Ah, Autumn. The leaves are turning, the temperature drops, and drizzle becomes a permanent fixture. So, if you still want to get out and about to enjoy the lovely British countryside, you'll need some gear that will keep you protected against the elements.
The Elison accomplishes this and does it with style. This insulated jacket is stuffed with man-made wadding to conserve heat and has an AquaDry membrane to keep the jacket waterproof up to 10,000mm and stay breathable.
The lining is made of a cosy cotton and the soft-touch outer fabric is a welcome change from the crinkly, shiny fabric often found on waterproof winter coats. The fleece lining of the hood also feels great against the head and face.
The Elison is a little on the heavy side at 1360g, but this is not the kind of jacket you'd roll up and stuff into a backpack for a bikepacking trip, it's the kind you'd grab off the hook on the way out the door for a Winter stroll in the woods and other everyday activities.
One thing we love about this jacket is that Craghoppers has really upped their pocket game here. The Elison has no less than nine pockets, including a pair of large poppered front pockets, zipped hand warmer pockets, and a mobile phone and RFID pocket.
The hood fits pretty well, but we would have liked the added flexibility of a removable hood, and removable fur trim.
We would say that the overall fit of the jacket is good, and tends slightly on the large side to allow for layering in especially cold weather. The hem falls to around mid-thigh which helps to keep the entire upper body warm, and the addition of elasticated inner cuffs is also a welcome one.
The Elison is available in four different colours, all of which are understated and attractive from the Charcoal black we tested, to Navy, Vintage Red and a lovely light blue/grey - Stormy Sea.
It's also worth mentioning that the Elison is part of Craghoppers' new Mindfully Made Autumn/Winter 2020 collection, which is made from 70% recycled materials. About 96 plastic bottles were recycled to make one Elison jacket, and Craghoppers are doing their bit to improve their environmental impact, from using more sustainable fabrics to reducing the amount of paper used in swing tags.
Overall, the Elison (and the men's equivalent, the Pember) is a great choice of Autumn/Winter jacket that will protect you from rain, wind and falling temperatures while still looking great. Plus it won't break the bank!
