Let’s be fair and honest: testing and evaluating this jacket since July has been an interesting challenge. Since it is designed for autumn, winter, and spring, wearing it during the summer months was quite an experience (the things we do to assess gear for you!). This sparked a bit of jealousy among my colleagues who were also testing gear. Now, four to five months later, I can confidently say that this jacket maintains a unique position in our evaluations.

Simply put, it deserves a 5-star rating. It has exceeded our expectations and its features are impressive.

The quality of the trim and features is unmatched by anything else we’ve encountered in the market. Let’s start with the cuffs, which effectively prevent any “stuff” from creeping up your sleeves. The main zipper is robust and can withstand tough conditions. Additionally, the detailing at the top of the zipper, where it meets the collar, is excellent—nicely turned over to prevent chin snags.

While the jacket has some reflective elements, I would appreciate seeing more, especially since it will likely be worn during dark winter days and evenings. The jacket is only available in black, which is fine, but I believe options in navy and grey would be great additions if you’re listening, Craghoppers!

The padded body section, combined with the softshell sleeves, provides excellent functionality. It keeps your core warm when needed while allowing for good arm mobility. In the recent transition into colder weather from late November to December, I’ve appreciated this feature. I was initially cautious about how well the jacket would perform in winter, but it has held up remarkably well. It’s important to note that I wouldn’t use this jacket in torrential downpours, as it’s not fully waterproof, nor does it claim to be.

Regarding fit and sizing, it is exactly what you’d expect. I have a 42-inch chest, and the large size fits perfectly, allowing for layers underneath or just a basic base layer. As a broad-framed individual, I found the mobility of the jacket to be superb, without feeling restricted.

The pocket design is practical; even with two phones in one pocket, they felt secure. For those biting winds, the pull cords discreetly hidden in the waist are a nice touch. Looking inside, the seams are nicely trimmed in the iconic Craghoppers orange. The attention to detail and level of finish aren’t typically seen in workwear garments, which may shift market expectations, even compared to certain high-end Canadian brands that we also appreciate.

It’s clear that decades of experience in the outdoor industry have informed the design of this jacket, providing exceptional features that set new benchmarks for the industry.

The retail price falls in the £90-£100 range. Is it worth it? Absolutely. I’ve seen outdoor gear with similar specifications and features priced much higher. Among the various items we’ve assessed this autumn, the Castleford Jacket has clearly emerged as the best performer. I am eager to see how Craghoppers develops their workwear range and whether we will see more products that maintain this level of excellence at a fair price point. It’s fantastic to have products in our portfolio that align with our brand ethos of offering high-quality products at honest prices.

We’ve observed that plumbers and industrial heating and ventilation engineers have also adopted this jacket, all of whom share our positive sentiments about its performance.

See the product here