The STOWit Jacket By Stoney Creek®

Introduction

So many times I’ve been off hunting and
I should have stuffed the rain coat into my pikau, but the day looks fine and it’s another few pounds of weight that maybe I could do without. So at the last minute the coat stays at the hunt, bivy or in the back of the wagon. Sure, occasionally I’d get a soaking but if the heavens really opened up I’d be well on my way back to shelter anyway.

If I was hunting the South Island’s west coast, then yeah, sure, I’d carry the best coat I could afford. The weather can really turn to custard on any day of the year over that way. But for bush hunting the central North Island I am after something to keep the heavy dew off me pushing through manuka or wet ferns at day break. Something that I could throw in the daypack and not notice it was there, but most of all, a coat that really worked and really did keep me dry.

Maybe this is it? I was keen to give this new light weight coat from Stoney Creek a go...

Features & Benefits

This style of jacket that tucks into its own front pocket has been around for a while. In fact I used to have one when I started hunting about 35 years ago. Like most light weight jackets in this style it was made of nylon with an inside coating to keep the water out. The trouble with it was you’d get just as wet on the inside from perspiration if you were walking up hills as you would from a good shower.

The best thing about this style is you can jam the coat back into its own front pocket. This saves space big time. But beware.
Do not leave your new STOWit Jacket stuffed away after you’ve worn it. Sweat contains harmful ammonia and other chemicals that breed nasty fungus spores inside the layers of your coat and will wreck it in no time.
I would have liked to see more care advice on the swinger with this product, but take it from me; wash and air dry this product after every good work out.

The throw-over your head style is a bit more awkward to put on but has the benefit of being lighter as the full length zip and storm flaps are removed. The style fitted well and the hood drew up well. However, I would like to see nylon zip pullers as the metal ones can and will corrode shut, especially if I used it sea fishing, which I’m sure some of you will. The velcro cuffs are neat and simple. The polyester face fabric is soft and although not silent it’s quieter than nylon. Best of all this fabric has a breathable membrane sandwiched between a fine mesh layer. This three layer combination greatly improves the toughness and breathability and is usually only reserved for much more expensive wet weather garments.

Conclusion

The colour is a nice dark olive green, is reasonably quiet and weighs under 500 grams. I cannot see how Stoney Creek has had these made the STOWit in a 3-layer fabric for the price they are selling at! Plus, to put a 2-year warranty on such a light jacket is really standing behind your product. I must take my hat off to them. I’d like to see over-trousers in this fabric to go with the jacket. Maybe they will come out next year?

Initial tests wearing the STOWit have shown it to do all that it is claimed to do. This is one jacket I’ll be taking with me this roar.

Waterproof 10,000mm
(ATSM Standard testing)
Breathability 4000g/sqm/24hrs
2-Year Warranty
RRP Only $149.90

For more information see
www.stoneycreek.co.nz