JOURNAL #30 - Behind the Design

The core ethos of our business is to design and produce outdoor trail and fieldwear that is durable, original and made for real British weather. We do this by incorporating our own experience, customer feedback and by working closely with a British factory to produce our final product.

For us, this means producing clothes that last, that can be worn year-round and be adapted to the shifting seasons. They are made for people who love outdoor adventurers, work outdoors and love a woodland walk.

The Trail Quarter Zip was developed following feedback from hikers who enjoyed the qualities of our Mallard Short Sleeve Teece – warmth, water-resistant in a light shower and not having to keep pushing up their sleeves. What they felt would be a further enhancement was adding in a zip to allow more temperature control as the weather changed during in the day. Or in the case of one adventurer who tackled Mont Blanc (see our previous journal Outdoor Clothing) – moving up the altitudes where the temperature could drop quite quickly. The new Trail Quarter Zip means you can start your day zipped up and warm, and then as they day goes on unzip for more airflow and comfort.

The evolution from short sleeve to long sleeve was designed with feedback from customers who already owned a short sleeve Mallard Teece and loved the warmth, practical easy-care microfleece fabric and versatility. But, felt that on very cold days it would be warmer if the sleeves were long and didn’t necessarily want the bulk by having to layer up. The Mallard Long Sleeve Teece has the same minimalist silhouette, durability, soft fabric and lightweight enough to feel warm but not bulky, just with long sleeves instead.

All our products are designed and made for British weather – crisp sunny mornings, drizzly afternoons and evenings cosy and warm indoors. They are designed with a simple unfussy silhouette that is relaxed but not baggy and a decent length for comfort.

As part of our design process we work closely with a British factory who initially provide a prototype which we thoroughly test out. This led to tweaks in the height of the quarter zip collar and sleeve length for both tops.

Wear them under a gilet on your dog walk, with jeans for everyday errands or on that next hike up a mountain.

These pieces exist because our customers asked for them. They are community driven designs that reinforce our Muddy Meadow ethos of providing practical, durable clothing that works in real outdoor life. We hope you enjoy them and we welcome all feedback.