Redkettle jacket

[monarman]

Been a having a bit of a rethink about stalking jackets/work jacket... I have several different ones at the minute but I've been hanging over the redkettle ventile jacket for a while now as I like it's features (no stupid pockets to get in the way of rifle mount, no velcro, not bulky) and I've read lots of positive things about ventile especially its lightweight and weather resistant breathability.
I'm an active stalker/Wildlife Manager so it will be used almost daily.....
Do any of you have FIRST HAND experience of the redkettle jacket?.. I dont want to hear about hilltrek or country innovations or sasta or keela... ive done my research already...
It's a fair investment for a jacket so I want to be sure it's a wise one!..

Ta

 

[Acm]

You might not want to hear about hilltrek, but I have one of them made from the same fabric as the red kettle. It’s the perfect fabric if you’re active, you won’t sweat like you do in goretex, it’s properly waterproof and can be fixed. A really great fabric.

 

[monarman]

Thanks.... confirmation on the ventile is a help... ive had a few goretex jackets, when I worked on the hills I fell out with goretex as i found it cold and sweaty.. ended up wearing a helly hansen lifa t shirt and a montane windshirt 90% of the time!, I got wet at times but dried out quicker...

 

[Jagdmatch]

I bought a shell jacket at half price, seems good quality and is quite well designed for easy use. It’s **** brown, but that does not matter. The pockets are the best bit, well thought out. I don’t think I would pay the full price. Still use army MTP as a backup.

 

[Acm]

Thanks.... confirmation on the ventile is a help... ive had a few goretex jackets, when I worked on the hills I fell out with goretex as i found it cold and sweaty.. ended up wearing a helly hansen lifa t shirt and a montane windshirt 90% of the time!, I got wet at times but dried out quicker...

It’s perfect for hill work, I was on the downs yesterday and got sweaty dragging fallow prickets, not an issue at all. However the purchase price was to me a fair bit and I’m pretty fastidious with washing it in Nikwax

 

[finnbear270]

Ventile, History ... a good read. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...nt-tell-you/&usg=AOvVaw3CabFdAYz4vGPSAIMZDbyq

 

[Koenig]

Not Ventile, but I have a Red Kettle Parka (discontinued). £500 when new, a superb piece of kit in every aspect. The attention to detail is in a different league. If the smocks are of the same standard it’ll be £ well spent.

 

[Tubby10]

bought two smocks when they had their sale, incredibly well designed, they don't seem to have the same level of stock now. The cut is excellent for shooting and moving.

 

[scotch_egg]

Sorry for the hijack, what is ventile like when pressure bearing. For example when leaning on elbows spotting with binoculars.

 

[Mungo]

Sorry for the hijack, what is ventile like when pressure bearing. For example when leaning on elbows spotting with binoculars.

Soaks through fast.

I really don’t understand the love for ventile. I think in Scottish hill conditions (continuous wet, temperatures not much above freezing, lots of crawling), it’s actively dangerous

 

[Klenchblaize]

Sorry for the hijack, what is ventile like when pressure bearing. For example when leaning on elbows spotting with binoculars.

If the garment has twin layers on such high pressure/abrasion points you should be no worse off than with Gortex.

Ventile repels water by shrinkage of the fabric’s weave when subject to water/damp.

With regard to the post above this can be mitigated by thoughtful layering.

K

 

[Acm]

Soaks through fast.

I really don’t understand the love for ventile. I think in Scottish hill conditions (continuous wet, temperatures not much above freezing, lots of crawling), it’s actively dangerous

Not my findings at all, admittedly my smock is double ventile with an analogy liner.

 

[monarman]

Next question.... has anybody got one of the latest model redkettle jackets in green?.... they look a bit dark on the website compared to the older model..
And if anyone has one to sell in large?......

 

[finnbear270]

I remember chatting with the RedKettle guy at the first Kelso stalkers fair, he was getting opinions from passers by, his fabric colour was a bit stand out at the time, I said I would purchase, but only if it was toned down some.
haven't seen his latest offerings.

 

[GIMLET61]

Been wearing RK jacket now for a couple of years and find it light weight, and the colour blends into the woods a treat.
It was my first Ventile item and how it closes up to keep out the rain is something i like, not totally waterproof but many jkts arent when worn hard.
Wish the hood could be detached as in the summer gets in the way a bit but you get used to it.
Only slight issue is a sticky zip on the internal pocket.

 

[RifleTuner]

Does Red Kettle still make clothing? I cant see any listed on their website.

 

[monarman]

It's on their website.....

 

[RifleTuner]

Not for me it isnt. If I click on any of the items, this is what I see: