Replacement for Ridgeline Monsoon

[dryan]

Hi gents,

I have the original monsoon with the nice chest pocket (which I find perfect for protecting the thermal spotter). The zip pockets are all starting to come away at the stitching so I'm wondering what I could potentially replace it with.

I like the pocket locations on the Ridgeline, I like the tough material the jackets made of, barbed wire is everywhere on lands I hunt so a tough material Is important.

I'd love something similar to the Monsoon plus an internal pocket for car keys. Monsoon works for me, can get a bit sweaty on climbs but I just open up the front and wear less underneath if the weather's mild.

Anyone got suggestions for alternatives or will I just have to stump up the 200 odd quid for a new monsoon elite?

 

[User00035]

Take a look at Kaiwaka. I haven't got one myself but I've noticed that pretty much every hill farmer up here wears a Kaiwaka Stormforce parka. They'll be popular for a reason.

Kaiwaka Clothing from KiwiKit | Leading UK Supplier

Embrace the elements with Kaiwaka Clothing – The ultimate wet weather gear. Durable farming work-wear from New Zealand. Jackets, Overtrousers and Bibs.

www.kiwikit.co.uk

 

[Andy seatrout]

I use ridgeline clothing as in jackets and shirts 5XL fits me, I have the monsoon smock in teal which is great and lightweight but I have the coats as well…. Easier to regulate heat and tbh I’m not often crawling around on the ground as most of my stalking/ fox shooting is stood up on sticks….. as far as internal pockets are concerned that would be a minor critique - I zip mine into my pintail trouser pocket instead!

If you’re generally happy I’d stick with what you know, Ridgeline are less fancy than sons brands- no nice linings etc, and I’ve had chameaux, schofel, Barbour, Musto etc in the past, but they’re by far the most practical, the material the costs are made of are particularly hard wearing…. We’re cursed by excess of barbed wire here also!

 

[dryan]

Another Ridgeline it is then!

 

[Andy seatrout]

Another Ridgeline it is then!

If it ain’t broke!

 

[llwynog]

I have an old Ridgeline coat, they're tough, I use mine for foxing and terriers. But almost anything else on the market has better breathability. I recently bought a secondhand Laksen tweed coat off ebay for £80 in mint condition and in a different league for breathability than my Ridgeline, in fact it's relegated the Ridgeline to barely worn now.

 

[Andy seatrout]

I find the breathability fine on my Ridgeline, like all breathable fabrics the pores get blocked over time, so I wash mine as per gortex if they get muddy/ grubby…… no issues with mine

 

[DCG]

I’ve got a Ridgeline Torrent Jacket which for the money think is difficult to beat ( bought it from bushwear on special )
It’s one of the later ones and the material is definitely not as thick as the earlier Monsoons that I’ve seen, but as a consequence is a lot more breathable. Not sure if the newer Monsoons are the same material, but if they are I can’t imagine you’d have problems overheating in it.

 

[DVS1]

The Ed Stafford / Ridgewell smock may be worth a look. No experience of them but pocket location and other features is what drew my attention to shortlist it when I was searching for a smock. Went with Swedteam Ridge Pro M Smock in the end though. Its belt is shite so switched out with an elastic type belt and perfect. Plenty of pockets and a poacher style pocket thats very handy

 

[Andy seatrout]

I’ve got a Ridgeline Torrent Jacket which for the money think is difficult to beat ( bought it from bushwear on special )
It’s one of the later ones and the material is definitely not as thick as the earlier Monsoons that I’ve seen, but as a consequence is a lot more breathable. Not sure if the newer Monsoons are the same material, but if they are I can’t imagine you’d have problems overheating in it.

I’ve only bought mine in the last three years, so perhaps you’re right on the materials- I had a big clear out of shooting coats that leaked / ripped/ knackered and bought four Ridgeline coats- on smock, two of the coat versions and the ascent soft shell….

I wear them literally every day…. So they’ve had plenty of wear…

 

[TheDeerWalker]

Another Ridgeline it is then!

Have you looked into Percussion? They are decent enough with a good range and much cheaper than the Ridgeline. TBH I do prefer the Ridgeline Torrent to any other brand I have had

 

[NickJ]

I bought a new Ridgeline Monsoon about 3 weeks ago and so far have found it more breathable than the one I had 5 years ago.
Some outlet had the Ed Stafford smock on a big discount but I forget where

 

[User00035]

I’ve got a Ridgeline Torrent Jacket which for the money think is difficult to beat ( bought it from bushwear on special )
It’s one of the later ones and the material is definitely not as thick as the earlier Monsoons that I’ve seen, but as a consequence is a lot more breathable. Not sure if the newer Monsoons are the same material, but if they are I can’t imagine you’d have problems overheating in it.

You're better off layering up than relying on a thick outer coat to do everything. As long as it's tough, waterproof and breathable, lighter is better. You can always adjust your mid layers according to conditions.

 

[DCG]

E

You're better off layering up than relying on a thick outer coat to do everything. As long as it's tough, waterproof and breathable, lighter is better. You can always adjust your mid layers according to conditions.

Exactly, that’s why I prefer the Torrent, it’s light weight and easily opened up to let the fug out. In fairness, I’ve a Swazi that was four times the money, that I used to use all the time for my stalking, I originally bought the Torrent mainly for walking the dog, but I find I’m using it all the time and the Swazi hardly gets used. I’ve never had it on the hill on a ****hy wet day yet, but it’ll get its chance.
The one thing I find really handy is the inside chest pocket behind the zip, it’s the exact size, in just the right place, for my pulsar thermal.
If I was to be totally critical the things they haven’t got quite right are the wrist seals and the hood. The only alteration I’d make would be that the hood could fold up out of the way under the collar rather than be zippable on and off.

 

[finnbear270]

Just back from Hungary with George, his trip had some eight or so Ukrainians / Georgians in the group, all were wearing Sitka gear, stuff performed well considering the full day of Biblical rain one set of drives., looks a bit lightweight, but those guys seemed happy with it.

 

[Moray Outfitting]

New Ridgeline is definitely more breathable than the older version...J