UK brands - Shooterking - Jack Pyke

Hales Smut

Well-Known Member
What is the general opinion, or experience, with these brands and bad weather ? Waterproofness? They seem to make some reasonable priced equipment.
 
I have a shooterking smock. The overall design and performance is good, the fabric is notably more breathable than a great many other "own brand" membranes and the features are useful. It has a fantastic durable feel to it.
However, when you look closely you can see where corners have been cut in the design and manufacture. For example, the zip has no chin guard so it can catch your beard and/or stab you in the neck.
I found the DWR from the factory was pretty nonexistent, so I treated it with Diver Dave's stuff.
No problems with leaking and it has been well tested in the time I've owned it, for beating in some really awful weather.
Not perfect, but cheaper than I'd expect to pay for perfect.
 
Ive been trying shooterking gear this year, the smock and trousers, they have both performed really well, the zips, studs, seams are all well done on them and I haven't been wet so far with them and I have been out on some horrible wet days. I did have it on when I was on a highseat at the weekend and I was a bit cold but I hadn't layered up but all in the shooterking gear punches well above its price tag. Ive also had a few different jack pike jackets over the years and they haven't been great, very sweaty and really soaked up the water till it was saturated then just leaked through.
 
I have a shooterking reversible jacket. Orange blaze one side, conventional green the other. Not sure on the name/model. It seems to be pretty well made and hard wearing. I've not had it in a complete downpour but so far it's stood up to the elements well.
 
Had the Jack Pyke boots. Utter crap! Leaked after a few month and basically fell to pieces. I wouldn't waste money on their gear ever again.
 
We stock primarily Harkila, Seeland, Jagdhund, Xjagt and also Jack Pyke. We have been selling Jack Pyke for over 10 years and in our experience on the shop floor if we do our job right then no problems. One of our customers who is one of the farmers on the Woburn Estate has the Hunters set now for must be well over 9 years. He brought it back in for a quick Tech Wash a few years back. The crotch on the trousers has gone as he wears them on his quadbike, a few pulls here and there and not much else wrong with it.
On of the biggest causes of customer complaint is that they where not advised about the suitablity of the product, nor what the aftercare regime is, so when everything goes wrong, the customer is of course left annoyed and dissapointed.
The internest is here to stay and online shopping is a blessing and a curse. Please take our advise on this....Pick up the phone or email before you buy and ask the seller about the product, what is is for and how to look after it! Or even better if possible, speak to your local retailer, do they stock it and ask them to stock it or see if they can get it in for you.
We need to demand better service on line that just a cheaper price. Cheaper prices come with a cost and that cost is the service ellement that is critical when making a big purchase.
We offer all of this and free aftercare product for the item purhased. Whether it is a tech wash sachet or a free tin of polish or mink oil.

Remember we are open 7 days for a call and at now at Milton Keynes, Stacey Bushes behind Screwfix and we internet price match as standard if you find a better price.
All the best
Andrew
Rugged Tough Work Clothing, Country Clothing and Tactical
Stacey Bushes Trade Centre
Behind Screwfix
MK12 6HS
 
I have to say that after buying some Jack Pyke gloves (two pairs), a sling and a few other bits and bobs, including a mod cover, I wouldn't throw my money away ever again on that brand. Everything was utter carp and lasted, in one particular case, exactly 1 day in the field. I only now buy quality, and whilst not all expensive by any means, you do tend to get what you pay for.
 
What is Decathlon hunting stuff like - looking at some of hunting jackets. Prices seem good but what is the quality like.
 
Seeland, Jack Pyke, Ridgeline, etc are not breathable there the equivalent of a badly tape seamed bin bag. Stick with brands that offer better membranes, Goretex being the best, Mustos own membrane is good, Harkila, Swedteam, etc Deerhunters Deertex is not 100% waterproof but its good value, breathable and you would only get wet in a real bad downpour... As mentioned avoid Jack Pyke like the plague..
 
What is Decathlon hunting stuff like - looking at some of hunting jackets. Prices seem good but what is the quality like.

Their Steppe jackets and hunting trousers seem quite good and are durably made using polycotton at a fraction of the cost of something like Fjallraven. Their ACTIKAM Polyester jackets seem better made than stuff from Jack Pyke, and a bit tougher than my old Deerhunter Ram jacket but I wouldn't want to exert myself as it's more wicking than readily breathable, so the trousers especially could get quite uncomfortable. They're not up to rough stuff though, like most polyester micro-fleece type garments. Would though be ideal for high chair use. I haven't seen or handled their 900 series hunting trousers yet, but they seem remarkable value and I'll be trying some of those later in the year so will report back then.
 
I bought a Shooterking Performance fleece gilet - very attractive price at only £30, however I wont buy it again and certainly would not recommend it. After wearing it only a handful of times it is beginning to form fuzz and fluff around the waste, above the pockets and under the arms. The fleece material itself just seems to be poor quality and I doubt it is going to last very long. I should rather have put the £30 towards something more expensive and higher quality.
 
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