Good traditional safari jackets?

[Rifleman]

Does anyone know of any durable yet breathable safari jackets good for year round use? I'd like any suggestions, but traditional style is preferred. Most of what I've found is cheap and too thin to hold up.

 

[Red Leg]

Seriously?

 

[Pheroze]

Its not a jacket, and it ain't cheap, but the new shirt from Avendon & Colby is actually quite addictive. Did I mention expensive? But, it is a showpiece of textile engineering. Check it out.

 

[Rifleman]

Its not a jacket, and it ain't cheap, but the new shirt from Avendon & Colby is actually quite addictive. Did I mention expensive? But, it is a showpiece of textile engineering. Check it out.

It is nice. It's right at that cut off (in my opinion) between something that I can justify wearing in the field and something that is too expensive. Might have to pursue it.

 

[Rifleman]

Seriously?

Is... is that a ridiculous question? I don't know, I don't think it is.

 

[Hank2211]

Likely temporary insanity on the part of Reg Leg. Happens from time to time. No real explanation. I wouldn't worry about it. Question is fine.

I don't have an answer, but I can join the others in attesting that the Avedon and Colby shirt is first rate. Same people who ran Willis & Geiger for many years - now they made great safari jackets.

 

[Red Leg]

Sorry. Sitting here watching torrential rains wondering if the San Gabriel will stay in its banks and thus whether we and the dogs stay in the house tonight. I wouldn't over think the jacket thing. Nothing like belted khaki and a zebra banded hat to scream rookie hunter. Your PH will be wearing shorts/trousers and a shirt that look like hand-me-downs from a Boer Commando. He will be most comfortable with a client who oozes experience and competence. If you are hunting the southern African winter - our summer- you want fleece for the morning and rollup sleeves for the day. Fleece again at the campfire. Everything should be soft and quiet. Cotton shirts are terrific - Avedon & Colby make a fine one if stocks are in - just wear it a bunch before you hit the bush and don't starch it. Boots, on the other hand, are worth obsessing over. you will be in them a lot. They need to be VERY quiet, capable of stopping an acacia thorn (think finishing nail), and broken in enough not to give you the hint of a blister no matter how far you walk. Bring the wrong shirt or jacket, and you can grab another. The wrong boots can ruin your safari.

 

[Rifleman]

Sorry. Sitting here watching torrential rains wondering if the San Gabriel will stay in its banks and thus whether we and the dogs stay in the house tonight. I wouldn't over think the jacket thing. Nothing like belted khaki and a zebra banded hat to scream rookie hunter. Your PH will be wearing shorts/trousers and a shirt that look like hand-me-downs from a Boer Commando. He will be most comfortable with a client who oozes experience and competence. If you are hunting the southern African winter - our summer- you want fleece for the morning and rollup sleeves for the day. Fleece again at the campfire. Everything should be soft and quiet. Cotton shirts are terrific - Avedon & Colby make a fine one if stocks are in - just wear it a bunch before you hit the bush and don't starch it. Boots, on the other hand, are worth obsessing over. you will be in them a lot. They need to be VERY quiet, capable of stopping an acacia thorn (think finishing nail), and broken in enough not to give you the hint of a blister no matter how far you walk. Bring the wrong shirt or jacket, and you can grab another. The wrong boots can ruin your safari.

It's all good. You know, to an extent, I am trying not to care what PHs think of how I dress. I think the whole ensemble contributes to the experience. I'm picking up some Courteney boots (that I will definitely hike in before I go anywhere near Africa). Could be worse. I'm not going to wear breeches and a pith helmet

 

[johnnyblues]

Check out Tag Safari clothing.

 

[spike.t]

gary nesse does some as well http://www.garynesse.com/sporting-goods/45/jackets.html

 

[stug]

Pity a Safari has changed from Robert Ruark days when the first thing the outfitter does is take you to the tailor and cobbler to have your clothes and shoes for the safari made, ready to pick up the next day!

 

[siml]

Rifleman, pink seems to be a real popular colour these days, don't be afraid of the colour. I still prefer the olive green.

 

[ActionBob]

Depending when and where you go, the fleece is very nice to have but the wind can cut right through them. I used a soft breathable and quiet raincoat as a standby windbreaker outer garment. And to have if it rains!

My wife did not want 4o spend too much on "just a raincoat" and took a plastic thing that was shredded by the thorns on the first buffalo stalk. The next trip she asked me to get her one

I like a tee shirt for comfort however have gotten to liking a collar to protect my neck from the bino strap. I have a TAG shirt I like. Drab olive seems best.

However a t shirt and jeans, almost worn out tennis shoes, and an old sweat shirt will suffice, but take rain jacket if any chance of rain or high altitude (wind).

 

[norfolk shooter]

Oh well just placed an order for a traditional jacket and 2 pairs of trousers from TAG. I wonder how long they will take to get to me in the uk??

 

[Royal27]

Oh well just placed an order for a traditional jacket and 2 pairs of trousers from TAG. I wonder how long they will take to get to me in the uk??

Don't know how long it will take for you to get them, but I really like my TAG shirts and convertible pants. I'm pretty hot natured, so I have always worn them as shorts.

My wife actually let's me wear the shirts in public even, just not with the shorts. I was much more concerned with how they worked than what they looked like together.

 

[norfolk shooter]

I intend on wearing my jacket most of the summer if the wife lets me or not!!!

 

[Pondoro]

http://africansportingcreations.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SWC&Category_Code=SACL10

I just returned from Africa after hunting hard with this jacket. I wore a thin fleece-jacket under it in the morning an just the jacket later in the day. Very satisfied, no thorns went through....and you have 8 spare rounds in the loops.

I beg to differ roll-up sleeves in the bush....you will end up stuck in a thorn bush..
For the same reason I never hunt in shorts in Africa.

 

[Martin Snyman]

Regarding jackets, many places in RSA can get chilly in winter but make sure u can walk/stalk softly in the jacket and practise at the range with it, so if that shot comes it’s not going to affect your shot.

Personally I agree on foot wear before “how u look” it’s not a fashion show, you are going to put up some miles, two set of boots is preferred as every boots pressure point to your feet differs, (swapping them daily will lower the risk of an off day due to feet pains/blisters). I also like hunting in long sleeve olive green shirts as some khaki’s may be a bit bright in bush, the long sleeves make it easy to control your body heat without logging to much luggage through the bush and on the walk. The best is to pack regarding your area’s climate and hunting conditions as set out by outfitters as he knows the hunting method used and area.

I am speaking out of personal preference (thus the hunting method we use as well as our climate in our area).

 

[norfolk shooter]

I have gone with mainly green kit. As for boots being a former soldier I have a few good pairs

 

[William W.]

Filson is discontinuing their #10458 light field jackets in the tan and olive waxed shelter cloth. I just got one for the heck of it from Hank's clothing. The jacket has a pocket for a rubber recoil pad.