Norrona Recon or Swazi Tahr

[johnboy]

Hi,

I just spent this last weekend on Mt Ruapehu on my Bush 2 instructors assessment (passed)... The weather was pretty grim with late winter early spring weather which meant: high winds, rain, snow, sleet ,hail , fog, freezing rain, more fog you get the idea... To be honest my Berghaus Lightning Jacket and TNF sallopettes are showing their age and the time for a new set of waterproofs is approaching..

Sadly in the intervening 10 or so years since my last water proof purchase getting a decent jacket with a fixed hood is becoming harder as is getting one with a decent overall length. I don't want or need a full cut alpine / greater ranges mountaineering waterproof.

I'd like something in Green and Goretex.. Tried Paramo no thanks, Ventile single or double wouldn't have kept me dry, tried that also... Pertex and pile... tried that and I run too hot in it.. Can you get an Event jacket in Olive green?

So I've been fossiking around looking at old posts and The Norrona Recon looks to be well made as does the Swazi Tahr / Wapiti but Swazi seem to have stopped making the bib version of their waterproof trousers ( you need bibs / sallopettes if instructing Self Arresting as snow gets everywhere...)

So has anyone got a Norrona Recon jacket and trouser set and if so what's it actually like at keeping you dry and is it worth the cash?? Also does anyone have any photos of the kit. Iv'e seen the photo of the guy on the Tamarack website and the images lack the detail I need...

Hope someone can help....

Cheers

John

 

[Chris G]

Well done on passing. I can't help on the review but I'm interested in your Bush 2 instructors course. What's the set up, what was involved, etc, etc?
Chris

 

[DavidJT]

Any good?...

I suppose you should first decide if you want an over the head / smock style (Tahr) or full-length zip (Recon)? For the mountain environment and ascents you mention, something with a full zip might allow you to more easily control body temp. Lowland, I might go for the Tahr, but as I have neither, can't give you personal recommendation.

 

[johnboy]

Hi David,

Yes thanks for those pics... I agree the Tahr is ok but the OTH smock style puts me off as do the bulbous pockets on the Wapiti. As you say ventilating in the mountains is important and those neoprene cuffs on the Tahr look to be a PITA....

Does anyone have anymore info on the Recon's mesh pocket liners etc...

 

[Shewie]

I've only experience of the older Tahr, great coat and my choice for truely miserable weather.
Not sure I'd go for the matching trousers though (if they were still available).

 

[johnboy]

I've only experience of the older Tahr, great coat and my choice for truely miserable weather.
Not sure I'd go for the matching trousers though (if they were still available).

Thanks for the input.... Swazi still do Tahr style trousers just not the bibs.... and I know they've changed the outer fabric on the Tahr and dropped the forest green option...

Quite a lot going on with Swazi at the mo which is a bit worrying....

 

[Overlander30]

I went through this exact dilemma recently. I tried the swazi, and it made me look like a mad monk - rasputin personified. The lack of pockets was a negative as well. The recon is fantastic. pockets in all the right places, very well made, a great fit (i'm 46" chest, long arms, 38" waist) and the hood is superb with the different adustment methods. I've worn it about 5 times now in lashing rain and it's performed exactly as it should.

Trousers were more complicated. The natural thing was to go for the recon pants, but they are quite short (I'm a 33" inside leg) to get the right level of room in them. I also didnt like the fact that the waist really is waist level; I always think trousers like that should be a little higher. In short, the cut was all wrong for me, so I carried on looking and in the end went for Harkila pro hunter trousers which are really robust, and come in different leg length (long or short). Theyre spark proof, warm and waterproof and the leg straps at the bottom are great too.

I'm a 38" long on those, and the recon jacket a large (this was after trying both the L and the XL)