Best Waterproofs

[FlyingTrotter]

Festive Greetings folks

just been out with the pup and wore my North Face Summit Series waterproofs as it was hammering down - it reminded me that modern kit from mainstream companies that do lots of R&D are generally better than kit from small scale producers 

so which manufacturers have cracked game clothing - I have some Schoffel which is Ok but surely there must be better kit out there 

should I be looking at the Harkila or Seeland gear -  i am not in to stalking just want gear that works for shooting and dog walking 

 

[Jonny English]

Seeland and Harkila are very good value for money, Musto stuff is generally top draw as well and is my preferred choice if I can afford it. There is also Deer Hunter, Alan Paine, Barbour and Ridgeline worth looking at, Le Chameu used to do excellent gear but have cut the range back. Jack Pyke do a very cost effective line, but not sure how good they are in the wet.

 

[FreeShot]

Hart - not sure about distribution in UK tho:

http://www.hart-hunting.com/en/about-hart

 

[FlyingTrotter]

Hart stuff looks superb - never seen it in UK

 

[Garwood]

Most hillkeepers wear Paramo or Lightweight Schoffel jackets ....and they tend to get wetter weather than most folk.

Personally wear the Schoffel  or unlined Berghaus & can`t fault either.

Only experience Of Harkila & Seeland has been  a total fail £ for £ .....

 

[MartynB]

+1 for Paramo. I looked at all the options for a green colour waterproof earlier this year . It had to be versatile enough for using for many activities . In the end I bought a Paramo Halcon . It’s a little heavier than a Gortex type shell jacket but the sheer versatility of the coat make that irrelevant . It’s pretty much wearable in any season due to some clever venting arrangements and has a foldaway wired hood that is extremely effective . Loads of pockets , quiet to wear , and it’s lived up to all of the hype in bad weather .  Although I tried the jacket for size in “ Go Outdoors “ I bought it online from Ray Mears with a very decent discount . 

 

[FlyingTrotter]

Very helpful thanks - have read some stinking reviews of Harkila so have scratched them - used to have Paramo and have Schoffel at the moment 

 

[ChrisPackham]

Seeland and Deerhunter good for money ... can’t beat Musto in my opinion, certainly wouldn’t be on the boat without their offshore stuff.

For shooting I have the BR2 packaway stuff and then layer underneath, has been flawless, even today!

Hart - not sure about distribution in UK tho:

http://www.hart-hunting.com/en/about-hart

I have a Hart Fleece which is great, I think it came from Phillip Morris

 

[westley]

I have an Arktis (now Country Covers) suit and it has proved to have been the best waterproof outfit I have owned. It is now 20 years old and still going strong. I have just had this conversation with a shooting pal and we have both agreed that for dog walking and general mucking about in, look at some of the fishing coats that are half the price of shooting clothing. I have a Barbour tweed suit that I keep just for formal shooting days and Musto stuff for the less formal days. As they only get used during the game shooting season, they tend to last for a good while.  For pigeon shooting etc., I use the Arktis suit. If I was looking at tweed clothing again, I would probably opt for the 'Nomad' range of tweeds, not cheap but excellent quality. For my clayshooting, I rely on the Rohan range of clothing.

 

[balltrap]

I have seen your shooting wear Westley !...... but I would  not like to look like a Japanise General like you  :lol:

 

[westley]

I have seen your shooting wear Westley !...... but I would  not like to look like a Japanise General like you  :lol:

Er, do you mean the 'Michelin Look' .................or is that not appropriate   ATTYRE  ? 

 

[balltrap]

Er, do you mean the 'Michelin Look' .................or is that not appropriate   ATTYRE  ? 

I have stopped wearing my all leather vest just for that reason  :lol:

 

[LarsJ]

Just a small thing. Don't know about a lot of those brands you are talking about. Just the Härkila and Seeland. Same company same factory, same fabrics. 

Lars

 

[squimp]

A bit late to the party...

I bought a new Harkila jacket for this season and so far it has been excellent. A recent fearsomely wet day in Mid- Wales was a good test and I reckon I was the only dry member of the line when we finished.

Beware the sizing -  they come up really big and you can find relative bargains if you can track down one of the 2016 jackets.

My previous Musto jackets were good (until they wore out after several years) -  but this seems better designed.

Hope this helps.

 

[Westward]

Well it isn't "country" clothing of course but if you want the very best waterproof gear take a look at what the hill walkers and climbers wear in places like the Lakes where it really knows how to rain and shelter can be hours away.

Nothing against the fancy brands in your local gun shop, but you don't need to spend big money to get high performance outdoor clothing.

 

[ChrisPackham]

Some of the hill walking kit is pretty pricey though..

 

[westley]

Some of the hill walking kit is pretty pricey though..

I agree, that is because it carries a 'Name'. My Grandkids are currently into RAB stuff which is stupidly expensive ( I think it's taken over from Boghouse). I use a lot of Rohan stuff, which I find to be superb. I keep looking at their website and when I see any items that I want listed in the 'Sale' section, I phone the local shop, who then get it within 2 days. I can then try the item on in the shop before I buy, or leave it. Saves the hassle of posting etc. I have some great waterproof trousers, which are now some 2 years old, they have been machine washed countless times and still look good. They work far better than overtrousers. Keela is another good workhorse brand for fold away jackets and waterproof trousers at realistic prices.  The base layer stuff from Tresspass and Mountain Warehouse work very well and are a fraction of the price of 'Under Armour'.