Good Kit

[DeV]

http://www.rvops.co.uk/brands/Rite-in-the-Rain.html

They do a A5 (think it is 2 per A4)

Takes a while to get it set up right

[apod]

Just a heads up. RVops sold up a few years back and were bought out by a seller who kept the name but not the high standards of customer care and attention(which you tend to get with a couple of ex-booties running the show).The current seller is trading on their name and reputation.
Let the buyer beware.

[trellheim]

Just a heads up. RVops sold up a few years back and were bought out by a seller who kept the name but not the high standards of customer care and attention(which you tend to get with a couple of ex-booties running the show).The current seller is trading on their name and reputation.
Let the buyer beware.

I had heard that as well, that is a huge pity as they were superb, by far the best suppliers of on-the-ground-kit in terms of quality if not price.

[morpheus]

Anyone out there even close to RVOPS guys? Im just in off the ground from instructing on a career course and realise that im shy some kit which isnt standard issue to me.

[ODIN]

What are you looking for Morpheus?

[apod]

What are you looking for Morpheus?

+1.i have spare stuff up in the attic I don't use anymore.

[The real Jack]

eBay was always cheaper than rvops, sort by price including shipping and consider using parcel motel.

[trellheim]

eBay was always cheaper than rvops, sort by price including shipping and consider using parcel motel.

Yep. RVOps was not about the price though but about quality and service , its a customer triangle and I preferred the last two over what was essentially not a large jump in price

[X-RayOne]

Picked one of these up just before Christmas and have been using extensively over last month or so. Lots of walking the dog and a bit of pre-lockdown hill work in all the cold, windy wet and sometimes wet weather we've had over the period.

Have to say I've found it an excellent piece of kit. Well worth the €50-60 it might cost online. No shortage of 2nd hand or surplus available for some reason. Definitely a budget Buffalo Smock at a fraction of the price.

I used it in a variety of different ways; with a wicking base-layer underneath, with a cotton t-shirt underneath, with norgie style micro fleece underneath and with a hard-shell over it.

The Positives:
Decent wind-proofing
Warm down to 5 degrees C outside
Bearable between 5 and 0 degrees outside when active
Pit zips (Buffalo sorely misses these) and easy side ventilation
Good size pouch pocket at front
Excellent collar with built in shower proof hood

The Negatives:
Build quality not as bombproof as buffalo.
Fleece inner sticks a little putting on but good when worn
Sleeve length a fraction short

Overall, a reasonably priced, solid bit of kit suitable for Irish autumn, winter, spring weather if you don't want to be putting on / off layers as wind, cold and showers constantly change. Would definitely have a place in a rucksack for PDF or AR. Just don't expect Buffalo levels of performance for near / below 0 degrees or really heavy rain.

[Buck]

I got one off a board member and haven’t regretted it once. Apart from that time it nearly stripped me topless in a shop in Germany. The fleece stuck to whatever I was wearing below (cotton T-shirt probably) and just came with the jacket.

[DeV]

Is the inside like a Buffalo?

Aren’t they designed to be worn directly against the skin?

[apod]

Nope. Microfleece instead. I bought one a few years back after freezing my nuts off DS'ing a night time RECCE patrol in November.I was too active to wear a Snugpak under my smock (I would have died from overheating) but not as active as the students(a lot of standing back observing while they CTR'd) so was frozen when halted.

PCS Thermal smock is my go to now for such tasks. My snugpak is only for when static. PCS TS packs very small into it's own chest pocket and is very light to carry in a daysack.

I have to agree though.A nause to put on over a long sleeve base layer.

[X-RayOne]

Is the inside like a Buffalo?

Aren’t they designed to be worn directly against the skin?

As Apod said, microfleece inner. Not fur pile like the buffalo, which goes on /off much smoother than the fleece.

Buffalo is supposed to be worn next to skin, perfect if is all you are wearing for a long period. But doesn't really go well with military applications where there are lots of highly active periods and changes to static, different dress states, etc.

I used a Buffalo as my go to insulation layer when I was in DF but never next to skin for the reasons above.