XPO Pro cold weather outfit - Browning

A review of the XPO Pro cold weather outfit by Browning (tested by Brent Norbury)

Browning is obviously very famous for its guns but less so on the clothing side – although they are certainly increasing their range in recent times. When I heard I was testing their gear I thought there’s no better place to test it than through the hard winter of Scotland.

When it comes to clothing I need something I can wear on a daily basis, which can survive rough use over rough terrain – so I was keen to put the Browning XPO Pro jacket and trousers through their paces.

The first thing I noticed when I put the clothing on was how comfy it felt. It really gave me the feeling I wasn’t going to be getting cold, that’s for sure. It is lined inside with the ultra warm Thinsulate insulation and it is made breathable, waterproof and windproof with the Pre-vent membrane. The coat and trousers fit nicely and there is impressive ease of movement when you are out shooting, especially for deer stalking and climbing.

The material is very quiet when moving around and when it touches branches etc., which is ideal for stalking. I appreciated the magnetic pockets that make closing the coat even more silent while in use. The coat is just long enough to cover your backside when you’re sitting down. I also liked the snug hood that covers my head well and fastens securely so the wind doesn’t blow it off.

The shoulders on the jacket are reinforced for extra protection. There are plenty of easy-access pockets on the front which are great hand-warmers and there is a rear game pocket too. The trousers also feature deep pockets and magnetic fasteners on the side. The cuffs are a waterproof neoprene with hook and loop tabs. The trousers feature a bib and brace, which makes wearing them very comfortable, but if you don’t want to use this feature they can be unzipped and taken off. The muted greenish/brown tones of the suit were effective at helping me blend into the surroundings.

There was only one thing I wasn’t so keen on. That was the zips: they seem a bit noisy compared to the fabric and the magnetic openers. But that’s just a minor detail and I don’t really use them very much when I’m stalking anyway.

Overall I very much enjoyed wearing the Browning XPO Pro clothing throughout the winter and was impressed by its performance. I’ll definitely be reaching for it again when the weather turns colder this year…

www.browning.eu

RRP: Jacket, £295; trousers, £195