Since Jobu Design manufactures and markets high quality tripod heads for wildlife and nature photographers (and the company is located in Canada), it only makes sense that it also offer Stealth Gear, a rugged line of apparel for those same photographers battling the climate/weather during their long shoots.

Christopher Dodds, Canadian nature photographer and workshop instructor, wholeheartedly endorses Stealth Gear clothing, especially the Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest. On his blog, he mentions that he has worn the jacket during his trip to Bonaventure Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to photograph gannets and puffins and to Alaska to photograph brown bears.

What Christopher likes and you will too is not just the comfort and protective features of the Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest, but also its excellent versatility. It’s almost like wearing a camera bag, with all of its many pockets and storage areas.

1. Providing as much as comfort as possible in the natural elements is the first consideration when judging the quality of a photographer’s jacket. The people at Jobu Design have created just that with its Extreme Urban model. The outer cover and deep hood are made from 100% polyester micro suede and is treated with DuPont Teflon to resist dirt, water and unwanted stains. The outside of the jacket is also designed with TPU lamination, protecting you and your gear with more than 8033mm waterproofing and allowing it to breath to 5826g/m2/24hrs specifications.

2. The versatility of the Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket is also found in its removable arm sections. You’re able to wear it as a vest during warmer weather and still have access to all the pockets and other benefits of the jacket. Open the underarm air vents, secured with zipper and Velcro, for more body ventilation when the sun is warm.

3. At first glance, the reason behind the dimpled shoulder pads and their rubber surface may not be clear until you remember how often a camera strap has slipped from the shoulder of a typical jacket. This type of accident is almost impossible with the shoulder pad’s anti-slip strap grips; plus, you’ll carry a camera on a strap with more comfort with the jacket’s soft corduroy collar. When you know you won’t be carrying a camera across a shoulder, the jacket’s shoulder pads can be detached.

4. Another feature of the Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest that is critical for nature and wildlife photographer is movement doesn’t generate the noise of fabric rubbing against fabric or other parts.

5. The people at Jobu Design/Stealth Gear have also proven they’ve listened to their customers and thoroughly researched their needs by adding strength to the back of the jacket/vest, so it is easier and more comfortable to carry a backpack.

6. High on the arms are two memory cardholders, which are within easy reach. These are just two of the many pockets on the outside of the jacket; and all of them provide additional protection with their two-way YKK zippers.

7. Convenience is also a prime feature of the Stealth Gear Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest. Two large pockets on the lower front of the jacket have enough room for a mid-sized telephoto zoom lens, and then you can open these pockets further to load them with a DSLR and a small to medium-sized lens. You can grab your shooting gear quickly without fumbling with a bag or backpack and miss fewer of those great wildlife images.

8. The Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest also includes the Sit Anywhere Sheet that serves as a protective ground cover and as another storage compartment when it is re-secured to the jacket.

The Stealth Gear Extreme Urban Photographer’s Jacket/Vest comes in small, medium, large and extra larger and can be ordered directly from the company’s Web site for $395 (CAD) at http://www.stealth-gear.ca/Clothing.html