Boreal Bush Shirt Of New Zealand/Swanndri 100% Wool

Click here for a no-holds-barred in depth test and review of the Swanndri Boreal Bush Shirt 100% Wool.
This bush shirt is not new but about three years old so has been tried and tested, before this video was made, in order to give an unbiased down and dirty review of the good and the bad of this garment.
I go through the Swanndri bush shirt in detail looking at the positives and negatives of this heavy duty wool outer layer garment.
Please leave your comments and opinions below and also your own ideas and experiences. Please leave a "Thumbs Up" as you visit and subscribe to receive updates on new videos. Thanks very much. Dave

[@charlietwotimes]

Had my Red/Black "pregnant whale suit" since '91. One tiny hole, I've never bothered darning, about an inch from the hem. Have slept under a tree, in the drizzle, all night. Idk what the new ones are like but that kiwi original is still doing duty despite being 33 years old. Heirloom piece.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Yea, the old Made In NZ swanndri's were great. The old one in this video would be the same quality as yours I would think. I have found the new Made In China Originals and Mosgiels to be a softer wool. I am guessing they are not as robust as the old ones but still ok for the price. Thanks for viewing and commenting.

[@KiwiBushcraftAndSurvival]

Hey brother, I had the same swandri when I was in the NZ Defence Force. I lost mine in the North Island on Exercise Golden Fleece near Taupo in 1989, in a little township called Minginui. I left it at the house I was staying at when I was in the enemy party. Damn I loved that swanni.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

lol. I know how you feel bro. They become like an old leather belt, they just fit right and can never be replaced. Mine was second hand but it feels like it moulds to me perfectly.

[@trackerfiend]

Great review of the Swanndri and I completely agree with your opinion on the changes you would make. But, even if it lacks a few features like a matching breast pocket, a gusseted neck, better buttons and possibly a combination kangaroo pocket with hand warmer pockets, it's still a amazing piece of clothing. The price difference between the Lester River Boreal Bushshirt and Swanndri Bushshirt make it a great option. I love the dual wool layer and the longer cut of the Swanndri.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for the comment mate. I agree. It is a great piece of kit as is, without the mods. For the cost I think Swanndri could add on a few updates but I will still always have one regardless. Glad you enjoyed the review.

[@Akiwilifenz]

grate review mate wanted one of these for a while took some saving for it good channel to just sub to ya

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks Daveo. I got mine second hand off TradeMe for about $100. Even second hand they cost a bit lol.

[@micealmacadaim6550]

Awesome Dave. I think I'd totally line the inside and put snap holders on the cuffs, or elastic to keep it snug.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks Miceal. Elastic would work well I think. Water trickling down the sleeves is an issue with these whenever I lift my hands. I am getting too soft I think lol.

[@sazzadkhandakarcpa9371]

Fantastic review mate

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for viewing and commenting bro.

[@penelopegraham4678]

I had one of these Swanndri's about 27 years ago when I was in the NZDF, but sadly lost/left it in a little town called Mingimingi near Taupo.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Cool, I was issued with one too. I don't know if the Army still issues them or not. They are still a hard wearing piece of kit.

[@paulcritchley464]

One of my mates hunted around Ruapehu all he had on was a woolly black singlet shorts woolly socks boots The Swandri spare amo a bag of snacks and he stayed out for the weekend slept where ever he wanted. He ate plenty of carrots besides his catch Cheers

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks bro. Reminds me also of a hunter friend who was very similar. He also carried a sack to bring back the deer meat. It held his food for the day; an apple.

[@HowlingDingoBushcraftChannel]

Nice bit of kit mate...

[@southernlandsolo7839]

A millennia old design still doing the job. Thanks for commenting bro.

[@ozziejim8472]

I’ve ran Swandris for years wet, cold hunting conditions they are the best, and that cuffs are a non issue for me, set n forget. Hope it’s serving you well.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks Jim. It did a great job. I actually moved it on a few hours ago. My new Mosgiel Swanny is now my kit so earlier today I gave the swanny in this video to a good friend who owns a farm. I am sure it will continue to give good, hard use for years to come.

[@rodneyburns1540]

When I was growing up in NZ, we called it a Lammi (Lamb)

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Interesting bro! That makes sense but I had not heard that name before.

[@willboulton2393]

Lambies were the same as the bush shirt but without the hood.

[@john25112882]

Just purchased a swanndri hoodie after watching top review, what is your belt set up with pouches

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for the feedback. This is an old set up I used to carry. My belt kit has changed a lot since then but the one in this video is shown in my first EDC videos. Hope this helps.

[@Polo514514]

other than a good pair of winter boots, this is my best and most important piece of gear up here in Canada

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Canada?! Great to see they are doing the job in a challenging environment like a Canadian winter. Thanks very much for the insight Rafal.

[@georgemurchie]

Brilliant review! What are your thoughts on the Stoney Creek Bush Shirt - Bayleaf?

[@georgemurchie]

What size is yours?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for the feedback mate. I have owned Stoney Creek products in the past but not this particular bush shirt although I have looked it over in the hunting stores. Stoney Creek makes good, hard wearing kit. This shirt looks to be just as good. I like the retro style, it looks like the classic bushshirt/Swanndri style which is very practical for close bush. Back in the day many people got extra life out of their Swanndri's by cutting the worn/damaged sleeves short (looked similar to this Stoney Creek shirt). They used the cut off sleeves to repair holes in the rest of the garment.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Mine Swanndri is size Large.

[@ImmaculateRap]

Great review! I know you said you’re wearing a size large, is that the size you wear in most clothing or did you size differently for this garment? Maybe the better question is what is your chest measurement, thanks for the help!

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Not sure of my chest size. Most of my shirts and coats are Large. The Swanndri Original Bush Shirts and Swanndri Mosgiel Bush Shirts have a generous cut. I normally wear Large sizes so I bought Large Bush Shirts. They fit well and are not too big and give me plenty of room for layering underneath.

[@ImmaculateRap]

@@southernlandsolo7839 thank you!

[@tommybelisle8549]

hi i'm looking for this bushshirt but my chest is about 45 inch and i'm 5f 7. i'm 205 . would i need to take large or just medium and one layer ?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

I am 5f 7, 187pounds, about 42inch chest. I have a size large which I can layer underneath comfortably. Hope this helps Tommy. Thanks

[@blablabla2530]

if you dont like it because the wind blows trought it try a ranger extreme shirt the have a wind breaker layer on teh inside

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Just checked out the Ranger Extreme Shirt. Looks pretty good. I can see it in my future lol but will have to save some cash.

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

try a merino wool buff for the neck may be the solution

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks for the comment bro. That will help out a lot. How is your winter out there bro?

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

wet in france where i am already alot of snow in the mountains

[@williamwallace3780]

A buff is also helpful for this model because of the lack of a collar. If you have the hood down it can get quite chilly around your neck. Their ranger shirt has a collar so it doesn't have that issue really. The mosgiel has a collar and a hood so presumably it doesn't either. I don't own a mosgiel, however.

[@sararockafella]

A kiwi icon swannys and redbands.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

lol, still going strong

[@charlietwotimes]

Still my go to winter set up! (I'm old...)

[@sararockafella]

My pigdog wears swanny too. All my dogs have.

[@ErikFabian]

What is the sleeve length?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Hi Erik. I am not sure how to measure sleeve length accurately. I measured along the top of the sleeve from the tip of the cuff to the sew line where the sleeve is sewn to the shoulder. It measures 540mm (just over 21inches) long. Hope this helps Erik. Thanks for the response mate.

[@ErikFabian]

daveoutdoorsnz thanks a bunch

[@southernlandsolo7839]

All good bro.

[@ErikFabian]

I picked up a plaid green zip up in large based on the review. I would like longer sleeves but cant imagine going bigger. They aren't really built for tall thin guys. I am excited to use it during the hunting season next fall.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Good score bro. I am very pleased the video helped you out. In NZ it is not uncommon for old Swanndris to show up in Salvation Army and other op shops. You may be able to pick one up cheap, cut the extra length for the sleeves and have them sewn to your Swanndri.

[@6brettes]

its hard to find or try to locate the right type of wool this is a specialist manufactured garment and fabric they swanndri.have specified from the fabric manufacturers what type of fabric works best for them? im amazed so disapointed that farmers get so little for their wool fleeces raw product and fabric manufacturers add on the massive margins some of best coat jkt wools are currently retailing at between £42 -£75 per metre 2 metres would be £84 just for fabric alone and £25 for a decent set of zips without buttons or thread! £109 in material costs? before labor the nz camo swanndri id be interested if you know of a outlet for that as i imagine theyre quite rare to find on the domestic market outsides of nz does nz have its own ebay id imagine it does!!

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Definately. Try looking on www.trademe.co.nz. The coats you speak of are getting harder to find but you can come across ex-NZ Army DPM Camouflage (based on UK DPM) Swanndri "style" wool bush coats. Some were made a company called Everest. Usually had detachable wool hoods, full length front zip, two to four outside pockets with button down flaps, waist drawcord. I used to own one but found it too small. Hard to find any Medium to Large sizes now a days.

[@6brettes]

daveoutdoorsnz sounds like a perfect marketing opportunity for anyone interested in reviving an older piece of kit there is always a market for rare army surplus gear letalone a piece of dpm swanndri bushirt i prefer dpm to the new multicam i usually wear a brit army sas smock or ord brit army smock when out dependent upon weather must be dry as they leak like a sieve! but the dpm blends in far better than the muticam does as i find the hues colors far to light to blend into local vegetation i believe that they tried to come up with a multipurpose multi terrain camo as usual it was a compromise i still dont think you can beat the dpm for temperate vegetation match or climates regards its unotoceability when out!! the best camo for woodland enviros seems or apears to be flecktarn from germany which has its own following without incl the newer camo designs which can be far more costly or harder to obtain they have several newer versions of multicam but dpm has been going for decades and it suits uk vegetation or european even african ranger services use it plus many foreign.armies the newer multicam just apears to stand out far more i notice the multicam far more easily than anyone dressed in dpm its darker dpm i imagine that dom everest swanndri is hard to cone bye the all green version you have would therefore have to be the very next best thing to go for!! allover drab is good for blending in also! i watch josh james bushman a lot he makes me laugh! but hes sponsored by stoney creek so he is biased regards bushirts whenever i speak to him he just pushes stoney creek gear he diesnt rate ridgeline hes right there stoney ive never yet tried but theyre even pricier than swanndri over here!! i guess its a case of becoming a sleuth as id need xl minimum anyways preferably xl2 xl3 i like my outdoor garments loose baggy and able to go over several layers i just prefer oversized on a jkt as you can always belt it in sinch it and i like it when cuffs reach knuckles or yer head recedes far back into hood (except for when crossing traffic or roads!!! ) the extra fabric never goes to waste ive slept ontop of my swanndri before used it as an insulative layer when in tent or bivi or just on forest floor type ground taking a break etc i did routeburn and milford tracks in one in deep snow with a guy called paddy o reilley who knows s islands snow safety officer a canadian guy hamish for the remarkables mt ranges or wanaka and te anau regions his best friend was a kiwi who was one of the worlds top avalanche experts and he himself got launched into a avalanche leading a jap ski party on mt cook!! he died and his ski party of 6 tourists were left stranded on mt!! hed luckily unclipped to go out and dig a snowpit test out the base layers of snow when the entire upper slope they were on edges of broke but because he was most far out onto it it took him only left behinds rest of his party clients etc so when i did the routeburn i was carrying using his recovered kit from the avalanche 3 days earlier the widow had given away his kit to paddy so when paddy met me offered me a invite to do the routeburn in thick winter snow rangers were not advising anyone to do a thing go near it we just went anyways! as its not all that very often you get a chances to see s island when your a visitor if wed listened to the ranger services wed not have been allowed to fart in a natl park! so we set out amyways up this steep track we did it in 2 days what usually takes 3 in deep snow almost setting alight the mc kenzie hut at 3am from time we found it as all the trails were lost to really deep snow!! paddy tried to light about 6 to 8 tilley lamps on the hut table after priming them to give us some a bit more light as insides this hut at 3am was complete darkness we kept bumping into walls benches doors chairs in pitch black hed pumped pumped about 8 lamps ready for priming as he lit the 1st lamp it caught light except hed not checked fuel caps on each tilley lamp and the entire table and floor area was flooded with parrafin fuel so as he lit it we were sat there anticipating a nice well deserved hot brew after many hours spent floundering about in deep snow knackered we instead got a lovely flaming display of interior of an all wooden hut as flames licked across dining table down the legs across the entire floor set light to wall sides and curtains paddy ran headlongs into a locked kitchen door to try find any fire extinguishers almost knocked himself out yes you guessed it in mad panic at watching a 42bed mt hut go up we resorted to using our swanndris to put out the fire and save the mckenzie hut!! from burning down to the ground! nz was so lucky it had its mackenzie hut.left at 7am next morning we were up n out away again then paddy shrunk my hand made leather italian walking boots scarpas by putting them into the te anau yha hostel drying room after we got out the mts next day i couldnt get my feet into them at all as they shrunk into a couple of bananas i had to make improvised mukuluks using poly bags and paracord to go on and see milford sound mitre peak etc and paddy had to return to queenstown going long way arounds to return a hire car hed left behinds in queenstown to a christchurch agy based in mt hutt i in meantimes unable to now walk in my boots stranded in mid winter in s islands te anau milford sound region in thick snow had to just soldier on a passing convention of mt cook airlines pilots saw me hitchn in carrier bags on my feet all burst out laughing as they sped bye me in their cook line coaches on way to their annual convention in milford a cray fisherman pikd me up took me into milford itself dropd me off and i got a chances to see mitre peak on a most spectacular day after the blizzards storm had subsided so as i was standing there taking photos got chit chattn to bus driver waiting for the pilots to all get back out of their annual convention he says to me wait a minute do you want me to see if i can fix you up? i said with what? he says youll see! goes off twinkle in his eye he tells my story about my mate shrivelling up my boots as i looked a pretty sorry sight from knees down! surrounded by nzs toughest terrains in snow there i am in a pair of carrier bags wrapped around wool socks with my old laces! the bus driver comes back introduces me to mt cook airlines youngest prof pilot says heres yer lift back to queenstown hes willing to take you back to queenstown for nothing!! free!! as hes got a jap sightseeing booking as longs as you dont mention fact yer not paying you can even sit up front next to the pilot to see the views better! well i was stoked at this free chances to get back to base & opportunity so joined on ends of a very very long line of taxiing cessna type aircraft over 20 planes all in a line reminded me of aircraft decks off the carrier battle the midway us s pacific as we all revved up props awaiting take offs together and one by one i watched over 20 mt cooks lines pilots take off slowly circle arounds mitre peak until we got our chances to go last we climbed up over mitre peak circled the sound n peak then back over s alps to queenstown on a perfect sunny but cold day looking down could see the waterfalls & heli skiers giving us a wave could reach out n touch them!! almost then we landed on grassy strip of queenstown runway i gave my thanks to pilot thanked him for saving me a lot of legwork & then walked into bumbles hostel order a hot drink sit waiting in queenstown hostel as suddenly paddy who id already said goodbye too was in utter shock amazements that id got back outa there milford to queenstown 30mins before he actually did! as he walked in kept saying to me you lucky bastard as hed had to forego his only chances at seeing mitre peak to go return the hire car a day earlier he had to have gone the long ways around to get back to queenstown he was as sick as a parrot that id managed to snag a free lift rides from a nz pilot ha ha funny he threw his cream cake at me after explaining it all to other backpackers! in disgusts but much to their bemusements of cse i was that hungry i simply ate the cake from off my chests from where it landed!! :) i was correct to continue on with no boots as that was the first n last time i ever got to see milford sounds mitre peak!! on a most perfect day after storms had blew out! wed both done routeburn track in 2days i remember it as clear as day!! even today a nice nz memory! :)

[@6brettes]

daveoutdoorsnz thanks for the info i shall try to look it up and research a swanndri if not wrestle to the ground & kill a sheep make one from its back!! as could maybe easier than finding a nz army one in our size!!?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

lol. Worth a try David

[@lunaalpina3536]

You are right. Wikipedia answers : "Made in China". No comment. I can advise these three ones from Germany (in UK i dunno) : Mufflon, Raffstaff, Hubertus Gmbh. They have short circuits and quality wool. And they do not exploit children.

[@6brettes]

trust the brit army button to come to the rescue of the nz army swanndri issue button youll catch us up some day? i think a wooden toggle is best in cold conds id also fleece line the pockets and ventilate the upper arm sleeves to cool off in or increase access for putting on off on 1 sides using a long zipper improve the peak of hood for runoff of rain water on its hood it isnt peaked at all i noticed it had no peak so heavy downpours water would run off straight into yer face!! which gets tedious after many hrs of it!this hood is a bit too a pulled back onto head n face doesnt come over enough forwards at its peak hood id also wire the hood and make it deeper set back in so as yer head is fully enclosed encompased by it without yer side viz being impaired the garment is great but still too overpriced 2nd hand is the best economical way to go $180 is a lot to fork out for some processed raw wools whose sources can be somewhat dubious if felt boil wool is being made out of them? wool is at an all time low prices at moment right around the world farmers dont receive the correct amount of money for it so i find it hard to justify what swanndri mkts these at for? when in actual facts its merely a shaped blanket with very simple design features and low in cost wool fabric cost at source i could make one of my own for a quarter of the prices possibly out of a superior wool which i may do so because im getn a bit fed up of the high prices these one time bargain basement cos are now beginning to charge us just cuz they are established got a bit of kudos and are famous swazis overpriced too as is the lester river boreal shirt the cost of raw wool is at an alltime low so the profit margins on a garment like this are enormous!! they must be able to make one for cents!! a modified army blanket could do the same or similar job you can get those in army surpluses from best wools like swiss italian or swedish for about $7 as opposed to $180 they needs to get a good designer onto this jkt to tidy up a few of its more obvious design glitches that have not been adressed by swanndri the co in a very long time there is always room for improvements or different versions of the same jkt type!! but they trade on their past reputation not their current!!

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Hi David. Great ideas about the modifications you would make. I agree the bush shirt Swanndri seems over priced for the limited features offered. Swanndri have a more up-to-date model with more features and a fully zipped front. Swanndri wool is NZ wool that is processed here but sent to China for assembly. The stitching seems top notch so I don't mind the overseas assembly because the quality is good. I have a Belgian Army Blanket that I bought new for $45.00NZ. It is an excellent quality wool blanket but not for an outdoors garment that can withstand New Zealands high rain fall forests and radically fast changing weather. I think most re-purposed wool blankets made into bush shirts are more suited to more open forested areas and less extreme conditions. I think the Swanndri wool is among the best as it can handle open country exposure and close bush wear and tear. Mine can go through gorse thorn bushes, mud and rain. It can take hard abrasion against rocky outcrops, tree bark, back packs and equipment constantly being put on and off. It just keeps on truckin and does not tear. Price is a down side to this bush shirt but on the positive side I think it is a super tough outdoor garment that can last a lifetime. Thanks for the great response David. Dave

[@6brettes]

daveoutdoorsnz yes agreed the type of wool is pure wool pre shrunk it is pre done to resist the wind rain etc you can order this exact type of fabric from pure wool suppliers im toying with the idea of it as i think i could make 3 for the price of 1 if you did it that way ive just finished making a ultimate eqpt mt tent i like these shirts ive prev owned a swanndri ranger shirt i combined this with derby tweed climbing walking breeches yeti gaiters etc as regards the blanket material you just have to ensure that you do sufficient research of the exact type of wool finish on the blanket obviously blankets work by keeping it loose weave to trap air but if its left too open it catches the wind and the winds rain can blow straight through it your right about it needing to be a certain density to resist thorns etc or the elements this is why they elect to pre shrink it at the major manufacturers? it operates much in same way as a dachstein mitt from austria that is sewn 3x times larger then shrunk under heat to create a wool felt completely windproof mitten or snow ice proof ive worn them in s island in winter in a blizzard and scotlands highlands bagging munroes or doing coast to coast treks etc i prefer wool in rain to anything else as polyester gets to hot doesnt breathe and they to be totally honest with you or your viewers never yet found a proper way to make plastics feel good against human skin yet!! incl many of the newer wonder fabrics i bought a ridgeline nz bushirt few years ago it sweats like a pig is totally waterproof meant to be breathable but when i.peel it off im wet humid damp underneath it doesnt re release the humidity breathe the same applies to feet humidity in boots the best mukuluks all breathe allowing yer foot to stay warm and get rid of trapped foot humidity! i like the idea of the double liner also on these bushirts as that is a real lifesaver if temps dip keeping yer essential vital organs from chilling out in strong winds or freezing temps one of these bushirts palled up with a snugpack poncho is pretty bombproof way of beating anything that could be thrown at ya whilst in the outdoors the many benefits you state also it has is pretty much unique to only nz bushirts the tail flaps and long length generous fabric in hood etc i dont like the excessive prices that swazi stoney creek or swanndri stick on to trade on their name in the n west usa they use a blanket material called pendelton blanket liner or material that is often used as camp blankets for alaska yukon etc and liners for mukuluks the italian and swiss army blankets also make a good gen purpose smock for as little as £7 made from some of the best mt wools in italy however pre shrunk new wool is the best way to go and proof it afterwards either with silicon or lanolin natural lanolin lasts far longer but also can make you smell like a sheep if untreated which in turn keeps all the girls away whenever you go out dating in yer swanndri!!? i contacted eco wools near auckland but am still seeking the cheapest supplier i dont know if they have an ebay nz might do? but i think 2nd hands may be best way to go as here in europe theyre anything between 169€ or 196€ for newer zipped swanndri boreal bushirt design lester rivers have also become too overpriced some are now being offered at $400 as i said if you can find who supplies the same type of fabric yer made!! cuz thats exactly what i did regards my mt tent went direct to the tent fabric suppliers struck a deal for a tiny fraction of the retail price!! and my product self made is better than what the original ever was!! as its had a bit of handcrafting put into it rather than just being ind batch produced!!? & trading hard upon a 100yr old + kudos name but also fleecing you for it cuz it sure as hell aint the sheep farmers getn it raw wool is currently at an all time worldwide low in prices and a raw fleece costs hardly anything? ive sent fleeces off to be carded and spun before now to wales and it costs very little to have done!! but the best way to go is research a similar made fabric and buy it by the yard then add in your own bespoke features to it make it individual unless you are money up of cse!! then its nice to just buy it!! the scottish highlanders used to walk out with a woolen cloak that they often used to sleep out under in the heather in between places whilst droving hillwallking and or escaping english clearances or travel it was pinned in or together by a large brooch on chest would unfurl because of pleating to greater surface areas of very warm material able to cover up the entire body a proper real woolen kilt is often made from a ream of fabric up to 40ft long!!! before pleating!! when.they needed to sleep under their cloaks like a tarp they just had to unclip the brooch and stretch it all.out cover themselves in it!! i often wondered if a shelter piece of fabric could be incorporated into a swanndri that detaches from it and turns it into a shelter unit or system for one night usages in any situ that required it? im british have done my fair shares of bushwakn in nz when i lived there once! but i still think they ought to get a good team of designers onto some of their lines that have stood the tests of time as there is always usually ample room year on year for improved refinements the basic product is superb fantastic idea concept but it does need to just be finer tuned honed as close attention to detail does often very much matter whenever you are in the outdoors!! :)

[@6brettes]

daveoutdoorsnz there isnt very much wrong with it? as is!! so allrounds a very excellent choice of garment id not want to wearing anything much elses to be honest if i was ever on the run!!! in the nz bush or elsewhere if i had to choose any garment to evade in this would be it!!

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Tons of good and very interesting info David. You certainly have done the research bro. Have you considered going further with maybe some prototype designs of your ideas? It seems like the economics could work, even for small production runs, outsourcing the cutting and sewing to others. Interesting about Swanndri dating lol. I think it is probably still done in NZ lol.

[@6brettes]

daveoutdoorsnz yeh its lucky that the nz girls aint too fussy!!! isnt it? about rolling about with hairy beings covered in lanolin!! after breeding so many sheep its 2nd natures so they are just so used to it when it comes to dating swanndri wearing fellas!! they just treat you the same as a sheep!! dip you ( ask you to wash too often!!) brand you ( as they get very posessive jealous whenever you speak to another chick!!) innoculate you ( send you to drs to get tested often!? ) nab yer credit cards whilst yer asleep go on exp shopn spree with it!! if you bleat about it afters they get back!! they just send you to the shearers or hairdressers for a really severe haircut!! are only happy when youve been broken in and corralled in where they can see you & endeavour to control you!! 24/7 prevent you from ever roaming free!!!! ever again!!! :)

[@schlooonginator1227]

I can sorta understand the lack of features BUT they should spare no expense with regards to buttons. People looking to get these do so wanting something that is going to last, not some light weight down puff peice. They should not only use better buttons but perhaps sew on swatches of canvas or polycotton where they attach. Even velcro would be much better but that would clash with its old school aesthetics.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Great points. The old school style is a big draw card for many, including myself. I like to be out in the bush with only similar kit to the bushmen of decades or a century ago. I do like my swandrii but the tradition to this garment is only good to a point. In today's market this garment is trailing behind the competition in price and features (just my opinion).

[@blablabla2530]

The pratical side is that you can also use it as a sleeping bag. Not kidding

[@southernlandsolo7839]

I never thought of that but the size allows you to pull your arms in and curl the legs up. The longer the better in that case. Thanks for the idea.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Interesting bro. I will try that out next time I am in the bush. Thanks for that.

[@charlietwotimes]

Been haurangi a few times (a few, lol) and have slept outside overnight. A few decades ago now I came home so munted I couldn't climb over the back fence. It was raining so I pulled the hood up + slept under a tree until I was sober enough to get over the fence. 30 years later & I still have it. Actually wearing it right now. A genuine kiwi-made Swanni.. protecting drunks in the NZ bush since forever 😂

[@winniethepooh2947]

Just do your legs trough the arms and stuff ferns in between your body and swanni

[@hammersix]

Basic design less to go wrong

[@southernlandsolo7839]

True mate. Don't really need all the special features but that one extra pocket would be handy.

[@edwardcatt2399]

I’m not sure when this company outsourced production to China . . . nor am I sure with China’s accelerating economic collapse and general hostile economic climate if Swanndri can repatriate its production back into Kiwi. I picked up THREE of the same black- + emerald-checked heavy woolen bush shirt that I liked a ton when I saw it on their site.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Agreed bro. It is definitely a rapidly changing economic environment. I wonder if Swanndri would look to India or Taiwan if they had to leave China. I like your choice of colours. I have a Ranger Shirt in those colours. I think it is their best colour yet.

[@edwardcatt2399]

@southernlandsolo7839 - ah, now I’m wondering if it’s the same garment we have? I may have gotten the terminology wrong. It has the cut of a sherpa or a classic Levi’s jacket. Black and emerald check and I think two front pockets. Picked up three online maybe five years ago. The collar has a black herringbone reinforcing material inside of it. I’ll look on their site but I think it was a limited edition thing. I ordered them whilst living in Japan (where I still live), but I sent them home to Kiwi where I think they’re still encased in their plastic envelopes lying flat under my bed, ergo I can’t check ‘em right now . . . I even made a point to ask the salesperson to select the ones with the best ‘balance’ of check where it was evenly distributed (if that makes sense?) 😅

[@edwardcatt2399]

@southernlandsolo7839 - _got it!_ - they were almost certainly shorter length ‘Ranger’ Wool Bushshirts, but I’m sure that they were button-up fronts rather than zip-ups. I’m looking forward to wearing ‘em when I’m home again in Kiwi anyway!

[@southernlandsolo7839]

@@edwardcatt2399 Our garments sound like different styles but the same colours. My Ranger Shirt is a lighter weight pullover with a zip from the neck that goes about a 1/4 way down the shirt. Then it has two chest pockets, a soft collar and no other features. It sounds like you have a pretty good robust jacket.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

@@edwardcatt2399 Awesome bro 👍👍

[@ErikHillebrand]

Wool and polyester lining.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Thanks Erik. I have not been able to find that information, much appreciated.

[@robertkirk4387]

birrus Britannicus or bush shirt, goes all the way back to Roman Britain

[@southernlandsolo7839]

A pull over garment is possibly one of the oldest forms of clothing devised. Thanks for watching.

[@winniethepooh2947]

What do you get buying a swanndri : love story , the misses hates you when wearing it in bed. Last you a life time . Lol have a couple of them life saver in the souther alps hunting nz . Take care and by save all

[@southernlandsolo7839]

lol. Swanndri: they have ruined many a marriage lol.

[@johnwelch6490]

What dangerous animals insects plants are around you?

[@southernlandsolo7839]

Pretty safe with regards to those kinds of dangers in my area. Not many deer or pigs. One of the deadliest plants here is the Tutu (check out my video if interested). Among the insects are be wasps, White Tail spider bites and a few others. The native Katipo spider is on the west coast area I think, not far from me. It is not deadly unless allergic to its venom and bites are rare. Thanks for the questions.

[@johnwelch6490]

Paid $69 in 1984. Blue

[@southernlandsolo7839]

And still going strong i'll bet bro

[@micealmacadaim6550]

Awesome Dave. I think I'd totally line the inside and put snap holders on the cuffs, or elastic to keep it snug.

[@southernlandsolo7839]

+Miceal Adams That would be an awesome feature. A full lining would increase the warmth and wind resistance dramatically. Thanks Miceal