Rugged Bush Coat – New for 2012

Another new addition for 2012 is the Rugged Bush Coat. The description truly is in the name with this product. The Rugged Bush Coat is somewhat of a hybrid between a warm, mid layer and a weather resistant outer layer.

We list the coat in out “Barrier” layer as it is an outer layer used to resist Mother Nature’s elements. However the structure of this coat is quite different to that of the lighter rain jackets. Much like that of our rain coats, the Bush Coat is made up of a three layer material. The middle layer is a wind and waterproof, breathable membrane.  This membrane consists of tiny holes that allow sweat to exit but prevents solid moisture such as rain and dew from entering. This means when you’re slogging up that hill in pursuit of your animal, the steam pouring off your body will breathe out through the coat, but the water on the leaves you’re rubbing up against won’t be able to get in.

Where this coat differs from our lighter rain jackets is in the other two layers of the material. Surrounding the membrane layer are two fleece layers. These fleece layers work together to benefit you in a few different ways. The outer fleece layer protects the membrane and helps to trap heat inside the coat. It also acts as one of the quietest materials available for bush stalking. The inner fleece layer, combined with the coats wind stop capabilities ensures that you stay supremely warm even in the harshest winds the Southern Alps can throw at you. Because of the structure of fleece, the Rugged Bush Coat cannot be seamed sealed to give it a full water proof rating. However this allows it to be very flexible, meaning it can easily be scrunched up and squashed into the bottom of your pack.

The coat features a warm collar which comes in handy on those early morning starts. We’ve put in a secure waist cord to allow you to trap in the heat created by your core and a long zip allowing you to dump that heat when the sun comes out.

The Rugged Bush Coat incorporates a very generous tail on it so you can sit down in the wet, muddy ground and keep your arse dry. This also helps to keep blood from running down you backside when you’ve got that big Boar or Stag slung over your shoulders. Also we’ve used warm, fleece, Velcro Cuff Adjusters to help you trap in heat and stop the water from running down your wrists.

A large chest pocket is located to the left of the main zip. This has been made big enough for most hunting accessories such as bino’s, cameras, ammo etc. On top of the coat sits a fixed hood with Hunters Element’s TunnelTECH adjustment. These hoods are easily fitted to suit the individual head and give great peak protection with generous peripheral vision.

With all these features packed in, we reckon this is going to be a favourite with pig hunters and bush stalkers. By combining the toughness and resistance of a “Barrier” Jacket with the warmth and quietness of a fleece top you end up with one very Rugged Bush Coat.

For more information on layering:

Barrier layers

Furnace layers

Prime layers