hunt coats, will I regret buying a cheaper one?!

[michellybob]

I am working for the master of my local hunt this season and part of the job includes being out hunting 2-3 times a week, YAY! However, I obv need a hunt coat and a decent low cost one seems to be the shires clifton one which is alot cheaper than the 'proper' mears, etc. Can anyone recommend them or will I regret not paying the extra when I am in a field in the middle of winter?! Help! thankyou in advance!

 

[Jay89]

That sounds fab! I have just brought the shires clifton jacket, obviously yet to wear it as it is still rat catcher, but the coat seems to be very heavy and it is 100% wool so hoping it will be ok!! If not you can always just wear a few thermals underneath too!!

 

[QUICKFIRE]

Daughter had the shires begining of last season, she loves it and if anything she says she gets too hot

 

[Irishcobs]

I have the clifton and it is fab. I do wear lots of layers and thermals underneath as I feel the cold.
Just don't fall off into water as I did. It was bl**dy heavy and very very cold.

 

[burge]

Buy the best you can afford!

'The Quality remains long after the price has been forgotten'

 

[marmalade76]

Why not look for a 2nd hand one? What size are you?

 

[kick_On]

for the amount of work you need coat for IMHO i would get the best you can afford, hopefully you could pick up one on ebay.
My hunting coat was brought couple years ago and yes it was bl00dy expensive and had to be altered to fit, BUT all i need to wear is hunting shirt, stock, plus thin wool jumper and jacket. And i'm toasty even on the most horrible rain and wind swept days, and i can't cope with being cold at all!!!!!!

 

[combat_claire]

You could try looking here:

http://www.fieldandcountryantiques.co.uk/index.php?cPath=95_96

 

[MrWoof]

I am working for the master of my local hunt this season and part of the job includes being out hunting 2-3 times a week, YAY! However, I obv need a hunt coat and a decent low cost one seems to be the shires clifton one which is alot cheaper than the 'proper' mears, etc. Can anyone recommend them or will I regret not paying the extra when I am in a field in the middle of winter?! Help! thankyou in advance!

In a word YES! Buy the best you can afford. Look on ebay or try Calcutts. Really good quality 2nd hand coats are always better than some of the cheap **** on the market nowadays. Alternatively, as you are working for an MFH, why not ask him/her if they could "sub" you so that you can buy a decent coat and you could pay them back in instalments? Nothing worse than being cold in the field. Have a good season.

 

[michellybob]

Great thanks everyone, I will take all those comments on board! I am a 38 or 40 " but seems that is a popular size as ebay etc there arent many in my size! Will try other websites too and glad the shires one is decent if all else fails! Thanks again!

 

[marmalade76]

Have PM'd you.

 

[JanetGeorge]

The Shires coat is very good quality (check out the Barnstormers' price!) - http://www.barnstormers.co.uk/acatalog/SHIRES_MENS_CLIFTON_HUNT_COAT.html

You could pay double for a 'name' and not really notice the difference - but if you're hunting 2-3 times a week you'd probably be better off with 2 of the Shires' coats (trying to dry out a soaking wet coat in a couple of days without wrecking it by using heat is a challenge!!)

 

[exracergirl]

Mine cost me £5 from an equine car boot sale. When I got it home I found it still had a £330 price tag inside it!!! The woman who sold it to me told me it was her show jacket, she had worn it once for in hand but got too hot. I'm not sure how much I care to believe her... but I was pleased with my bargain!