What to Wear?

[Nel]

I'm after a set of Waterproofs & some boots for both shooting & hill-walking.

 

Waterproofs first: I'm after camo but would settle for a nice drab, green or brown. How are Jack Pike for quality, I quite like some of their stuff. Id rather a proper jacket & trouser set than the cheapo-plastic pullover waterproofs.

 

 

 

Boots: What am i looking for? I'm quite happy to pay for decent boots as they will get a lot of use.

 

I noticed these in this months BASC magazine & they look good or am i just as well getting something cheaper?

http://www.arcticoutdoor.co.uk/store/Produ...oots_info1.html

 

 

Any help would be great.

[shotgun666]

JACK PYKE IS GOOD GEAR,,CHEAP GEAR WILL COST YOU MORE IN THE LONG RUN,AS IT WILL RIP CHEAP COPYS.BOOTS ON OTHER HAND ID GO FOR PERSONALLY M.O.D BOOTS,,,,SAME AS DOCTOR MARTINS BOOTS,,,,HARD WEARING LASTS FOR YEARS,,,ALL THE GUYS FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE WEARING THEM 24/7,,GREAT BOOTS,,,,,PLUS YOU CAN PAY PENNIES FOR THEM ON EBAY

[J@mes]

.BOOTS ON OTHER HAND ID GO FOR PERSONALLY M.O.D BOOTS,,,,SAME AS DOCTOR MARTINS BOOTS,,,,HARD WEARING LASTS FOR YEARS,,,ALL THE GUYS FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE WEARING THEM 24/7,,GREAT BOOTS,,,,,PLUS YOU CAN PAY PENNIES FOR THEM ON EBAY

 

 

Pennies on ebay because most soldiers I know sell them and use some of the money to buy american spec boots for out in Iraq and the 'Ghan!

[Airborne9]

ALL THE GUYS FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE WEARING THEM 24/7,,GREAT BOOTS,,,,,PLUS YOU CAN PAY PENNIES FOR THEM ON EBAY

 

And there is good reason why they are pennies on EBAY . . . . . .cause they are rubbish, ask the back of my scarred feet!

 

Buy cheap - Buy twice

[mink]

Goretex is the only choice in coat or boots whatever the manufacturer.

I have musto highlander coat and leggings not cheap but i've never yet been wet whilst wearing them and as a fishery warden i have been out in weather most shots would not entertain. Oh i have also had them for nine years so the price looks a bit more reasonable given there longevity.

[Nel]

JACK PYKE IS GOOD GEAR,,CHEAP GEAR WILL COST YOU MORE IN THE LONG RUN,AS IT WILL RIP CHEAP COPYS.BOOTS ON OTHER HAND ID GO FOR PERSONALLY M.O.D BOOTS,,,,SAME AS DOCTOR MARTINS BOOTS,,,,HARD WEARING LASTS FOR YEARS,,,ALL THE GUYS FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY ARE WEARING THEM 24/7,,GREAT BOOTS,,,,,PLUS YOU CAN PAY PENNIES FOR THEM ON EBAY

 

 

 

I'll not be touching anything the UK army use. They are on the news every day whinging that their gear is **** from the boots up!

 

What is the advantage of Gore Tex over AIR-TEX2 ect....?

[hants rifle]

GoreTex, Air Tex2, DeerTex all just trade names for what is more or less the same thing. I would say that whenever I've bought the GoreTex name it has always done well for me though, as has DeerTex

 

If you can get to a Gamefair you'll pick up last years Deer Hunter designs for about £50 jacket and £30 Trousers (possibly less), that has DeerTex, it's soft , quiet and it keeps you dry. It's also very lightweight considering.

[Beardo]

i swear by Deerhunter clothing and Danner boots

[pigglet]

Regarding walking boots, there is one make which stands head and shoulders above the rest and thats ZAMBERLAN

I don't know if that link works, if not paste this into your browser

http://www.osmotherleywalkingshop.co.uk/zamberlan.html

I've had salomon, brasher,scarpa, la sportiva and meindl over the years and none are as comfortable or as well made and suitable for UK walking as the Zamberlans. I've got the treklite ( I also have a pair of Oregon GT's which had to ordered specially) but the vioz is now the top of the range UK boot. On all the other boot sI've owned I've had to put a proper orthopedic insole in such as superfeet due to the poor design of the manufactures item but the zamberlans insoles are superb. This alone saves £30 on a pair of insoles!

 

Regarding trousers and jackets, without buying multiple items, you're always going to have to compromise. A heavy duty combo such as Harkilla pro hunter will be warm and dry and very hardearing in the darkest depths of winter but during autumn and spring will be way too hot. Also anything other than a light goretex shell will not breath very well so for walking and hiking is really compromised.

The key to a successfull clothing system is thin layers, anyone who knows what they are talking about should tell you the same.

 

I have the following for all of the differing conditions the UK throws at us

 

Harkill wapiti Goretex paclite jacket. The most versatile bit of kit. Can be worn over a tshirt in summer to keet the rain and wind off and over a fleece in winter when it's colder. Unless you are standing around, you rarely need more than a base layer, fleece and shell in the UK. I usually wear this when walking, sometimes when shooting.

 

Army surplus camo goretex overtrousers:£30: These have probably been one of my best outdoor clothing buys. They'll do everything a pair of £140 northface trousers will for £30! Mine get used for hiking, shooting, cleaning the car, trail riding,mountaineering, all sorts. If you go down this route look for the ones with the zips and velcro on the side's of the legs and the velcro waist fastening. Not the cheaper elasticated versions.

 

Army surplus current issue DPM camo jacket. £30: This is a cotton, ripstop jacket but can be waterproofed with Nikwax. I use this for shooting on warmer days when I'd use the paclite if I was walking. It's tougher than the paclite so less likely to rip on bushes etc and at £30 it's not the end of the world if it does! Being a shell you just layer up underneath depending on how cold it is.

 

Seeland linfield trousers. About £50: These are a waterproof trouser which is great for the uk as they are not too heavy or insulated so work pretty much all year round.

Not as versatile as a goretex overtrouser but they still see a lot of use and are ideal for walking in cooler conditions. When it gets colder I just use a pair of thermal trousers underneath. They are cheaper than their harkilla equivelents and it shows but they are still of an acceptable quality.

 

Harkilla pro hunter jacket:£280: I use this for shooting in winter when I'm stood about in the cold and the snow. Tough and warm but you still need to layer up underneath. Too hot and heavy for anything else really as are most shooting jackets and trousers. Yes its goretex which keeps the rain out but as with any insulated jacket it's so thick and heavy it won't really breath so if you get hot and sweaty it'll get damp on the inside.

 

It doesn't matter how much you spend, any clothing system is only as good as it's weakest component and using good base layers is critical. Never have cotton next to your skin. It will get damp when you sweat and will not dry leaving you cold.

The best baselayers use merino wool but I have always used Helly hansens lifa series. Cotswold outdoor usually have them on a 2 pack special offer around this time of year. They are relatively cheap and work well. Any base layer should be skin tight to carry any moisture away from the body.

The same goes for socks. If you buy a decent pair of boots, a good pair of smartwool or bridgedale socks is essential to get the best from them. If you do get wet when wearing wool socks and good baselayers, they maintain some of their thermal properties so you remain warm and dry quickly. With cotton you will be wet and cold and miserable.

 

I also have quite abit of other kit but it's the above which see's the most use in the UK conditions.

Another Item i will mention but is more of a nice to have rather than an essential bit of kit is a buffalo mountain shirt

http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/dp1rollover.htm

It's extremly warm and is great when you are standing around in a hide etc. It's also usefull to pull on first thing on a morning in spring or autumn if you're camping. They are used by the police and mountain rescue tems amongst other when they are on static jobs.

 

Hope the above is of some use

Regards

David

 

The overtrousers in use!!!!

Edited September 3, 2009 by pigglet

[pigglet]

Forgot to add, those jahti jakt boots look like over priced but very well marketed tat to me. The quality of the leather looks no better than that on a pair of £30 safety boots.

Not seen any of them in the flesh but I would only buy footwear from a specifically respected footwear manufacturer.

I also have a pair of altberg velthogs which are quite a good high leg hunting/work boot but are not much cop as a walking boot as they have no torsional rigidity ie ankle support.

The zamberlan oregans are a similar style of boot but in a different league in terms of quality and comfort.

I would not reccomend either of the above as a do-it-all boot though as they are nowhere near as good for walking as the others I mentioned.

[P03]

I've been using the Jahti Jakt airtex prosuit for two years in all weathers and I've yet to be cold or wet, can't recommend it highly enough. As for boots I can only say stay well away from anything issued to our armed forces.

[Benellimelody]

Paramo waterproofs & Meindl boots

[vole]

If on a tight budget I think ex German Army Flecktarn goretex jacket is hard to beat. I got one off ebay for £12. The Jack Pyke jackets are good,I agree.Warm and comfy. I think it depends what kind of shooting you do. If you pop to a local farm to shoot crows or rabbits then do you need the very best gear at all as if the weather is that bad then there is nothing around to shoot.On the other hand if you are out on the marshes dawn till dusk in all weathers.....

My very best gear is some ex Police stuff made in Glasgow by Yaffy.Even without the lining though,the jacket is so warm it is hard to wear in anyhting but the coldest weather. TK Maxx do half decent goretex lined boots for about £30.I have nearly worn out my Regatta ones after about 6 years continual use.

Edited September 3, 2009 by vole21