Really waterproof jacket
- Thread starter c18rch
- Start date
Edit,
KUIU have now been in touch and are replacing my jacket with a new one.
Willie
Well-Known Member
I have 2 Pajero Paramo jackets and find them great for beating/shooting on the moor as they are light, wind proof and will keep you warm and dry in a shower. They are not waterproof in moderate to heavy rain despite being regularly washed in Nikwax. As soon as you put any pressure on the fabric e.g. rifle straps or ruck sack they leak profusely, however do dry quite quickly. The fabric is reasonable tough but doesn’t like thorns or brambles.
W
In my experience the only material which is totally waterproof is gortex. As previously said ex MOD gortex is the best and cheapest stuff and when I used to boat fish for pike in the winter it was the only thing which would keep me dry. A gortex lined fleece would be a good option. Also agree its the layers that are important as I learnt when skiing. Also in that scenario the only gloves that keep your hands warm and dry are Gortex ones.
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c18rch
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the recomendations everyone.
I agree with you completely. It shouldn’t, but finding one is a different matter.
I like thin waterproof shell jackets for all the reasons you list. However, I don’t want Mil Surp ideally. I like to be able to wear the same jacket for stalking, game shooting, or even when just out with the family. You can't do that without looking out of place with Mil Surp. The Harkila's fitted the bill perfectly, and they are 100% waterproof ( I have been out all day in some biblical weather and stayed dry when most haven't) and can be worn anywhere without a second look. However, as somone already said above, the quality keeps going down and the price up.
I don't mind paying for quality. I have always been of the opinion, buy once, cry once. But at £440 for something that look poorer quality that the one that has just failled, I am not prepared to take the risk of it lasting 2 minutes, and they don't do warranties on their shell jackets for some reason.
I like the Swazi, but I'm not really looking for a smock and all the others look like they are lined with insulation.
I like the Arcteryx (they seem to always have rave reviews) but they don't do a 'shooting' green that I am aware of, and V expensive.
The KUIU jackets look promising, but are they all camoflauge?
There must be somthing out there that is as good as the first Harkila jacket I had, or am I asking too much.
I agree with you completely. It shouldn’t, but finding one is a different matter.
I like thin waterproof shell jackets for all the reasons you list. However, I don’t want Mil Surp ideally. I like to be able to wear the same jacket for stalking, game shooting, or even when just out with the family. You can't do that without looking out of place with Mil Surp. The Harkila's fitted the bill perfectly, and they are 100% waterproof ( I have been out all day in some biblical weather and stayed dry when most haven't) and can be worn anywhere without a second look. However, as somone already said above, the quality keeps going down and the price up.
I don't mind paying for quality. I have always been of the opinion, buy once, cry once. But at £440 for something that look poorer quality that the one that has just failled, I am not prepared to take the risk of it lasting 2 minutes, and they don't do warranties on their shell jackets for some reason.
I like the Swazi, but I'm not really looking for a smock and all the others look like they are lined with insulation.
I like the Arcteryx (they seem to always have rave reviews) but they don't do a 'shooting' green that I am aware of, and V expensive.
The KUIU jackets look promising, but are they all camoflauge?
There must be somthing out there that is as good as the first Harkila jacket I had, or am I asking too much.
I have the same thoughts about cammo generally, which is why I went for the drab olive tones of the Austrian Army Mountain Goretex
MAN off the MOUNTAIN: Austrian Army Goretex Jacket .... review
As I said before, Ive used arcteryx for work, they're definitely good but colours and price are certainly not! these Austrian Army jackets are honestly their equal in terms of waterproofing and in my view are harder wearing.
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
If I hadn't got my old faithful Chrysalis Loden coat,(not much change out of £600 today 
) I could be tempted by one of these in double ventile material. Glencoe DV Jacket
) I could be tempted by one of these in double ventile material. Glencoe DV Jacket
Uncle Norm
Well-Known Member
Lots of very good reviews on this site. Austrian Army M65 Gore-Tex Jacket
1. Fully understand that point of view. The Austrian jackets are the best compromise there - exact same material as the British and German camo jackets, same price point, but olive drab and not particularly “military”.
2. A lot of the “quality” outdoor performance clothing is insanely expensive for what it is. Only the proper mountaineering / yachting gear - stuff that will save your life - is maybe worth the crazy money. When you get hold of some of the posh stuff and really take a close look at how it is made, you realise its usually no better than something half the price. As mentioned several times in this thread a couple of the top brands have done a Mercedes, and tried to cut cost whilst maintaining brand position. It never works.
3. Yes. Kuiu is all camo. Take a look at these three non-camo lightweight options, proven now and very popular over here.
Huntech
Hunters Element
I can personally vouch for these:
Ridgeline
For some reason the website isn’t showing the alternative ‘nature green’ colour for the Monsoon II. My hunting buddy has these for all his family. The Torrent II are excellent and very popular for the Quietex fabric, which is properly silent. My boys wear the kids sized versions and stay out in the rubbish weather all day in them. All available in non-camo.
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jon2
Well-Known Member
I bought a Swazi Thar once and it was the worst waterproof jacket I’ve ever encountered. They may have improved the design now (I don’t know), but mine had the neoprene cuffs. In wet weather the water would wick up the cuffs, up your sleeves and soak you from the inside out! A keeper friend of mine had the same and found the same. I raised this with Swazi direct and the after sales was appalling too.
I now buy walking gear that is in the right colour. I have a Rab 3/4 Goretex jacket and also a Hagloff of similar design. They are both excellent and nowhere near the money of the Swazi gear. Customer service is excellent too.
I now buy walking gear that is in the right colour. I have a Rab 3/4 Goretex jacket and also a Hagloff of similar design. They are both excellent and nowhere near the money of the Swazi gear. Customer service is excellent too.
jesuswillis
New Member
Had a tahr, agree with jon2 cuffs were awful and I found it to be sweat box. kuiu yukon is much more breathable and if you keep a look out they do solid colours.
Have you seen a Yukon in Olive Green?
c18rch
Well-Known Member
After a fair bit of searching, I found this:
TARGET JACKET M Kaki
I have a goretex Eider skiing jacket (wrong colurs for stalking and insulated) and that is absolutely amazing so for £115, I thought this was worth a punt. I'll report back on how I get on with it.
That Firstlite jacket looks good though.
SEAK Stormtight Rain Jacket
I'll bear that in mind if the Eider doesn't work out for some reason.
TARGET JACKET M Kaki
I have a goretex Eider skiing jacket (wrong colurs for stalking and insulated) and that is absolutely amazing so for £115, I thought this was worth a punt. I'll report back on how I get on with it.
That Firstlite jacket looks good though.
SEAK Stormtight Rain Jacket
I'll bear that in mind if the Eider doesn't work out for some reason.
CPShines
Well-Known Member
That looks good. Maybe a bit short for keeping your lap dry in a highseat? Will be interested to hear how you get on.
That's the Firstlite jacket I fancy, looks a better design that the Yukon I have.
Hunt-Inter
Well-Known Member
Best I ever had was a Sportcheif jacket. Very waterproof and good collar and length
c18rch
Well-Known Member
I very rarely use highseats. Much prefer to be walking around. I certainly wouldn't be sat in on if it were raining unless it had a roof. However, if I had to, I would put on waterproof trousers.
One of the reasons I don't really like the smocks is that I'm quite stocky and a short ar$e. The smocks that fit me come down to my knees usually, so it'll probably be fine for me!
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