New jacket/smock ideas

[Heym SR20]

I've always been happy with my Fjallraven stuff in terms of quality, they do various weights and types of their cotton/polycotton stuff though so maybe your friend's is a "lesser" one... Of course if I'm totally honest I used to have access to a good discount on Fjallraven which made the cost less important. I wouldn't buy the same jacket again, but I'd consider others from the range now that I know it's flaws.

I do like the look of that Bergans one though. How is it for windproofness?

Friends Fjallraven was £350 plus - and most of its buttons have fallen off.

Bergans - pretty windproof - test is sitting on paraglider which flies at about 30mph - a couple of hours in the air with a down jacket underneath and still toasty warm even with snow on the ground - you don't move a lot and nowhere to hide from the wind - I have even flown 2,000 ft above the peaks on the southside of the chamonix valley in February. My instruments recorded -20 degrees C, but was happy for about an hour and then winded started picking up so spiralled down to landing.

Have also used it in blizzards on Scottish mountains- blizzards at zero degrees = wind and wet snow and fog. Not pleasant conditions at all, moving hard but survivable for a few hours and still warm and dry underneath. Those with Goretex kit were much more sweaty than I. A decent merino wool base layer, fleece middle, Bergans as the shell - move hard like this. Down jacket in pack goes on as soon as you stop and then back into pack when you start moving again.

 

[Hales Smut]

Just out of curiousity. What about jack Pyke stuff ? Smocks, boots, ..... don't see them on the continent, but as a UK brand, some members on here might have experience.

 

[flytie]

I have two Arktis (now Fortis) smocks, one waterproof and one showerproof, I have yet to get wet at all while wearing either one. I have treated the showerproof one with the product REPEL from Diver Dave, it now turns water like a duck's arse.

You could always buy one of their Stowaway waterproof smocks and wear it under one of your existing coats as do many of our friends in green under their combat smocks.

Simon

 

[SimpleSimon]

Friends Fjallraven was £350 plus - and most of its buttons have fallen off.
.

That would rather upset me! Not similar to my experience of the brand but I can see why it would be off-putting!
I'm intrigued by the smock, I used to have a cracking membraneless softshell jacket which worked for me in much the same way as you describe in winter, and was damn near waterproof. If I could buy that again in a suitable colour then I would, but they only make the usual reds, blues, bright green, etc.

You could always buy one of their Stowaway waterproof smocks and wear it under one of your existing coats as do many of our friends in green under their combat smocks.

Simon

Thanks, the waterproof underneath is an idea that I've toyed with and may come back to, if I can find something suitable for the job...
I might also give Diver Dave's stuff a go on my existing kit, sounds intriguing! Is is a spray on thing?

 

[themolecatcher]

Just out of curiousity. What about jack Pyke stuff ? Smocks, boots, ..... don't see them on the continent, but as a UK brand, some members on here might have experience.

I have used a jack pyke hunters jacket for a few seasons, used for beating, stalking and walking about in . Its fine need a jumper underneath on cold days but it works keeps the rain out and only cost me £60 on fleabay ! Don't fancy their boots never tried them.

 

[Moonraker68]

I've had a Harkila Pro-Hunter for 4 years which is used for stalking and gameshooting, and I can't fault it. My wife gave me a Swandri bushshirt for Christmas; it isn't waterproof but very quiet and comfortable...not bad for a design that is over 100 years old.

 

[vizslamad]

I have used a jack pyke hunters jacket for a few seasons, used for beating, stalking and walking about in . Its fine need a jumper underneath on cold days but it works keeps the rain out and only cost me £60 on fleabay ! Don't fancy their boots never tried them.

Jackets are great as per previous input but boots purchased by a mate were not so good.

 

[delta wolf]

I spent years buying cheaper gear but eventually bit the bullet and bought a Swazi tahr XP. It hurt but is the best decision I made. You would not regret it.

 

[flytie]

I might also give Diver Dave's stuff a go on my existing kit, sounds intriguing! Is is a spray on thing?

SS, It is indeed in a spray bottle.

Regards, Simon

 

[sy247]

Hilltrek ventile smock or jacket or British army smock. I've got a para smock in gabardine which is similar to ventile.

http://www.hilltrek.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_copy_of_Ventile.html

A Barbour thorn proof wax or maybe Bison Bushcraft tweed smock or jacket?

https://bisonbushcraft.co.uk/collections/boots-clothing-and-outwear/products/bison-bushcraft-zipped-bush-shirt

 

[tarponhead]

Hi, Have a look at Percussion - great quality, durability and all the features of the more expensive makes at about 2/3 of the price. Made in Europe so might be more pricy now with the exchange rates, but well worth a look.

 

[McKenzie]

Got 2 Nomad smocks, one fairly recent & one about 20 years old. I'd find it hard to go past them if you're ever exposed to nasty weather & they're relatively quiet. I've always managed to pick them up either in a sale or clean secondhand; I would baulk at paying the full price as they never fit properly off the peg (nothing does). My next one will be custom built for me as I'm not a standard shape, being 6'3" with a long back & arms. The trick with them is not to wear much underneath; a moleskin or thick cotton shirt & a fleece body warmer is the most I would wear.

As it gets milder I switch to a bison bushcraft guide shirt & carry a super-lightweight waterproof layer. I have to get the guide shirt altered too, not being blessed with a girth that Falstaff would have been proud of, but at least the arms are long enough.