When it comes to wet-weather workwear, few environments test the limits quite like a New Zealand dairy farm.
That is why the latest evolution of Kaiwaka’s Stormforce range did not begin in an office – it began on the farm, in the shed, and in conversation with the farmers who wear it every day.
This is not simply a redesign. It is a direct response. Built on real feedback from real farmers, the new Stormforce 2.0 reflects the lived experience of those working in some of the toughest conditions in the country. Their voices shaped every detail, from the structural enhancements to the smallest finishing touches. The redevelopment of Stormforce started with visits to farms across New Zealand. From Northland to Southland, farmers were invited to provide direct feedback on their gear requirements. Their insights were candid, detailed, and deeply practical.
One consistent frustration? Domes on jackets.
“They’re a pain to do up,” one farmer said. “So I never use them. Then water gets in through the zip.”
That single comment resulted in one of the most noticeable changes: the introduction of magnetic closures. These fasten automatically, keeping the storm flap firmly shut and the zip protected. Other farmers called out the need for more storage. Gear needs to carry tools, notebooks, gloves and those items need to stay secure.
“You can never have too much storage,” said another farmer.
Kaiwaka responded with newly designed dual-entry pockets that balance capacity with easy access and secure hold. Visibility was another recurring theme. With early starts and late finishes becoming the norm, farmers asked for greater reflectivity. The updated Stormforce now includes high-visibility reflective tape across both the front and back of jackets.
Perhaps the most surprising feedback was not about leaks or wear, but overheating. While staying dry remains essential, farmers noted the discomfort that comes from sweating inside heavy waterproof gear. That insight led to a re-engineered lining structure using mesh, designed to improve airflow between the outer and inner layers. The result is better breathability, improved body temperature regulation, and faster drying times after a hard day’s work.
As one farmer shared during testing, “With the improved insulation, it’s keeping my body temperature a lot more regulated, and it dries out faster too.”
This kind of thinking, practical, field- tested, and often overlooked, is why Kaiwaka continues to invest in its nationwide trialist network.
“The best ideas come from those doing it tough, and we’re here to deliver. Some of the changes we made weren’t on our radar until farmers pointed them out. That’s why the trialist network exists,” says the R&D team.
Testing took place across a wide variety of farming operations and regions, with farmers providing updates every four to six weeks. Changes were made in real-time, retested, and refined. No lab can replicate what a farmer puts their gear through. Kaiwaka’s own repairs department was also involved in the process, identifying consistent patterns in repairs to guide design improvements.
The new design still features Kaiwaka’s proprietary Twin Skin technology (with a waterproof laminate and a soft inner lining that wicks moisture away from the skin), DryCuff technology (sealing out water at the sleeve), and SeamFused construction, which delivers a high- strength, precision-welded seam without traditional stitching, eliminating water getting in at one of the most vulnerable points in any waterproof garment.
Article supplied by Kaiwaka Clothing