Working dog people - clothing question

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OK, so I'm hoping to get out beating with the Working cocker next season and after today of getting soaked to the skin in my crappy equestrian brand supposedly waterproof trousers, I'm going to need a wardrobe overhaul!! What would you recommend? I have tried cheapie Mountain warehouse overtrousers but they are too flimsy, getting caught on bramble and gorse shreds them, plus they are not very warm for being out all day, I have looked online and seen a massive array of waterproofs form £50 - £200, and don't know where to start!!

What item would you not be without for a day in the field?
 
I'm not in gundogs but you've got to spend on things like waterproofs and footwear. Keela, Under Armour and Paramo seem to be de rigeur around here lol.

I wear ski trousers a lot as they are lined and are thicker and warmer but they tend to go at the knees and ankles after a while as they're not really for walking in.
 
I wear Seeland trousers or Alan Paine waterproof breeks if its wet, moleskins if its not and a Musto Whisper Jacket. All warm, waterproof but breathable. I usually layer underneath as necessary. The Percussion range of clothing is good value, smart and hard wearing too - Sporting Saint stock it. Keeping an eye on eBay for a bargain can be a great idea!


Invest in good waterproof gloves - I like Sealskinz but keep some thin Roeckl ones for warmer days.
 
Perhaps more important than a coat, will be a pair of decent leggings. I very soon worked out (think 1 day!) that over-trousers are an abomination. You can't move freely wearing them, they drag around your feet, and no matter the weather, you will perspire, heavily. Press studded leggings are the answer, I've found, and those made out of heavy canvas or better still, Rip-stop. Google Press-stud Leggings, there will be loads to choose from, I'd have thought.

Alec.
 
Wax over trousers, long warm and water proof boots, gloves hat and I used to wear an oil skin or tweed coat depending on weather with lots of layers and a scarf if needed.
Wax trousers will only rip if you catch them on the likes of barbed wire and force against it but even then they are repairable.
 
I have found waxed leggings the driest and longest wearing for beating. I wouldn't expect them to last for years but I would rather pay £20-£30 and be dry and replace them every year.

Sealands etc are fantastic, in that they are waterproof and lightweight but I have found that they just don't stand up to proper beating.

I wear smocks, from this company - http://www.maudeandfox.com/ and also have one of these - www.fortisclothing.co.uk/shop/waterproof-grizzly-smock/

Both have proven themselves in every weather and horrible conditions!
 
druid said:
I wear Seeland trousers or Alan Paine waterproof breeks if its wet, moleskins if its not and a Musto Whisper Jacket. All warm, waterproof but breathable. I usually layer underneath as necessary. The Percussion range of clothing is good value, smart and hard wearing too - Sporting Saint stock it. Keeping an eye on eBay for a bargain can be a great idea!

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Druid, I was thinking of Alan Paine breeks for next season. I wear moleskins usually. Trouble is, while not stunning I am vain, will they make me look fat!? LOL.
 
I have used Musto Highland jacket and overtrousers picking up 3-4 days a week for the last 28 yrs , Actually bought two jackets to always have one spare that got trashed last year by a pup. Had a shock when I looked at the cost of replacing(£800) them for next season but its one expense not to be avoided as there is nothing more important than staying warm and dry.
 
I've got a pair of Schoffel Ptarmigan over trousers that I swear by for lowland beating.

When we're on the grouse moors I agree with Alec completely on over trousers. You're in springy heather and dense bracken and trying to keep level with a line of hardened keepers that think nothing of a 15mile fell run before breakfast. If you're in and out of gulleys and undergrowth you just want the one layer to stop you from tripping up or hoiking them up every ten minutes. I have some Seeland endmoors for moor days and they are fab.
 
Clodagh said:
Druid, I was thinking of Alan Paine breeks for next season. I wear moleskins usually. Trouble is, while not stunning I am vain, will they make me look fat!? LOL.
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Love them - I have the Cambridge ones. The sizing is a bit mad, I wear a 10 in most things and ended up with a 14 from them but they fit well and are waterproof while still looking smart.
 
Interesting thread. I live on a grouse moor and, while not into shooting or gundogs, I often spend most of the day out on the moors. I go for cheap and cheerful in terms of waterproof trousers/leggings and usually have either a pair of Flexothane leggings on or a cheapo pair of police issue waterproof trousers. Neither are ideal in terms of comfort (or style!) but they seem to do the job reasonably well - especially as I live in a reasonably dry climate thankfully (although it is peeing it down today!) and I wouldn't want to trust them for a long period when out in west coast weather :D

I do tend to splash out on my waterproof jackets though and tend to stick with Mountain Equipment or North Face, although appreciate that for shoot days you probably need something tweed or, at the very least, green :D lol
 
Also, probably not much use on a shoot day, but for dog training and other dog related activities I wouldn't be without my Gappy Prima dog training coat and French vest.
 
Harkila pro hunter trousers and jacket for me - but they can be too hot if it's above freezing and I'm on rough ground
 
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