Stalking kit: eight of the best technical options

Posted on March 24, 2020 by towens — No Comments ↓

Whatever your budget, we’ve got eight of the best examples of technical stalking clothing currently on the market.

Ridgeline Evolution

Ridgeline has launched the Evolution Smock, which according to the New Zealand-based outdoor clothing company is its most advanced and feature-packed smock design to date.

The smock is super-long, making it great for shrugging off the worst of the weather when you’re mobile, and brilliant for keeping your behind dry when you want to sit down.

Apart from being waterproof, it’s breathable too, having a three-layer laminated shell with fully-sealed seams. It’s also lightweight and has adjustable neoprene cuffs as well as a removable and adjustable hood system, underarm zipped vents, a large front pouch and hand-warming pockets. The Evolution Smock is available in sizes XS to 5XL and comes in Heather Brown.

Price: £279.99
Highland Outdoors
0345 099 0252
highlandoutdoors.co.uk

Deerhunter Germania

Deerhunter’s launched a whole new series of outdoor garments designed in breathable and stretchable fabric. More than suitable as a mid-layer or outer layer for hunting, the design and versatility of the Germania means it won’t be out of place when you’re just on a dog walk or down the pub either.

The Germania jacket is available in polyester fibre pile, wool, or in a reversible design or one with Deer-Tex membrane. Not only that, there’s a bivvy (for long high-seat sessions) and a dog bed (so your deer dog can be as insulated as you are) in the range too!

Price: Pile jacket £89.99, wool jacket £114.99, Deer-Tex jacket £149.99, reversible jacket £189.99
Deerhunter +45 7422 3520
deerhunter.eu

Swazi Tahr XP

For over 15 years the Tahr Anorak has built a repuation around the world as the world as the very height of excellence in wet weather jackets. Now Swazi have aimed to make it even better. The Tahr XP is 100 per cent water and windproof but still breathable.

Storm flap enclosure prevents water and wind access through the zip, and hand-warmer chest pockets offer essential storage. The coat is fashioned from Watershield Aegis 3 Layer Whisper but weighs just 1.2kg and can be rolled into its own hood for easy stowing.

Price: £375
Swazi
+64 6368 4822
swazi.co.nz

Palearctic 365 Jacket

Merkel Gear offers hunters a reliable range of innovative clothing that is designed for purpose. The Palearctic 365 Jacket is abrasion resistant, extremely light and 100 per cent windproof. The smooth three-layer-laminate, and waffle-fleece backing is breathable but protects from damp and creeping cold.

Price: £270.23
Viking
01423 780810
vikingshoot.com

Blaser Hybrid suit

The Hybrid set-up comprises a three-in-one stalking outfit, with an outer jacket with wind and waterproof outer layer and a removable thermal Primaloft jacket inside.

This multi-use jacket packs in tonnes of features including removable storm hood, Aquaguard pocket zips, adjustable cuffs, and multi-use pockets. Added to the waterproof trousers, this gives you a robust stalking suit for use in just about any season in the UK.

Price: Jacket £515, trousers £240
Blaser Sporting
01483 917412
blaser-group.com/uk

Stornoway Active Smock

Combining a traditional-looking printed tweed design with the latest technology, the Stornoway Active is the best of both worlds – it’ll fit in on a driven shoot but serve you well on a gruelling stalk too.

The outer material is a highly durable, noiseless, tweed printed polyester which allows you with the Harkila HWS two-layer membrane for 100 per cent wind and waterproofing, as well as breathability.

It’s light and comfortable to wear, with a two-way side zip that offers extra ventilation too. If you want the ultimate performance in your hunting garments, you need this.

Price: £429.99
Harkila
0330 027 2410
harkila.com

ShooterKing Digitex Softshell

The ShooterKing Digitex Softshell has been designed to feature a Digitex Camouflage with reversible brown lining and internal Shoottex membrane, which makes the design of the softshell jacket partially waterproof, completely windproof and highly breathable.

Other features include four YKK zip pockets, which are accessible from both sides, elasticated cuffs and an adjustable hem. The design is also lightweight and suitable for all seasons and is available in a women’s version.

Price: £119.95 (Inc. VAT)
Thomas Jacks
01789 264100
thomasjacks.co.uk

Grampian Hooded Smock

Seen here in the Grampian Tweed pattern, Nomad’s time-proven hooded smock is functionally designed for stalking, made from a silent, stretchable, waterproof and breathable fabric.

It’s long-lasting, too – Nomad say they have re-taped some 15-year-old smocks that are still in perfect condition. You get all the practical accoutrements you need, too, including a full folding hood, an extended front zip, and pockets for binoculars, extra magazines, keys, and so on.

Price: £430 (Grampian/Argyll tweed), £340 (olive/khaki)
Nomad UK 07736 255100
nomaduk.biz