Excellent review. I fully agree with your findings. I have owned the pro hunter jacket and trousers for about three years and cant fault it. I have been toasty and dry when my fellow outdoorsmen have been wet and often miserable. My wife was impressed too and so bought the Lady pro hunter jacket and trousers. She is equally pleased. Happy wife happy life ! The gear is not cheap but it is value for money as it will take anything I throw at it wh ether i am metal detecting,bottle hunting in the estuary, ratting, shooting fishing or just out walking . The outdoor boots I have settled on are Meindl Dovre Extremes and after three years I can honestly say they are the best boots I have ever owned so if Harkila make a similar product they are on to a winner.
+Humbermud Glad you think the same as cost really is a secondary issue when it comes to outdoor gear of any type. My wife doesn't spend as much time outdoors as me so I went for a decent Seeland coat for her birthday and she loves that. My last good outdoor boots were Meindl but they got stolen from our porch along with all of our other footwear when gypsies were camping overnight in a nearby field. Confronting them in the morning when I was wearing slippers and outnumbered 6 to 1 probably wasn't one of my better ideas, lol
That was a cracking review Richard and really enjoyed the out door adventure you took us on, that is some intense flooding you have up there and do feel bad for you all having to suffer from it :-( might look into a Jacket and Trousers along with the boots too as my Jacket is dead and binned after 5 years use. Really like the vent option and mobility of the fabric so it will prevent cracking on joins etc. Thanks for sharing GL & HH
+Little John I definitely recommend Harkila gear I have as it is wonderfully comfortable and practical. I'm assuming that the Pro Hunter X version of the jacket has further refinements but I haven't seen that unfortunately. Everyone who sees the boot 'in real life' says wow man awesome boots but its not just the look of them, they are really comfortable and supportive - easily the best boots I have owned. In fact the trousers and jacket are the best I have owned too and I have had a nation of outdoor jackets over the years. I bought some Sherwood Forest waterproof trousers at the same time as the Harkila Pro Hunter trousers and they are still in my drawer - never even tried them on as there simply is no comparison between the two, lol
It certainly does look and sound like the type of kit I will buy and wear but it will have to wait as I'm struggling to save to repair my broken macbook early 2009 as the screen shattered and the inverter went too :-( so no more coin and banknote buy ins for a while other than what people have given me or sent me from exchanges etc. Will look into the gear maybe for the next cold season as by the time I save for any this side of the year it will be summer so no need lol
+Little John Yeah it takes a while to save up for quality but it is never money wasted. I buy quite a lot of second hand outdoor gear as it keeps the cost way down. The Harkila was all new but fleeces and camping gear (excluding sleeping bags) I buy is generally used or unwanted - usually around half the price of new and quite often is new, boxed but just unused.
I almost always leave the pit vents open on my goretex rain jackets, and I live in Canada where it can be more than a little chilly sometimes: tbere's a reason why all such quality jackets have those vents. Strangely enough, they never let water in either, unless it's coming sideways as in high winds. Moisture will have condensed on the headphones a bit because being heat conductive they were colder than their surroundings, but the moisture will have come from the water vapour transpiring through the fabric membrane, almost certainly not from the vent openings that somehow got back in.
I haven't splashed out yet but plan too. I suspect wearing thermals with such good gear may have been your mistake here. I have a thermal (mascot) and even doing normal things (useing loppers, sheers and shovel to widen paths) I can't stand to have it on even if am freezing and it's raining to begin with. It's fine for sitting being inactive but as soon as you're going to be active I personally cannot tolerate it. I live in Scotland
(my other channel) I'm not far South of you but we get nowhere near as much rain as Western Scotland here in North East England. You're right regarding clothing choice - Doing anything more strenuous than a normal walk when wearing anything with thermal properties will generally result in overheating but for sitting still / stalking slowly thermals under decent outerwear is fine.
Defintly. Am still impressed that after all of that you only had a wee bit sweat on your back. Hopefully they have sorted the dampish poccket issue as phones are way too expensive to risk this. My moose gtx boots just arrived and they are comfy and light af 😍
@@mairimcgregor3443 A proper pair of boots is a good investment. I'm still using the Harkila boots I bought at the same time as the jacket and trousers in this video.
I was going to buy the boots but decided on Haix gore-tex boots for £60 ,much cheaper and also keep my feet dry. I agree Harkila clothing is top quality but possibly out of reach price wise for a lot of folk Good review,thanks for posting
Watching this 4 years later as I’ve just bought some pro hunter pants and about to buy the jacket. Also debating between meindl boots or harkila boots. I’ve heard some horror stories about the harkila boots but I can’t believe how waterproof yours are. Do they still keep the water out? I see you’re local to me, nice to see a Geordie reviewing some stuff for a change 👍🏼
Yes they are still waterproof and holding up no problem at all. The latest video I did for my other channel shows the same boots in water: th-cam.com/video/JjA1-Of1DoY/w-d-xo.html If you're local feel free to call in any time or ring me on 07772848730
Great review, I can vouch that the weather would have been SOAKING! The weather has been the same up here too, looks like a great test. Not checked the price yet & not sure I want to 😱 Great to see you back with a few more uploads mate 👍🏻
+SherrysVloggin I had a couple of trolling comments complaining about the test as it does not show the design features of the gear but this was simply to report back on function, comfort and whether I thought it was worth it as there are loads of videos and reports out there about design features - that stuff is easy to report on, lol I think its been wet everywhere and we had a period of almost 3 weeks where I never saw the sun or moon - I thought the apocalypse had come early. Glad you enjoy the video as I love making outdoor videos.
No worries and I'm glad you enjoyed the video - all the gear is still in great condition and is really snug during the winter. Boots are still 100% waterproof and I'm onto my 5th set of laces....it's a real shame that the laces weren't as strong as the boots so I'm currently searching for 'kevlar laces', lol
+typhoonbot1710 Yes I reckon it would have made more sense if I had thought about the level of walking I would be doing. Its the only time I have noticed moisture build up when wearing this gear but normally I am going very slow.
Pondguru Outdoors based on my experience it would not have helped. I tried wearing just light 200 merino icebreaker underwear for active hiking and it did not prevent the moisture buildup at all. It makes you sweat anyway, condensation on the inside is inevitable as the fabric is not breathable enough. Furthermore it does not keep you warm enough and lets the cold air get to your skin, which is a disaster. I almost caught the flu because of this test!
I wish I'd seen this before buying my ProHunter X gear. The trousers were very tight around the bum and thighs; I had to send them back and get the bigger waist size. Now I need to buy the braces! Could have just got the plain pro hunter ones. Also I got the size 54 jacket (for size 43 chest), but it was like a tent (measured 54 inches), so sent it back for the 52 - still quite big. No question the quality is superb, but if you ever get the chance to try them on before buying, do so
Yes most definitely try them on before buying as the sizes are confusing - I studied size charts and was still confused, lol I have the braces too and while they're not essential (I don't often wear them) they do keep the trousers up in a comfortable position. I got 52 trousers and 52 jacket and it was spot on for me but the Pro-hunter X trousers would have definitely been too narrow for my thighs and backside (which is ample....). That's why I went for the normal pro-hunter as I saw the narrow cut of the X version on my mate who has the pro-hunter x trousers and he is skinny and tall - they fit him fine.
Yeah, I sent back the 52 trousers for 54 and the 54 jacket for 52. Too much gym leads to muscular thighs and unfeasibly large buttocks that were constrained by the 52's even though the waist fits fine. The Harkila website is useless - it says nothing about the difference between Prohunter, pro hunter x and pro-hunter active
Thank you very much for this video. I fell in love with the Harkile boots you are wearing and have reviewed. This is also how I found your channel. What I would like to ask( maybe in an earlier or later video you'll explain) is how your threat your gear ? Boots and clothing after a day out, do you threat it with some waterproofing spray or wash them with waterproofing ? In advance thank you for your time and information. Greets from a Dutch guy with the same hair style 😉
I would generally just air-dry the trousers and coats after gently removing dirt with a sponge but I have washed the trousers on a 40 degree wash with no washing chemicals in and they are still fine. The boots get cleaned with a hose with brush attached and then treated with Harkila mink oil which is put on using a dubbing brush but I have only done that a couple of times. Everything I have from Harkila is exceptional quality and I just picked up the new 'Atle' smock as there was one listed at the wrong size on Ebay which I got under half price. It was down as being XXXL but was also listed as being size 50 which is the top end of medium / lower end of large and is a perfect fit so I will review that when I have worn it over a few months in various conditions. So far so good...
Great video yet again :) Harkila is far the best i have tryed yet but as you say it cost a bit a penny. But some thing you must remember aboute this outfitt is it need to be treated whit some sort of rain resistent, some you can spray on or put in when you wash it. The same whit the shoos, but it depend on the material it is made of. I use a leder balsam and lett it cure to the next day and just vipe them down whit a dry clott.
+Tom Rayner Larsen Yes I have something called Nikwax used when washing but as of yet I haven't noticed a deterioration in the boot material so they haven't had a treatment of anything (maybe they should have by now, lol). I'd best get something suitable for the boots as they are really excellent. Glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for watching.
Hi Rich, looks like some top gear mate, and you gave it a good work out, I have ordered the socks and boots you recommended, should be here in a couple of days, will let you know how they are with my cold feet !!!! this morning took my normal socks in the bathroom and put them on as soon as I got out the shower, that really helped. take care mate Tom
+Tom Wood Yes heat retention is key to comfort. If I have been in a sauna for a prolonged period of time during the winter I can spend the rest of the day in shorts and a t-shirt.
Don't think I will try that, I would feel stupid walking round a field in just my boxers and vest....LOL I got the boots and socks, I showed them at the end of my last vid, also gave you a big mention. take care mate Tom
+Tom Wood I still wear my tundra boots when I am jogging through the woods as they are way more practical than trainers for that purpose. Thrashed to bits and no longer waterproof but still damn comfortable. GL&HH
+The Swede The waterproofing apparently lasts for dozens of washes but something like Nikwax added to a low heat wash followed by drip dry will keep them at 100%. Got to admit I have just used a hose pipe to wash off the jacket so far. Yes Harkila is a Swedish company - just glad their gear doesn't come flat packed, lol
+djkwikstar I have ordered a better camcorder so hopefully the next outdoor videos I do will be more vibrant colours. Will see from next week when it arrives. The camera I used for this video is waterproof but gives a washed out drab look.
+djkwikstar The camera was a Panasonic Quadshock which is weather proof but I'm none too happy with the colours on days when its not bright sunshine so I just ordered a 4k Panasonic camera today. I need to spend some cash before the end of the tax year, lol. I'll use the 4k camera for filming on dry days and save the Quadshock for wet days and detecting where it tends to get up to the eyes in muck.
+Paul King Ha Ha nice one, strange the way videos pop up. Some of the things I review now and in the future may be quite obscure but I always like to do my best to give a fair test and report truthfully about the performance and value. Thanks for watching.
+Owen Jack It is winter here so fishing season has ended - starts again on 22nd March so I will be out after that. River has had a good clean out after floods so will be interesting to see how it fishes.
+Pondguru Outdoors oh the river I fish on was open a month ago!!!! Sorry hahaha I'm from Scotland and the weather in this video is normal haha thanks..
+Owen Jack A month ago, in January - Is that for Salmon? Trout season starts in England on 22nd March, Salmon on 1st February. Yeah, I'm very familiar with the weather in Scotland as we used to go up the West coast almost every year on holiday. I used to like it when it was windy or wet as it kept the damn midgies away, lol
It is not one of those shell jackets which seem popular (and in-feasibly expensive) nowadays - it has a proper liner and is filled with something called 'woodland liner' which I hope doesn't mean its filled with sawdust, lol. It is easily the best jacket I own and it is size 52 which equates to large (approx. 42" chest). As it is so warm its really only suitable for wearing from Autumn through to early Spring (or when it is tipping down with rain). In the summer I would just take a shell jacket with me in case it rains then move to a goretex smock with decent fleece underneath toward Autumn then to the pro-hunter jacket as temperatures drop.
I see. Do you think it would farewell in freezing temperatures with rain/snow? I'm from the States and I'm looking for new gear to go Deer/Elk hunting and sometimes I think European gear is better made than American, I really like the look of the Harlika Pro Hunter X to me it looks so classical and European I like that look and not so much the camo all Americans use.
I think the X range is essentially the same but has a more tailored fit and I know a guy who has the jacket and trousers. He is thinner than me and it certainly fits him very well. The X trousers would be a bit tight for me I reckon as I have a big backside and short legs but the jacket would be OK. I can't comment on US made clothing as I haven't had any but in the UK we have a long tradition of needing good outdoor clothing (due to the weather) made both in the UK and also in Northern Europe where there seems to be no compromises made on quality of materials for the higher end gear. It hasn't snowed since I got the Harkila gear but I have been out many times in sub zero temperatures standing still watching football matches in stiff icy winds and I've definitely been the only one there who was warm. Obviously I was wearing thermals and a fleece as well as a decent pair of gloves but the Harkila gear (Jacket, trousers and boots) were a huge part of me staying warm, dry and comfortable.
+ChRiSVII It was the Panasonic Quadshock camcorder. Only problem is that the colour doesn't get captured very well so many of my videos made with it look dull and washed out unless it is a very bright day with bold colours in the shot. Just bought a good panasonic 4k camcorder today so I will get an external mic and hopefully the quality of the dry weather videos will greatly improve. I'll still use the quadshock for detecting and wet weather use as it will stand up to dirt and wet much better.
I'd argue that there are millions of better channels than mine but I certainly have variety, lol The pro-hunter gear really is excellent quality and will last me for years so definitely worth the money. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.
Yes it is very good and I have plenty of other Harkila gear I've been pleased with too. I tend to buy outdoor gear for the Winter in the Summer and Summer gear in the Winter as it is much cheaper that way.
Great review as always.. glad your back :) Was very interested until I went to the website and saw it was 700 euros / 1,000 usd just for the jacket alone.. ACK for that price I would expect it to make coffee and give me a happy ending after my hike LOL *** edit, I see the model you reviewed was only 549 euros.. but still ...
+Uncle Jeff's World Happy ending, lol Yes that's why the first line of the video description says that the cost of Harkila gear isn't for the fainthearted - very expensive and maybe they are using their good name and reputation to charge a premium but I demand quite a lot from my outdoor gear. This really was a treat to myself after having years of financial hardship battling to keep the shop open with rising bills and a huge debt laid on me by my business partner about 10 years ago (yes it took that long to sort it out, lol) and under ordinary circumstances I would never dream of spending so much but I'll have it for years to come so haven't regretted buying it for sure. Being warm and comfortable when everyone around me is wet and cold is priceless but does make me feel slightly guilty, lol Thanks for watching and appreciating the video, man.
Looks like great gear but way to expensive for a poor guy like me ;( :D Have you recorded this video while the floot was? man tgat was fast moving water.
+Pondguru Outdoors lol, thats why i often have to use music in my detecting videos. the winds would blow the ears out of the viewers, i use a deadcat and a normal windprotect under it... no chance.
+Madison Maine Yes its about as good as you can get for the UK climate. No good for very active situations but I love it as it keeps me warm and very comfortable.
No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful. Harkila is expensive but really well made, comfortable and performs how it should. I'm not so sure about the price they ask for 'normal' cotton shirts (may just be paying for a label?) but for the outdoor gear they are excellent. The boots I got over a year ago are as good as new, still totally waterproof and extremely comfortable.
Click 'READ MORE' for full video description and useful links - Watch in HD Pro Hunter jacket: geni.us/11v2 Pro hunter trousers: geni.us/2Ig5 Pro hunter GTX boots: geni.us/1u32 Initial boot review here: th-cam.com/video/TAEQdsvC9EI/w-d-xo.html Lets get this out of the way.....the cost of Harkila clothing is not for the fainthearted but is it worth it? I have had the Harkila Pro Hunter jacket and trousers for about a year now - boots for approx. 8 months and can't fault them. The boots are still as good as new with no leaking, cracking or unbonding of front cap or rubber / kevlar parts. Only thing I have replaced are the laces, one of which snapped about a month ago when I was lacing up. Both the jacket and trousers are extremely well made, have pockets in sensible places (well protected from water ingress) and have definitely been worth the money. I bought the Harkila gear when I had finally paid off the remaining debt associated with my shop (as a reward for suffering years of financial hardship, lol) but they had been on my radar for a long time. Having clothing and boots which will last for many years is very important as replacing them every 1-2 years is false economy. Anyway, see what you think. I know it is very comfortable, warm, dry and being designed by hunters is also very practical too. Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos - please share with anyone you think may benefit by watching. Please share this video with anyone you think may benefit from watching it. Check out the 'Bushcraft and Survival' playlist on my channel for more related videos. Pondguru
(my other channel) Much of the Harkila gear is on sale now so it's a decent time to buy. It is good gear - expensive but quality and I still regularly use the kit in this video although the clothing could probably do with an application of NikWax as the water doesn't bead like it used to. NikWax is excellent stuff.
Excellent review. I fully agree with your findings.
I have owned the pro hunter jacket and trousers for about three years and cant fault it. I have been toasty and dry when my fellow outdoorsmen have been wet and often miserable. My wife was impressed too and so bought the Lady pro hunter jacket and trousers. She is equally pleased. Happy wife happy life !
The gear is not cheap but it is value for money as it will take anything I throw at it wh ether i am metal detecting,bottle hunting in the estuary, ratting, shooting fishing or just out walking .
The outdoor boots I have settled on are Meindl Dovre Extremes and after three years I can honestly say they are the best boots I have ever owned so if Harkila make a similar product they are on to a winner.
+Humbermud Glad you think the same as cost really is a secondary issue when it comes to outdoor gear of any type. My wife doesn't spend as much time outdoors as me so I went for a decent Seeland coat for her birthday and she loves that.
My last good outdoor boots were Meindl but they got stolen from our porch along with all of our other footwear when gypsies were camping overnight in a nearby field. Confronting them in the morning when I was wearing slippers and outnumbered 6 to 1 probably wasn't one of my better ideas, lol
That was a cracking review Richard and really enjoyed the out door adventure you took us on, that is some intense flooding you have up there and do feel bad for you all having to suffer from it :-( might look into a Jacket and Trousers along with the boots too as my Jacket is dead and binned after 5 years use. Really like the vent option and mobility of the fabric so it will prevent cracking on joins etc. Thanks for sharing GL & HH
+Little John I definitely recommend Harkila gear I have as it is wonderfully comfortable and practical. I'm assuming that the Pro Hunter X version of the jacket has further refinements but I haven't seen that unfortunately.
Everyone who sees the boot 'in real life' says wow man awesome boots but its not just the look of them, they are really comfortable and supportive - easily the best boots I have owned. In fact the trousers and jacket are the best I have owned too and I have had a nation of outdoor jackets over the years.
I bought some Sherwood Forest waterproof trousers at the same time as the Harkila Pro Hunter trousers and they are still in my drawer - never even tried them on as there simply is no comparison between the two, lol
It certainly does look and sound like the type of kit I will buy and wear but it will have to wait as I'm struggling to save to repair my broken macbook early 2009 as the screen shattered and the inverter went too :-( so no more coin and banknote buy ins for a while other than what people have given me or sent me from exchanges etc. Will look into the gear maybe for the next cold season as by the time I save for any this side of the year it will be summer so no need lol
+Little John Yeah it takes a while to save up for quality but it is never money wasted. I buy quite a lot of second hand outdoor gear as it keeps the cost way down. The Harkila was all new but fleeces and camping gear (excluding sleeping bags) I buy is generally used or unwanted - usually around half the price of new and quite often is new, boxed but just unused.
Pondguru Outdoors
Sounds good to me and I will see what I can do over the next month :-)
I almost always leave the pit vents open on my goretex rain jackets, and I live in Canada where it can be more than a little chilly sometimes: tbere's a reason why all such quality jackets have those vents. Strangely enough, they never let water in either, unless it's coming sideways as in high winds. Moisture will have condensed on the headphones a bit because being heat conductive they were colder than their surroundings, but the moisture will have come from the water vapour transpiring through the fabric membrane, almost certainly not from the vent openings that somehow got back in.
Great points and it did remarkably well considering the terrain, weather and the fact I didn't have vents open.
I haven't splashed out yet but plan too. I suspect wearing thermals with such good gear may have been your mistake here. I have a thermal (mascot) and even doing normal things (useing loppers, sheers and shovel to widen paths) I can't stand to have it on even if am freezing and it's raining to begin with. It's fine for sitting being inactive but as soon as you're going to be active I personally cannot tolerate it. I live in Scotland
(my other channel) I'm not far South of you but we get nowhere near as much rain as Western Scotland here in North East England.
You're right regarding clothing choice - Doing anything more strenuous than a normal walk when wearing anything with thermal properties will generally result in overheating but for sitting still / stalking slowly thermals under decent outerwear is fine.
Defintly. Am still impressed that after all of that you only had a wee bit sweat on your back. Hopefully they have sorted the dampish poccket issue as phones are way too expensive to risk this. My moose gtx boots just arrived and they are comfy and light af 😍
@@mairimcgregor3443 A proper pair of boots is a good investment. I'm still using the Harkila boots I bought at the same time as the jacket and trousers in this video.
I was going to buy the boots but decided on Haix gore-tex boots for £60 ,much cheaper and also keep my feet dry.
I agree Harkila clothing is top quality but possibly out of reach price wise for a lot of folk
Good review,thanks for posting
Watching this 4 years later as I’ve just bought some pro hunter pants and about to buy the jacket. Also debating between meindl boots or harkila boots. I’ve heard some horror stories about the harkila boots but I can’t believe how waterproof yours are. Do they still keep the water out?
I see you’re local to me, nice to see a Geordie reviewing some stuff for a change 👍🏼
Yes they are still waterproof and holding up no problem at all. The latest video I did for my other channel shows the same boots in water:
th-cam.com/video/JjA1-Of1DoY/w-d-xo.html
If you're local feel free to call in any time or ring me on 07772848730
Great review, I can vouch that the weather would have been SOAKING! The weather has been the same up here too, looks like a great test.
Not checked the price yet & not sure I want to 😱
Great to see you back with a few more uploads mate 👍🏻
+SherrysVloggin I had a couple of trolling comments complaining about the test as it does not show the design features of the gear but this was simply to report back on function, comfort and whether I thought it was worth it as there are loads of videos and reports out there about design features - that stuff is easy to report on, lol
I think its been wet everywhere and we had a period of almost 3 weeks where I never saw the sun or moon - I thought the apocalypse had come early.
Glad you enjoy the video as I love making outdoor videos.
+Pondguru Outdoors & we love watching them! Love the effort you go to for us to have a good video to watch 👍🏻
Smashing review. Will be looking into those boots on the back of this. Hat off to you Sir.
No worries and I'm glad you enjoyed the video - all the gear is still in great condition and is really snug during the winter. Boots are still 100% waterproof and I'm onto my 5th set of laces....it's a real shame that the laces weren't as strong as the boots so I'm currently searching for 'kevlar laces', lol
Would it have been out of the question to go out with just the base layer and the jacket on (skipping the fleece) and causing less sweating?
+typhoonbot1710 Yes I reckon it would have made more sense if I had thought about the level of walking I would be doing. Its the only time I have noticed moisture build up when wearing this gear but normally I am going very slow.
Pondguru Outdoors based on my experience it would not have helped. I tried wearing just light 200 merino icebreaker underwear for active hiking and it did not prevent the moisture buildup at all. It makes you sweat anyway, condensation on the inside is inevitable as the fabric is not breathable enough. Furthermore it does not keep you warm enough and lets the cold air get to your skin, which is a disaster. I almost caught the flu because of this test!
I wish I'd seen this before buying my ProHunter X gear. The trousers were very tight around the bum and thighs; I had to send them back and get the bigger waist size. Now I need to buy the braces! Could have just got the plain pro hunter ones. Also I got the size 54 jacket (for size 43 chest), but it was like a tent (measured 54 inches), so sent it back for the 52 - still quite big.
No question the quality is superb, but if you ever get the chance to try them on before buying, do so
Yes most definitely try them on before buying as the sizes are confusing - I studied size charts and was still confused, lol
I have the braces too and while they're not essential (I don't often wear them) they do keep the trousers up in a comfortable position.
I got 52 trousers and 52 jacket and it was spot on for me but the Pro-hunter X trousers would have definitely been too narrow for my thighs and backside (which is ample....). That's why I went for the normal pro-hunter as I saw the narrow cut of the X version on my mate who has the pro-hunter x trousers and he is skinny and tall - they fit him fine.
Yeah, I sent back the 52 trousers for 54 and the 54 jacket for 52. Too much gym leads to muscular thighs and unfeasibly large buttocks that were constrained by the 52's even though the waist fits fine. The Harkila website is useless - it says nothing about the difference between Prohunter, pro hunter x and pro-hunter active
Yeeeeesss....I could blame my large buttocks on too much gym.....but nobody would believe me as the rest of my body would give the game away, lol
Thank you very much for this video. I fell in love with the Harkile boots you are wearing and have reviewed. This is also how I found your channel. What I would like to ask( maybe in an earlier or later video you'll explain) is how your threat your gear ? Boots and clothing after a day out, do you threat it with some waterproofing spray or wash them with waterproofing ? In advance thank you for your time and information. Greets from a Dutch guy with the same hair style 😉
I would generally just air-dry the trousers and coats after gently removing dirt with a sponge but I have washed the trousers on a 40 degree wash with no washing chemicals in and they are still fine.
The boots get cleaned with a hose with brush attached and then treated with Harkila mink oil which is put on using a dubbing brush but I have only done that a couple of times.
Everything I have from Harkila is exceptional quality and I just picked up the new 'Atle' smock as there was one listed at the wrong size on Ebay which I got under half price. It was down as being XXXL but was also listed as being size 50 which is the top end of medium / lower end of large and is a perfect fit so I will review that when I have worn it over a few months in various conditions. So far so good...
Great video yet again :) Harkila is far the best i have tryed yet but as you say it cost a bit a penny. But some thing you must remember aboute this outfitt is it need to be treated whit some sort of rain resistent, some you can spray on or put in when you wash it. The same whit the shoos, but it depend on the material it is made of. I use a leder balsam and lett it cure to the next day and just vipe them down whit a dry clott.
+Tom Rayner Larsen Yes I have something called Nikwax used when washing but as of yet I haven't noticed a deterioration in the boot material so they haven't had a treatment of anything (maybe they should have by now, lol). I'd best get something suitable for the boots as they are really excellent.
Glad you enjoyed the video - thanks for watching.
Hi Rich, looks like some top gear mate, and you gave it a good work out, I have ordered the socks and boots you recommended, should be here in a couple of days, will let you know how they are with my cold feet !!!!
this morning took my normal socks in the bathroom and put them on as soon as I got out the shower, that really helped.
take care mate
Tom
+Tom Wood Yes heat retention is key to comfort. If I have been in a sauna for a prolonged period of time during the winter I can spend the rest of the day in shorts and a t-shirt.
Don't think I will try that, I would feel stupid walking round a field in just my boxers and vest....LOL I got the boots and socks, I showed them at the end of my last vid, also gave you a big mention.
take care mate
Tom
+Tom Wood I still wear my tundra boots when I am jogging through the woods as they are way more practical than trainers for that purpose. Thrashed to bits and no longer waterproof but still damn comfortable.
GL&HH
Hi
You should have unzipped your jacket and just used the press studs
That allows moisture out while you walking hard etc.
Thanks for the video.
Yes from the start it was up against it but I wanted to give it a really hard test - still loving this clothing set.
Harkila, sounds like they made in Finland?
Do they still need to be treated after wash? as other water proofs?
+The Swede The waterproofing apparently lasts for dozens of washes but something like Nikwax added to a low heat wash followed by drip dry will keep them at 100%. Got to admit I have just used a hose pipe to wash off the jacket so far.
Yes Harkila is a Swedish company - just glad their gear doesn't come flat packed, lol
enjoyed this...enjoy your country walks and getting about...look forward to your next vid ☺
+djkwikstar I have ordered a better camcorder so hopefully the next outdoor videos I do will be more vibrant colours. Will see from next week when it arrives. The camera I used for this video is waterproof but gives a washed out drab look.
+Pondguru Outdoors what camera do you use? im looking to be getting to record some videos in a different area in the next month and looking about
+djkwikstar The camera was a Panasonic Quadshock which is weather proof but I'm none too happy with the colours on days when its not bright sunshine so I just ordered a 4k Panasonic camera today. I need to spend some cash before the end of the tax year, lol.
I'll use the 4k camera for filming on dry days and save the Quadshock for wet days and detecting where it tends to get up to the eyes in muck.
Just found you while researching for my next Jacket.....great review, real world....I like it. Subscribed
+Paul King Ha Ha nice one, strange the way videos pop up. Some of the things I review now and in the future may be quite obscure but I always like to do my best to give a fair test and report truthfully about the performance and value.
Thanks for watching.
Sorry to bother you again !! But could you please make another fishing video because they really do help me to learn thanks Owen.
+Owen Jack It is winter here so fishing season has ended - starts again on 22nd March so I will be out after that. River has had a good clean out after floods so will be interesting to see how it fishes.
+Pondguru Outdoors oh the river I fish on was open a month ago!!!! Sorry hahaha I'm from Scotland and the weather in this video is normal haha thanks..
+Owen Jack A month ago, in January - Is that for Salmon? Trout season starts in England on 22nd March, Salmon on 1st February.
Yeah, I'm very familiar with the weather in Scotland as we used to go up the West coast almost every year on holiday. I used to like it when it was windy or wet as it kept the damn midgies away, lol
Apart from Gore-Tex does the jacket have any additional insulation like PrimaLoft or Down?
It is not one of those shell jackets which seem popular (and in-feasibly expensive) nowadays - it has a proper liner and is filled with something called 'woodland liner' which I hope doesn't mean its filled with sawdust, lol.
It is easily the best jacket I own and it is size 52 which equates to large (approx. 42" chest).
As it is so warm its really only suitable for wearing from Autumn through to early Spring (or when it is tipping down with rain).
In the summer I would just take a shell jacket with me in case it rains then move to a goretex smock with decent fleece underneath toward Autumn then to the pro-hunter jacket as temperatures drop.
I see. Do you think it would farewell in freezing temperatures with rain/snow? I'm from the States and I'm looking for new gear to go Deer/Elk hunting and sometimes I think European gear is better made than American, I really like the look of the Harlika Pro Hunter X to me it looks so classical and European I like that look and not so much the camo all Americans use.
I think the X range is essentially the same but has a more tailored fit and I know a guy who has the jacket and trousers. He is thinner than me and it certainly fits him very well. The X trousers would be a bit tight for me I reckon as I have a big backside and short legs but the jacket would be OK.
I can't comment on US made clothing as I haven't had any but in the UK we have a long tradition of needing good outdoor clothing (due to the weather) made both in the UK and also in Northern Europe where there seems to be no compromises made on quality of materials for the higher end gear. It hasn't snowed since I got the Harkila gear but I have been out many times in sub zero temperatures standing still watching football matches in stiff icy winds and I've definitely been the only one there who was warm. Obviously I was wearing thermals and a fleece as well as a decent pair of gloves but the Harkila gear (Jacket, trousers and boots) were a huge part of me staying warm, dry and comfortable.
What camera do you use to film this which stands up to that rain?
+ChRiSVII It was the Panasonic Quadshock camcorder. Only problem is that the colour doesn't get captured very well so many of my videos made with it look dull and washed out unless it is a very bright day with bold colours in the shot. Just bought a good panasonic 4k camcorder today so I will get an external mic and hopefully the quality of the dry weather videos will greatly improve. I'll still use the quadshock for detecting and wet weather use as it will stand up to dirt and wet much better.
Absolute cracking review mate. That's some serious rain! Keep the videos coming. Best channel on TH-cam! Cheers from down under!
I'd argue that there are millions of better channels than mine but I certainly have variety, lol
The pro-hunter gear really is excellent quality and will last me for years so definitely worth the money.
Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.
Good review Richard . All looks dry and comfy .
+AmericanCoinHunting Its as near to perfect as one could wish for but certainly costs plenty. However I don't regret the purchase.
Are you still happy with the jacket?
Yes it is very good and I have plenty of other Harkila gear I've been pleased with too. I tend to buy outdoor gear for the Winter in the Summer and Summer gear in the Winter as it is much cheaper that way.
Great review as always.. glad your back :) Was very interested until I went to the website and saw it was 700 euros / 1,000 usd just for the jacket alone.. ACK for that price I would expect it to make coffee and give me a happy ending after my hike LOL
*** edit, I see the model you reviewed was only 549 euros.. but still ...
+Uncle Jeff's World Happy ending, lol
Yes that's why the first line of the video description says that the cost of Harkila gear isn't for the fainthearted - very expensive and maybe they are using their good name and reputation to charge a premium but I demand quite a lot from my outdoor gear.
This really was a treat to myself after having years of financial hardship battling to keep the shop open with rising bills and a huge debt laid on me by my business partner about 10 years ago (yes it took that long to sort it out, lol) and under ordinary circumstances I would never dream of spending so much but I'll have it for years to come so haven't regretted buying it for sure.
Being warm and comfortable when everyone around me is wet and cold is priceless but does make me feel slightly guilty, lol
Thanks for watching and appreciating the video, man.
Looks like great gear but way to expensive for a poor guy like me ;( :D
Have you recorded this video while the floot was? man tgat was fast moving water.
+SondeldieWaldfee Yes everywhere was a raging flood. I chopped out most of the footage as it was so damn loud, lol
+Pondguru Outdoors lol, thats why i often have to use music in my detecting videos. the winds would blow the ears out of the viewers, i use a deadcat and a normal windprotect under it... no chance.
+SondeldieWaldfee I just edit it out as I'm too lazy to source royaly free music, lol
For the bloody price of the kit I would want a nice sun tan when I took it of aswell lol
+glen foden Yup, it ain't cheap but it is damn good.
Very good made review Richard!
Cheers,
Rob
+MrHelloo5 Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
Thanks for a great review video! Also Great slide & jump in the end :D
+darklit Well done for noticing that - I generally leave something like that at the end of my videos, lol
That looks like some hardcore gear Richard. GL&HH
+Madison Maine Yes its about as good as you can get for the UK climate. No good for very active situations but I love it as it keeps me warm and very comfortable.
Bought my Pro Hunter after watching this. Thanks for sharing
No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful. Harkila is expensive but really well made, comfortable and performs how it should. I'm not so sure about the price they ask for 'normal' cotton shirts (may just be paying for a label?) but for the outdoor gear they are excellent. The boots I got over a year ago are as good as new, still totally waterproof and extremely comfortable.
That was a great test the Harkila stuff is top draw
mint review. just looked at the price and fell on the floor lol.
+darren kawasaki Yeah that is the only drawback wit Harkila gear - very expensive but I have to say its great quality and worth the money.
as they say. you pay for what you get. and looking at the Harkila gear it is quality and worth it.
+darren kawasaki Most definitely, yes. Once I came to terms with wiping out my bank balance I realised I had made a good decision, lol
lol for what you do its money well spent and you need the right gear. a bin liner works for me that's cheep
+darren kawasaki lol
Looks like great gear..
Well done I'm loving this one just like all of yours
+Owen Jack Groovy - glad you enjoyed it.
great video Richard cheers Simon
Click 'READ MORE' for full video description and useful links - Watch in HD
Pro Hunter jacket: geni.us/11v2
Pro hunter trousers: geni.us/2Ig5
Pro hunter GTX boots: geni.us/1u32
Initial boot review here: th-cam.com/video/TAEQdsvC9EI/w-d-xo.html
Lets get this out of the way.....the cost of Harkila clothing is not for the fainthearted but is it worth it?
I have had the Harkila Pro Hunter jacket and trousers for about a year now - boots for approx. 8 months and can't fault them.
The boots are still as good as new with no leaking, cracking or unbonding of front cap or rubber / kevlar parts. Only thing I have replaced are the laces, one of which snapped about a month ago when I was lacing up.
Both the jacket and trousers are extremely well made, have pockets in sensible places (well protected from water ingress) and have definitely been worth the money.
I bought the Harkila gear when I had finally paid off the remaining debt associated with my shop (as a reward for suffering years of financial hardship, lol) but they had been on my radar for a long time.
Having clothing and boots which will last for many years is very important as replacing them every 1-2 years is false economy.
Anyway, see what you think. I know it is very comfortable, warm, dry and being designed by hunters is also very practical too.
Thanks for watching and appreciating the videos - please share with anyone you think may benefit by watching.
Please share this video with anyone you think may benefit from watching it.
Check out the 'Bushcraft and Survival' playlist on my channel for more related videos.
Pondguru
That's some awesome country side
Lovely intro mate
Great review still can't make my mind up lol 👍🏻
(my other channel) Much of the Harkila gear is on sale now so it's a decent time to buy. It is good gear - expensive but quality and I still regularly use the kit in this video although the clothing could probably do with an application of NikWax as the water doesn't bead like it used to. NikWax is excellent stuff.
Great job
great vid mate
+Dodger Bushcraft Glad you enjoyed it. Hope to make many bushcraft videos this year (time permitting)
Yey another awesome review .... if its good for you then im gan to get rigged oot m8
+paul huddas lol, yes it is very good gear. At the top end of the cost scale but definitely worth it.