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Hunting Kit review - Ridgeline Monsoon Smock

A lot of the poor reviews come from a few years ago when I think they changed manufacturing location. A lot of farmers switched to Betacraft, Kaiwaka or Stoney Creek at that time and haven't gone back, but they tend to look more work type than Ridgeline do.
 
valevelo said:
A lot of the poor reviews come from a few years ago when I think they changed manufacturing location.
Click to expand...

I purchased one of the very first offerings of the Monsoon Smocks back in the day, and it went straight back to Scott Country after a couple of trips out with the dogs as a field test.
The "MK1" version was extremely poor on the breathability front, (no matter what the base layers were) and i'm not sure what the material they used was, but it was far too noisy when on the move for me, as it was purchased as a main use stalking garment for the winter season.
Ridgeline clothing is heavily based around the Swazi New Zealand designs, and offer a far more economical alternative, and i am sure that the company have upped their game considerably since the early days, as the reviews are generally positive now.
 
I've had one of the pintail smocks, and whilst it wasn't bad, I didn't love it, so sold it.

For slow stalks, slow walks with the air rifle and sitting up in woods or flighting ponds etc they're good when layered correctly, but the main of my shooting is rough shooting with a shotgun and they're just not breathable enough for that use - so for that I prefer a zipped jacket to allow some rapid ventilation. There's not much worse than getting a sweat on and then being stood still in the cold after.

Unless it's raining or blowing a gale I actually prefer not to wear a coat at all, layering a t shirt/shirt, jumper/fleece and a waistcoat of some description instead.

I did have some Ridgeline Monsoon trousers briefly and they were terrible - too cold too wear on their own, too warm over other trousers and a weird shape.

For balance, I've a few ridgeline fleeces and a big insulated 'stand on a peg' type shooting coat and they're all great.
 
Varminter said:
I've had one of the pintail smocks, and whilst it wasn't bad, I didn't love it, so sold it.

For slow stalks, slow walks with the air rifle and sitting up in woods or flighting ponds etc they're good when layered correctly, but the main of my shooting is rough shooting with a shotgun and they're just not breathable enough for that use - so for that I prefer a zipped jacket to allow some rapid ventilation. There's not much worse than getting a sweat on and then being stood still in the cold after.

Unless it's raining or blowing a gale I actually prefer not to wear a coat at all, layering a t shirt/shirt, jumper/fleece and a waistcoat of some description instead.

I did have some Ridgeline Monsoon trousers briefly and they were terrible - too cold too wear on their own, too warm over other trousers and a weird shape.

For balance, I've a few ridgeline fleeces and a big insulated 'stand on a peg' type shooting coat and they're all great.
Click to expand...
Guess it all depends on the level of activity Sam
I've had some very good shooting jackets and trousers, that I could only wear sitting still. Any walking and you'd boil.

For what I bought this smock for, it looks like it will do lovely.
But as soon as weather allows, I'll be straight over to lightweight stuff. Mainly a shirt. Got a couple of Shooterking shirts that offer a fair degree of weather resistance, while being light and breathable

I've been thinking about some ridgeline trousers, but as with the top half I prefer as light as possible, so may give them a swerve. Current go to shooting trousers are cheap (they were when I bought them anyway) Jack Pyke Weardale. Light enough, but still waterproof, though like most shooting trousers, the "cut" is a bit iffy and a bit low in the crotch. I've had others that have been far worse though. I reckon most have been designed for sitting down
Lightweight walking trousers go on as soon as I can. Comfy, breathable and dry quick if you get caught in a shower
 
2506sendero said:
I purchased one of the very first offerings of the Monsoon Smocks back in the day, and it went straight back to Scott Country after a couple of trips out with the dogs as a field test.
The "MK1" version was extremely poor on the breathability front, (no matter what the base layers were) and i'm not sure what the material they used was, but it was far too noisy when on the move for me, as it was purchased as a main use stalking garment for the winter season.
Ridgeline clothing is heavily based around the Swazi New Zealand designs, and offer a far more economical alternative, and i am sure that the company have upped their game considerably since the early days, as the reviews are generally positive now.
Click to expand...

From memory the seams weren't keeping water out, as well as not breathing. Not much use out on a quad all day or walking.

All seems to have improved though. Ridgeline is from NZ anyway though I thought. Swazi, Swanndri all nice stuff but £££
 
The stormway smocks are pretty good , had mine going on three years , main thing for me is it's quite warm and keeps the water out in a down pour ,
 
valevelo said:
A lot of the poor reviews come from a few years ago when I think they changed manufacturing location. A lot of farmers switched to Betacraft, Kaiwaka or Stoney Creek at that time and haven't gone back, but they tend to look more work type than Ridgeline do.
Click to expand...
Ridgeline promote themselves as a country persuits, farming work orientated type of clothing . In recent years there has been a shift in styling to capture a broader market base.
Decades ago Swazi was the bench mark to judge other NZ brands but not anymore.
Just remember if you buy a Ridgeline rain coat you will sweat in it!
 
Although these are not perfect ( what jacket is really?) I would consider these 2 jackets as suitable for typical winter in UK.
Firstly Swazi Windriver jacket and secondly Stoney Creek Station Shirt.
The Stoney Creek is cheaper than the Swazi and IMO a better option.
 
varta330 said:
Although these are not perfect ( what jacket is really?) I would consider these 2 jackets as suitable for typical winter in UK.
Firstly Swazi Windriver jacket and secondly Stoney Creek Station Shirt.
The Stoney Creek is cheaper than the Swazi and IMO a better option.
Click to expand...
Neither of those state waterproof
I bought the Ridgeline as we get very wet cold winters down here
 
varta330 said:
Stoney Creek Station Shirt.
The Stoney Creek is cheaper than the Swazi and IMO a better option.
Click to expand...

Just done a bit of research on these after your post, and they look to be extremely good value @£110 UK.
Do you have one, and what are the sizings like, are they accurate?
 
I've used them both and recently bought a Stoney Creek station shirt for my daughter. She's a size 12, they're a good fit with room for a base and mid layer underneath.
The station shirts are well worth money, based on recent purchase, it's still a good jacket.
 
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