Shackleton: High Performance Clothing (20% Offer for Blog Readers)

I have a weakness for clothes originating in the very British heritage of adventure and exploration and am delighted that Shackleton, suppliers of British-made professional outdoor clothing to some of the toughest cold weather expeditions, are here offering their products to blog readers for a 20% discount (see below for details).

Clothing worn in the most extreme conditions has to be well-designed and robust and it's the toughness that makes it essential for extreme expeditions that also makes it invaluable for cold weekend walks and standing on icy railway platforms.

Wearing the Shackleton Discovery jacket made in Manchester, England

The Shackleton Company is named after that redoubtable polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Best known for navigating a small boat to South Georgia to find help for those left behind stuck on the Antarctic ice, his careful leadership saved the lives of all of his men. He's less well known for his earlier expedition to the south magnetic pole in 1907 which saw him come within 97 miles of the South Pole.

The company has the blessing and shareholder support of Shackleton's granddaughter and aims to inspire a modern world to rediscover courage, endurance and adventure. It has sponsored Scott Sears, the Gurkha officer who is, at this very moment, walking across Antarctica in a bid to become the youngest man to walk solo and unsupported to The South Pole. Shackleton have supplied much of his clothing, including a bespoke down parka, made in England, which will protect him in temperatures of -60 degrees Celsius and high windspeeds on the Antarctic ice sheet.

The Discovery jacket

The Endurance jacket

This expedition pedigree lies at the heart of the British-manufactured jackets, shirts, knitwear and merino layers that form part of the Shackleton clothing collection. The Discovery and Endurance jackets are made in the same factory as Scott Sears's expedition jacket, the knitwear is knitted in the UK and based on patterns worn by Shackleton's expedition members.

These products are no 'chocolate soldiers', but the real thing. All are hand-made in Manchester by the same hands that equipped both Scott Sears and other tough cold weather expeditions. The Discovery and Endurance jackets are made with very high quality goose down and are tested in Antarctica to -20ºC. The Discovery has a cotton Ventile shell, making it waterproof and breathable, while the Endurance uses a lightweight technical fabric which makes it even lighter than the Discovery, but makes it look more 'mountaineering equipment' in appearance.

The Endurance jacket in olive worn with a Shackleton Submariner jumper

But these products aren't just for hairy explorers. What better for cold commutes, dogwalks, rugby matches, country rambles or for those whose jobs take them outdoors in all weathers? The expedition heritage means that they are better-made, will last longer and be more effective than lesser high street pretenders. I've worn both the Discovery and Endurance jackets and they are toasty warm, stylish, beautifully made and designed and completely fit for purpose, whether you're in an alpine or polar landscape or tramping to the station on a cold winter's morning.

The Lupoid down shirt in black and merino scarf

The Discovery jacket in Ventile with turtle neck jumper

I'm delighted to be collaborating with The Shackleton Company, not least because I'm planning a trip late next year to the South Atlantic and Antarctica, during which I hope to visit South Georgia where Sir Ernest died in 1922 and is buried. Over the next year I will be wearing, using and abusing the Shackleton Collection in both Antarctic and urban conditions to try out the best of British-made outdoor and expedition wear. 

To celebrate this collaboration Shackleton have agreed to offer a generous 20% discount to blog readers. If you visit Shackleton Clothing and enter GreyFox20 at the checkout the discount will apply.

Photographs by Andy Barnham. I've been wearing Shackleton clothing for this feature and have received no payment. All views are my own.

Edward Green Shoes: Made in England

Among my most comfortable shoes are these from Edward Green who've been making shoes in Northampton since 1890. Through careful attention to detail they've built an unrivalled reputation among shoe lovers. Having tried a couple of pairs I can now see why. The leather-soled suede derbies, although worn regularly for over a year now, have the unusual property of hardly wearing down at the heel, despite much London pavement bashing. They are a beautifully made pair of Cardiff derby brogues in olive suede. I'm lucky enough to have the same shoe in Delapré calf which is supple and soft to touch as it's been treated with nine different leather fats - this pair has a rubber Dainite sole.

My Delapré calf (left) and olive green suede Cardiff derbies from Edward Green

But how is it that such a stylish-looking shoe can be so comfortable? I asked Euan Denholm of Edward Green to explain these properties to me, surely a shoe is a shoe is a shoe? He told me, "Those soles and heels [on the suede derbies] are oak-bark tanned for nine months - it creates a sole which is highly durable yet light, comfortable and flexible (although one pays far more for the raw material!)". This underlines the importance not only of the quality of construction, but also of the materials used. There are no short cuts to true quality. See Edward Green.

The shoes were sent for review. This feature is unsponsored and all views expressed are mine alone.

Savile Row Company Made to Measure Shirts

The Savile Row Company is a third generation family business offering bespoke and made to measure shirt services from their store in London's Savile Row. However, they also offer affordable made to measure shirts online and I've had the chance to try that service.

The online service involves entering some basic measurements online, selecting a cloth and the style of shirt, including fit and details of placket, cuff, collar, pocket, buttons, trim and monogramming. I found all this easy to enter and the shirt arrived promptly, fitted well and, for £75, not much more than the price of a good of-the-peg shirt, this represented excellent value.

The selection of cloths is on the safe side, so the more adventurous of you may want a wider choice and, indeed, the company is looking to do this soon. Having said that, I loved the slim pink stripe I selected and few of you will fail to find a choice you like. Highly recommended. See Savile Row Company.

This feature is a collaboration with Savile Row Company.