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Hey team,
I’m in the market for a new raincoat for hunting/ tramping. I recently had a Swazi Kagoule but sold it as I didn’t find it long enough to sit on and avoid a wet ass. I really liked the Kagoule so am interested in the Thar XP but just wanted to hear what people think as it’s a lot of money to spend.
Cheers, 7RMBoy
Ultralight tahr is probably your best option if you're wanting that length. Doesn't keep you warm but just layer up.
Traditional tahr xp can be pretty heavy when wet. Personally I go with lightweight options
Also gotta weigh up how often you actually wear the waterproof garment. No point in lugging around a 1kg coat if it ain't worn much. I'd pack something like the rifleman or firstlite lightweight shell
Storing an oversized coat in your pack like the XP is a bit of a pain in the ass. Imo
And hotsoup has done the research!
What is the Ultralight material like? Is it prone to being ripped in the bush? Only downside i see to it is that it’s not a quiet material
No it isnt a quiet material. Its thin but very waterproof. It also isn't that breathable(same with XP). How often do you bush stalk in a waterproof jacket?
I bush hunt sika a lot in the Kaimanawas, rarely would I use a shell when stalking
prone to being ripped? more so I guess than the other, just need to be sensible. The XP could get punctured by spear grass/anything sharp too
I've never understood this "breathable" stuff, it may keep rain out but if you are doing any exertion you get wet with sweat. Also that seam sealed stuff with a fleece type outer which is quiet gets as heavy as shit and takes days to dry out.
There's some pretty cool tech with some of the higher end garments available. Kuiu, sitka, & firstlite have zip dumps which encourage breathability etcQuote:
Originally Posted by Marty Henry
But agreed if I'm doing any high exertion then the last thing I want to be wearing is a shell
Often stalked in my Kagoule, found it good in wet bush as it wasn’t that hot and didn’t get sodden. The Kagoule isn’t exactly super quiet itself but much more quiet than i assume the Ultralight would be. Are there any other brands you would recommend other than swazi that do a longer length raincoat?
Cheers
Fair enough, none that I can think of other than the latest Ridgeline gear however I've never used it. I heard Cam from Hunters Journal thought it was pretty good.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7RMBoy
Macpac and Cactus make decent longer raincoats. Obviously towards the more heavy-duty end of the spectrum, and definitely no soft-outer fabrics, so noisy in scrub etc. But you’ll know they should do the job..
if you go with a light weight rain layer idea, then the Stoney Creek Stowit jackets are pretty good value & pack down small. I also have a KUIU light weight rain jacket that's been tested in some solid bush bashing in SW west coast bush. Stood up remarkably well with no rips or holes.
If you are bush stalking in the rain then the sound of your jacket scraping bush (assuming this is what you mean by quiet) would most likely be drowned out by fat ass water droplets hitting everything :D
Have you considered a cape?
Attachment 150036Quote:
Originally Posted by Woody
Cape is very handy. Apart from keeping worst of rain off, it can be used as emergency shelter and also to keep blood off you when carrying carcass. Dunno about now, but used to be standard issue in military for good reasons.
Not always stalking in the rain but just in tight wet bush that without a rain coat will soon see you looking like a wet rat ;)
Sounds like you need to perfect your slinking ;)
Iv gone with a short rain coat & got a light pair off leggings & turned them in to shorts I find that works well for me in the Bush & it good couse I can get them over my boots with out taking them off so they just say in my pack nw if I want sit down some where & the ground wet just slip them on & keep a dry ass it's great lol
That’s not a bad idea, pair of shorts wouldn’t weigh much or take up much space in a day bag either
Earth Sea Sky Hydrophobia worth a look
Beat me to it Woody !Quote:
Originally Posted by Woody
Get a Game Gear carry cape. Mine comes down to below knees and has a hood as well. Weighed 356 grms on kitchen scales just now in its little pocket sized bag with a couple of specks of last weekends blood on it.
I have been using my Hunters Element Odyssey for a good wee while now and can’t recommend it enough. Very happy with it. Real good fit and design. Have also got the lightweight Halo jacket recently which is complimenting my options very nicely. Hunters Element and Kuiu seem to make up the most of my clothing now. HE has come along way in the past few years and their eco friendly business model is a nice bonus.
So do they hold water after a couple of days pushing through wet bush.Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntfisheat
And how quickly do they dry
Sent from my CPH1903 using Tapatalk
Anyone use the swazi rifleman?
Yup. Same as ultra light tahr but just a different cut and slightly shorter length. Good jacketsQuote:
Originally Posted by The bomb
Anyone used the Stoney Creek Stow It? Thinking of getting one of these to have in my day bag for hunts where i’m not expecting rain, more as a just in case measure. Then getting a more heavy duty raincoat for things like tops tahr hunting ect
Do they breathe well? Been looking at them for a while nowQuote:
Originally Posted by Huntfisheat
My experience with all the aboveQuote:
Originally Posted by Jvaughan
No - they do not breath - or breath well enough
I use them - but only in Quad/Boat of put on if just going out observing pre dusk
But if you are active hunting up/down rough terrain - I cook and end up wet from sweat
I use very lightweight shell that folds into bumbag and put on straight away if stop or get get caught out in rain
The Arc'teryx line has extremely well made gear and a cut/design that makes it feel restricting and free to move
Mine weights 360grms
@7RMBoy Ive got one as a back up, couldn't see it lasted long as a main hunting jacket. Also got the leggings. They keep the rain and wind out but are noisy. Dont take much room in the pack and are light weight. I use my leggings down south this year done there job 100%Quote:
Originally Posted by 7RMBoy
Awesome, that’s what i’d want to use it for. As a “just in case” precaution in my day bag
Also a mate used one for his work jacket as a fencer and got got mileage out of it
