I've got some Rohan jeans and I really like them What I particularly like is that they look just like ordinary jeans but they're lighter and dry quicker than most. And I've got my eye on the envoy suits as well. I recently got to thinking about other staples in the wardrobe which might benefit from the Rohan makeover and I want to ask about tweed. I remember Rohan making Norfolk jackets in the 1970s (I think they were made to order).
I used to have a Patagonia Travel Tweed jacket. It was made of 100% polyester and it looked just like a tweed sports jacket. It packed down small into a travel pouch and it didn't mind a soaking. Is there any chance of Rohan looking into a sports jacket for the range? I don't know about anyone else but I do like the idea of a sports jacket as a travel casual/smart/all occasions jacket.

Dear outdoorenthusiast. Great forum name - and what a great idea! Do you know I remember the Patagonia jacket. It looked lime an excellent idea but I could never afford it at the time... I think this is a cracking idea. Before you get your hopes up though please bear in mind we are just about finished designing AW2012 and there is a high level of attrition on cracking ideas unfortunately. One range can only hold so many... Anyone else in favour apart from me, please speak up! Best, Tim

Tim, Thanks for your post. I'm delighted that you like the idea. I looked for information on the AW2012 but without success - what sort of jacket is that going to be?
I'd hope that a Rohan Tweed Sports Jacket would appeal to lots of different people, especially if it had some of those extra Rohan touches. As an example - maybe for commuting cyclists (and walkers/travllers) it could have lapels which could be buttoned across to close the gap at the neck, plus maybe some working button cuffs and buttonholes which could adjust the material at the wrist.
I remember that the Patagonia jacket was half lined and was so comfortable that, alas, it got worn out after many years. I'm just sorry there's nothing else out there like it.
Thanks, David

I think it'd be a very distinguished thing to telemark down a piste full of stunt-jumping snowboarders in, but it should be available along with a technical deerstalker hat!

Sorry David, misleading use of internal jargon: AW2012 is Autumn/Winter 2012! Meaning that's the earliest likely launch date for any new product ideas to come to fruition. In fact we'll soon be moving on to Spring Summer 2013. Makes me very tired this living in the future... Yes I really like the idea of a potential jacket having a button-up front. Don't get your hopes up though, please - there is a high rate of attrition even on the really good product ideas like this one! All the best, in any event. Tim

Tim, if a Rohan Tweed jacket does make it through the attrition process (and of course I'll be keeping fingers crossed that it does) as far as prototypes, perhaps there is scope for forum members to get involved in field/town testing? I used to like wearing the Patagonia Travel Tweed on the mountains as well as round and about and I'd be more than happy (as you can imagine!) to put a Rohan one through its paces. Thanks, David

Great idea in principle David. I'd be up for that. We'll keep on with the war of attrition and maybe one day something will emerge from it that is worth weartesting... Best, Tim

I suspect this is something my husband would be interested in as well. And we'd both be interested in being field testers for you...!!

Many thanks for the offer of weartesting. Actually weartesting is not as exciting as it sounds. What usually happens is that you get a sample of a new garment that isn't quite right, in a fabric that is a really odd colour, that you then have to wear every day for a couple of months... Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds... All the best, Tim

"Actually weartesting is not as exciting as it sounds"

I did a bit of gear reviewing about a decade ago for a now defunct outdoors web site, and even with finished production articles it's not all most gear-junkies would crack it up to be. Not actually something I resented (or I wouldn't have done it) but the picture Tim paints rings bells... If it's something designed to protect you from particularly harsh weather that's even worse, as you are obliged to go and find its limits if you're doing the job properly!

(in this vein, my views of the worthlessness of anti-shock on trekking poles aren't mere theory, they're based on a 10 hour day around Glen Etive Munros with two otherwise identical apart from a spring BD poles, one in one hand and one in the other and noting no practical difference in comfort by the time I could hardly stand up without them... It was a great day but would have been better without having to think about the stuff I was using)

Though I imagine my daughter will be happy to help you with a prototype garment for girls, as long as the sample is purple...

Pete.