Looking for a bee jacket

[Lechwe]

I am looking for a bee jacket w/veil and would like to here from the folks here. I have seen them for $30 al the way to $120. I want a good one that is somewhat durable and also cool in the summer. What do you recommend?

I was looking at one from Alchem farms. It is $50 and looks decent but that is hard to tell from a picture.

Thanks for the help

[Michael Bush]

I'm fond of the nylon ones with a hood. They fold flat and don't require a helmet and the bees can't get a good grip on them. I have bought nylon ones like this from Mann Lake (thin but not as durable), www.beeworks.com (http://www.beeworks.com) (much thicker and more durable and waterproof, but not as cool) The ones that Alejandro has for sale seem popular too, but they take a helmet or at least some kind of brimmed hat.

I have had the cotton coveralls from Walter Kelly with a zip on veile also and they were nice.

I would get one with a zip on veil.

If heat is a big problem (and it usually is) and price isn't an object then I'd go for the Golden Bee products suit. It's about $200. Search on "Golden Bee" and you should find the reviews from members here.

[Michael Bush]

Golden Bee Products http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000264.html http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000046.html http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000033.html

Jackets with veils $34 http://www.beesource.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000075.html

Or Walter Kelly has Mountain products jackets http://go.netgrab.com/secure/kelleystore/asp/product.asp?product=119

[Sungold]

I purchased a pull over jacket from Alchem farms. It is very nice, is of fine quality and fits true to size. I find it to be an excellent value. cj

[Kosh]

I bought the Hobbyist pullover from Betterbee. I think it's great.. my only issue is i think i should have gotten the small because with the medium i have to wear a baseball hat because the hat portion of it is bigger than my head and tends to slide forward.. I cant work the bees if i cant see. A baseball hat keeps it in place..

[crazy diamond]

I just got a bee jacket [nylon] from Dadant,they were very easy to deal with. You don't need a helmit,but you can wear a ball cap under the veil. I really like it,it is so much easier to put on and somewhat cooler,you can just fold back the veil and drive in your pick-up or whatever. Sorry I ever got a full length suit. Can't say enough about how nice it was to deal whit Dadant. Don

[Frohnho]

Kosh,
I had the same problem with my Hobbyist pullover from Betterbee. Then I noticed there is a velcro adjustment strap inside the hat to make it smaller.

[Kosh]

Cool, thanks frohnho, i will check mine for a strap.. it'd be nice to have it fit properly on my head.

[Rob Mountain]

Hey Kosh

What about the Mountain Bee Jacket from Kelley? That is all I have ever worn here in the US. Of course my wife Stella was the original designer and manufacturer of them in South Africa.

Honestly I would recommend this not only because of my connection with the Jackets but simply because they last so long, they wash so well, and I just would not work bees without one.


------------------
If a job is worth doing - Then do it well