Article supplied by 360
New Zealand weather can bring a range of conditions – damp fog, driving rain, blazing sun, and howling winds. Battling these elements on-farm can be tricky, particularly when your gear is not up to scratch.
Thankfully Co-op farmers have their own range of clothing that is tailor-made for New Zealand conditions – the 360 range, sold exclusively through Farm Source stores. The latest addition to the range – the new 360 Performance XP Jacket – totally pushes the boat out in terms of practicality, comfort and performance on-farm.
The jacket’s development was a collaborative effort between 360 Clothing and Co-op farmers. Co-op test farmers provided feedback on the new three-layer jacket fabric performance, along with a list of essential features required to deliver the best weather protection possible.
The result is a completely new design that has been very successful during on-farm trials.
One of the standout features of the Performance XP Jacket is its three-layer fabric technology. Terry Gardiner, 360 Clothing’s Strategic Sourcing Manager, explains that this combination ensures the jacket is 100% waterproof and windproof.
“We know farmers use their jackets day in and day out. That’s why we’ve incorporated a new quick-dry fabric, to make sure it’s ready to be put back to work the next day, which has received great feedback from our farmers' trialling the jackets. In a nutshell, we have reduced weight by combining what was multiple layers into a single three-ply fabric with no loss of performance or durability,” Terry explains.
Practicality is essential in farm workwear, and the Performance XP Jacket excels in this area. It includes multiple pockets for storage, magnetic closures on the collar, and domed storm flaps to withstand driving rain. The larger front stow pockets with secure zip compartments make it easy to carry and access tools and essentials, even with gloves on.
Terry says the key driver behind the 360 brand was to create quality farm workwear that was designed specifically for dairy farming.
“Dairy farmers require their own specifications as it’s a unique environment with a distinctive set of challenges. Our gear needed to perform in any season, not just when it is cold and wet. It needed to be noticeably lighter, have better condensation control, and provide more comfort without sacrificing performance. It also needed to repel wind and rain but have a much faster drying time, so it is comfortable to wear the next morning. Extensive farm testing is key. We have some really good test farmers across the store network,” he says.
By understanding the unique needs of Kiwi farmers through extensive on-farm testing, 360 will continue to develop products that are truly farm fit. This collaboration ensures that every piece of gear is designed with their specific needs in mind, providing practical, durable, and comfortable solutions for New Zealand farming.
Gear up for this winter with the new 360 Performance XP Jacket, available online and at selected Farm Source stores.