Stay clear of Harkila

[Jamouk]

Had some really good Harkila stuff and had some crap ! Sizes also seem to have become inconsistent

 

[pux]

I have a couple of Harkila jumpers & flannel shirts, they have been great. But i have found their more technical stuff like the jackets etc to be poorly made of late.

 

[sikamalc]

Bought a pair of those Harkila clock work wind up boots this September. Comfortable to wear, but I cant see them lasting very long with me. Not very robust and the lace system on one is already becoming a problem.

Expensive for what they are and not that well made.

 

[Jamouk]

Yes ive had 6 different pairs of harkila boots 2 very good and have lasted and 4 rubbish

 

[David T]

Had a pair of their boots and they lasted a season. Lesson learned

 

[Bryan71]

The frustrating thing is the stuff isn’t cheap.I believe they have lost the concept of quality

 

[Treedave]

We could add a few swazi products to the list of 'bewares'

Yep, the give away was the puddles growing in the bottom of each chest pocket (zipped and flaps shut). The response from Swazi was for me to post it to NZ so they could repair it, all at my cost. Cheers!

The older version of the same jacket, still going strong.

 

[Tazz]

Sorry to hear that. Perhaps try the Swedteam Pro Veil for half the price at Bushwear.

Mighty impressed with mine after 6 months use in all weathers.

I have a number of Swedteam jackets/Smock and trousers very good quality and never had a problem with any of their products. They are not cheap but watch out for retailers discounting them occasionally

 

[Bavarianbrit]

About 35 years ago I bought a tweed and goretex shooting coat from Walter Norton in saville row, way way before these materials became fashionable for shooting clothing. Cost £500 then. Still got it, fits like an old comfortable cardigan and does the job against the weather. Quality does indeed last.

£14.28 per year, nice one.

 

[white van man]

Bought Harkila boots which fell apart they were replaced under warranty and the new ones barely lasted two years, doubt if I wore them 50 times on mild Suffolk countryside.
WILL not buy Harkila again.
Steve.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

View attachment 234804

That's what I have but mine looks like new as I never use it. Too noisy in high seats and since leaving the UK I do no more goose shooting.

 

[Dillon]

Just bought a pair of Harkila high boots, thankfully after reading this I only paid half price!

 

[MGD]

Done harkila first day started falling apart that was the pro x jacket and trouser fitted if wore then back to front so now were kuiu so far very impressed and a lot cheaper than harkila

 

[liongeorge]

Blimey I was thinking about getting some Pro hunter trousers as I have an old jacket and ancient Kodiak trousers which have been very good. But the price did make me wince and have heard a few bad reports recently.

What do people recommend as an alternative?? I'm after a tough thick gore-tex trouser like the pro hunter, and please don't say Shooterking, they're OK but not quite there, too long in the leg, fine for the money but I want something a bit better.

 

[doric_prince]

Nomad trousers, quiet warm but waterproof. Mine have held up well past 3 years.

 

[john.g]

Bought a Harkila roe sack quite a few years ago bloody thing started to come apart at the seams after a few deer had been in it, complained to retailer who said he would send another 1 out, this never arrived so I contacted them again, another sack duly sent out, this 1 started to come apart after a few months luckily the original one they sent out turned up after 6 weeks ? so far its still in one piece. out of 3 roe sacks 2 failed wouldn't buy another

 

[doric_prince]

This problem has infected all clothing and footwear. The quality has dropped through the floor in order to keep prices low. It's very bad not just for the clothes but because it has artificially reduced inflation and the standard of living seriously for the past couple of decades.
When I started working a reasonable quality work shirt was £40-50. The equivalent now (e.g Lewin etc) is rarely over £25 (perma-sales). Yet a good quality English shirt has doubled or tripled in cost. The same with shoes or suits. We're all paid by reference to inflation, but the measure of inflation has been fraudulent for years now. It's comparing the price of an apple 20-30 years ago to the price of a mouldy prune now.

Agree on the lewin shirts, got a wardrobe full of them. Luck if I get 1 year out of them, collar and cuffs ware through quick. But they r made to a price point as semi disposable fashion.

 

[Doric]

Well managed to get a Harkila Mountain Goretex Smock at a good price from a retailer.After a couple days wear.
Were do i start the Velcro on the cuffs began coming away,Because the Velcro produces so much force when pulled apart.One would think they would double sew it.No just light stitches.Harkila wasn’t interested.Good job the Mrs is good with a sewing machine.Messaged the retailer as they didn’t have another they refunded me £20 so thought all is ok.Then today noticed the inner sleeve lining is coming away.I’m no expert but the Mrs said it looks like this has been repaired before and sent back to the retailer.I contacted the retailer and they said return it for a refund.I again contacted Harkila they couldn’t care less.
A smock that they try and flog for over £500+.What is it with companies these days.I use to sell Barbour many moons ago before it got trendy.I don’t mind paying for quality but be grudge paying for over priced rubbish,

Used to be very good, now cheap Chinese rubbish. Made at a knock down price sold at a ridiculously high price. Yet fools and their money will base quality on price. I use a Ridgeline smock. Very well made in Newzealand , totaly waterproof and at a reasonable price.

 

[Andy seatrout]

What do people recommend as an alternative?? I'm after a tough thick gore-tex trouser like the pro hunter, and please don't say Shooterking, they're OK but not quite there, too long in the leg, fine for the money but I want something a bit better.

I’ve been crawling around, beating, limited stalking ( they’re silent) fox shooting lots in these Ridgeline Pintail trousers over the last two years and they’re great…… I nearly shed a tear when I put two neat holes in the reinforced knee with some sharp barbed wire last week…. But it didn’t rip further, a bit of aquasure and good as new……

I’ve had loads of shooting, fishing trousers and breeks…. ( Deerhunter, Rohan, seeland, Barbour, musto, hogs…. And probably others) And these are the best I’ve had ( although I have a pair of harkila breeks that are green tbh- 3 years on and good as new). I’ve a second pair in olive green, but I prefer the lighter teak colour….

 

[purdey24]

I have had two pairs of Harkila boots fall apart in their second year, never again. Grisport keeper boots for me now.
I also have a roe sack and it seems to be ok up to now but probably only had about a dozen roe in it.