Warm and dry

Product Review: The Nomad Hooded Quad Rider Smock by Harry Ardeshir

I have owned a pair of Nomad Plus 4's for about 12 years and after extensive field use, I am pleased to say that they have stood the test of time and still continue to provide reliable service. It was therefore with great delight that I accepted Phillip Wright's, (MD Nomad UK), invitation to test and review their new 'Hooded Quad Rider Smock'.

NOMAD UK is a small company which manufactures serious outdoor clothing and equipment, the quality of which far exceeds most expectations. For example, NOMAD UK has been responsible for many of the major changes in fly fishing attire, winning numerous international awards. Also, of interest to the stalker will be their early innovations which included their remarkable and reversible, waterproof, and breathable deer stalking / driven game shooting / country coat - the 'REVERSIBLE HUNTER' and its equally unique gale defying, adjustable, 'REVERSIBLE COUNTRY CAP'; the first European manufactured range of nearly ultra-violet proof 'TROPIC' clothing and finally their first range of 'STEALTH', specialist waterproof and windproof, clothing.

The 'Hooded Quad Rider Smock' is part of the 'Stealth' range of clothing which should have great appeal for stalkers. NOMAD UK uses a number of different outer fabrics in manufacturing windproof, waterproof, breathable garments but all use either a solid hydrophilic coating, 'VENTFLEX,' or a laminate, rather than a physical, micro porous system, as in their opinion, their solid hydrophilic system performs so much better. All the seams are double seamed and tapered. The smock features a front pouch designed to contain binoculars or a map, and some other paraphernalia that you may wish to carry. Two side pockets provide additional carrying space. If I had one small criticism it would be that I would have preferred the less stylish, 'bellows' type pockets or zips or some other type of fastening for the pockets. The hood is adjustable and can be tightened to fit round the head. The Quad Rider is available in either an olive green colour or khaki with the soft feel of a favourite fleece. It has plenty of room for swift, easy and silent manouvre. I have also used it successfully when clay shooting, fishing, and on the foreshore.

Cost! At first glance the price of this smock, (£235), and Nomad clothing may seem rather high but it is a fallacy. As the solid hydrophilic layer adheres more deeply into the base fabric from which Nomad clothing is constructed, it provides greater and more long lasting performance for years to come. It is most certainly, value for your money.

Be warned, this is a versatile garment that is stylish enough to also appeal to the memsahib (heaven forbid if you get it covered in blood or feathers)!

The Hooded Quad Rider earning its keep on the foreshore

The Hooded Quad Rider keeping the morning chill at bay

Contact:

Nomad UK: 3, Tayview, Fearnan, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2PF, Scotland

Tel: Sales Enquiries - 07736 255 100 E- mail: sales@nomaduk.net - www.nomad clothing uk

"Another Man's Shoes"
by David Martin-Thomas

I was fortunate enough to be given a pair of Courteney* Selous boots for my birthday, and although originally made as a boot for African hunting they have proved to be excellent for woodland stalking in England. The boots are ankle height and lace up with speed lacing for the last two turns making them very easy to put on and take off. They are constructed from select Cape Buffalo skins which are hand stitched to form incredibly tough uppers and are topped with a soft, Impala skin, padded collar surrounding the ankle to provide exceptional support and comfort together with the full bellows tongue for total protection. The soles are pure rubber 'tyre' tread, not unlike those to be found on a good off-road vehicle and they give excellent grip, but most importantly they are quiet.

The Courteney boots breath, keeping your feet fresh, and are more than adequately water-resistant to keep your feet warm and dry for all normal stalking excursions.

The boots are constructed on the veldtschoen ('bush shoe') principal, a design that was developed by the Dutch Voortrekkers and Pioneers. This type of boot was a rough shoe made of raw game hide, invented by necessity on the long trek northwards into Africa. Of an unusually outward flanged construction, the upper was hand sewn to the sole and insole to create an extremely comfortable weather-proof boot, impervious to bush thorns, the bite of snake or insect, and the rugged terrain: highly individual and practical footwear.

Today's veldtschoen remains unchanged from its original concept, but benefits from the modern advantages of innovative shoe making. Courteney boots are without doubt expensive, they are designed specifically for the African veld, and are hand made using genuine game skin and are double stitched for extra strength.

The 'Courteney Boot Company' was started by John A. Rice in a modest workshop making classic hunting boots in the traditional way - as his father and grandfather had done before him combining the old-fashioned values of hardiness and durability with quality, comfort and style. Manufacture is restricted to only thirty pairs per day. All materials used in the making of these boots are from renewable resources. Indeed the commercial use of the wildlife ensures its long-term conservation on a continent where population pressures on 'undeveloped' land are high, and growing stronger every year.

Today the company ships its exclusive, handmade boots all over the world from its workshops that are located in the historical city of Bulawayo, built as a pioneer fort near the royal kraal of king Lobengula of the Matabele. After 100 years Bulawayo still retains an air of colonial elegance, and is a clean and friendly city with tree-lined avenues, a thriving industrial sector and modern facilities.

The Courteney Selous (Ref. 406)

This top of the range boot is serial numbered and is presented with the Courteney Chronicle travelling sack and alternative full inner soles. A cleaning kit is also included which comprises a leather pouch containing polish, cloth, brush and spare laces to help keep these exclusive boots in top condition.

Having been so pleased with my original pair of boots, I went to great lengths to impress on my wife the necessity for me to purchase another pair of Courtney boots - the Courtneny Patrol. My excuse being that the Patrol boots extended some further two and a half inches up the leg and therefore would be more practical for stalking in areas heavily infested with ticks. I am happy to say that she completely understood and agreed with me. There is little more to add regarding the 'Patrol' except that they are taller and more suitable to tuck the bottom of one's trousers into. Otherwise they are quite simply an excellent pair of boots.

The Courteney Patrol (Ref. 438)

As its name reflects the Patrol is paramilitary in style, laced to the top with a soft Impala hide collar and full bellows tongue.

Both styles are available in a ladies version.

There is a full rang of boots and occasional footwear available in both men's and ladies sizes. Details of the complete range together with a list of world-wide stockists can be found on the Courteney Boot Company web site at www.courteneyboot.com

Care of boots.
The proper way to preserve leather is through regular and correct polishing. Water and wear remove the original oil from the leather. When the tiny fibres dry out they become hard and brittle and break easily, shortening the life of the leather.

Leather fibres burn easily, especially when leather is wet, and should never be dried with artificial heat. For the best result, footwear should be dried out slowly and never be subjected to any extreme heat.

Courteney Polish is made from the same ingredients used by the tanner in waterproofing the leather. Rub the polish vigorously into your boots with a brush. Assisted by the heat generated, the polish will work into the pores. Its frequent use will maintain the original flexibility and water-resistant qualities of your boots. If you do not have Courteney Polish, the boots should be polished with a natural shoe polish available at camping and outdoor shops.

* F. C. Selous spelt his name 'Courtenay' according to J. G. Millais in his book 'Life of Frederick Courtenay Selous, DSO' published in 1918. Selous was an Englishman although the Selous family were originally French Huguenots who settled in Jersey after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.

30/08/07