What are people's views on the best clothing?
Stick to fishing branded or go with places like army surplus or walking gear like north face, berghaus etc
Stick to fishing branded or go with places like army surplus or walking gear like north face, berghaus etc
In reply to Post #1
Everyone will have their preference, I use Berghaus over trousers and a North Face smock.
Still wearing shorts at the minute, when it gets cold then Craghoppers winter lined trousers and Helly Hansen base layer top with a Montane fleece.
Everyone will have their preference, I use Berghaus over trousers and a North Face smock.
Still wearing shorts at the minute, when it gets cold then Craghoppers winter lined trousers and Helly Hansen base layer top with a Montane fleece.
In reply to Post #1
I've had a couple of army surplus bivvy jackets for about six years that have been excellent.
Trouserwise it's either jogging bottoms or Craghoppers.
The hoodies, jackets and salopettes that Aldi sell are really good value for money, but no good if you're the tackle tart type.
I've had a couple of army surplus bivvy jackets for about six years that have been excellent.
Trouserwise it's either jogging bottoms or Craghoppers.
The hoodies, jackets and salopettes that Aldi sell are really good value for money, but no good if you're the tackle tart type.
In reply to Post #1
Carp branded clothing can be expensive, so I go for sale and bundle - liking the Wofte clothing, so picked up a bundle deal and sale jackets - whatever catches my fancy at good price. Army surplus clothing combats etc, always to baggy for me. Like a better fit trouser.
Carp branded clothing can be expensive, so I go for sale and bundle - liking the Wofte clothing, so picked up a bundle deal and sale jackets - whatever catches my fancy at good price. Army surplus clothing combats etc, always to baggy for me. Like a better fit trouser.
In reply to Post #1
Army softie suits are brilliant and so are the gortex waterproofs. Can't be beat for cost.
Army softie suits are brilliant and so are the gortex waterproofs. Can't be beat for cost.
In reply to Post #1
I've found that the Army stuff lasts a lot longer and is more reliable, probably because it's of a more robust design.
The Branded stuff does not need to be super tough and extremely well made, let's face it fishing is not exactly a high intensity pastime.
I've found that the Army stuff lasts a lot longer and is more reliable, probably because it's of a more robust design.
The Branded stuff does not need to be super tough and extremely well made, let's face it fishing is not exactly a high intensity pastime.
In reply to Post #1
Waterpfoofs you cant beat a top quality Gortex and IMHO Flectarn German Ex army stuff s great
warmth underneath wear a snugpak Pile shirt although expensive if instructions are followed and its worn next to your skin you wont get cold coupled with Craghopper winter lined trousers
OR at the moment the bargain on the year is the fantastic very warm very waterproof Prologic Thermo Suit these are under half the original selling price in some places Ebay and Amazon
( they are also Svensen branded and the reason for the massive price cuts is because they are being discontinued)
Waterpfoofs you cant beat a top quality Gortex and IMHO Flectarn German Ex army stuff s great
warmth underneath wear a snugpak Pile shirt although expensive if instructions are followed and its worn next to your skin you wont get cold coupled with Craghopper winter lined trousers
OR at the moment the bargain on the year is the fantastic very warm very waterproof Prologic Thermo Suit these are under half the original selling price in some places Ebay and Amazon
( they are also Svensen branded and the reason for the massive price cuts is because they are being discontinued)
In reply to Post #7
OG, how have you found the sizing given it's an outer layer. Regards
OG, how have you found the sizing given it's an outer layer. Regards
In reply to Post #8
The prologic thermo suiet is heavy and I felt like Michelin man in it felt restrictive and bulky take a look at the lite pro
The prologic thermo suiet is heavy and I felt like Michelin man in it felt restrictive and bulky take a look at the lite pro
In reply to Post #9
Interesting
as I dont find it all all heavy or restrictive but then I bought it for keeping warm and dry in the worst of conditions
possibly a bit hot to push your barrow in on a day that wasnt freezing though
and the sizing is about right
Interesting
as I dont find it all all heavy or restrictive but then I bought it for keeping warm and dry in the worst of conditions
possibly a bit hot to push your barrow in on a day that wasnt freezing though and the sizing is about right
I have an old US Jungle DPM combat jacket I 'swapped' for back in the early 1990's, still going strong.
My army surplus combat trousers also have lasted at least 5 years, the only difference from new is they have faded.
I have a preference for hunting and shooting clothing by Hoggs of Fife over fishing brands, my Strathmoor jacket and overtrousers are a few years old, as are my black Regatta lined trousers.
The only fishing brand clothing I currently have is a Rod Hutchinson t-shirt, a RH hoody and an ESP Fleece, which is around 10 years old.
My army surplus combat trousers also have lasted at least 5 years, the only difference from new is they have faded.
I have a preference for hunting and shooting clothing by Hoggs of Fife over fishing brands, my Strathmoor jacket and overtrousers are a few years old, as are my black Regatta lined trousers.
The only fishing brand clothing I currently have is a Rod Hutchinson t-shirt, a RH hoody and an ESP Fleece, which is around 10 years old.
Virtually all my clothing is army surplus, I was " Demobbed" in 1999 after 23 years and still have loads of kit to wear out, both UK and German issue. Even sat here on the bank right now, I am wearing my fleece that I was issued in 1997 when I went to Bosnia, even my Windproof smock I was issued with early 80's when I went to the Falklands I still wear. My two pride and joys fishing jackets are my two Denison smocks, One dated 54 and the other 58, they are that hard wearing I could walk through briars and hawthorn Bush's etc and they would not damage them. To replace them, unless I got replica's, they would cost £300 to £400 each.
Not bad to still be wearing jackets over 70 years old.
All my sleeping bags which I have bought, think I have about 9, maybe 11 are army surplus, from jungle ones for Summer and Arctic ones for Winter.
I have on odd occasions bought tackle manufacture branded clothing and just one sleeping bag and find them garbage, probably all right for prancing about town on a night out, but on the bank, they soon get ripped or zippers break and overall, vastly overpriced.
Not bad to still be wearing jackets over 70 years old.
All my sleeping bags which I have bought, think I have about 9, maybe 11 are army surplus, from jungle ones for Summer and Arctic ones for Winter.
I have on odd occasions bought tackle manufacture branded clothing and just one sleeping bag and find them garbage, probably all right for prancing about town on a night out, but on the bank, they soon get ripped or zippers break and overall, vastly overpriced.
In reply to Post #1
Majority of my clothing is outdoor/hunting brands. I love my Fjallraven vidda pro trousers. Fleeces are swazi. Boots are Lowa Hunters. These have all been used in the harsest of weathers and have never let me down. Yes you may pay slighlty more for them initally but they last. However one piece of fishing branded clothing I would not be without is my Snugpak/fortis SJ9 jacket. A lovely jacket still made in the uk and like wearing a sleeping bag.
Majority of my clothing is outdoor/hunting brands. I love my Fjallraven vidda pro trousers. Fleeces are swazi. Boots are Lowa Hunters. These have all been used in the harsest of weathers and have never let me down. Yes you may pay slighlty more for them initally but they last. However one piece of fishing branded clothing I would not be without is my Snugpak/fortis SJ9 jacket. A lovely jacket still made in the uk and like wearing a sleeping bag.
In reply to Post #12
Christ knows how you boys suffered the Falklands with that pat 58 junk. Right laugh running only to have your water bottle pouch fall off
and those non waterproof waterproofs they used to issue before the GoreTex gear came out, what was that all about? Oh, and those tin lids where blokes used to smash you on the head for a laugh and you'd get brained by the metal nipple inside.
The gear that's being issued now is very good. Very impressive 👍
Christ knows how you boys suffered the Falklands with that pat 58 junk. Right laugh running only to have your water bottle pouch fall off
and those non waterproof waterproofs they used to issue before the GoreTex gear came out, what was that all about? Oh, and those tin lids where blokes used to smash you on the head for a laugh and you'd get brained by the metal nipple inside.The gear that's being issued now is very good. Very impressive 👍
In reply to Post #13
this guy gets it, never touch fishing tackle clothes, always go for real outdoor companies who put lots of money researching their products.
for me , woolpower merino thermal top and bottoms, meindl boots, norrona recon full gortex suit, norrona fleece, sealskin socks and hats, thats good enough for anything the uk weather can throw at me
this guy gets it, never touch fishing tackle clothes, always go for real outdoor companies who put lots of money researching their products.
for me , woolpower merino thermal top and bottoms, meindl boots, norrona recon full gortex suit, norrona fleece, sealskin socks and hats, thats good enough for anything the uk weather can throw at me
In reply to Post #1
MTP lightweight army waterproof seems to do the trick no hood mind.
i prefer the DPM pattern and its a little thin but does keep the water out
cheap jogging bottoms and some basic black salopettes
on thing i am lack since my goretex army boots gave up the ghost these paired with a pair with a pair of thin running socks and a thick pair of wool socks.
Wellies are ok at a push but not ideal as they dont breath
MTP lightweight army waterproof seems to do the trick no hood mind.
i prefer the DPM pattern and its a little thin but does keep the water out
cheap jogging bottoms and some basic black salopettes
on thing i am lack since my goretex army boots gave up the ghost these paired with a pair with a pair of thin running socks and a thick pair of wool socks.
Wellies are ok at a push but not ideal as they dont breath
In reply to Post #15
Absolutely, wouldn't touch the military issue stuff with a barge pole. It will do the job and is better than some fishing branded stuff but does not compare with good purpose designed stuff.
Absolutely, wouldn't touch the military issue stuff with a barge pole. It will do the job and is better than some fishing branded stuff but does not compare with good purpose designed stuff.
In reply to Post #17
I can only think of a few things that would be better than army gear Glenn, something like an extreme sleeping bag that the likes of RAB would do, saying that, Carinthia will do their defence 6 that'll go down to -30, at that point you ain't fishing.
From GoreTex jackets, GoreTex bivvy bags, sleeping bags, windproof SAS smocks, combat trousers, all the various boots like AKU, Iturii, the army gear has it covered. What would you say that's any better from the likes of North Face etc?
I've got Harkilla gear like the Pro Hunter jacket and trousers, costs a fortune and is utter garbage, sucks up rain like a tea bag and is freezing cold to wear. GoreTex army jacket £40, a jumper or Snugpak liner type jacket, what £120 tops and you'll be dry vs £400+ and you'll be cold and damp? Nah.
I can only think of a few things that would be better than army gear Glenn, something like an extreme sleeping bag that the likes of RAB would do, saying that, Carinthia will do their defence 6 that'll go down to -30, at that point you ain't fishing.
From GoreTex jackets, GoreTex bivvy bags, sleeping bags, windproof SAS smocks, combat trousers, all the various boots like AKU, Iturii, the army gear has it covered. What would you say that's any better from the likes of North Face etc?
I've got Harkilla gear like the Pro Hunter jacket and trousers, costs a fortune and is utter garbage, sucks up rain like a tea bag and is freezing cold to wear. GoreTex army jacket £40, a jumper or Snugpak liner type jacket, what £120 tops and you'll be dry vs £400+ and you'll be cold and damp? Nah.
In reply to Post #18
I use a Carinthia 6 for work because it is better than the issue slug. We did get 4's issued for a short period for Ops. The supposed Goretex is absolute pony and has got worse over time, the original heavy weight stuff was ok. Aku's and Iturii are ok but nothing special, not a patch on Llowa and for fishing I prefer Salomon. Why would anybody want to wear an SAS smock or MTP trousers fishing? You can get better and more comfortable from the angling manufacturers never mind outdoor clothing, also you will look a right plum.
Each to their own for what they want to wear but I've been wearing military clothing for over 30 years and there is way better stuff out their for angling.
I use a Carinthia 6 for work because it is better than the issue slug. We did get 4's issued for a short period for Ops. The supposed Goretex is absolute pony and has got worse over time, the original heavy weight stuff was ok. Aku's and Iturii are ok but nothing special, not a patch on Llowa and for fishing I prefer Salomon. Why would anybody want to wear an SAS smock or MTP trousers fishing? You can get better and more comfortable from the angling manufacturers never mind outdoor clothing, also you will look a right plum.
Each to their own for what they want to wear but I've been wearing military clothing for over 30 years and there is way better stuff out their for angling.
In reply to Post #19
Some of that army GoreTex is pants, the MTP heavyweight isn't that much difference in quality from the original issue GoreTex back in the late 80's. Thing is with this year is that it doesn't cost a fortune like say a high end SprayWay that as you know, once any GoreTex has lost its DWR coating, it's all crap regardless of the cost and who makes it. I have spent a fair few quid on high end and everything in between, I'd always go with military GoreTex just down to its throw away nature.
Not too sure about the Lowa's. I've got the combat high GoreTex and as good as a boot they are and I do like them, that s hit vibram sole is deadly, real slip hazard plus the rand on the toe end disintegrates real bad and quite quickly. Boots are a funny thing, they are very personal and not one brand will suit all.
Some of that army GoreTex is pants, the MTP heavyweight isn't that much difference in quality from the original issue GoreTex back in the late 80's. Thing is with this year is that it doesn't cost a fortune like say a high end SprayWay that as you know, once any GoreTex has lost its DWR coating, it's all crap regardless of the cost and who makes it. I have spent a fair few quid on high end and everything in between, I'd always go with military GoreTex just down to its throw away nature.
Not too sure about the Lowa's. I've got the combat high GoreTex and as good as a boot they are and I do like them, that s hit vibram sole is deadly, real slip hazard plus the rand on the toe end disintegrates real bad and quite quickly. Boots are a funny thing, they are very personal and not one brand will suit all.
In reply to Post #20
All very true and its the pure inconsistency that makes me push people away from it. For the price it is generally better but if you want pure performance it doesn't compete. I know what you mean about the Vibram sole and its issues. I was wearing some Altberg Defenders in 2000 on a course and stood on a slippy tree root whilst running with a bergen on. Down I went and managed to land on top of my SUSAT putting the EBS straight through my top lip, claret everywhere and god knows how I didn't knock my teeth out
All very true and its the pure inconsistency that makes me push people away from it. For the price it is generally better but if you want pure performance it doesn't compete. I know what you mean about the Vibram sole and its issues. I was wearing some Altberg Defenders in 2000 on a course and stood on a slippy tree root whilst running with a bergen on. Down I went and managed to land on top of my SUSAT putting the EBS straight through my top lip, claret everywhere and god knows how I didn't knock my teeth out
In reply to Post #1
army surplus and out door gear for me
army surplus and out door gear for me
In reply to Post #21
I shouldn't you check your zeroing after mashing yourself on your susat? 
Every single boot I buy that's got a vibram sole I'm super careful. They scare the life out of me on anything wet like rocks and what not.The AKU' vibram isn't that bad as it's a bit softer and more grippy than most.
There definitely was some gash kit years ago, like the 58 rucksack, the f.ck was all that about? The game changed when the Cyclops hit town and the army did their version of the bergen, then came the GoreTex which was a game changer, the GoreTex gloves, not so much.
I wouldn't say the army kit is the out and out nuts, but what you do get is worth the money and it's cheap. Got so fed up buying decent gear only to wreck it using it for fishing and i wouldn't by say Aqua's full waterproofs and look like team Aqua. I'm still waiting for some smart arse to ask me "mate, you know there's not a war on don't you?" "You MIA?" All kitted out in full MTP GoreTex
I would have to draw the line at hexmine blocks and a cooker, now that was s hit and I wouldn't do a session scoffing 24hr ration packs...AB biscuits brown anyone?
I shouldn't
you check your zeroing after mashing yourself on your susat? Every single boot I buy that's got a vibram sole I'm super careful. They scare the life out of me on anything wet like rocks and what not.The AKU' vibram isn't that bad as it's a bit softer and more grippy than most.
There definitely was some gash kit years ago, like the 58 rucksack, the f.ck was all that about? The game changed when the Cyclops hit town and the army did their version of the bergen, then came the GoreTex which was a game changer, the GoreTex gloves, not so much.
I wouldn't say the army kit is the out and out nuts, but what you do get is worth the money and it's cheap. Got so fed up buying decent gear only to wreck it using it for fishing and i wouldn't by say Aqua's full waterproofs and look like team Aqua. I'm still waiting for some smart arse to ask me "mate, you know there's not a war on don't you?" "You MIA?" All kitted out in full MTP GoreTex
I would have to draw the line at hexmine blocks and a cooker, now that was s hit and I wouldn't do a session scoffing 24hr ration packs...AB biscuits brown anyone?
In reply to Post #21
God that brings back memory's 😂😂 I remember dropping me rifle in basic training on me hand and the iron sights pierced me finger nail. Wasn't best pleased. Was that cold I slept in me NBC suit
Wish I kept some of me gear like the sofite sleeping bag from Belize and jungle rucksacks , the all black versions.
God that brings back memory's 😂😂 I remember dropping me rifle in basic training on me hand and the iron sights pierced me finger nail. Wasn't best pleased. Was that cold I slept in me NBC suit
Wish I kept some of me gear like the sofite sleeping bag from Belize and jungle rucksacks , the all black versions.
In reply to Post #24
Iron sights? SLR? You old crusty
Iron sights? SLR? You old crusty
In reply to Post #25
I'm not that old 😂😂 was on an SA80 if i remember correctly was nearly 20 years ago.
I'm not that old 😂😂 was on an SA80 if i remember correctly was nearly 20 years ago.
In reply to Post #18
id wear army gear over any fishing brand crap, but never forget all army stuff is made by the lowest bidder for that contract, so lots of corners have to be cut.
for instance, the gortex suit i have was developed by the company and the dane and nord special forces iirc, no corners cut, thats why it costs a grand for top and bottoms, no way the army is going to pay that for some squaddie just to keep him dry.
im still using the old army bag, got it new from a mate in the TA in the early 90's, and wouldnt use anything else, i bought a tracker feather center zip bag years ago, bag of crap, but it has good attachments to the bed so i just stuck the army bag in it, both center zip so job done, wont find a warmer set up!, but if they went, no way on earth id buy a fishing tackle bag, it would be straight to carinthia, them guys make real bags.
id wear army gear over any fishing brand crap, but never forget all army stuff is made by the lowest bidder for that contract, so lots of corners have to be cut.
for instance, the gortex suit i have was developed by the company and the dane and nord special forces iirc, no corners cut, thats why it costs a grand for top and bottoms, no way the army is going to pay that for some squaddie just to keep him dry.
im still using the old army bag, got it new from a mate in the TA in the early 90's, and wouldnt use anything else, i bought a tracker feather center zip bag years ago, bag of crap, but it has good attachments to the bed so i just stuck the army bag in it, both center zip so job done, wont find a warmer set up!, but if they went, no way on earth id buy a fishing tackle bag, it would be straight to carinthia, them guys make real bags.
A lot of the fishing branded clothing is warm and waterproof however if your not of a reasonably slim build your screwed. I'm not huge but at 6'4 with a large build even trakkers versions of XXL are too small
In reply to Post #28
TBH I havent bought any trakker clothing for years as I found Trakker sizes were way too small I think their sizes were based on little china men
as at the time I was a 50" chest and their XXXL was the largest size the arms were so small I could not even get my arm in !!!
things may have changed since then though
TBH I havent bought any trakker clothing for years as I found Trakker sizes were way too small I think their sizes were based on little china men
as at the time I was a 50" chest and their XXXL was the largest size the arms were so small I could not even get my arm in !!!
things may have changed since then though
In reply to Post #26
In reply to Post #27
Like I said earlier, for me, i think buying top end GoreTex is a waste of money. After GoreTex loses that dwr coating, the stuff is crap. I know there's a place up north that will re-proof them, how they turn out I don't know.
Don't get me wrong, there's some pucka high end gear with all.sorts of smart pockets and what have you, it's just that dwr thing for me. Can't think of the U.S company, but there's an outfit that's doing U.S military gear in stretchy GoreTex. Very fancy and mental money too.
Those Carinthia bags are top dog, as is nigh on all their gear
Like I said earlier, for me, i think buying top end GoreTex is a waste of money. After GoreTex loses that dwr coating, the stuff is crap. I know there's a place up north that will re-proof them, how they turn out I don't know.
Don't get me wrong, there's some pucka high end gear with all.sorts of smart pockets and what have you, it's just that dwr thing for me. Can't think of the U.S company, but there's an outfit that's doing U.S military gear in stretchy GoreTex. Very fancy and mental money too.
Those Carinthia bags are top dog, as is nigh on all their gear
In reply to Post #1
I will name no names here but several of the dedicated carp clothing companies clearly don't base their clothing sizes on standard anthropometric dimensions.
I've lost count of the number of times I've bought hoodies with arms too tight to get your wrist through, or trousers that are baggy around the waist but too tight to poke your feet out at the bottom.
From now on I'm sticking to non carp brands - shame on them.
I will name no names here but several of the dedicated carp clothing companies clearly don't base their clothing sizes on standard anthropometric dimensions.
I've lost count of the number of times I've bought hoodies with arms too tight to get your wrist through, or trousers that are baggy around the waist but too tight to poke your feet out at the bottom.
From now on I'm sticking to non carp brands - shame on them.
In reply to Post #32
Regarding tackle company sizing's, I jumped on the bandwagon when all my friends were buying and raving over a Trakker thermal suit that was on sale for £99 and thought I would give it a go about 7 years ago.
Usually I am an XL, but despite the jacket fitting length wise, it was as tight as a pair of "Budgie Smugglers" around the chest and that was with just a T shirt on.
Trying on the XXL, the chest on the jacket was fine, but the jacket was far to long in the body, when I put my hands in the side pockets, they never touched the bottom.
Regarding tackle company sizing's, I jumped on the bandwagon when all my friends were buying and raving over a Trakker thermal suit that was on sale for £99 and thought I would give it a go about 7 years ago.
Usually I am an XL, but despite the jacket fitting length wise, it was as tight as a pair of "Budgie Smugglers" around the chest and that was with just a T shirt on.
Trying on the XXL, the chest on the jacket was fine, but the jacket was far to long in the body, when I put my hands in the side pockets, they never touched the bottom.
In reply to Post #28
Pro logic seem to be pretty reliable size wise, agree about the trakker stuff though.
Pro logic seem to be pretty reliable size wise, agree about the trakker stuff though.
In reply to Post #31
dont know what the difference is but mine is gortex xcr, when ive noticed it not beading anymore or it needs washing i just use nixwash on it and its totally proof again
dont know what the difference is but mine is gortex xcr, when ive noticed it not beading anymore or it needs washing i just use nixwash on it and its totally proof again
In reply to Post #34
Its not just fishing branded clothing. I bought a Snugpak Sasquatch in 2013 in size large without seeing. OMG this thing is ridiculous and you can get 2 people in it easy. The only part that fits me correctly is the arms as I have monkey length ones
Its not just fishing branded clothing. I bought a Snugpak Sasquatch in 2013 in size large without seeing. OMG this thing is ridiculous and you can get 2 people in it easy. The only part that fits me correctly is the arms as I have monkey length ones
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