tuck1 Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Hi In my quest to upgrade all my shooting and fishing kit, I have decided the time has come to replace my old German Army waterproofs (!) with something which actually is, well, waterproof. Trouble is, being a bit of a skinflint, I'm always reluctant to lead the way and take a leap of faith on things until I have read plenty of opinions and reviews. I don't mind spending a bit of cash, but I expect it to last a good few years when I do. So here goes.. I'm looking at the Prohunter stuff from Harkila. Very pricey I know. Several of my keeper mates wear Harkila stuff now, and swear by it, normally a good endorsement in itself, but here's the problem. They get clothing allowances, so if something turns out to be rubbish, they usually have another good jacket to fall back on. I don't. Also, most of them are moorland keepers, so their jackets need to be very weatherproof, but don't get the kind of physical abuse that mine do, pheasant beating through bushes and brambles, falling over barbed wire fences, and all that kind of stuff. So can anyone with a bit of experience of these give me an idea of the durability? The fabric looks tough, and feels like it should take some hammer (all very well when it's hanging in the shop though). Does it take a bit of abuse, and remain waterproof for a few years? Would I be better off looking at buying Kodiak trousers with the leather front (more expense, no gimp jokes please) or will the prohunter ones do the job? Please help, the pheasant beating season is here, and I'd like to stay dry this year! Thanks guys Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 I have one of their jackets and it probaly one of the best things I have bought for outdoor wear, I can't remeber what it is called but it the one John Norris were discounting heavily I wore it ferreting and got it snagged on some brambles which pulled a thread, I haven't worn it in the rain since, but as I am in Scotland later in the month I am sure it will be tested there. So IMHO the high end stuff is great for wandering about or sitting in a high seat but a pricey for ripping through undergrowth. I just remebered that that same day I tore my Deerhunter trousers on a wire (not barbed) fence, so I would say you need something a bit more hard wearing for the sort of work you have described. From memory Browning has the Prohunter jacket so he should be able to advise on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Tuck, As Stu said, I have the ProHunter trousers and jacket and have to say they are, without a doubt, the best I have had in terms of comfort, wind and waterproof. They get a lot of year round wear, stalking both locally and on the hill in Scotland, and beating at least once a week during the season and they have never let me down. I can vouch for their hard wearing capabilities during 'normal to rough' beating (I'm the keeper so I get to send the younger lads into the real rough stuff ) but on one particular shoot I wear wax leggings over the top as there are a lot of low brambles to push through. This will be their third season and I will definitely replace them with the same when they are due to be replaced, although I will probably go for the leather fronted Kodiak trousers next time, just for the extra toughness. You get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) I have the Harkila Kodiak jacket and leather fronted trousers and they are superb. I wear them for stalking, walked up shooting and beating through some heavy scrub. Warm, dry and very rugged. The sizes come up large though, so I'd recommend trying them on somewhere first if you are planning to buy online! Edited October 10, 2008 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted October 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Fantastic, thanks chaps. Looks like the bank account is getting a battering! I'll have to start looking for good deals now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamHall Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 hiya ive got the prohunter jacket and wear it all the time i had one for about 12months and it proved to be tough and comfortable and waterproff until my car (my pride and joy that only got used at the weekends ) got stolen with it the boot , so i was faced with needing a new coat so due to my experiance with this coat i got another so have to say i would recommended one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 Prohunter jacket is a great bit of kit, best jacket i've ever had bar none. You get what you pay for and gortex is the best for being water/wind proof and breathable, the jacket is tough too. I need to get the matching trousers at some time as the Jahti Jakt ones I still use are next to hopeless in my opinion....chalk and cheese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v-max Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 As has been said above very good stuff & there clothes has gone up i see the pro-hunter jacket at £339 now. If you are in brambles etc alot then get leather front trousers as gorse/brambles etc pin ***** the gore-tex & make it leak but you get 5yrs warrenty on the pro-hunter. John norris has good deals on beretta jackets which are gore-tex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted October 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Thanks for all the above, it's helped me make my mind up. I've sent the rep an email to see if they do them with the top pocket on the other for lefties - I'm still waiting for a reply, and then I'll be hunting for a deal. You've put my mind at rest, ta. Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamHall Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 you wont regreat it mate most places now sell them for £339 but got mine for £300 so shop around might save you a few quid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku50 Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Just been to malmo guns nr lancaster today,they have a big new clothing section including sealand and harkila picked up a pro hunter jacket and got a discount of the tag price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 Funnily enough a lot of keepers I know go to Malmo, it's a bit of a trek for me, but worth it to get a good deal. Is it rude of me to ask how much you paid, or could I PM you? Tuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku50 Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 Tuck i got over 10% off, but did buy some other bits as well. The guys there said they had to be careful not to be seen to be discounting but they WILL do you a good deal . Also got eley olympic trap £32 for 250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 Thanks mate. I know he supplies quite a number of estates, (including Abbeystead I think) and gives them a good rate, I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if they can do anything for me. Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bango Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Have a look here for harkila and other clothing & footwear www.gundogkit.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted October 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Went to Malmo today and got the set. Wore it ferreting in the rain. Got 6 rabbits and stayed dry. Winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.