Rivers West Pro Smock Mk2

[moxy 617]

I purchased one of these earlier this year for around £140 and was fairly impressed. For the past few years I have been wearing sealand gear which I don't have any complaints about but just fancied a change.

The Pro Smock caught my eye at the gun shop so I decided to put my short arms in my deep pockets.

 

I spend the bulk of my work time outdoors, no matter what the weather, so reliable clothing is a must.

 

One of the things which I liked about the smock was the comfort of the waterproof fleece and the fact that its fairly silent.

It has a good sized pouch on the front with a little internal zipped pocket which is ideal for ammo. The pouch is held shut with strong magnets which take a little getting used to as you end up stuck to everything metal you come in close contact with.

The smock has a large, through, hand warmer pocket which is a darling and is well secured with zips.

There is also a small magnetic pouch/pocket on the lower front of the smock which the manufacturers claim is ideal for a rifle mag or ammo clip but I wouldn't trust it.

 

The long tail hem is good and does provide a dry seat and the oversized zipped collar acts like a hood in itself combined with ear muffs. It makes you look a bugger but its not a fashion parade.

The Hood is missing a rigid or malleable strip in the peak, so it kind of just does as it pleases and flaps about. It could also do with a couple more press studs but pulled over your napper and tight, it does its job.

 

The smock itself as most who have one know is warm. Very warm.

Ideal for a light mooch, lamping out of the motor or shooting from the quad. If you think your going to be trekking up and down dale in the smock, then think again. You will cook.

It doesn't offer no or adequate ventilation i.e., no underarm vents.

But as a comfy, warm and waterproof layer, it holds its own.

 

Another benefit of the fabric is that when wet you can simply put it in the dryer.

 

My smock has taken some stick, thorns, brambles etc, to be fair I was made up but had an underlying niggle regarding the warmth issue. I don't have any flat land where live, its all hills which meant every time I wore the smock I ended up with a dab on, occasionally wet through.

 

I contacted Rivers west and expressed my concerns. Without any hesitation I was offered a refund or an exchange for the latest and slightly more expensive Pro Smock, released this summer. I was even reimbursed for the postage.

Excellent customer services and a big thanks.

 

Now the newer Pro smock has a few changes. All for the good.

The smock has underarm zippers that do offer good ventilation, the tail hem is slightly longer and they have down graded the magnets. The small ammo pocket has been done away with and the fabric is a bit lighter.

Its not been put fully through its paces yet but im pleased with what's been thrown at it so far. A vast improvement from the earlier version of the smock.

 

 

[andy97 209]

I have the coat to this but in apg with armpit zips as there red hot when walking I use it for everything now fishing and shooting cost me 160

[moxy 617]

Which is the coat Andy?

 

Your right about warm