View Full Version : Coats and/or Poncho's good or not ?
klause
25-01-2011, 01:42 AM
I was thinking about a new coat, it's the last thing on my clothing list.
The problem is whether to get a water proof one or one that i can sit round the fire in ! (I don't see the sense in camping without fire).
So i was thinking about getting a poncho for when it rains and a windproof fire/spark/ember resistant coat for when i'm in the woods.
Another problem arises then when i go for a trek, i need a coat the is breathable to stop me getting wet via perspiration !!:confused:
??? IS THERE SUCH A COAT ???
Thank you for your help and thoughts...
CanadianMike
25-01-2011, 02:45 AM
Wool....... my guess would be a light waterproof outer layer you can put on/take off when needed, but focus on a wool main coat for relative windproofness, warmth and fireproofness. Pretty much what I'm doing, and I haven't seen too many fires throw embers around while it's raining. ;)
Martin
25-01-2011, 07:51 AM
I believe Ventile will cover most of the bases you are looking for Klause. Never owned a garment made from it but it has a very good reputation. The only trouble is that when it does finally get saturated it will be very heavy and will take a while to dry out.
Don't be fooled by the Goretex, eVent, MVP materials. I have a very expensive (over £200) GoreTex Proshell coat and when I sweat I get wet. I've had an eVent material waterproof before and it wasn't any better hence why I chose Goretex this time. The solution to getting wet inside your coat is, to a certain extent, ventilation and if you don't ventilate and you run hot or are physically exerting yourself you will get wet.
For 'bushcraft' camps, I wear a polycotton M65 jacket which is fairly windproof. Under this I layer up to keep warm and, on the rare occasions it rains, I have a DD poncho which is waterproof and also acts as a ground sheet under my hammock and tarp set up. If I'm out walking, I rely on my more 'technical' clothes to keep the rain off and to keep me warm when I stop. If it rains in camp, I tend to go to bed.
Bit of a rambling reply but it's a huge subject with a multi million pound industry behind it.
Martin
A second vote for wool too, my coat is an old fireman coat, 100% wool, my theory being if anyone knows about spending time around fire and water,they do ;)
Regards, Matt.
Ben Casey
25-01-2011, 08:59 AM
I have my old combat jacket for hanging around a fire and another jacket from a camping shop for if it gets wet. The good thing with an old style combat jaket is it roles up into a small pocket it has and becomes a small pillow and isnt to big to cart around.
A good treated polycotton jacket, like a Fjällräven G1000 or Pinewood TC-1200 jacket.
comanighttrain
25-01-2011, 10:25 PM
I got a swedish army poncho. Its very water proof, not at all breathable though.... Like Martin's poncho it can be used as a ground sheet too. Very affordable and windproof is the upside. Downside is its a complete pig to pack.
klause
26-01-2011, 11:32 PM
Thank you all for replying, I think the way forward (because i'm struggling) is an amalgamation of all you ideas.
1) Matt, i love the concept of an old firemans coat (i'll have to look into that one).
2) Martin, Ventile jackets are out of my price range at the moment (single father of four lol.) but you never know if i'm realy good Santamight bring me one in the future (i doubt it !).
3) Ben, i have a 'Nato Dessert windproof smock' which i use now, so i think i'll incorperate that.
4) Mike, i think i'm gona use your idea and find a woolen jumper to use under my smock and find some sort of waterproof outer (i might try to waterproof my smock).
5) Nighttrain, i think i'll maybe get a poncho (exped pocho) if i cant waterproof my smock.
Thank you all for your input & feel free to comment further as my decision isnt set in stone (they never are !).
P.S. Thanks Jeep, i realy loved the look af the 'Fjällräven G1000' (found one on offer for £180 but didnt have fat boy sizes left !) but polycotton and fire dont mix (so ive read).
happybonzo
14-03-2011, 02:21 PM
Barbour jacket when I'm working: I've just had to replace mine after 30 years of use and it broke my heart when I saw the price of a replacement
troopermaz
14-03-2011, 03:02 PM
Barbour jacket when I'm working: I've just had to replace mine after 30 years of use and it broke my heart when I saw the price of a replacement
well worth every penny though
I always carry a poncho, snugpak one at the mo, excellent bit of kit if it lashes down its on top of my pack comes off n goes on quick up goes my tarp and under i get brew oclock. ive got plenty of gortex but i prefer a ventile or a wool top usually depends on where i am and how long for etc..
Fletching
14-03-2011, 04:41 PM
Barbour jacket when I'm working: I've just had to replace mine after 30 years of use and it broke my heart when I saw the price of a replacement
You can find a decent cotton jacket in a second hand shop easy enough. Couple of hours with some beeswax and a hairdryer and you've got yourself a bargain.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5526759544_3c6a1b14c3_b.jpg
klause
14-03-2011, 10:28 PM
[QUOTE=Fletching;9869] Couple of hours with some beeswax and a hairdryer and you've got yourself a bargain.
How do you go about doing that Fletching ?
CanadianMike
15-03-2011, 12:02 AM
Melt, wipe in, melt, wipe in............
You could get a couple tins of Australian Outback refinishing stuff, is used for the drovers to rewaterproof them, but since it hasn't been treated yet it'll take a few applications. Mind you, it also makes your cotton jacket flammable, so it's not such a great idea for around the campfire. Wool is still king in that area.
klause
15-03-2011, 12:28 AM
Just what i need Mike, to become a human fireball running through the woods in search of a puddle ! hahaha !
CanadianMike
15-03-2011, 11:48 AM
At least you won't be complaining about the cold. Lol, I own two oilskins, have worn around fire before and haven't caught fire, so I don't know what exactly the warning level is for on them.
I have worn oilskin for quite a few years - especially in situations involving fire. Imho. nothing beats a good heavy oilskin coat for outdoor wear.
I have a black Australian Driza Bone Riding Coat; http://www.drizabone.com.au/product/riding-mens-coat-black-s/ which I have had for a bit over three years.
I have worn it around campfires numerous of times - and I have never had a problem with sparks catching on.
I have worn this coat in heavy rain storms - and it has kept me dry and warm every time.
I have even used it to sleep in, leaned against a tree, from time to time.
This coat is one of the best pieces of gear I have ever bought, should I ever manage to wear it out, I will most certainly get me another one.
My only regret is that I got it in black - people tend to consider a long black duster to be some kind of statement.
I recently purchased a brown Rockall Cumbrian oilskin coat; http://www.rockall.info/ - this evening I wore it around a campfire for the first time; no problems with this one either.
My fiancee bought a classic green Sherwood oilskin jacket last year, it has been her main outdoor/scouting jacket ever since. She has worn it around fire almost once a week since she got it. Again; no marks or holes from catching sparks.
klause
15-03-2011, 08:20 PM
I like the Cumbrian Jeep, it looks quality. May i be so cheeky as to ask how much you paid for it ?
In regards to the Drizabone riding jacket - If you wore that in England on, lets say, Clapham Common or near any dimly lit bus shelter/train station you would attract the interest of the local constabulary..
Sorry Jeep couldn't resist.........
The Cumbrian costs D.Kr. 2200,- (approx. £ 250,-) It is imho. well worth the money.
I bought it, due to the fact that the long black Driza Bone has started to attract way too much negative attention lately. Somehow things have changed; a few years ago it was just a coat and no one seemed to take notice of it, now everyone has an opinion about it.
I still use it when out and about though - and for disappearing in the dark, when having my scouts out for a night run. They really hate that coat. It has enabled me to appear out of nowhere and scare the crap out of them several times :evilgrin:
klause
15-03-2011, 08:43 PM
That's what im saying Jeep - "Whitchcraft" -Coats with special disapearing & reappearing powers should be drowned and definately not used to frighten young Scouts ! haha !
CanadianMike
15-03-2011, 09:38 PM
My two are very much like yours, and got the shorter one for the same reason as you, less thuggy looking. Mind you, my long black one has outlasted the other, and even though I got it in 1993 and worn the heck out of it, aside from a few holes and having retreated it about 3 times, it still works well in the rain. Have been considering a brown one recently, I may get one this year, even if the black drover is still going rather strong.
marjes2011
29-08-2011, 02:44 AM
You may also consider bringing your insect repellent. :)
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