Harkila, the Swedish manufacturer of top quality hunting clothing, has a vast selection of jackets and trousers to cover almost every possible taste, need and budget. Made to the highest standards from top-quality materials, their ‘Pro Hunter’ Jacket and Trousers are designed for the serious sportsman and, without being over bulky or heavy, are built to take the battering of everyday use in even the worst of conditions. Both garments are made from a tough Cordura outer fabric (with a Durable Water Resistant Teflon finish) and feature a GoreTex LTD drop liner for that inimitable breathable fully waterproof performance. Not only are the jacket and trousers tough, but also soft, quiet to wear, well cut, well designed for practicality, and truly waterproof and breathable. Harkila provide a 5-year warranty against fabric failure too, so they must have faith in their product.
Pro Hunter trousers
The trousers, although waterproof, are intended for use as ordinary trousers, not waterproof overtrousers, and are packed with useful features.
Starting at the top; the trousers have a high cut back to the waistband with an internal “friction band” to stop a shirt pulling out during vigorous exercise, and also has belt loops and “stud buttons” for braces (which are very useful if you fill your pockets with heavy items) and a double stud fastening at the front. On one of the left hand side belt loops there is a D-ring for attaching lanyards so you can secure keys, penknives etc, while the fly is a generously long zip model.
There is a lot of pocket space with twin half-box construction thigh “cargo” pockets with press stud closed pocket flaps. The left thigh pocket is internally divided with Velcro to give a dedicated knife pocket. The seat of the trousers has twin, zip-closed pockets with a half mesh lining which, if left open, provide extra ventilation in warmer conditions, while the trouser legs have “articulated” knees -for freedom of movement – and concealed adjustable ankle straps and stud securing points which replace gaiters in the fight to keep warm air in and cold water out.
Pro Hunter Jacket
The jacket is just as comprehensively featured with a practical and comfortable design.
The hood is a zip-off model with a peak, circumference and volume adjusters, a GoreTex lining, Velcro front fastening and a one-hand adjustable front drawcord with captive ends (so they do not flap around in the wind). This hood offers almost total head protection, combined with a good fit and is easy to attach or remove from the high, soft and comfortable collar as conditions dictate.
The front of the jacket has a full-length double-ended zip with a double storm flap that incorporates a chin guard and fastens with press studs. A rather small, zip-closed “Napoleon” pocket is found between the zip and the storm flap, while inside the left front of the jacket there is a large zip-closed security pocket. Inside the right side of the jacket there is a smaller, open-topped pocket.
High on the outside of the left front of the jacket there is a small zip-closed pocket with an associated Velcro tab, which is intended for a 2-way radio and its antenna, while the chest area features twin, half-fleece fabric lined hand-warmer pockets with zip closures. The lower front of the jacket features twin box construction pockets with stud closed flaps. Although these pockets do not have “hold open” straps to allow easy access to cartridges in the pockets, the flaps are designed to tuck into the pockets to facilitate access. On the fronts of these pockets are smaller, zip-closed pockets concealing 5 elasticated holders for rifle cartridges similar to those seen on the trouser pockets. The lower back of the jacket has a large game pocket with a vertical zip opening on the right side and PU coated liner for easy cleaning.
At the waist and hem there are elasticated drawcords. The waist cords have ‘internal’ ends, the hem ‘captive’ ends (so you don’t have cord ends dangling) and both have locking adjusters. These drawcords help manage the ventilation/insulation balance of the jacket, as do the ‘waterproof’ type zips found in the underarm of the jacket. Despite being of this design, these zips are equipped with twin flaps – presumably to limit water ingress even if you have the zips open in warmer wet conditions.
The long cut sleeves have Velcro tab adjusted cuffs and, in zip-closed pockets on the upper arms, there are concealed “safety orange” reflective elasticated arm bands, with Velcro fastenings, for when you want to be seen. An “Interactive” zip inside the front of the jacket and tabs at the cuffs allow you to fit an insulating liner in colder weather.
A quality hunting suit
I have found the Harkila Pro Hunter Jacket and Trousers to be well designed, well made, tough, comfortable, reasonably lightweight, fairly warm and good looking with practical features. It also has excellent freedom of movement, is quiet to wear and offers a lot of adjustability – both for individual taste and changing conditions.
There was little to criticise, although the positioning of the radio pocket and the zip to the game pocket make it better for right-handers than “south paws” (not that I mind – I am right handed). I would also prefer sew-on buttons for waist bands and braces – though this is purely a personal preference.
However, these are minor points in what I consider to be an otherwise excellent jacket and trousers combination, designed as serious professional shooting wear. Available in a brownish olive colour with dark brown trim, in a full range of sizes (including long, standard and short trouser leg lengths) the Harkila Pro Hunter Jacket costs around £374.99 and the trousers around £199.99. Matching cap and gloves are also available.
