Rain gear / stalking clothes

[wildfowler.250]

So I keep humming and hawing over the kuiu stuff,(been tempted by the Yukon jacket and possibly trousers). But the more you read into reviews, there’s 1) someone that’s still got soaked through. 2) any of these items only seem to last a couple of years.

Ive currently got a deerhunter muflon jacket which is grand for any sitting around but weighs a ton! I’ve used Harkila prohunter trousers but despite being incredibly comfy, always felt damp around the knees and wouldn’t again to be honest.

Are these layering systems the Americans use practical in the uk? I’m tempted by the idea that it’s a rain jacket I can use stalking in the summer/fishing and chuck stuff on underneath for winter? Or is there better alternatives for uk stalking? Seems difficult to find reliable reviews as most people who buy brand x will generally swear by it.


Interested to hear any thoughts/feedback!


Cheers!

 

[Steff]

The best jacket I have ever tried for highland staking and walked-up shooting is the Paramo Helikon.
It‘s water- and windproof but extremely breathable, much better than any GoreTex I have ever had. It has a very light velvet lining which makes it very comfortable to wear also with short sleeved shirts.
I am a convert to this jacket.

 

[huntsman]

Very interested in this topic too have been looking at the Kuiu gear too.
‘Rider ‘ is this paramo an older jacket that might be discontinued. They have a helki and a Halcon . The other that I considered was their pajero jacket. Thanks

 

[caorach]

Ive currently got a deerhunter muflon jacket which is grand for any sitting around but weighs a ton! I’ve used Harkila prohunter trousers but despite being incredibly comfy, always felt damp around the knees and wouldn’t again to be honest.

Are these layering systems the Americans use practical in the uk? I’m tempted by the idea that it’s a rain jacket I can use stalking in the summer/fishing and chuck stuff on underneath for winter? Or is there better alternatives for uk stalking? Seems difficult to find reliable reviews as most

I've never solved the "trousers problem" and I too have Harkila Prohunter X trousers that let the water in and, as with you, it started at the knees. They are robust however and that is a plus but once they are wet take days to dry out even if I hang them over the stove in the evening. Despite complaining I don't really have a better solution but sometimes I simply wear a light pair of non-waterproof trousers on the basis that they will dry quickly and in a lot of conditions this can be more comfortable.

In terms of jackets then I've got a solution that works for me. Most of my outdoor activities involve a mixture of walking or being relatively active and then some standing or lying about and with Goretex type jackets I always ended up wet or at least damp on the inside no matter the weather, even when it didn't rain you got damp. Some years back I moved to the army suplus windproof smock as my main jacket - it isn't waterproof and so you mostly stay dry when it isn't raining so that was me ahead from the start. In showers or light rain, and especially if treated with one of these waterproof sprays, then it was sufficiently waterproof to keep the rain out. So on most days it worked to stop sweat and condensation building up and keep the rain out. In very heavy rain then I could put a waterproof layer UNDER the smock. This means you keep all your pockets, the smock protects your waterproof layer, it is quiet, and so on. The smock dries very quickly so often it was only necessary to wear the waterproof layer for a short while before it came off again and, of course, you could use whatever waterproof layer took your fancy depending on conditions, or what you had in the cupboard.

The only slight downside with this approach is that you have to use your brain and plan ahead. Most people want a solution they can pay big money for to save them having to think and my experience is that such a solution simply doesn't exist unless all you are doing is walking 400 yards down some farmers field to sit in a high seat for a few hours. If you are doing full days out, working quite hard, and wanting to be as comfortable as possible then I haven't found anything to beat the windproof smock and the human brain. However one thing doesn't work for everyone but you can take a look at the fishing videos I've been posting over the last few years to get some idea of my "use" of the smock and the conditions it faces, my stalking is not dissimilar.

 

[bluesako]

all my clothing even my harkila stuff get s a water proof spraying, my friend gave me a seeland jkt, coz he got wet in it, first thing i did was waterproof it, i use it for my dog walking and it never lets the rain in, i dont think there is a 100 % jkt coat out there i really like the paramo helikon as rider said above bs

 

[tarponhead]

Agreed with Bluesako. I use Percussion coats and trousers - seem to do the job and cheap enough if they only last a season or two. I like Seeland as well - well featured and good value. I'd like to use Musto - they really are waterproof but can't justify the price given I already have the others. Just stayed really dry and warm in a Percussion smock - £70 with good deep pockets - worn over Greys waterproof overtrousers, designed for fly fishing. Did the job admirably. Fishing clothing is often much less than "hunting" clothing but tends to be noisy - noit sure it makes much difference if you get the wind right - if you don't they'll scent you before they hear you anyway.

 

[Jax]

Some deals to be had with Kuiu at the moment.

I would hate to total up what I’ve spent on trying different brands and types of clothing, but I’ve ended up on Kuiu for stalking. It’s not perfect, but I’ve always been comfortable and dry in it

the key to Kuiu is layering and taking waterproof layers off when not needed. You will sweat in the most breathable waterproofs if not used correctly. The Yukon does want it say on the tin. Get your normal size, don’t size up. That’s my one regret. The Yukon is their quietest rain gear, but it’s still a bit noisey if you don’t move slowly

I’d stay away from the Attack pants. You only have to look at the slightest bit of cover and they have numerous pulls in. The Merino is good, but delicate. I’ll be trying the merino pro stuff soon.

Really like the kenai insulation and super down pro range for when it’s cold.

the main thing that annoys me with some of their trousers is the stupid amount of pockets and zips. Cutting the string pulls off the zips helps stop them snagging or getting entangled in a Harris bipod when carrying a rifle on a sling

 

[Rhodesianjess]

Hollands country clothing has sale of Percussion clothing on at the moment. Just picked up £170 jacket/gilet combo for £110. Last kit lasted couple of seasons of keeper use, hence purchase again. Not perfect but nothing is.

 

[308tikka]

Buy some army surplus goretex for £20. If you rip it, its consumable, and repairable with good harry maskers on the inside and green fabric tape on the outside. I prefer the german army ones tbh as the paclite are very ‘bright’. The older style Heavier duty whether in MTP or DPM are good if you can get the side leg zip.

I tend not to wear waterproof trousers at all unless static for a period of time.

If its raining that hard and you are exerting yourself you will get wet - its as simple as that.

 

[Klenchblaize]

The best jacket I have ever tried for highland staking and walked-up shooting is the Paramo Helikon.
It‘s water- and windproof but extremely breathable, much better than any GoreTex I have ever had. It has a very light velvet lining which makes it very comfortable to wear also with short sleeved shirts.
I am a convert to this jacket.

Do you mean their “Halcon”?

Páramo Clothing | Explore Range

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www.paramo-clothing.com

K

 

[Scapegoat]

Do you mean their “Halcon”?

Páramo Clothing | Explore Range

<!-- en-gb content required -->

www.paramo-clothing.com

K

He does. Or Pajaro (same jacket without handwarmer pockets or velour collar lining) for about thirty quid less.

Perfect for multi-season use. Keep it washed according to the care instructions and it’ll last a lifetime.

Mine is six or seven years old now, never let the rain in. Layering is the answer to warm and dry.

 

[Dazb1967]

So I keep humming and hawing over the kuiu stuff,(been tempted by the Yukon jacket and possibly trousers). But the more you read into reviews, there’s 1) someone that’s still got soaked through. 2) any of these items only seem to last a couple of years.

Ive currently got a deerhunter muflon jacket which is grand for any sitting around but weighs a ton! I’ve used Harkila prohunter trousers but despite being incredibly comfy, always felt damp around the knees and wouldn’t again to be honest.

Are these layering systems the Americans use practical in the uk? I’m tempted by the idea that it’s a rain jacket I can use stalking in the summer/fishing and chuck stuff on underneath for winter? Or is there better alternatives for uk stalking? Seems difficult to find reliable reviews as most people who buy brand x will generally swear by it.


Interested to hear any thoughts/feedback!


Cheers!

I bought Kuiu Guide trousers and Guide jacket over a year ago now and have said on this forum a few times that there is better jackets and trousers on the market and didn't rate them as the wind blew straight through them and I got soaked when I got caught in the rain, though tbh they do not sell them as wet weather clothing but do rate them for late season.

After reading a few reviews regarding the Yukon rain gear and layering system I thought I would give them a go and must admit I am impressed.
I was out stalking on Thursday up in the hills in a cold wind and didn't feel the cold at all. my layering consisted of HH merino base layer bottom, Montane walking trousers and Yukon trousers, top half was HH Merino base layer a normal t-shirt a cheap thin fleece from Decathlon and a Deerhunter Moor jacket with the Yukon jacket.
I also wore this a few weeks ago out on the hills in heavy rain and was warm and dry all day.
If your going for the Kuiu go straight for the higher end stuff you won't be disappointed, Kuiu Yukon Definitely windproof and waterproof and I will be wearing layering from now on it's deffo the way to go imo.

 

[Steff]

Do you mean their “Halcon”?

Páramo Clothing | Explore Range

<!-- en-gb content required -->

www.paramo-clothing.com

K

Yes, indeed. Sorry for the wrong name.

 

[Steff]

Very interested in this topic too have been looking at the Kuiu gear too.
‘Rider ‘ is this paramo an older jacket that might be discontinued. They have a helki and a Halcon . The other that I considered was their pajero jacket. Thanks

Yeah, sorry, it‘s the Halcon.

 

[kimh]

Yeah, sorry, it‘s the Halcon.

 

[caorach]

It would be worth doing some research into Paramo/Nikwax before investing in any of their products. They are a very "green" company and seem to donate to an organisation called the World Land Trust of which Chris Packham is a Patron, for example.

Before I'd buy anything from them I'd be emailing to ask for their position on shooting and other field sports lest the money you give them finds its way to people who are antis.

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassadors

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassador are honorary roles given to someone who truly represents the spirit and values of WLT.

www.worldlandtrust.org

Carbon Balanced since birth: Nikwax and Páramo

Sister companies Nikwax Waterproofing and Páramo Directional Clothing have become the first companies in the world to become Carbon Balanced …

www.worldlandtrust.org

 

[devon deer stalker]

Sitka Gear is very good, but very expensive, but there is a way around the cost.
Put into Google 'Sitka Gear closeout/sale' you will be pleasantly surprised the prices you can get from across the pond, I did it last week and an Archey shop were flogging it off cheap.
Cheers
Richard

 

[Klenchblaize]

It would be worth doing some research into Paramo/Nikwax before investing in any of their products. They are a very "green" company and seem to donate to an organisation called the World Land Trust of which Chris Packham is a Patron, for example.

Before I'd buy anything from them I'd be emailing to ask for their position on shooting and other field sports lest the money you give them finds its way to people who are antis.

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassadors

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassador are honorary roles given to someone who truly represents the spirit and values of WLT.

www.worldlandtrust.org

Carbon Balanced since birth: Nikwax and Páramo

Sister companies Nikwax Waterproofing and Páramo Directional Clothing have become the first companies in the world to become Carbon Balanced …

www.worldlandtrust.org

You have a point. They never mention hunting or shooting but rather “outdoor professionals” which is telling.

I came across their kit many years ago when first stalking with FCS on the West Coast and a Ranger recommended their Mountain Pull-On reversible tops. They are truly fantastic and damn near indestructible and I still have the first and all others I’ve purchased over the years. They no longer make them.

K

 

[huntsman]

It would be worth doing some research into Paramo/Nikwax before investing in any of their products. They are a very "green" company and seem to donate to an organisation called the World Land Trust of which Chris Packham is a Patron, for example.

Before I'd buy anything from them I'd be emailing to ask for their position on shooting and other field sports lest the money you give them finds its way to people who are antis.

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassadors

World Land Trust Patrons and Ambassador are honorary roles given to someone who truly represents the spirit and values of WLT.

www.worldlandtrust.org

Carbon Balanced since birth: Nikwax and Páramo

Sister companies Nikwax Waterproofing and Páramo Directional Clothing have become the first companies in the world to become Carbon Balanced …

www.worldlandtrust.org

I’d be really disappointed to think I was supporting anything to do with Packham. Not sure how the other patrons view field sports.

 

[Magnificent 7]

The best jacket I have ever tried for highland staking and walked-up shooting is the Paramo Helikon.
It‘s water- and windproof but extremely breathable, much better than any GoreTex I have ever had. It has a very light velvet lining which makes it very comfortable to wear also with short sleeved shirts.
I am a convert to this jacket.

And I'm pretty sure they will refurb when it's gone done i listened to a podcast with the owner amd founder and he was mad to save the environment