Hi guys
I am thinking of buying a bush shirt but have heard mixed reports about swanndri's more recent stuff. Is it still the gold standard down there?

Thanks

Gabe

I don't think the Swanni has changed much, but its been left behind by the quality goretex and polarfleece jackets now being made.

Look at the Swazi gear if you want the best.

Von Gruff.

Like most things - depends . . .

I think the quality has been up and down a bit (I like the harder, denser wool fabric, some fabric runs are a bit soft I feel.

For all that, if you are mainly day hunting in bush, I don't think there is anything better, even the "soft shell" synthetics are still noisy compared with a Swanny. For longer trips not based out of a hut etc, a wet swanny, while functional enough, is a bear to carry about.

If your are mainly alpine hunting above the bush line then a modern parka is the way to go.

Cheers - Foster

PS I am still very leery of polar fleece, it burns like hell even wet, and a friend was reasonably seriously hurt by a simple spark from a campfire.

If you know you wont get wet then a swanny would be fine , but its hard to beat the modern fabrics for conveniance. Lightweight , quick drying , quiet etc - but like Foster says , they do tend to melt/burn faster than wool.

I dont think Swandri has been a standard above others for a fair while here - too many synthetic garments made specifically for our market these days . Swazi is one of the higher priced makers , cant say I am convinced that their products are twice as good as the competition to warrant double the cost tho.

I think one of their plus points is durability - some Swazi gear is "not suitable" for farm use (they have a specific jacket that is) and Stoney Creek has started to sell "farm use" clothing in Farmlands - but the Swanndri has always been used on the farm. It's tough enough for that.
Last time I went out hunting, and walked out carrying an animal, I spent a lot of time on my backside - and face it seemed - it was one of those carries. Well worth it in the end, but I discovered I had ripped the arrse right out of my Swazi fleece shorts. My Swanndri was unscathed. Hardly scientific proof I know, but swanni wool is tougher than fleece.
I can't comment on quality control issues - not heard of any - but I think they did start assembling the garments in China a couple of years ago, but seeing as most things are made there these days it doesn't necessarily mean anything.
The looks of the Swanndri are another "unique" feature - especially if worn with short shorts for that slightly medieval look. It's a look that won't get me a second glance at my local supermarket, but it would turn a few heads if Boghossian popped down to his local Tesco Express like that!
I would recommend the Mosgiel - the full length zip fronted one - as being the most convienient one, as well as having the length etc - but I do have the old style version too, and no complaints there!
cheers!

Many many fellas in hound teams in Victoria wore Swanni`s every Saturday over winter hunting however the last one I have personally seen being worn was in Hokitika a week or so ago something I pointed out to the Kiwi`s I was with as of being some what of a dinosaur....heavy as hell after a drop of rain and while warm not necessarily waterproof.
Extra weight can be an issue in the hills,I ripped my Ridgeline canvas/fleece gaiters off and planted them in a hollow log after I felt they were doing nothing but add weight to my lower legs....they are still in NZ somewhere haha.

Still love my old Swanndri and prefer it to Fleece for certain hunts.