Shooter King Highland Jacket

The Highland Jacket from Shooter King is a true winter coat which is reassuringly heavy and thick. As the name suggests it is aimed at the coldest of environments and is built to take all that comes with being is such places.

The external shell fabric is a ‘super canvas’ consisting of a polyester cotton mix which is described as ‘100% waterproof”. This is a big claim for any jacket, and many that have been so described have actually proven to be far from 100% waterproof when they most needed to be! When put to the test the Highland Jacket stood up to the heaviest of downpours with absolutely no water penetration at all. With all of the heavy rain we have had over recent months the coat was really put to the test on several occasions and it never failed to live up to the 100% waterproof claim. The lining is a cotton-rich material and this, combined with a breathable shoottex membrane, makes for a very snug internal environment and a very comfortable all day wear. Protection against the cold is also very good and even when cold rain and strong winds are combined the jacket still keeps you warm.

The detachable hood is generously proportioned to keep the rain off your face and pull cords and Velcro straps make it easy to adjust the fit. It attaches to the coat with a zipper, rather than with press studs, so there are no gaps for wind or rain to blow up the back of your neck.

Both the hem and the waist are adjustable and there are also press-stud adjusters on the sleeves so the fit of the coat can be tailored to your size easily. The baffles over the YKK Zippers are large to ensure that the zips are not exposed to the elements and the overall build quality of the coat is superb. The finishing and stitching is extremely good giving the coat a really high quality look and feel.

Pocket the difference

There are literally too many pockets to list here, (sixteen I think!) and it is fair to say there are more than you can possibly need. Both internally and externally the jacket is kitted out with good sized and well built pockets, with most of the external ones protected with generous baffles and either zips or large press-studs. The only open pockets are the vertical ones on the sides, for you to slip your hands into easily. The very large front bellows pockets have drain holes in the bottom and the rear pocket is accessible via zips on either side. One of the bellows pockets even has ammunition loops inside. Smaller items and valuables can be kept safe and secure in the internal pockets and with one large zipped pocket behind the main baffle on the front of the coat you can keep important items accessible too.

The fit

There is a very good size guide, accessible via KSL’s website, and if you need any additional help with ordering the correct fit then Kellyann at KSL is also very helpful. Sizing is generally accurate and the jacket ordered is a great fit albeit the sleeves are generously long. The sleeve length is great for keeping the water off your wrists and keeping them warm but the adjustable cuffs need tightening to keep the sleeve in the right position and out of the way of shooting.

Conclusion

This is a truly impressive coat. The build quality and layout is great and with the amount of adjustment built into the jacket you can easily get the perfect fit. You could not ask for more pockets and they are well designed and positioned to suit a shooters needs. Although the jacket is very much built with function and performance in mind it is also very nicely designed and looks great.

Shooting while wearing it is very comfortable and the materials and fit allow you to shoulder and shoot a gun without any problems at all. Standing outside in the pouring rain during testing actually became a pleasure (although the neighbours seemed a bit bewildered by this activity) and with winter on the way this jacket offers the perfect cold and wet weather protection at a very reasonable price.