Croots bridle leather and canvas cartridge gear: the Malton bridle leather bags, belts and magazines, Byland leather loader's and cartridge bags, and Rosedale canvas in fox tan. Capacities run 75, 100 and 150.
Buying sensibly
- Belts are bore-specific. A 12-bore loop will not hold a 20-bore cartridge securely and a 20-bore belt will not take a 12. Check the bore as well as the size — they are listed separately for a reason.
- Size a belt on the clothes you shoot in. Over a wax jacket and a fleece you are two or three inches bigger than your trouser waist.
- Capacity follows the day. A 75 is enough for walked-up or a modest driven day. A 100 is the usual choice. A 150 loader's bag is for a day where someone else is carrying it and feeding two guns.
- A magazine is for the vehicle, not the peg. Cartridge magazines carry bulk between drives; bags carry what you need in hand.
- Bridle leather wants feeding. It will take decades of use and look better for it, but only if it is cleaned and dressed rather than left wet in a boot.
These are made in small runs and individual sizes and colours come and go, so check the specific line rather than assuming the whole range is on the shelf.
