addyb said:
A decent outdoor jacket is always a compromise and probably always will be. I believe that the trick is to weigh out those compromises until you find one that fits your own individual needs.
Adam
Couldn't agree more. There is no ideal 'bushcraft' jacket. The Swanni is great, is very durable, quiet, and fireproof - but heavy, bulky and not fully waterproof.
Goretex/eVent are great but generally tear easily and are never as breathable as you want.
Think about what you actually want here: most of the time we want a windproof/showerproof top and a shell to throw over it when it honks down. There are plenty of durable 'softshells' around, which breathe well and are showerproof, or - and I think someone mentioned the Montane Smock - look at shelled pile jackets (Rab, Montane, Marmot, Buffalo, etc), which have a micro-pile lining and a (usually) pertex windproof/showerproof shell. They breathe well and dry quickly, but the pertex can tear easily.
I have never tried Paramo clothing but they are fully waterproof, breathable, and tougher than goretex/eVent shells. Might be worth a look.
Ventile is great but - again, it is a myth that it is waterproof! It is showerproof and will wet out in a downpour. It is also expensive and difficult to work with - I'm lucky, I get my ventile kit issued but I wouldn't buy it at high-street prices.
Waxed jackets (like Barbour and Dri-az-abone - sp?) can be very tough and prctical and breathe reasonable well - that's why so many outdoor workers wear them. Unfortunately, they suffer from an image problem with some people but, what the hell, if it works...
Often, in a bushcraft situtation, we will have a portable shelter (tarp or something) and if it is really honking down, most of us won't want to be out in it anyway. Stop and make a brew.
Adam is exactly right - what are really going to be doing? What do you really want out of your jacket? If you want durability and breathability, be prepared to get wet every now and again.
Finally, if you do go down the goretex/eVent shell route, consider ex-military stuff - it is dirt cheap and almost 'disposable' at the price from surplus stores. So, if you rip it - bodge tape the hole; if you ruin it - get another.
I'll stop ranting now.