. It’s the only brand I wear—I must have spent thousands over the years on Sprayway.

Catherine Joyce
My husband bought a waterproof when he was a Venture Scout around 32 years ago. It’s kept him dry over the years, and he still wears it now when gardening.

Marc Kirvin
Lapland was wet, but I was not.

Tuck Williams
I bought a fleece one year and thought I had lost it after a camping trip. Fast forward a few years—my grandad rocks up wearing it!

Andrew Hunter
For years, my Sprayway Hood River 8 tent, with its black and white fabric, stood tall in the middle of every campsite like a reliable old friend. It wasn’t just a tent—it was a home, a fortress, and sometimes, a sanctuary. The first time I set it up, I marveled at its size. It felt massive, almost like a portable house. Once it was up, it became the heart of the campsite, where meals were shared, stories were told, and laughter echoed late into the night.

I took it to all kinds of places: lakesides where the water mirrored the stars and bonfires crackled nearby; open fields where kids darted in and out, leaving streaks of dirt on its white panels; and wooded campsites where trees swayed above, their shadows playing on the black roof. No matter where I went, the tent always provided a safe, dry haven.

Over time, though, it started to wear down. The first tear happened during a gusty evening when I didn’t stake it tightly enough. A rogue branch left a small rip in the white fabric, which I patched with black tape that didn’t match but added to its story. The zippers jammed after a sandy trip to the coast, and I’ll never forget the night a drizzle seeped through the roof, prompting me to rig a tarp over it in the dark.

Even as it aged, I refused to give it up. Every repair felt like breathing new life into it. But last year, after countless adventures, it was clear the tent had reached the end of its journey. Folding its panels for the last time, I ran my hands over the patches, each one a memory of a trip, a storm, or a shared moment. It was more than a tent—it was part of my history.

Now, I have a new tent that’s modern and efficient, but it lacks the character of the old Hood River 8. Sometimes, sitting under a pristine canopy, I think about that black-and-white tent and the places it took me. Though it’s gone, it lives on in every story and memory it helped create.

Patrick Brown
Wearing my Sprayway softshell in brutally cold wind in the Cairngorms and thriving.

Mick Dickinson
My first high-quality waterproof was a Sprayway shell. It lasted me over eight years before I retired it. I wanted to test how waterproof it was, and what better way than standing beneath a waterfall in North Yorkshire? Suffice to say, I stayed bone dry underneath!

Mike Naylor
I once came across a crashed Robin Reliant where the driver had broken his leg and was shivering. I put my trusty red Sprayway jacket on him until the ambulance arrived. They took him to the hospital, and that was the last I saw of the driver—or my precious jacket!

Penny Grant
Wearing my waterproof trousers on a small boat in Patagonia, all the seats were wet. But it didn’t matter because my trousers were SO waterproof!

Andrew Dobbins
My Sprayway story started back in 1997 with my first trip to Snowdon via Crib Goch. No one told me what to expect—wow! I was hooked. That jacket has been everywhere with me. Now it’s time for a new one—or maybe just re-seam it?

Louise Penny
Using a Sprayway jacket for my Duke of Edinburgh Award. #BlueBears

Tim Jayes
My first solo backpacking trip on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast was unforgettable, thanks to Sprayway gear.

Michael Gillingham
Years ago, I wore a Sprayway jacket for my Duke of Edinburgh Award hike. I was well kitted out, and my only issue was food!

Pete Hawes
I think I’ve had at least one Sprayway jacket in the wardrobe for the last 33 years. The first one I purchased with my own money was a Windbloc Fleece. My current Sprayway jacket is my go-to for dog walking—it’s seen all weathers and is in need of repair or replacement, but it just keeps going.

Tony Watkins
My favorite Gore-Tex jacket was a Sprayway, bought in about 1986. I walked countless miles in the wet Lake District and Cairngorms in that jacket.

Madeline Johns
It was supposed to be a peaceful, scenic day in West Cornwall—just me, my Sprayway women’s jacket, and the promise of fresh air. But the UK’s weather had other plans: sideways rain, 40 mph winds, and temperatures resembling Antarctica.

My Sprayway jacket saved the day. While others battled umbrellas or plastic rain ponchos, I zipped up, adjusted the snug hood, and faced the storm like the star of a dramatic British weather ad. The jacket kept me warm, dry, and stylish as I marched past drenched tourists. By the time I reached the top of the hill, I was still dry and surprisingly cheerful.

The weather might be unpredictable, but my Sprayway jacket? Totally dependable.

Susan Bell
Buying my first Sprayway to sail from England to Spain back in 1990! It kept me dry through the Bay of Biscay.

Mr. Richard
I had my first Sprayway in 1996, aged 12. Since then, I've lost count of how many I've had and am still wearing Sprayway today.

Bought my Sprayway jacket in 2003—still using the same one to this day, and it's as good now as it was then, after living in eight different countries across all continents except Antarctica and North America. But the jacket has been to the latter. Thanks, Sprayway!

Gwyn Jones
My favourite moment was standing on the 25 at Cardiff Arms Park when Gareth Edwards intercepted the pass and scored for the Ba-Bas against New Zealand.

Anthony Fairclough
It started on a crisp Saturday morning, the kind where the air bites just enough to remind you that winter is around the corner. I decided it was time to retire my old, battle-scarred jacket—one that had seen too many hikes, coffee spills, and one unfortunate encounter with a barbecue skewer.

Lisa, my ever-practical wife, suggested we hit the local thrift store because, as she put it, “Why pay full price for something you’ll probably roll down a hill in?”

We pulled up to the thrift shop, a small place called Second Chances. The name was oddly fitting, as I was definitely in need of a second chance at outdoor fashion. Inside, it was organized chaos—racks crammed with everything from neon ski suits to suspiciously shiny suits. Lisa made a beeline for the Outdoor Wear section, leaving me to fend for myself in the Random Stuff aisle, which featured items like a singular rollerblade and a sombrero.

After a few minutes of browsing, Lisa called out, “Found something for you!” She was holding a bright yellow jacket with Sprayway stitched on the chest.

“What’s a Sprayway? Is it for rain or graffiti protection?” I joked.

“It’s a top-tier outdoor brand,” Lisa explained, rolling her eyes. “You’d know that if you ever read the labels instead of sniffing them.”

I took the jacket, inspecting it like it was a relic from a long-lost civilization. It felt sturdy, had more pockets than I knew what to do with, and—most importantly—it fit perfectly.

But then came the kicker. As I slipped it on, I noticed something in one of the pockets.

“What’s this?” I said, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. It was a handwritten note that read: “If you’ve found this jacket, congratulations! You’re now part of the Sprayway Society. Go outside and make some memories.”

“Sprayway Society?” I muttered, intrigued.

Lisa smirked. “Looks like you’ve joined a cult.”

Richard Newsham
Been a fan of the Sprayway brand since I owned my first jacket in the ’90s. I own countless jackets, and my favourite is my ’90s original Torridon in green, yellow, and purple. My latest is a red, blue, and black Torridon.

Hannah Grist
I wore Sprayway waterproof trousers during a first weekend away with my partner walking the Kintyre Way—in the worst weather I’ve ever seen. They held out until I ripped the bum sliding down a giant rock! We eventually made it to a local pub, where the kind folk put our clothes in a dryer while we had dinner and a dram to warm up. My partner is now my wife, but I had to get new trousers.

Gilly S
In 1993, I stood on a mountain ski slope, too terrified to move, until after much frantic waving in my bright purple Sprayway jacket, I managed to attract the attention of a nearby skier who kindly led me down to safety. That was just the beginning, as he’s now my husband of 30 years!

Snowdonia and Beyond
My first rucksack was a Sprayway. I hiked the South West Coast Path with it—happy memories from 1997.

Callum Davies
I’ve always loved the outdoors. As a kid, my best mate’s stepdad took us hiking and camping up Pen y Fan when we were 13 years old. From there, it turned into MTB’ing, cycling, running, ultra-distance triathlon, and the Ironman World Championships, racing for GB. The outdoors is everything for me, and the gear to go with it makes it that much more enjoyable.

Simon Phillips
I went to Niagara Falls many years ago. It was Christmas time and very cold—so cold, in fact, that the car doors were frozen shut. I always take my Sprayway jacket with me on winter trips. I coupled it with a feather gilet underneath, and I was toasty. The wind was blocked out, too. The water and mist from the falls didn’t get through the jacket when we went inside the falls. It was amazing.

Christian Logan
I’ve just turned 50 myself and have worn your clothing since my late teens. I continue to do so, along with my wife and two teenage children.

Jon Ormrod
My first Sprayway jacket was in 1990. I was in high school, and we were the kings of cool. Three decades and a bit later, I’m still wearing Sprayway and love it when people ask, “Are they still around?” My two lads are Sprayway aficionados, and hopefully, so will their kids be. Still looking for a turquoise and yellow Torridon in medium to take me back to my MCR rave days and nights. A well-deserved toast to the next 50 years!

John Baguley
Being 13 and getting a Hydro/Dry for my birthday… all my friends had Gore-Tex, but it didn’t matter to me. I got what we could afford, and I loved that jacket.

Ben Vincent
My first Sprayway jacket was a hand-me-down from my dad. I took it on so many adventures that I’d lost count. I kept getting it repaired until it looked unrecognizable.

Adam Ashworth
My older brother brought home an over-the-head Sprayway, and I wore it to destruction. I even went to the factory in Manchester to have the zip repaired back in the ’90s.

Vicki Woodcock
My Sprayway waterproof jacket got me around the National Three Peaks in 2023. It rained for the majority of the 24 hours, especially up and down Ben Nevis, but it kept me dry and comfortable throughout. Heading up Scafell Pike with a full moon, the rain stopped for about the first hour. We had zero views on any of the three mountains. Would I do it again? Never! 😂

Marianne Gilmour-Scott
From the military to life as a veteran, I’ve always purchased Sprayway when the military kit just couldn’t do the job. It’s always kept me warm and dry. I now use the clothing in civilian life to do the same job—adventuring around Scotland and abroad.

I was gifted a coat from my uncle over 20 years ago, and I still wear it to this day. It’s in awesome condition for its age and is a much-loved coat that gives me amazing memories of my uncle.

Leanne McLoughlin
In 1994, when I joined high school, it was super cool to have a Sprayway. I saved up all of my wages for so long (I was on £2.10 an hour) and bought a purple Sprayway. I wore it every day for about two or three years.

Karl Wellings
I love the ’90s Torridon. I couldn’t afford one back in the ’90s as a kid, so I’m glad it was re-released. It was a great nostalgic moment to finally afford and own one. Much love to the Torridon—my missed MCR classic.

Lee Thomas
Convincing my mum to buy my first-ever proper waterproof coat.

Laila Fazluddin
Sprayway has been a part of many adventures with our family, up and down hills all over the world.

Nick Brand
Leading a Peak District VS route, then it started to lash down. I was dry, but the rock was pouring!

Paul Bate
My grey Sprayway fleece from the 1990s is still going strong! (Unlike my knees.)

Freya G
My dad used to drag me on hikes when I was little and bribe me with Kendal Mint Cake to get to the top. I used to hate hiking, but last year I got into it and did the Wainwrights, knowing my dad only had Lingmell and Scafell Pike left to complete.

We finished them together with lovely snowy views, and it will always be one of my best memories with my dad. From hating hiking to finding joy in it again, I now want to explore more areas.

I've moved to Leeds with no family or friends and have felt the loneliness of not being out on the hills hiking. I’m trying to save up to make more memories, go on more walks, and hopefully wild camp so I can tell my dad all about it and show him.

Joanne Louise
The Torridon has been the best waterproof jacket I ever owned! It’s seen me through an epic 2024 filled with adventure and will definitely be joining me in 2025.

Andy Dodds
I used to work for Blacks Outdoors in their warehouse in the 1990s, so I know all about the Sprayway brand.

Two years ago, I had a failed suicide attempt after money and relationship problems got the better of me, and I was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in Halifax Hospital. I told the crisis team I just needed to be outdoors for a walk, but they wouldn’t allow it as I was still a risk.

After a week, they gave me half an hour of free time, so I had my camera sent in and looked on Google Maps to see how far I thought I could get and back within the timeframe. I had just enough time to get to the local canal (surprisingly, they allowed it).

I managed to take four photos before having to quick-walk back so the police wouldn’t come looking for me. I valued that brief time outdoors after being held inside for a week. Twenty-eight days later, I was discharged on my birthday in 2022.

My head is in a much better place now, and if I feel like I’m slipping, I head for the hills in the Peak District to clear it again.

Christopher Bean
On my first climb up Lochnagar, I wore my cosy Sprayway Belay Jacket at the top and enjoyed a lovely coffee while looking out at the beautiful views.

Josh Edge
Stealing my dad's Sprayway waterproof trousers before he went away on a walking trip so I had dry legs for the dog walks at home—and he got soaked through.

Paul Elliott
My first proper waterproof jacket, which I wore on my first trip to a mountain summit at the age of 11.

Tony Richmond
I love walking and always have. I walked miles with my grandad, watching the wildlife. Now, we travel across Europe, seeing the sights and skiing with the kids.

Ed Wilson
Went to Kendal and played the Sprayway card-flipping game—and won a hat! It’s now my favourite hat.

Esme Tanner
My mum and dad both had matching purple Sprayway waterproof jackets. They wore them on all our holidays, hiking in mountains and stomping across bogs. These are my best childhood memories, and the photos are wonderful—Sprayway kept them warm and dry in every one.

Sam Wood
My dad's Sprayway jacket is part of all my childhood memories—he always had that jacket on!

Kim Nurse
I bought a Sprayway jacket for my Duke of Edinburgh Award nearly 20 years ago. It’s still going strong!

Kim Coverdale
I bought my first Sprayway coat at the YHA shop in London in 1987. I used it for walking holidays and conservation work parties, and it was fantastic.

In 1988, I went to Aberdeen University. On a field trip to a sewage treatment works, my back touched a wall with something disgusting on it. I kept the coat for years after that, but it was never the same.

Jacqueline Daly
The best waterproof jacket I ever owned. Sadly, my daughter claimed it when she went to uni, and it never came back!

Sharon Simmons
I worked at Sprayway for around six years. It was the best place I have ever worked. The owners, John and Simon, really looked after the staff, and we had so many laughs.

Tom Lawrenson
My dad won a Geo Gore-Tex jacket in a raffle maybe 30 years ago. He still has it and wears it to this day—that’s a mark of quality.

Jamie Prescott
49 years of Sprayway adventures for me!

Joseph Huggett
Thirty years ago, I borrowed a Sprayway jacket and bag from a neighbour for my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. That expedition opened up a new world to me.

Now, 30 years later, I’m wearing my own Sprayway clothing on field trips from North Wales to Alaska. Sometimes, quality speaks for itself.

Christian Male
In deepest mid-Wales in 2009, I was riding in the Trans Wales 7-day MTB race. The weather was awful, but guess what—I had the best gear in the worst weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear!

Chelsea Smith
Climbing Hall’s Fell Ridge in low visibility, screaming winds, and relying on my Gore-Tex jacket for protection.

Chris Lloyd
My Sprayway jacket finally died, but the zip lives on as it now resides on my homemade swim fins bag!

Martin Hill
Buying a Sprayway waterproof jacket from the best outdoor shop in North Wales—Grib Goch Outdoor Shop in Beddgelert. They’re great.

Gareth Lowe
I joined Woodhead Mountain Rescue 15 years ago, and Sprayway jackets were our kit at the time. Hardy stuff—they were well used! The team is 50 years old too, so it’d be great to collaborate again in the future.

Gary May
I was lucky enough to win a Sprayway jacket at Kendal Mountain Festival! I was only attending to catch up with friends after being fired from my job that morning. It was the latest in a series of misfortunes, after a relationship breakup and being made homeless.

Not being a darts player, I hadn’t held out any hope of making a decent score—so when I hit the bullseye on my first throw, it was as much of a shock to my friends and the staff as it was to me!

Since that day, I’ve met my new partner, taken my Sprayway on some amazing adventures, and relocated to a lovely new home.

I’m not claiming this was some kind of Sprayway magic, but it’s where things began to get better.

Simon Kirwan
Trekked the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal in 2001 wearing my trusty Sprayway jacket, bought in Keswick.

Ann Cubitt
My trousers have seen me through many years and miles of dog walking in the worst of Scottish weather.

David Brodie
When trekking in Nepal, I always take children’s books and set up libraries in primary schools. Sprayway gear keeps me warm in the cold tea houses at night.

Jon Scott
36 years ago, as an ignoramus, I ended up being an outdoor instructor in Maine, USA. Paddy’s, in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, sold me a coat that did the job for longer than necessary and survived the demands of the job.

A dozen years later, I was selling their improved products on behalf of a major supplier, and the after-sales support was second to none. I’ve never hesitated in recommending their products, and it’s unlikely I ever will.

Steven Abbott
Achieving the 3 Peaks Challenge in 22 hours with my brother.

Sarah Hunt
It’s one of the few brands I wear as an adult and wore as a child.

Kay Stewart
My daughter, on her Gold Duke of Edinburgh hike in the Scottish mountains, was grateful to have her Sprayway when their campsite flooded after heavy rain and the river burst its banks. She was kept dry and able to finish the challenge.

Andy Reeves
I'm still fuming about my coat being stolen from the changing room at college in 1994 while I was playing football. My first (and favourite) Sprayway.

Janis McPhee
In 1981, I took my 3-year-old to Soll in Austria for skiing, and we had our Sprayway jackets.

Sian Gamble
The love affair with one coat—we are inseparable! Love my Sprayway.