Waterproof Jacket recommendations?

[Ledburyjosh]

6 hours ago, 5thelement said:

I have more than once asked them to produce some Special 6 smocks for us in any Hi-Viz colour, but preferably orange. 
They eventually came back with “ if you send us your garments we can stitch reflective strips onto them for you”, completely missing the point, even though I had told them we worked in Forestry not highways. 
Considering the amount of garments they supply to search and rescue teams, you would think that HI-viz would be a standard option by now. 

Buffalo has recently been bought by Ben Fogle.. I'm hoping there may be some eagerness to expand into new Industries. So hopefully asking now won't fall on death ears..

 

Perhaps also send another email of a few of us do they may take it on board

[kram]

On 22/11/2025 at 22:18, Joe Newton said:

I can't tell if this is AI or if Kram has stepped his game up.

I'm waterproof, I dont wear jackets. They tend to make you sweat and then your soaked through anyway.

[slack ma girdle]

On 16/11/2025 at 11:38, Mark Bolam said:

Swazi.

End of.

Following the advice of @Mark Bolami bought a Swazi kona. After 2 days of 50-60 mph winds and driving rain, i am still dry. Up until now i have been using the Solidor h2no jacket,  which has been good,  but no where as good as the Swazi .

Thank you Mark for the recommendation. 

[markieg31]

Had a wet one yesterday and the sip was doing the business. 

 

The Swazi karona looks like it might be too long and get in the way if you was climbing, do you think that would be the case? 

 

I need new waterproof leggings, mine very clearly are providing sieving action which lets the water in but at least keeps the dirt off your trousers underneath 

[Doug Tait]

We were fortunate enough to be supplied with Swazi jackets at work as the boss swears by his (I believe Rich Rule had influence there so grateful for that Rich!).

 

By far the best jacket I've had and that includes climbing markieg. The length of skirt isn't a problem, indeed allows you to reach up unrestricted without the jacket pulling out of your harness and getting in the way. First time I wore it was dismantling 3 leylandii in persistent rain, had lunch in a dry t-shirt, highly recommended.

[slack ma girdle]

1 hour ago, markieg31 said:

Had a wet one yesterday and the sip was doing the business. 

 

The Swazi karona looks like it might be too long and get in the way if you was climbing, do you think that would be the case? 

 

I need new waterproof leggings, mine very clearly are providing sieving action which lets the water in but at least keeps the dirt off your trousers underneath 

The bottom section(black) is made of a thinner more flexible material that sits nicely under the harness

[Rich Rule]

My Swazi is about 8 years old now and still going strong.

 

When it gets too dirty you do need to wash it to clear the pores and reproof it but I live and work in Norway and we have some very shitty weather at this time of year.

 

Usually the only part that is damp is around the cuff of whatever I am wearing underneath.

 

Cheers Doug, Tom saw mine at the APF quite a few years ago and he obviously put in an order for his staff.

 

Oh, and it is no bother climbing in it.

[Doug Tait]

13 minutes ago, Rich Rule said:

he obviously out in an order for his staff.

 

Well we got them a few months ago, but you know Tom, good things come to those who wait!

 

Rich what do you reproof with? I've always been reluctant to wash waterproofs as they deteriorate.

Edited December 6, 2025 by Doug Tait

[Mark Bolam]

Rich when you put me on to the Karona I thought it was too expensive at £300.

 

I then spent about £600 on various waterproof jackets which weren’t actually that waterproof before finally taking the plunge!

 

Snooze ya lose!

[Rich Rule]

17 minutes ago, Doug Tait said:

 

Well we got them a few months ago, but you know Tom, good things come to those who wait!

 

Rich what do you reproof with? I've always been reluctant to wash waterproofs as they deteriorate.

I use this stuff.  Need to get more waterproof stuff as I ran out but for some reason I had the performance wash left.