Thread: New swazi gear ? -ultralight tahr

Originally Posted by Nibblet

Ooh yeah but swazi hugely different price piece in comparison.

I would imagine it to be more along the lines of the Yukon?

I like the weight of my wapiti though, makes it feel more cosy.

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That's what I like about my Tahr (I have three, original goretex, original Aègis, and new XP Aègis) they seem to give some warmth as well as keeping the rain out, I have a Chugach also and although it's good at keeping rain out and packs up small and light, it doesn't provide any warmth at all and I'm constantly worried I'm going to poke a hole in it

Originally Posted by BRADS

I reckon its happened mate.
The one tough mother coat I brought last year is crap it leaks All ready and is way lighter than my older one that did 7 years of service.

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Yeah mate your bang on.Had my last one tough mother for 8 years before it started leaking.My new one has done one winter and I’m getting wet in it.What are other farmers running??

Is Swazi still getting stitched together in Levin
I know there have been "personal" upheavals in the Company - so maybe there is a change for the worse/China smack-ups ??

I will be honest about my exp with all this Modern stuff
Its great on the Quad or Boat - but 15 mins into uphill slog you wish you did not have it with you
But of course - if the uphill slog is towards a night or two away - you have to have something

I prefer wool against skin
Good quality Pakistani Cotton on top of that (with long sleeves rolled up when working) a leather vest wool lined inside to put on moment you stop
A light weight rain proof wind stopper handy when it blows or rain etc
Dry change in pack and good sleeping bag with Bivvy Bag as cover on that

I have the Wapiti Swazi - and once its wet - the neoprene cuffs "never" dry out and the whole garment takes an awful lot of drying out once soaked

All still made in Levin Sarvo.

Have you tried washing your Wapiti. If it gets filled up with dirt and crap it will hold water. Washing is the way to go. You could get it reproofed at a drycleaners as well for like $15

Originally Posted by Monk

Yeah mate your bang on.Had my last one tough mother for 8 years before it started leaking.My new one has done one winter and I’m getting wet in it.What are other farmers running??

I've been pretty happy with line7 glacier, had one of their jackets since they came out, they actually asked us to test them for them and gave me a set for each of my staff, they were built too light to begin with and we managed to tear a few so they went back to the drawing board and released them in the heavier fabric they are now and I have had my jacket about 4 or 5 years now still 100% watertight and it gets a thrashing through calving time only ever wash it by giving it a hose down.

Dad and a few others round the area swear by Kaiwaka. Hes had a jacket last 6 years and gets 3 years out of the overtrousers. This is with sheep and beef using in the race ect. Kaiwaka also have a life time warranty that they stand by and do free repairs

Originally Posted by lumberjack

Dad and a few others round the area swear by Kaiwaka. Hes had a jacket last 6 years and gets 3 years out of the overtrousers. This is with sheep and beef using in the race ect. Kaiwaka also have a life time warranty that they stand by and do free repairs

I've used there stuff while working in the mines (west coast tops) and usually got 1 year out of a set, but it got a thrashing, coverd in grease/oil, laying under bull dozers/ machines out in the shit most days


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Originally Posted by Olive

All still made in Levin Sarvo.

Have you tried washing your Wapiti. If it gets filled up with dirt and crap it will hold water. Washing is the way to go. You could get it reproofed at a drycleaners as well for like $15

No I have not
But wouldn't that make it "less" breatable ??
Then you end up soaking wet from persperation

No Sarvo, it makes it more breathable because the fabric is not clogged up with dirt and whatever blocking the breathability

Originally Posted by Olive

No Sarvo, it makes it more breathable because the fabric is not clogged up with dirt and whatever blocking the breathability

I have washed it many times - and it has never been clogged with dirt or grime
But I have not used a water repelent treatment on the outside

Perhaps I am just to heavy a perspiring old man

Techniflex iso

Kaiwaka has been good gear on the farm jacket is coming up five years and i use two pairs of leggings, use them for drenching and crutching. boss loves wet sheep. My old swazi tahr must be about 14 years old and been a good jacket, its up for replacement now and have to say i got my moneys worth from it. Was going to replace it with another swazi when i have the funds.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

That's what I like about my Tahr (I have three, original goretex, original Aègis, and new XP Aègis) they seem to give some warmth as well as keeping the rain out, I have a Chugach also and although it's good at keeping rain out and packs up small and light, it doesn't provide any warmth at all and I'm constantly worried I'm going to poke a hole in it

I also have the Chugach, I'd never use it to bush bash, simply have it as a shell. I have the Yukon for the shitty stuff.

Having said that, I have a family friend dropping off a new Swazi Kagoule today to test out over the next few weeks, see how it goes in Haast. He is a guide and had been testing the gear in Fiordland, highly rates it.

I get annoyed at the shortness of the Yukon and getting a wet ass

wouldn't it be nice if Kuiu had a longer tail on their jackets. my Chugach rides up over the hips when you bend over.. almost ruins an otherwise great jacket

Originally Posted by hotsoup

I also have the Chugach, I'd never use it to bush bash, simply have it as a shell. I have the Yukon for the shitty stuff.

Having said that, I have a family friend dropping off a new Swazi Kagoule today to test out over the next few weeks, see how it goes in Haast. He is a guide and had been testing the gear in Fiordland, highly rates it.

I get annoyed at the shortness of the Yukon and getting a wet ass

The new light weight Tahr is made of the same material as the 'Rifleman'. From what I have seen it appears to be the same styling as the Rifleman but with a longer Tahr cut. I think the team at Swazi will be the first to tell you the Rifleman and new Lightweight Tahr is not designed for bush bashing. More of a carry in your pack just in case, river or tops hunting type jackets.
Everything is a compromise, heavier clothing is generally tougher; lighter clothing can be more susceptible to punchers and/or tears. I for one am pleased a local company is providing me with options.

Swazi provide a cleaning and repair service. I dropped my Wapiti and Tahr into the shop last year for some TLC. From memory it was around $35.00 to wash and reproof both jackets, and repair a number of holes in the wapiti (Bush-laywer does that). Pretty reasonable price I thought!