Was wondering what views were on a lightweight breathable summer stalking jacket or suit don’t want to spend a fortune, I have harkila and Swazi stuff the the real bad weather so was looking at something cheap but needs to be breathable and quiet, recommendations welcome, many thanks
Advice on a summer stalking suit or jacket
- Thread starter pmooser
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caorach
Well-Known Member
You simply can't beat the surplus Windproof Smock for stalking, fishing or walking. It isn't waterproof, though with a bit of treatment becomes sufficiently showerproof for most days out, but that is actually an advantage as you don't end up wet and sweaty from the inside. The "fact" that you need a waterproof jacket is only true on a percentage of days in the year, often quite a low percentage, and the rest of the time you are much better off with a very breathable jacket. The smock has great pockets and is available in quite a few colour options, especially if you look at the German Flecktarn version as well, though to be honest I prefer the old type DPM one over the new MTP one in terms of features - the new one has pit zips and fleece handwarmer pockets and all sorts of stuff you simply don't need and that can slow down the drying out process should the smock get wet.
One thing worth considering is that instead of putting a waterproof layer on over the smock you can put it under it, so you keep all your pockets and remain silent plus you protect the waterproof layer from thorns or branches. This sounds like a mad idea, but actually works quite well once you give it a try and it means you can buy a very lightweight waterproof layer that packs down to no size at all as you are not too concerned about wear and tear because it will be protected by the smock. You probably won't need the waterproof layer too often and you can wear anything you happen to have lying about, or get a cheap lightweight shell, or even buy a mil surplus Goretex depending on what suits you.
Having tried everything else, and I have Harkila and Musto and a pile of other stuff, I'm now convinced this is the best clothing system for UK (certainly the northern bits where I spend my time) fishing/stalking/walking no matter what time of year.
I prefer £20 moleskin trousers and hanwag leather hiking boots for most of my stalking year round,,but when it get's really hot I use my 10 Euro decathlon trousers which are amazing for just 'that'!
I'm toying with the idea of upping the quality to these for the really hot days
www.orvis.co.uk
as for upper-wear, can't beat a button down and a surplus button down top/jacket/other...apply otterwax and it will do you for the showers, but on warm days showers are almost a god-send anyway!..also tends to bring the bucks out in the open to get the midges off of them
I'm toying with the idea of upping the quality to these for the really hot days
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as for upper-wear, can't beat a button down and a surplus button down top/jacket/other...apply otterwax and it will do you for the showers, but on warm days showers are almost a god-send anyway!..also tends to bring the bucks out in the open to get the midges off of them
In Texas it gets HOT! 100% plus is not unusual, bot more commonly upper 90s, which is bearable. We usually have wind. Although, when I watch The Open, many times that looks like winter to me. I wear Columbia Bone Head fishing shirts shorts and fishing hat. Yes I did say shorts. I find that I find myself more mindful where I put my legs/feet , amongst the cactus and mesquite. I do have snake bite gaiters, if I have to get in the thick stuff. capt david
Koenig
Well-Known Member
A Para Smock or similar combat jacket is ideal for summer stalking. Not waterproof granted, but not far off with a liberal spray of Fabsil or similar. Very quiet and lots of pockets. Probably best combined with a set of moleskin trousers in order to avoid looking to Army-ish.
Its worth having a look at the shooter king as they do a good anti tick range and you can pick it up quite cheaply. After having to have antibiotics for Lymes after a tick bite I tend to try and keep all my clothes tickproof if possible.
Ive compared a few of them side by side and although it does work I found the slowest working to be the new UK army issue permethrin treated stuff, The US ones were excellent, as were both Shooterking and Rovince. Ive just bought a Craghoppers Nosilife shirt as apparently that is the same treatment as the US army stuff (Insectshield) but haven't had a chance to try it yet.
Ive compared a few of them side by side and although it does work I found the slowest working to be the new UK army issue permethrin treated stuff, The US ones were excellent, as were both Shooterking and Rovince. Ive just bought a Craghoppers Nosilife shirt as apparently that is the same treatment as the US army stuff (Insectshield) but haven't had a chance to try it yet.
Cootmeurer
Well-Known Member
For early season here, when temps can be upper 90s F, and very high humidity, I prefer a leafy-flage bug suit. You can wear anything you like under it (or nothing at all). I've taken these to the highlands and they work week against midges and ticks. Best of all, the small/lightweight nature makes them a tiny package whennot worn (fits inside a gallon ziploc bag) .
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