What clothing?

[flyingfisherman]

Right, its come to that sad time in a yorkshiremans life.. to open his wallet and let some of those hard earned crisp 20s go to a better place..

I am in the market for some stalking trousers and a jacket. Something which isnt too hot or cold, if you catch my drift.. plenty of pockets, waterproof, quiet and light also. No real budget, would prefer to spend a little more and have some decent gear.

Any info much appreciated.

 

[stalkinginengland]

Deer hunter rusky bibs and jacket beyond belief

Mark

 

[6pointer]

Tweed it will last for years and still look good

 

[caorach]

Oh, now you've got me going!

I've been through a lot of clothing, especially waterproof trousers, in the last 20 years and I like my Musto Highlands coat for Scottish hill stalking in winter. I like to wear layers under it so I can match it to a lot of weather conditions. It is good in more "formal" situations as it is just flat green.

Recently I've taken to buying military surplus gear. I bought a British "windproof smock" which is basically a cotton/poly coat with a hood. I washed in some waterproofing and was amazed that it turned an hour long downpour in Scotland in September as I didn't expect it to be anything but very light shower proof. I certainly wouldn't rely on it being waterproof though. The pockets are great, very sensible, and suitable if you are left or right handed and it stands up to abuse well. The big plus is that you can buy one and try it for not a lot of money, in fact the German flectarn versions, pretty similar from what I can see, were on ebay for £6. You can also get a goretex german flecktarn waterproof jacket for less than £15 delivered on ebay. Now, the choice of colours will be a bit limited but if you go down the route of the German flecktarn stuff you can have a good outfit for probably £30. At that sort of money you have to at least give it a try I'd say.

In terms of trousers I've been wearing the Harkila Grizzly Brush trousers for a while now and they have lasted the longest of any waterproof trousers I've ever had. Most have a life measured in days or weeks. I think they are end of line items now and can be had for about £80. Not too warm so you can layer thermals under them and despite being light I've been impressed with their robustness (if there is such a word) as I thought they would last 2 weeks max for me when I first got them. The heavy weight Harkila stuff is, well, very heavy weight and I think you'd be better with a pair of mil surplus over trousers for £15, however as you can see I'm having a mil surplus phase at the minute The heavy weight Harkila stuff really is quality gear, though the price is very high indeed, but you would need to try it before deciding on it as it will not be to the taste of all. I'd be pretty certain it will be robust.

 

[Aidy223]

As an honorary Ballymena man, I feel your pain. They made the 50p that shape so you could use a spanner to get it off us. 15 years ago I bought a Musto Heathland and cried about it for months. I had it for 10 years until some f***er lifted it on me. Again, financial pain loomed. I replaced it with a £200 Le Chameau. Shite. Got wet in prolonged rain. Looked wrecked after 2 washes. After much research and deliberation, I bought a Harkila Prohunter jacket. BEST COAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. End of. £350 odd but completely weatherproof.
I'm sure a good tweed would work well and look great but I have no experience of same. All I can say is, I wish I had found the Harkila website before I bought my Le Chameau.

 

[flyingfisherman]

What about the HSF stuff? Sherpa line in particular...?

I wouldnt entertain Le Chameau, its w**k.. Ive had boots and a few bits and bobs, the quality is atrocious! I dont want something which will keep me warm in -10 because i intend to layer for the weather conditions. The rusky stuff looks a bit heavy to be honest.

 

[tusker]

I have Lakson Sika trousers have taken everything 2 seasons of hind stalking in the Highlands could throw.All so have lakson jacket again very good better than Deerhunter Ram.
Tusker

 

[trouble]

Harlila , the best kit ive had for turning rain , its light weight too so you can layer you clothing depending on the weather

 

[GarethW]

Harkila Pro Hunter trousers, warm when cold, cool (ish when warm) and 100% waterproof. Nomad smock which has been 100% waterproof and warm, however can be to warm for the Summer, if a lot of walking is involved.

 

[lou]

Another big vote for the Nomad jacket and the Harkila Prohunter range . I have both but the Nomad jacket only comes out when its really wet and cold or for those long spells sitting up mid winter high seats.

 

[roedeerred]

Its Deerhunter for me used high backed trousers and ram jacket for years both on the hill in Scotland and in flatest part of Yorkshire for years without I find a headover from arny and navy stores is good addition in really cold times.

 

[sws]

I've been abusing Swazi kit this winter and it has been excellent. I got the Wapiti jacket and matching waterproof trousers in there 15th anniversary sale. Awesome kit. Its lightweight and does require layering underneath, but I've been out in some shocking weather and stayed bone dry. Plus you can machine wash it and tumble dry it, which they reckon will improve its wind and waterproof ability. Friends swear by it too.
The only down side is UK customs clobbering you for import tax and VAT, plus their handling charge!

 

[goldeneye243]

I have just got some of the harkila grissly trousers mentioned in this thread (having had some input from caorach) and first impressions are very good.

I have also got the Arnsdale jacket which also seems very robust and quiet.

 

[N.F.W.M]

Harkilla Pro Hunter trousers are excellent as are Swedteam Dakotas, I have worn the Dakotas almost every day since early Nov, waterproof, very breathable and very durable. Jackets.... If its a waterproof shell then it has to be a Swazi Tahr, this jacket laughs in the face of shite weather. Also use a Nomad smock in cold weather. For me the key to waterproof kit that lasts is Goretex.

 

[DC .270]

Flyingfisherman,

What did you end up getting? I'm curious to know if you're happy with your choice as my Harkila prohunters may be ready for a replacement - they've had a hard life! Great strides thoug - I'd recommend them to anyone.

DC

 

[cockerdog]

Right, its come to that sad time in a yorkshiremans life.. to open his wallet and let some of those hard earned crisp 20s go to a better place..

I am in the market for some stalking trousers and a jacket. Something which isnt too hot or cold, if you catch my drift.. plenty of pockets, waterproof, quiet and light also. No real budget, would prefer to spend a little more and have some decent gear.

Any info much appreciated.

Stop spending all your pennies on beer in the One eyed rat and you'll be able to afford some Harkila

 

[bewsher500]

I am far too young to be saying what I am about to say but....
I have tried all manner of "waterproof trousers" and they all appear to exactly that or worse!
by that I mean you sweat like a rape suspect on trial regardless of weather or the bloody things leak like the proverbial!

I have been dragged up the hill since I was a boy and in 25 years of highland stalking I have come to the conclusion that you will be hard pressed to beat a pair of harris tweed breeks and a decent coat.
The tweed remains warm when wet, dries remarkably quickly even in finger biting cold and is never too hot or too cold. and my a I say that they look damn fine in any situation. unlike some of the urban terrorist outfits I have seen.

I wear the same boots I got when I was 21, a pair of four season Scarpa boots with Yeti gaitors. if it gets hot, unzip and just leave the velcro loosly done up. when its wet I guarantee I am the one with dry feet and legs at the end of the day.

I spent many stalks hunkered down out of the rain in a 20 year old Barbour with more patches than a cutty sark sail, yes it stiffens in the cold and acted like a sledge in the snow, but it served its purpose and I still have it for those special occasions when you must be prepared to burn it rather than wash it.

And as much as I think that Dame Barbour has lost her way somewhat, I succumbed to better judgement and bought a Linhope lightweight coat of theirs.

it is silent, very light and very waterproof, and you can chuck it in the washer. I prefer getting my insulation from light layers than a monster of a coat.

I travel light when stalking, dont really do the high seat stake out so ability to adapt to the four seasons daily weather is more important

works for many purposes.