Editor Dom Holtam puts these tough yet supple trousers to the test and finds they are durable, well-priced and don’t restrict him when crouching and crawling...
credit: Archant
The Shooterking brand is still fairly new to the UK but has an impressive product portfolio designed, as the name implies, very much for the shooting market and at a price point that won’t break the bank.
Despite incorporating tough Cordura into the construction of the outer shell, the material is still quiet and, most importantly, supple. But being tough is no good if it restricts movement when climbing, crouching and crawling. I have to say that, so far, these Shooterking Greenland trousers have the balance about right. They’ve put up with a fair bit of slithering and sliding, but are flexible with great knee articulation.
The fabric also features the proprietary Shoottex membrance that is designed to be both waterproof and breathable – an essential combination for shooting.
The hip pockets are good with a nice depth (to stop your keys dropping out when lying on your belly!) and the thigh pockets have poppered flaps and zips (all YKK). There’s a knife pocket, a ‘phone’ pocket with waterproof zip, and two zippered rear pockets.
credit: Archant
The belt loops are sturdy and the back of the trouser is cut high (I like this – but it always works better with braces than with a belt) and there is a high-grip inner waistband to help keep your shirt tucked in. If, like me, you tend to overindulge at the all-you-can-eat buffet from time to time, the elasticated waist is also a bonus…
Adjustable cuffs allow you to get a nice tight fit around your boots if you aren’t wearing gaiters and, like the waistband, feature a ‘gripper strip’ to keep everything where it should be.
The lining in tartan check works well for the UK shooting scene and these trousers, although a ‘technical’ rather than traditional garment, would be good for those into gundog work or rough shooting, even a more ‘formal’ game shoot day. The lining does a decent job of wicking moisture away from the skin to improve comfort during more strenuous activities. Are they as breathable as some top-end ‘active hunting’ kit? No, but they are considerably less expensive.
As always with hunting gear, I don’t mind paying for quality but I want my kit to last. So far I think that the Greenland trousers offer a good ‘price to performance’ ratio, and I look forward to trialling them through the more challenging autumn and winter hunting conditions. I’ll be sure to report back.
RRP: £139.95
www.thomasjacks.co.uk