Waterproof Jacket recommendations?

[markieg31]

I have had the sip keiu rain jacket for the last couple of years ( maybe 3 years), been pretty decent recently replaced it with the same again.

[Ledburyjosh]

Liathach Smock in Cotton Analogy® - a longer length design, ideal for extreme conditions

HILLTREK.CO.UK

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This is a fully featured Cotton Analogy® smock in a longer length design, ideal for extreme conditions, featuring reinforcing...

 

For those not into goretex type membranes.

 

 

[Ledburyjosh]

I do rate a buffalo techlite for drizzly days. They stay comfy when damp.

 

It's currently my most worn jacket unless it's wet rain..

I've asked them if they can make an orange one or atkeast orange on the shoulders/arms. And raise the side pockets above the harness for handwarming.. so far no response.

 

I always feel daft wearing dark earthy colours for tree work

[5thelement]

2 hours ago, Ledburyjosh said:

I do rate a buffalo techlite for drizzly days. They stay comfy when damp.

 

It's currently my most worn jacket unless it's wet rain..

I've asked them if they can make an orange one or atkeast orange on the shoulders/arms. And raise the side pockets above the harness for handwarming.. so far no response.

 

I always feel daft wearing dark earthy colours for tree work

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. 

[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

[Gabriel82]

On 23/11/2025 at 00:18, Joe Newton said:

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

who is AI?

[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.