Waterproof gear what’s good

retro d

Hello what waterproof gear is good what are ye using , I got soaked one hour in heavy rain last day of the season duck shooting I had a pair of Graff trousers on and jacket , second winter using them I bought as a set with jacket grand for cold weather I won’t be using again in the rain ,

cookimonster

I was planning a review on some of my kit.

I have an Avanti Smock and matching trousers. I use these on the hill (Wicklow Mountains) for stalking. I've been out walking and crawling in driving rain and sodden bog with no problems. Just back today and in some places the snow was up to your hip. These are light weight but I find them suitable for the strenuous activity of hill and layer up with wicking base layers, a light long sleeve thermal base and the usual hat, scarf, glove combo. Combined with the Avanti stuff it's very breathable and wind resistant as well as water proof.

My mate has the Ridgeline Monsoon Elite II  and Ridgeline Torrent, he does the same, same layering up for heat, but other wise water and wind proof.

I also own a Deerhunter Rusky Jacket & Trouser combo. Very good, water proof but warm to a fault. I use them in the woods, when I'm not tabbing to far, or on highseat / stand situation.

No modern technical material is completely water proof and will eventually leak for various reasons. Old style ponchos kept the weather out while you developed your own rain forest climate on the inside.

Old mate of mine says nothing keeps the rain out better then steel and glass...... don't leave the transport.

Wanderer78

cookimonster wrote:

I have an Avanti Smock and matching trousers. I use these on the hill (Wicklow Mountains) for stalking. I've been out walking and crawling in driving rain and sodden bog with no problems. Just back today and in some places the snow was up to your hip. These are light weight but I find them suitable for the strenuous activity of hill and layer up with wicking base layers, a light long sleeve thermal base and the usual hat, scarf, glove combo. Combined with the Avanti stuff it's very breathable and wind resistant as well as water proof.

What kind of money would you be talking for that kind of gear?

Rosahane

retro d wrote: »

Hello what waterproof gear is good what are ye using , I got soaked one hour in heavy rain last day of the season duck shooting I had a pair of Graff trousers on and jacket , second winter using them I bought as a set with jacket grand for cold weather I won’t be using again in the rain ,

Seeland or Deerhunter gets my vote. I have both, lightweight Seeland Tarnock and heavier Deerhunter Ram suits. I have both for years but use the Seeland mostly as the Deerhunter is pretty warm if your walking. I really like the newer Seeland Hawker gear.

Then again I'd go for Harkila
...if I could afford it

aaakev

Second the seeland hawker gear, iv got the trousers and jacket. Used them in heavy rain and they are great. Heading out in the morning stalking in wicklow so will get to test then out in the snow. The jacket is light enough so layering is required underneath but thats how id prefer to do it.

Also have a deerhunter jacket years that is quite good and iv never got wet but kind of gone off wearing reeltree gear now, prefer the pine colour seeland gear.

How do people find the harkila gear? Heard some not so great reports on their boots

cookimonster

Wanderer78 wrote: »

What kind of money would you be talking for that kind of gear?

You can get them for the cheep enough if you search on line

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112215171674

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F112180759537

My Rusky combo was secound hand for about £70 sterling.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323668894250

Adds like above appears regularly, a couple of days back a few Ridgeline Smocks went for 70 -80 euros. Two good secound hand technical Deer hunter jackets (stalking / rough shooting) went for €50.00 odd each.

Sportsden Navan are doing 50% sale on hunting clothing at the moment.

cookimonster

aaakev wrote: »

How do people find the harkila gear? Heard some not so great reports on their boots

Never owned Harkila, but doing due diligence on some jackets I came across a few unfavourable reviews about their clothing QC.

For some of the kit snobs, it transpires that Harklia has kit produced in China.

I have some Percussion clothing, not bought as or rated as waterproof, but I've had them years and find them hard wearing and reliable, certainly buying again when needed.

retro d

Thanks cookimonster aaakev Rosahane really appreciate your feedback time to go shopping , I changed to the pine colors myself used to wear camo I’m still shooting the same , it’s all about been still and silent , at least now I know what’s waterproof and I don’t have to spend a fortune on harkila gear I was thinking I had to go down that road to stay dry

Captainaxiom

aaakev wrote: »

How do people find the harkila gear? Heard some not so great reports on their boots

ive a pair of their boots, got them off a fella that bought online and got the wrong size. Paid a fraction of theyre worth. Lovely boot to wear, they fit me like a glove, Ive I had them in everything, streams, bog, cow **** you name it and still going strong. I clean them after each outing and proof them occasionally. Ive a pair of meindl as well but I find myself wearing the harkila more.

Rosahane

aaakev wrote: »

Second the seeland hawker gear, iv got the trousers and jacket. Used them in heavy rain and they are great. Heading out in the morning stalking in wicklow so will get to test then out in the snow. The jacket is light enough so layering is required underneath but thats how id prefer to do it.

Also have a deerhunter jacket years that is quite good and iv never got wet but kind of gone off wearing reeltree gear now, prefer the pine colour seeland gear.

How do people find the harkila gear? Heard some not so great reports on their boots

I have a Harkila heavyweight wool pullover and it’s a lovely piece of kit - perfect in weather like we have at the moment for walking the dog as it’s windproof and very warm.

I know they had problems with their boots a couple of years ago as McCarthys in Prosperous had a lot of returns and stopped stocking them in favour of Meindl. I think they had outsourced manufacture to Turkey or somewhere.

I’ll probably get the Seeland Hawker suit soon as the Jockfall trousers I have seem to have shrunk around the waist and arse

hiddenmongoose

Arcteryx leaf, Alpha jacket and pants. Best wet gear I have ever seen or used.
https://leaf.arcteryx.com/ie/en/shop/mens/alpha-jacket-gen-2

Their cold weather gear is also incredible.

Wanderer78

hiddenmongoose wrote: »

Arcteryx leaf, Alpha jacket and pants. Best wet gear I have ever seen or used.
https://leaf.arcteryx.com/ie/en/shop/mens/alpha-jacket-gen-2

Their cold weather gear is also incredible.

holy **** balls, a grand! they do make nice jackets though, never owned one though

clivej

I now use the Aldi fishing hooded jacket and bib and brace trousers. Great for keeping me warm and dry in this cold weather. They had them in store last Thursday