Jahtijakt Camo Suit

I wouldn’t like to try and pronounce it correctly after a few beers, but the Jahtijakt Camo Membrane Suit is actually made in Finland by a company called Eratukku. Thanks to Artic Outdoor Clothing who imports it, I’ve discovered a highly effective pattern and some excellent garments at good money.

The suit is a package and includes camo long johns, long sleeve shirt, a fleece jacket, trousers, braces, jacket and baseball cap all in the Jahtijakt’s Invisible camo pattern.

Firstly the suit uses what is termed ‘AIR-TEX 2.’ This is a membrane bonded to the surface of the cloth which enables it to be fully water/windproof and breathable. So keeping us dry inside and out! The seams of the jacket and trousers are sealed with AIR-TEX 2 tape and the garments are also treated with a Dupoint Teflon coating to be dirt resistant and even more water repellent. The build also uses Scentech. This is nothing new by way of what it does, but the trade name is a new one for an established type of material build.

You Stink!

Our body odour is unavoidable, and as we exert ourselves even slightly our natural aroma disperses into the air around us. Scentech eliminates this as the material used incorporates silver particles bonded into the thread. This reputedly kills body odour so there is far less of our natural human ‘small’ for quarry to detect. So basically it’s a scent blocker.

Now to the camo design. Known simply as ‘Invisible’, it has been developed by the company in collaboration with an artist by the name of Kimmo Takarautio. It’s a relatively dark pattern of branches interspersed with the sparse usage of pale green into light brown leaves. This is set on what appears to be a medium grey colour background itself interspersed with medium brown full colour branches and twig outlines.

In fact it’s one of the hardest patterns to describe in words, so check out the photos and see for yourself how effective it is, and believe me, in use it really did blend in well amongst a variety of terrain from hedge lines to woodland. So besides the benefits of the camo pattern and materials used, what are the other features of the clothing?

Underwear

The under suit is made from a comfortable but durable material called MicroDry. It’s snug fitting yet stretchy so doesn’t restrict movement and has elasticated ribbed cuffs. The top in itself is so warm that this autumn I was wearing that alone under the jacket. As soon as you need extra thermal insulation you can then put on the intermediate layer which is known as the ‘basic fleece.’ With all this technology in its manufacture and a highly effective camo pattern to boot I’d hardly call it basic. Another facet of the clothing is just how light it feels in use. The fleece has two zip fastened, hand warmer pockets, a full zip up front, high collar and is elasticated at the wrists. Plus there are two standby pockets left and right.

Again the jacket and trousers are light but exceptionally well made and strong. The fabric has the feel of saddlecloth but softer and is rustle-free. The trousers are of a 6-pocket design. All are lined and well protected by large press-stud down over flaps. The cargo pockets on the legs are deep and well positioned and offer easy access from any position.

Velcro & Braces

The trousers are relatively well padded and have a mesh lining. The lower section of each leg has a Velcro strap to cinch around any height of field boot and offers a good level of adjustment. The high waistband is elasticated and has belt loops and buttons for braces (included). The zip fly is met at the top, not by a hook or button, but by a thick/wide strip of double sided Velcro. One section on the left of the waistband mates up to the one on the right. This allows for a good amount of adjustment and is secure when put together.

Coupled with the braces this gives secure and unrestricted fitting, so have no fear that you’ll experience an embarrassing ‘pants’ moment as you walk. The cut is generous and the comfort and protection from the elements they offer is of a very high degree. Even the elasticated braces are top quality being reasonably wide, strong, adjustable, and have button on leather straps for extra strength.

Mosquito Net

The jacket shows the same build as the trousers, though if anything has more padding. Stowage consists of two large cargo pockets at the front with press stud/flap closure, with lined hand warmer slots behind them. Above these and on the side are two more, zip fastening types.

On the inside there are two lower open pockets and on the left inner breast another with a zip closure that’s got an extra layer of waterproofing so ideal for documents such as your FAC or any other such item. In the lower left inner pocket I also found a full mosquito head net with a difference!

There’s a roomy, detachable ‘peaked’ hood with drawstrings for pulling it up tight around the face for optimum protection. If you’re wearing the coat in the warmer months with less layers then you can detach the hood and the mosquito net takes its place using the same press-stud attachment points. Without doubt an ingenious and useful feature!

Closure is by a YKK double zipper and as you’d expect it has a full storm flap with press-stud fastening. Cuffs are elasticated and have adjustable Velcro fasteners on the inner section for cinching around the wrists. Even the one-size fits all baseball cap is waterproof and uses the same build technology as the clothing.

If you require a complete cover up there’s now an optional cap with integral face veil and stretch fit gloves with the best rubber palm dot detailing I’ve seen. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a pair of Invisible Camo Membrane boots available of which I hope to review in full soon.

After much testing I can find absolutely no fault with any of the garments that come in the package; the build and quality of materials is 100%  and the features equally so. Hardly surprising then that I definitely rate this amongst the best ‘package deal’ camo clothing set I’ve ever had the good fortune to field test.

We Reckon:
• Excellent design and build
• Comprehensive package
• Value for money

PRICES: Suit £194.95p
OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Cap with face veil £15.50p Gloves £15.