directdrive said:
...Appreciate any and all edification!...
Hello DD,
Im going to interpret the above literally!
At the risk of becoming anoraky:
I understand that a smock is a windproof (Possibly water repellent/waterproof also), hooded, unlined jacket, of a military type (Like a combat jacket with a hood).
A parka is a windproof (Again, may or may not be water repellent/waterproof) hooded jacket with a warm lining (Which may be integral or removable), again, usually of a military type, which may be worn over a combat jacket or smock, and usually longer in length than a smock.
However, parka and anorak appear to be interchangeable terms when used in reference to non-military garments (Note that these below, are unlined):
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/arcticanorak.htm
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/permafrostparka.htm
The Swazi Tahr is untypical in the sense that it uses the word anorak to describe an unlined garment of longer than usual length.
If you are interested in buying something like the triple layer Gortex®, unlined, Tahr, I think youre going to struggle to find a garment of the same length, or at a lower price.
I have seen British Army gortex for sale at very reasonable prices (I believe they are made from a generic type of gortex (GTX?) rather than the Trademarked fabric, and I have only seen them in camouflage). Bizarrely, they are meant to be worn
under a smock <belly laughs>!
I read a somewhat heated and funny thread on an army forum where there was much confusion and dispute as to whether the gortex should be worn over or under.
If I extracted the correct understanding from the many pages of the thread, the gortex should be worn under the smock (Which is counter-intuitive) as gortex (And the Trademarked type) have an Infrared signature which can be easily observed with Infrared optics (All current British Army outer-layer fabrics, including those used for burgens etc, are treated with a chemical that helps suppress the Infrared signature).
Also, I understand that the army specify that a gortex garment should not be worn when on a patrol, or when in close proximity to 'the enemy apparently the current army gortex is noisy.
The picture below, would typify what I would describe as a military smock (The only green, non-Ventile, one I know of - its not waterproof) - $189 US (The Zoot Suit, Gortex® Stash-Away Smock Liner, and Ottawa Jacket are worth a look, in the Foul Weather section):
http://www.sasskit.co.uk/
British Army gortex (GTX) Note: no pockets, for wearing under a cotton smock - $112 US:
http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/military/index.asp
Non-Issue British Army Gortex Combat Jacket (I understand this type of jacket will be adopted with the next iteration of British Army Issue kit) Also, I understand this is very high quality - $393 US:
http://outdoorcode.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=54_39&products_id=91
Non-military Parka - $1744 US:
http://outdoorcode.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27_58&products_id=184
This spec for Gor-Tex® is hard to beat, so is the price for full-length protection (Available in Olive Drab,
and on your side of the pond) - $249.99:
http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?productID=5311&TabID=1&CatID=45
I hope I have helped to make things a little clearer for you (I doubt it
), and that this isnt more than you needed to know <chuckle>
Best regards,
Paul.
