Thread: Swazi Kagoule & Rifleman Jacket Reviews

Swazi! Im Gutted
Have always warn Swazi, just trying to find a new jacket .
They must use umpa lumpas as models, the fit is terrible!
There latest jackets are a worse fit than stoney creek.
The fantastic fabric is no help if it fits like a cock in a shirt sleeve.
I must say I’m not looking to have Nz made but at least make it well for $500.
I don’t care for cost either, $1000 doesn’t buy a proper hunting jacket, just the same as the next brand.
Sorry, rant over

Originally Posted by Pete@tte

Swazi! Im Gutted

The fantastic fabric is no help if it fits like a cock in a shirt sleeve.

You mean it's too tight?

Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

You mean it's too tight?

Complete opposite, the ibex jacket may as well sell as a poncho with arms.
Catering for the people hunting on screens not in the field!

Im not sure if those Swazi jackets ever actually were any good, I had three Tahrs, one original Goretex one then the newer Aegis (?) one then the Tahr XP and all three of them leaked like a sieve after 3 minutes of rain after about day two from new. But all the cool dudes wouldn't shut up about how great they were so I thought I had to have one and was just struck by bad luck.
Have had a swazi torrent as a farm jacket that is wrecked now but I got a good run from though.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Im not sure if those Swazi jackets ever actually were any good, I had three Tahrs, one original Goretex one then the newer Aegis (?) one then the Tahr XP and all three of them leaked like a sieve after 3 minutes of rain after about day two from new. But all the cool dudes wouldn't shut up about how great they were so I thought I had to have one and was just struck by bad luck.
Have had a swazi torrent as a farm jacket that is wrecked now but I got a good run from though.

Ha same experience I brought a Tahr moons ago after hearing how amazing they were worst desiged jacket ive ever used was a cold wet trip sold it when I got home...
The older Swaz one tough mother coats did 7 years of hard farm use before they leaked they were good bits of kit.


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Originally Posted by Pete@tte

Complete opposite, the ibex jacket may as well sell as a poncho with arms.
Catering for the people hunting on screens not in the field!

OK. Probably different sized.......... sleeves. Yeah, that's it.

I have been using the latest version of the Tahr xp for the last 3 or 4 years when it was first introduced and can't rate it highly enough?

Have used mine in all plenty of atrocious weather and its been flawless? I know the older ones held water but mine doesn't?
They seem to really divide hunters that use / have used them!

Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

OK. Probably different sized.......... sleeves. Yeah, that's it.

I got it Ross.
I have the same trouble. To tight.

Well, I’m still quite pleased with my Rifleman after about 5 years.

But still crying a little about the price - around $600 if I remember correctly.

Had no problems with waterproofness or durability ( cuff Velcro is the worse for wear and the hood wire is a jumbled wavy mess).

I found it a slim fit, very comfortable and with good range of movement. I think the larger sizes were the same circumference just different lengths.

Its quite short and Ive got a wet arse and been pretty cold on top of the Kaimais. Worth packing overtrou if in open country.

It looks good and Ive used it on lightweight urban trips as much as in the bush.

Same as @Bagheera. Had a Rifleman for about the same time. Works perfectly in the bush or mountains as if I need shelter, I'm gonna get in a tent or hut. I actually prefer the shorter cut now and will always get lighter, compact rain jackets over big, clunky numbers (hunting central north island). These are no longer in production - closest comparison my guess would be the either the Sentinel (full zip) or Tahr (anorak) ultralite models - same fabric. Tried on the Tahr Ultralite in small at the Sika show and nearly drowned in it - which I found surprising given my Rifleman abit too heavy in the body is a medium sizing. Find that Swazi jackets and pants are more on the "generous" sizing around the body and limb length. The fleece tops seem to be a little more on the athletic fit. You can return new items to them if you find the sizing doesn't work - but at least some hunting stores now stock it.

Beats me why manufacturers churn the models on offer.
It sure undercuts the value of published user reviews.
Consumer has the idea - emphasises a list of featurez to look for and presents current models as examples. Manufacturers invariably say they now have a new model implying the review is out of date.

The ultra “less is more” Rifleman is a good concept and Swaxi could continue to cash in on it for a decade or two as its reputation builds up.

I've noticed even the Swazi fleece clothing has now gone downhill. Have previously bought different Swazi tops that were made in Thailand, and actually found the quality and fit great.
However recently bought some fleece micro shirts which said made in China when they turn up - Medium size was way bigger than the old ones, and fabric fells completely different (stretchy and losses a ton of fluff after first wear), can hear stitching pulling as you move in it.