A little about me to start with so you know who is writing this. I am a director of Pro Adventure Activities in Llangollen, a not for profit outdoor centre and an aspirant Level 5 canoe coach. I have been boating for 28 years – paddled around the world in canoes and kayaks. I have worked in the outdoors for over 20 years teaching pretty much everything. When it comes to abusing kit i am right up there with the pro kit destroyers. Im outside 5 days a week most of the year whether it be boating or biking for myself or instructing or guiding expeditions. So my kit gets put through the mill and only the stuff that works gets kept and used and used.

Well I got my current set of peak kit 2 years ago now, and they have been well and truly used and abused. I have been using peak kit on and off since I started paddling. Not exclusively as you don't do you, you get what you can afford and as you progress your requirements change.

But I was lucky enough to get a Pro-deal with peak in 2010 which enabled me to kit myself out in a 1 piece creeker drysuit, a River Guide BA, a creeker dry cag, Multi sport pants and multi sport jacket.

As a UKCC coach educator, WWSR provider, 4 Star provider, WW Coach, expedition guide and a kayak and canoe Paddler I thought this would be the best mix of kit to enable me to do all my coaching.

Where to start? I guess with the bank kit.
The multisport pants and the jacket are really well designed and so functional that they are always in my kit bag. Whether im biking, walking, teaching climbing or team building they are there. The Pants fit well, and the with the zip opening at the bottom are very easy to get over boots. They do the trick of fitting over trousers really well, but also being worn just over boardies equally well. The Velcro and neoprene ankle seals are surprisingly waterproof, as I found out and regularly test lol

The jacket is lightweight, windproof and surprisingly waterproof considering how light it is. This jacket is so versatile that it gets worn for coaching, paddling, walking, biking and even going out and shopping. My only gripe with the jacket is the hood.. As hoods go its awesome, adjusts well and fits over a helmet easily, BUT, it didn't stow anywhere which was slightly annoying, but good news the new version is stowable. A big thumbs up.

They are called multisport and in my opinion they work well in every sport I have tried. These are a MUST for anyone who is outdoors often.

Creeker 1 piece dry-suit. Well as a white water canoeist, WWSR provider and someone who likes to be comfy while boating, a dry suit is an essential bit of my kit. It get used 5 days a week for nearly 6 months of the year.
The creeker suit when I got it was new on the market and plenty of people were dubious of the zip location, especially for a canoeist. I saw it as the best place for it, as it meant easy to get on and off, a built in pee zip plus it didn't get in the way of putting BA's on.
From the first time I put it on, it felt comfortable, didn't restrict movement and after a little adjustment to the neck seal, easy to wear for the day. The material felt tough but supple and the seams looked well done. After2 years of use, I can happily say my initial thoughts were correct. The zip is awesome and works well( just remember to used the lube that comes with it occasionally). The material still looks new and none of the seams have failed.
Since having it i can honestly say it has never leaked. Its not been washed or re-proofed and is perfect!! My only gripe with this bit of kit is that the elbow pad pockets after being in the water can collect water and when you lift your arms up it runs out. Not a big issue at all but annoying.

The River guide BA is quite simply in my mind the best BA on the market. I have had and used many other types and they are all good, but they don't get the accolade of the BEST. This BA manages to fit cavernous pockets, fantastic cut, easy adjustments and perfect fit in on well built product. Put simply perfect. The front pocket happily consumes the following – Boat saw, 4m Tape, 2 x Krabs, 2 spare drain bungs, spare foot plate bolts, waterproof note book, knife, glasses holder and a digital camera. Yes, honestly all that and still close and not effect the fit or hamper paddling or swimming.

The creeker long Cag is possibly the least used bit of my kit. This is because the dry suit and multi sport jacket do such a good job that the cag just doesn't get used that much. But on the few times I have worn it, it has been amazing. The fit, cut and quality is that you would expect from Peak UK.


I feel I can say all this as I have to pay for my kit, and there fore don't have to say nice things. As a result of my using Peak UK kit, I have seen my staff and customers start to change over to using it. This i feel is the best confirmation of how good the kit is.

(Posted on the 18th Jun 2012 by jennyc)

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