Stay clear of Harkila

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Bryan71 said:
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,
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OK. Noted
 
white van man said:
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.
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I think this post is very valid, someone says they've owned a certain garment for years and it's given great service, in actual fact they may have used it a handful of times a year at most. The same garment/boots worn day in and day out, will soon show its build quality... or rather the lack of it!
 
So I’ve avoided the very expensive brands especially Harkila as I just couldn’t justify the expense, so can’t comment on their quality either now or in the past.

What I have found great are

Barbour Northumbria jacket that I use for beating and picking up, re-wax it every three seasons and it’s good to go again.

Rivers West long jacket for Wildfowling it’s very warm totally water and weather proof and just keeps going each season.

Hoggs of Fife Field Pro jacket, detachable fleece and hood used this for many years for driven game shooting it’s always provided good service and is still waterproof today up to a point.

Seeland Woodcock II Jacket, Trousers and Breeks bought these a few years ago and was my first foray into the more expensive heavily marketed brands but not a silly price, overall very pleased with them warm, very comfortable, totally waterproof and no issues what so ever so far. This has now taken over from my Hoggs Of Fife for driven game shooting.

Duck Dri Woodland camo jacket and detachable hood bought it from their stand at one of the game fairs many years ago, tried on a standard size and they then took measures from that for a custom fit jacket which they mailed to me about two weeks later cost £110 I think. It’s the best jacket I have, use it for stalking every time out in all weathers.
 
I may try and get my Harkila boots resoled, the soles cracked on a hike last week, the first time in ten years they've let me down.
I bought some fancy Blaser trousers in a sale recently, so I'll probably have to leave the forum now.....
 
Tommo said:
Totally agree. I still use the ProHunter Mk1 stuff which has never let me down. Yes it’s lost it’s water resistance but cannot beat it in the cold
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You can use a specialised wash in waterproof wax like nikwax. I use this on all my waterproof kit. Firstly use the "tech wash" this is used in the washing machine to firstly properly clean the garment. Then run s short wash cycle using TX direct wash in wax. This will restore the waterproof qualities of your garment. When the garment is dry, if you tip water on it, it will just bead up and completely run off, it lasts for quite a few washes before you eventually need to reproof the garment.
 
I have used Harkila Book, 2 pairs 3 seasons, so agree they just are not tough enough. I am styill using my Harkila Pro Hunter trousers and Jacket bought in 8 years ago now and they get an absolute caning, but the stiching was poor so had to repair the pockets, twice. The trousers split in the crotch, both liner and trouser, my wife repaired. I am now as of last year on my 2nd trouser, the inner liner has already split, but they do get used a lot, over tough terrain and fences etc. Overall, the jacket and trousers are fair, but boots, not a chance. will only buy in the sales as just not worth the money being asked.
 
Made in China = avoid.

I dont buy rifles, scopes, binos, ammunition/components, sticks or knives made there.

Why would I buy chinese made clothes or boots ?

False economy to buy, irrespective of brand. Let the retailers know you wont buy it from Chinese origin and you just might change their approach.
 
You will never change the company’s mind it’s all about profit, avoid stoney creek poppers falling off, not made in china anymore this seasons are made in India as it’s cheaper.
 
I remember when Barbour started using China.The amount of the fancy waterproof jackets we had back for bad sewing on seams.Another company that lost it’s way.It’s such a shame we have very few companies these days that make clothes in this country.
 
sikamalc said:
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.
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That was a brave and expensive experiment!

K
 
I bought a pair of Grade A army surplus Karrimor GoreTex boots off FleaBay £44 they get absolutely caned, yesterday I was out beating and going through streams, muddy swamps etc it didn’t stop raining all day, almost torrential at times and fairly cold wind blowing, traversing steep muddy gully’s the lot and my feet were totally bone dry, toasty warm and fully supported to buy the same boot new on FleaBay is £84.95 . All I do is rinse the worse of the mud off and leave and they haven’t let me down .
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That's my experience of most top brands; the claims about manufacturing quality and service (in particular) don't stack up with the price or product. I am not an inverse snob, got enough £ to have tried them and been disappointed. I do like the ProHunter trousers, can't say I have seen much difference in quality between old and new but there again I only own two pairs ! Same with the boots, they are a bit wide for my feet but took a hammering pretty well. Other than that I prefer other stuff

So I would buy a Beretta shotgun not a Preazzi or a Krieghoff; and a Tikka or a Bergara but not a Blaser. Accuracy International on the other hand you get what you pay for both in terms of product and service.
 
It's the race to the bottom on costs, normally driven by investors chasing profit margins. Low cost often means quality is compromised.

I have found harkila to be OK so far on clothing but dont own much. I had a nightmare on their footwear so sticking to meindl or the muckboots.
 
People use to buy a brand because it stood for quality they were prepared to pay that bit more because it would last.
I understand that once a person bought say a Jacket it would last years and years so they wouldn’t buy another.
I remember when I sold Barbour the rep said the trouble with the wax jackets was they lasted a person so long.
And shopping trends change we live in a throw away society
 
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