Really waterproof jacket

[c18rch]

After a fair bit of searching, I found this:

TARGET JACKET M Kaki

It arrived, and it is definitely not suitable for shooting. The fabric is too light in colour and looks like it has a metallic, almost reflective sheen to it. Sent it straight back.

Looks like it would be a good waterproof though. Shame.

 

[Lupus]

I bought a Swazi Thar once and it was the worst waterproof jacket I’ve ever encountered. They may have improved the design now (I don’t know), but mine had the neoprene cuffs. In wet weather the water would wick up the cuffs, up your sleeves and soak you from the inside out! A keeper friend of mine had the same and found the same. I raised this with Swazi direct and the after sales was appalling too.

I now buy walking gear that is in the right colour. I have a Rab 3/4 Goretex jacket and also a Hagloff of similar design. They are both excellent and nowhere near the money of the Swazi gear. Customer service is excellent too.

Thank 'fred' for that. Was going to post how my Swazi was the biggest waste of over 300 notes I've ever spent, but had yet to read a bad review, anywhere. I even sent it back for 'repair' after less than half a dozen wears. My arms would get absolutely soaked within a few minutes of heavy rain. Total garbage.

I now wear a very lightweight waterproof under an olive 'combat' type jacket on wet days. And it's compact enough to live in a pocket when it's dry.

Wolfie

 

[caorach]

I have the same thoughts about cammo generally, which is why I went for the drab olive tones of the Austrian Army Mountain Goretex
MAN off the MOUNTAIN: Austrian Army Goretex Jacket .... review
As I said before, Ive used arcteryx for work, they're definitely good but colours and price are certainly not! these Austrian Army jackets are honestly their equal in terms of waterproofing and in my view are harder wearing.

Based on your comments I have just acquired one, looks like a decent jacket and although mine was sold as "grade 1" I'd be certain it is unworn. It will be interesting to see how it works out over the coming season plus lambs and so on but it is actually quite a neat jacket, apart from the subtle Austrian Army badge on the sleeve you'd never know it is a surplus jacket and it may be possible to get the badge off without impacting on the waterproofing if it bothered you. Most of the time it will be under a windproof smock and the slight down side with it is it isn't as lightweight/packable as some of the other options as I usually have the waterproof layer in my bag, but nothing is perfect and this isn't going to be a big problem.

Without giving it a good testing it has hard to say much but at the minute if you are looking a good £40 waterproof it would be worth a punt.

 

[flytie]

I bought an Arktis olive smock, the 110, which is showerproof and works very well for a lightweight but durable stalking jacket, I also bought (in the sale) a 310 thin waterproof jacket/liner to go underneath it on days when it rains persistently. It is a system I am entirely happy with and cannot speak highly enough of.

Simon

 

[243ack]

I'm amazed no one has mentioned Nomad.

 

[1894]

Cold and wet - kammo image jacket, nomad breeches. Nomad now replaced by 2ndhand Rivers West for 10% of price and if anything better. Kammo still doing strong after 14years and another bought for reserve.

Not cold but still wet - normal lowland wet for half a day or so. Deerhunter bonded fleece with civvy gortex copy shell if it's more than a shower.

Not cold and sodding torrential for a weeks hunting. I've had very bad experience of quiet gortex. Gets overwhelmed, sodden, heavy and a nightmare. Next time I'm taking that green rubber non breathable stuff hill farmers and sheperds wear. It's the only stuff that holds out amongst my mates and its also cheap.

I bought harkila prohunters 10 years ago and they have been sh1t. Leaked with a month and cold when they do. Conversely my deerhunter ram trousers which always leaked are comfortable when they do so. They are now utterly disgusting torn to shreds, broken zip, holed pockets, multiple repairs with dental floss and needle (mmm smells minty) and refuse to die. I'd pay a lot for another pair!

 

[McKenzie]

I have quite a few jackets & do take them out in pretty extreme weather both shooting & skiing in Scotland. The only 2 that seem to work for me are Nomad & a 3L Goretex ski jacket. I value wind-proofing probably higher than waterproofing as it's the windchill that will get you. The Nomad is the most comfortable of the 2 & it's softer feel is a bit more comforting in windchill of -15 or -20. The hard shell jacket is a bit like wearing a crisp packet but by God it works. I struggle to get Nomad's to fit me properly as I'm more of a Scandinavian shape but I usually manage to get them secondhand in a bigger size & then get a tailor to thin it down. I couldn't imagine not having one after over 20 years of them.

 

[Smokedude]

Interesting comments on the Swazi, I’ve not found this problem. But then I brought a Kagoule after my brother raved about how it was the only one out of four on a trip into Fiordland NZ who stayed dry. They get some serious rain there. Kagoule

I’m looking for a puffer jacket has anybody used this and pros cons
Shooterking Digitex Reversible Jacket

Cheers