Much to my delight dead on the stroke of 8 this morning the postie delivered my smock as promised!
I'm not sure what the wife said to them to I am absolutely delighted with the service Endicotts gave which quite frankly has made my day. possibly my week. Anyroad if they are some how reading this, thank you! You are very sweet people!
To the garment itself, I'm very pleased with it indeed, especially for the money. I've worn it for the walk to school and on into town to use the library broad band as it was still cool enough then and it's a remarkably good fit for a big fat six footer like myself, realistically the sleaves on the XXL are cut for some one very fat (or I suppose heavily built) rather than 7 foot something types, although saying that I've longish arms so i reckon theses would be good for some one up to 6 foot 4 but certainly not in the way for those over 5' 10".
The fabric being new is a little bit stiff but after a couple of washes I predict I'll be wearing it like a heavy shirt for messing about in. I probably wont TX10 it as I can see it being washed alot. Its quite windy today and it kept it out although I think if it had got any stronger I would have started to feel it. Not really a problem as I won't be using it up on the moors but in woods etc.
The hand pockets are great, the hip belt of my MacPac Nikau fitted through it perfectly and cinched the waist in while leaving some where to tuck my hands. When I can no longer resist the urge to tinker with it I'll fit some fabric loops inside the pockets so I can billy cord a couple of things inside.
The kangeroo pocket is plenty big enough for gloves etc and the design of the front pockets means that there is at least three layers of fabric between your chest and the outside world / sparks /wind etc I really like this as they could have skimped to cut costs but haven't.
The hood is 2 layers and plenty big enough for my 7 3/4 + head and a hat.
The cuffs / sleaves look wide enough to roll up and the velcro at the cuff is actually long enough to cinch them tight around my embarrasingly skinny wrists, unlike on some jackets I've had.
Once I've worn it in I'll probably get another and use them like heavy shirts, maybe keep one showerproofed and use the other for dirty job like hauling wood about. It will really save me damaging the ventile when it turns up so its worth the 22 quid just for that!
Improvements? purely out of personal taste I may one day remove the flap and velcro on the neck opening and fit a Swandri bushshirt style lacing but thats just me. The only thing really missing is a big ole' BCUK badge on the left chest ;-{D)
ATB
Tom