Stalking smock/jacket that keeps bum dry

[Andygunn]

For winter use I’ve always been a believer in wool. I stalked for 14 yrs on the Isle of Harris, so appreciate the meaning of driving rain.
A Helly Hanson base layer, swanndri wool bush shirt and swanndri heavy weight stalking smock if it’s cold and relatively dry. You don’t sweat too badly, and will stay warm even when you get damp.
For truly wet weather a surplus “goretex” equivalent over the top does the job.
Deerhunter trousers have always worked well enough, and have stood up to crawling over thoroughly boggy ground.
I’ve tried Fjällräven jackets, which aren’t bad, but leak at the zips. I’ve tried kammo gear, which is heavy and sweaty. I now have shooterking stuff which isn’t bad, but ultimately everything is a compromise. It depends hugely on the amount of exertion you need to do. A 15 mile hike in rough conditions followed by a 5 mile carry, then layers are your friend. In a wood/ high seat/low exertion, a more heavy weight jacket may be a better option.
Just my experience.

 

[Dawnrazor]

Must admit i'm with mungo here, just can't understand why u'd put ur waterproof jacket under ur wind roof jacket and not on top.
Wot is the reason for it?
I pretty much use the same system but in reverse with wind proof gear and base layers but keep the water proof for outside layer

The only time i do something similar is with my waist coat and occasionally wear it on top of my water proof (quite handy with th big pockets for loading picking up) but if it does dry up ur stuck with a wet waist coat

The army wear the goretex under the smock as the smock is much quieter than the goretex and you still have access to the pockets of the smock, this is why the goretex shell has little or no pockets.

 

[Mungo]

The army wear the goretex under the smock as the smock is much quieter than the goretex and you still have access to the pockets of the smock, this is why the goretex shell has little or no pockets.

No, they really don’t.

Cadets did in the mid 90s, but that’s about it.

 

[Dawnrazor]

Two squaddies come beating for when they're home, this is they've been wearing the smock/goretex for the time they've been coming, I asked them why and the reason they gave me.

 

[Youngjm]

I have a Tahr. It is a great piece of kit, they last for a long time too. In terms of dry bum I have had the following recommended to me, but personal experience: www.malincoats.co.uk

I'd go for a tahr - worth the investment over a ridgeline.

 

[FISH BOY]

Just an FYI that the Deerhunter Avanti smock is on sale at the Sportsman gun centre website.

RRP £160 but on special to £28.99 and in most sizes.

Dont work for them but love a bargain.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I use a Rivers West wildfowling jacket for stalking. It’s quite short, but has a tail section at the back supposedly to sit on, however, it’s a bit short.
If I’m going to a high seat i take one of these self inflating seat cushions. Elasticated belt to fasten round your waist whilst walking.
Nice when you climb into a seat in the dark and it’s wet and covered in bird poop.
It still self inflates after 7+ years use.
Ken.

I had one of these Cabela jobbies and after sitting out for geese one morning on the foreshore I got up and went home as you do, sod it!!!! I had left it behind, it must be floating in the south atlantic by now as it was inflated and sealed.