Best hunting kit?

[tootsietoo]

New to HHO, hello!

I've just kitted myself out with a new very handsome grey hunter, having not ridden for three and a half years. Been busy with babies, but now it's "children, what children?" and I am off hunting again! Problem is, all my gear is looking a bit shabby and worse for wear now, and I need a bit of a shopping trip. So I would like some opinions on the best stuff:

Gloves - I can't find them anywhere so must buy more! Do you like traditional knitted ones, or do you prefer something a bit more hi-tech and, say, neoprene for hunting?
Breeches - Both my old hunting pairs have holes in the knees! I seemed to go through a pair a season. I've just bought some Mark Todd ones with the pleated waist for every day, but they're a bit thin for hunting. What brand do you buy?
Waistcoat - for when it's chilly. Do you have one? Or do you just wear an extra jumper. Best sort?
Socks - what are the warmest warmest ones you can fit in a pair of boots?
Shirt - warmest most comfy shirt you have ever worn?
Coat - this is a thread of its own I think. I'm thinking of having one made as my old show jacket was never up to the job and is a bit tight now anyway .

Thank you

 

[fatfurrycobs]

Hi
I'm new too
I wear leather gloves, I found neoprene & knitted too cold last year & they didn't keep the rain out. My leather ones do. My gloves were quite expensive as they are fleece lined but still quite slim at the same time & they are a god send.

I wear middle of the range jods as I made the mistake of wearing my expensive ones last year & we got so caked in mud the stains have never come out, I was gutted as they were my showing ones. I don't mind ruining a cheaper pair & washing & washing them & if I have to have a couple of pairs - it still works out cheaper.

I do wear a wool waist coat from Derby house when it's cold, it does make a difference I find.

I went through a few shirts last year to find a suitable & found the best one to be a hunting shirt from Shires, they are a bit thicker than a 'shirt' shirt & are really comfy on.

I bought lambswool insoles for my boots, they make a big difference, they were only a few quid of ebay - well worth it. I wear toe socks - the ones like gloves for feet? They come up to the knee so keep my legs warmer & because each toe is free to wiggle I don't get quite as cold

I've got 2 hunting coats, both black & both wool but one is lighter for the early & later meets & I have a heavyweight for the colder months.

Hope this helps

 

[Twizzel]

I bought a Musto base layer and it kept me sooo warm yesterday. I got mine in the sale for £15, but they are normally about £30 which I still think is a good price.

Definitely get a wool hunt coat and don't wear your show jacket, you will freeze!! I was so glad to have mine yesterday, it was soooo warm and kept me bone dry in monsoon rains too.

I wore Joules breeches yesterday as they are all I had but got quite cold from waist down so will be interested to see what breeches other people wear... I'm thinking of buying a pair of Musto Snug jods as have them in navy and they are super warm.

 

[fatfurrycobs]

Forgot to say, I wear a couple of pairs of tights under my jods to keep a bit warmer

 

[CrazyMare]

I wear tights under my jods and thermal socks, plus a thermal tshirt under my stock shirt, sometimes put a thin wool v necked jumper over my stock shirt - with my stock on you can't see it.

Nice heavy weight navy wool jacket is a godsend!!

 

[larkwood]

For a hunt coat get an Alexander James, either off the peg or if the funds run to it, made to measure, they are fantastic.

 

[tootsietoo]

Thanks, that's great! I've got some furry insoles, but I like the idea of toe socks too, brilliant!

Will look at the musto shirts and jods, sound good.

I've always hunted in my show jacket as I could never afford to replace it. It's quite a nice cavalry twill one, so not too bad but, still, cantering over a wet welsh mountain top once I could almost feel the rain hitting my skin!! Lovely husband has suggested a made to measure hunt coat for a christmas present. Oh yes

 

[KatB]

Glove wise, Mark Todd winter gloves (theyre leather with a thinsulate lining) are fantastic. Grippy and keep your hands really warm )

 

[H_J]

Glove wise, Mark Todd winter gloves (theyre leather with a thinsulate lining) are fantastic. Grippy and keep your hands really warm )

Love love love these gloves!!!

 

[tootsietoo]

top glove tip, thank you.

 

[JenHunt]

Gloves - I use the roeckel chester gloves, they last ages and are easier to care for than leather gloves.
Breeches - I have caldene belgrade breeches, and they usually last a couple of seasons.
Waistcoat - I don't bother, just a v-neck woolly jumper if I need anything
Socks - I only hunt in cotton socks ! but then I have equitector boots which have a lining in to keep feet warm!
Jacket - the shires hunt coats are good value for money! traditional heavyweight wool, with a waterproof skirt.

glad you're coming to join the ranks again!

 

[cold_feet]

I know I am in a minority, but I always wear a body protector for hunting (I wear it whenever I ride). Better than any thermal wear - it keeps me so warm and cosy!

 

[Kat]

Check out smartwool socks, they are amazing, really warm but not sweaty! Available in a variety of sizes lengths and thicknesses. They have padding and elastic support too. I have them for walking and they are blissful. Thick enough to pad out my boots and support my feet but didn't get sweaty or smelly in 50degree heat on hols!

The same company make great base layers too.

 

[tootsietoo]

brilliant, more online shopping this evening

 

[Ladylina83]

The musto baselayer top is well worth the cash as you'll find you wear it down to the yard to or you might be able to pick up one cheaper from the sports shops as they are very popular with rugby players and how many small ones of them do you know ???? I got mine from Sports direct.com I'm a 12 and a small one fits me. they are not bulky and if you do get hot they wick away any dampness

 

[posie_honey]

gloves = i still use the old fashioned kintted and pig skin ones!
breeches - caldene thermal ones

wasitcoat - have a traditional wool one - also have a yellow thermatex one!! best thing ever for really cold days! sometimes i also just wear a v necked wool jumper

jacket - ages old thick wool one - caldene i *think*, also have a caldene lightweight wool one i used in the US when it was too warm to use a normal one - sometimes wear that on mild days

stock shirt - Mr Fox thermal one

boots - i'm lucky - i dont get too cold feet - but i do wear chashmere socks on cold days - they are lovely

 

[lauraandjack]

Must agree with the body protector for warmth thing! Lovely and toasty (yet my Charles Owen one isn't too hot on a warmer day either).

Might be frowned upon by some hard core hunters, but hey, it's my body and my choice!

 

[MrWoof]

..... we got so caked in mud the stains have never come out .....

Put them in the washing machine with an Ariel Bio Sachet and a Vanish Tablet.
Let the wash go to about half-way and then switch off and leave to soak overnight.
I get out red soil and clay - no marks left at all.