Best Stalking Jacket

[JSF]

In the market for a new stalking jacket and would like to hear your opinions. My requirements are fully waterproof, not too heavy, ideal for hill stalking.

 

[Malxwal]

No such thing as fully waterproof, unless you want to go stalking in oilskins.
Many of the big names seem to have complaints of diminished build or fabric quality, customer service or both.
I opted for a smock/jacket made of heavyweight lined Ventile I knew I would get full backup with as it's made locally (Hilltrek).
I'd avoid Nomad like the plague.

 

[Ronin]

Arcteryx Leaf Alpha LT jacket - light, waterproof, excellent wind protection and hood

Sit down when you look at the price

Used mine in all weather along with the over trousers and you can work all day and be comfortable - warm and mobile

 

[Koenig]

If your hill stalking you’ll be on the move and generating body heat. This will result in sweat which when you stop will chill you in winter weather. I’d go with a military surplus gotetex. This will be unlined so not capturing extra heat but fully waterproof. The British issue ones are generally actually pretty good. It’ll also stand up to crawling in gorse to get your shot. Mine is 20 years old and still going strong.

 

[Mossypaw]

Harris tweed.

 

[sikasako]

I use Nomad and Swazi and am impressed with the waterproof performance of both.

 

[404Shooter]

As @Koenig says, look at a recent MTP pattern UK or US mil surplus jacket. The modern ones are quality ventile, have pit zips, great pockets with covered buttons (no snags), handwarmer pockets and wire hood. They’re not waterproof but can be treated with Nikwax cotton proof to help and besides, you can wear your gold-plated Arc’teryx hard shell or Buffalo/Paramo underneath so it’ll keep you dry and/or warm but without any rustling.

 

[Dazb1967]

No such thing as fully waterproof, unless you want to go stalking in oilskins.
Many of the big names seem to have complaints of diminished build or fabric quality, customer service or both.
I opted for a smock/jacket made of heavyweight lined Ventile I knew I would get full backup with as it's made locally (Hilltrek).
I'd avoid Nomad like the plague.

Ive been out in some awful weather in my Nomad smock and it's brilliant, Windproof and Waterproof, does get heavy in the rain but its never let me down

 

[YoungGun]

No such thing as fully waterproof, unless you want to go stalking in oilskins.
Many of the big names seem to have complaints of diminished build or fabric quality, customer service or both.
I opted for a smock/jacket made of heavyweight lined Ventile I knew I would get full backup with as it's made locally (Hilltrek).
I'd avoid Nomad like the plague.

Which hilltrek did you go for? Have a double ventile smock on order ATM.

 

[bluesako]

has anyone on sd heard of filson wool cruisers they are a fantastic jkt coat keep you warm and dry bs

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I’ve just got a Stoney Creek Tundra and am very happy with it.

Stoney Creek - Hunting, Rural, Lifestyle, Workwear & Corporate

Trusted as the leading outdoor clothing brand for Hunters, Farmers, Fisherman, Tradesman & Outdoors Enthusiasts. Purpose-built products that a proven to perform

www.stoneycreekhunting.co.uk

Review from Ed at Edinburgh Rifles

New stuff, Old game

Part of the fun of equipment intensive outdoor activities is fine tuning your “kit” over years of testing Excluding the stuff that didn’t work as expected Fettling the stuff that was almost there but not quite Constantly acquiring stuff to solve a problem in the field. Some of the things I...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Utectok]

Army goretex I use US army but I’m sure they are all fine get a long one keeps u pretty dry sitting

 

[Dan Gliballs]

I’ve spent 25 years looking for the perfect stalking jacket. I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t exist and I’ve tried everything from harkila pro hunter to ex army. I’ve helped develop a custom made hill smock for one of the top brands and it still had its cons.

This season it will be a shirt, a waistcoat and a light packaway waterproof layer.

IMHO what works for forestry/low ground won’t work for hill stalking in the highlands.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

As @Koenig says, look at a recent MTP pattern UK or US mil surplus jacket. The modern ones are quality ventile

Unfortunately they’re not Ventile but they are pretty hard wearing and don’t cost the earth! You can get waterproof lined ones but they’ll cost a fair bit more.

 

[Malxwal]

Ive been out in some awful weather in my Nomad smock and it's brilliant, Windproof and Waterproof, does get heavy in the rain but its never let me down

Like the fabric, detest the design that allows rain in at your neck/chest, seam sealing falls off at first sign of sweat, and customer service is hens teeth.

 

[sh1kar]

15 year old harlkila autumn stags and hinds. Ex army goretex dpm and layers Winter hinds
S

 

[Dunwaters]

In the market for a new stalking jacket and would like to hear your opinions. My requirements are fully waterproof, not too heavy, ideal for hill stalking.

There isn't such a thing as just one jacket for all occasions and seasons, you need loads, at least one for each firearm and a couple of spares.

 

[mallettn]

Norrona Finnskogen for me and Forestry Commission I believe. Light, quiet, waterproof. very breathable and has pit zips.
Perfect for hill stalking with layering, but expensive and quite hard to find now.

 

[Everlong]

Unfortunately they’re not Ventile but they are pretty hard wearing and don’t cost the earth! You can get waterproof lined ones but they’ll cost a fair bit more.

I have a British Army MTP Windproof smock with MVP (goretex) liner - these are special forces issue I believe - excellent jacket. I have two of them, as the first is a little tight under the arm pits so available if anyone wants to buy one - would suit up to 42” chest

 

[Sika98k]

I’ll never win any fashion awards with it but the best jacket I have for a day out if the weather looks dubious is an ex Dutch army goretex jacket. Big hood on it. Big pockets and comes down to just about my knees. It’s never let rain through and was the princely sum of £10+P&P on eBay.