Fjallraven No. 8 or Swazi (for Bushcraft, Camping, Hiking & Hunting)

[DeerHunterUK]

Hey Hunters

Anorak No. 8 M

Advanced anorak for demanding treks throughout the year. Made from G-1000 and G-1000 HeavyDuty with adaptable storm hood, plenty of ventilation and practical pockets. Produced without PFAS.

www.fjallraven.com

Decided to treat myself and purchased the Fjallraven No. 8 Anorak for £360 from Amazon (£465 on Fjallravens Website).

It’s meant to be the ultimate bushcraft jacket but from what I’ve read, not really suited to UK’s rainy climate.

The jacket should arrive next week but I’m already having buyers remorse and wondering whether I would have been better off buying a Swazi.

I don’t usually hunt in the rain but do occasionally camp, bushcraft, walk / hike in the rain. This isn’t usually by choice but in the north west, we can sometimes get all 4 seasons in 1 day.

Looking to hear from people that own either of these jackets and their thoughts and recommendations.

I see Ray Mears wears the Swazi for bushcraft as does Paul Childerley do stalking (both of whom work with / sponsored by Swazi)

The Fjallraven No 8 is supposed to be bombproof durable and long lasting. Although it can be waxed, it doesn’t do anything for waterproofness.

The Swazi is waterproof but like most waterproof membrane (goretex etc) these do perish after some time.

Essentially, want a good all round jacket. Keeping in mind that I already have the Deerhunter mufflon light waterproof jacket and trousers for stalking.

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks in advance….

 

[SimpleSimon]

Have a look at the Fjallraven Drev Hybrid jacket. It's G1000 like the anorak, but backed by a waterproof on the shoulders and upper arm where you're most exposed.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Have a look at the Fjallraven Drev Hybrid jacket. It's G1000 like the anorak, but backed by a waterproof on the shoulders and upper arm where you're most exposed.

Thanks, will have a look..

 

[J@son]

I've got a no.68. I've had it for about 10 years. On one level it's fantastic: plenty of good sized pockets; hard wearing; perfect outer layer.... Or it would be if it was waterproof and windproof. It is water/wind resistant but that's about it and the resistance is fairly easily overcome. You can wax the bugger all you like (I use a hairdryer to really melt the wax into the fabric) but it will never withstand a meaningful downpour. And it's not warm. At all. But that's sort of why it works - it's a great outer layer / shell in combination with with other layers underneath. Works well for me but I can imagine it would drive others mad and the price (despite the fact it's hard wearing) is hard to justify.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

I've got a no.68. I've had it for about 10 years. On one level it's fantastic: plenty of good sized pockets; hard wearing; perfect outer layer.... Or it would be if it was waterproof and windproof. It is water/wind resistant but that's about it and the resistance is fairly easily overcome. You can wax the bugger all you like (I use a hairdryer to really melt the wax into the fabric) but it will never withstand a meaningful downpour. And it's not warm. At all. But that's sort of why it works - it's a great outer layer / shell in combination with with other layers underneath. Works well for me but I can imagine it would drive others mad and the price (despite the fact it's hard wearing) is hard to justify.

The 68 is a popular choice I’ve found. Love the style and design of the Fjallraven jackets but sadly I don’t think they’re suited for our wet weather. I had read and seen on YouTube that waxing doesn’t really do much in the way of waterproofing.

Love the Vidda Pro and Keb pants though…

I saw someone wearing a Shooterking Hardwood smock in the rain. It looked decent and seemed to withstand the wet windy weather. Never come across this brand before though, but the guy wearing it was an older gentleman, seasoned veteran hunter so must be decent bit of kit…

 

[Scuffy]

I have both
Horses for courses, but the Swazi gets way more use

 

[WildBoarHunter]

In my experience buying clothes with a membrane gets me wet all year around as they do not breathe like normal natural fabric. But I don't really hunt in wet weather a lot so it's better to be wet twice a year than all year.

 

[doric_prince]

Don’t have the Fjallraven jacket- but do have a pair of their g1000 trousers. Which are ok for a water resistance wax cotton garment. but when trying to reproof them using the Fjallraven wax bar- what a labour intensive effort required (even with hairdryer) that has resulting in mixed results for water shedding.

This has lead me to believe I wouldn’t rely on Fjallraven g1000 for the worse of our wet Scottish weather tbf. Might be ok for frozen conditions, which generally you don’t get soaks of cold enough- but for driving wet conditions I don’t think it’s what they are designed for.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

I have both
Horses for courses, but the Swazi gets way more use

Which Swazi you got? Guessing the No 8 is only really good for spring / autumn time where there’s no chance of chain?

 

[DeerHunterUK]

I’ve cancelled my order for the No. 8 as I just can’t justify the expensive price tag for a jacket that isn’t waterproof

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Also, you could go stalking in the hood it’s that big! And it’s like blotting paper in the wet!

 

[Heym SR20]

Look at something made from Ventile. A tough cotton fabric that breathes, but when it gets wet the fibres swell and stops water coming through. Polycotton (Bergans Morgedal) also works well.

 

[Auroch]

Downside to the Swazi and other waterproof options you’ve considered is they’re less robust around fires and when pushing through brush or chopping wood etc. You could consider a ventile garment, or use a lighter waterproof under a cheaper polycotton jacket (military smock, helikon woodsman anorak etc).

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Downside to the Swazi and other waterproof options you’ve considered is they’re less robust around fires and when pushing through brush or chopping wood etc. You could consider a ventile garment, or use a lighter waterproof under a cheaper polycotton jacket (military smock, helikon woodsman anorak etc).

Thanks, ventile keeps popping up. Will have a look. Hiltrek do ventile smocks.

I did look at the Woodman and yes an option could be a light packable rain jacket to carry and wear underneath.

Does anyone have any experience with the Shooterking Hardwood smock? I saw someone wearing one in the rain last month and it looked very heavy duty and robust.

 

[llwynog]

I had the same dilemma as you. I kept looking at the No8 and even tried them on, but the fact it's crazy money and not even waterproof put me off.
Looked around and Hilltrek kept coming up, spoke to the local retailer who said you could customise them as I'm left handed and wanted the breast pocket on the right side.
Now I have two Hilltreks, both Ventile. A lighter unlined one for the warmer times of year and a heavier one with the Paramo lining for very cold weather or high seats. If I damaged or lost one, I'd immediately order another. Perfectly dry, even the unlined one on the worst days. The only issue you'll face with Ventile is when they get wet the fibres swell and make the fabric more rigid, you won't notice it when you're wearing it but if you take the jacket off it'll self support like a weird mannequin.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Hey, thanks for the recommendation. I’ll look at Hilltrek.

I’ve just ordered a Shooterking hardwood stock today, for £110. Supposed to be fully waterproof and fleece lined, with side zips and pit zips.

Saw someone wearing it in the rained and looked decent although I have no idea about this brand and think they no longer supply the uk market.

Would be interesting to hear from someone whose familiar with them…

 

[phillips321]

I'm a long time wearer of G1000 kit. It's hard wearing, well made and well designed. But..... it IS NOT waterproof. If you want waterproof look into paramo nikwax analogy, but this isn't hard wearing. It's hard to find something that ticks all the boxes.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

You’re so right, I think perfection doesn’t exist. There’s always a compromise somewhere. Guess it means I need to buy one of each

 

[doric_prince]

Breathable, light weight, water proof and hard waring are not all available at high performance levels in the one package. It’s always a compromise.

For example I recent discovered waxed chaps for my rough shooting / beating - great for wet long vegetation or thorns brushes but I sweated in them.

I have a light weight packagable musto shoot rain proof- but it rips easy going though beach/ woodlands- so best left for standing guns days when the possibly heavy showers.

That’s said some of the harder use, outerwear kuiu gear is perhaps exploring .

 

[SSN100]

Thanks, ventile keeps popping up. Will have a look. Hiltrek do ventile smocks.

I did look at the Woodman and yes an option could be a light packable rain jacket to carry and wear underneath.

Does anyone have any experience with the Shooterking Hardwood smock? I saw someone wearing one in the rain last month and it looked very heavy duty and robust.

I think the woodsman may have a stretchy, not very water resistant material on the back. I have the trousers which were quite water resistant intialy, but as they have softened with washing are no longer remotely water resistant I wasn’t expecting them to remain water resistant, but would be annoying in a smock.

I’ve spent a lot of time in cold wet conditions wearing Ventile/gaberdine smocks with wool jumpers underneath. It can work well. You will be a bit damp in rainy conditions, but can keep warm and you won’t overheat as much when working hard so you can dress warm and not have to strip off as much. I haven’t used it, but the sasta stuff looks nice and is not bad value.