Alternatives to ventile?

[Limaed]

Interesting. Gabardine was suggested today in a fabric shop as an alternative - they’d not heard of ventile (it’s a brand not a type of material) but mentioned it when I said the purpose. Am hoping to make a smock out of wool but have some doubts about its wind proofing.

Gaberdine is windproof, lightweight and quick drying - it’s a tight weave cotton fabric but it’s not especially robust. It used to be used for smocks for SF Troops and Royal Marines, although plenty of other military folk would wear them as the standard issue smock wasn’t as nice to wear.

 

[Laurentius]

When I started on sites in the Severnties we got the wollen Donkey Jackets with padded lining given to us. They were great, wore mine everywhere. I don't remember getting wet when wearing it, the water sort of ran off of it, lanolin oils perhaps.

I remember the Donkey Jackets, they had vinyl over the shoulders just where you need it to be most waterproof. They were eventually superseded by the ubiquitous high viz jacket, which of course is completely waterproof but not breathable. I keep one on the back seat of the car for emergencies.

 

[Falstaff]

Donkey Jackets are still sold, makes and prices vary £75-90 each.

 

[slaine_23]

Donkey jackets and the navy smocks are made from the same sort of material because of the weatherproof qualities. I remember having a donkey jacket back in the day, the height of sophistication it was.
Can’t imagine wandering about a woods wearing one though.

Using the same material for an anorak design might work.

 

[slaine_23]

Donkey Jackets are still sold, makes and prices vary £75-90 each.

I was surprised to know it, didn’t think anyone would bother about them these days. But that one at 1450 is a bit too steep.

 

[Falstaff]

Donkey jackets and the navy smocks are made from the same sort of material because of the weatherproof qualities. I remember having a donkey jacket back in the day, the height of sophistication it was.
Can’t imagine wandering about a woods wearing one though.

I used to, no good if you're wearing a pack of course, but a satchel, if mushrooming or some such, works fine.

 

[Herman30]

That kind works on a pristine treatment but DWR tends to wear off

Well the Tuntsa anorak has been very resistant to rain very long. Don´t know what they use. And I don´t give a hoot about if it´s bad for nature.

 

[slaine_23]

Well the Tuntsa anorak has been very resistant to rain very long. Don´t know what they use. And I don´t give a hoot about if it´s bad for nature.

My Finnish isn’t up to much, but from website sounds like a poly cotton mix? Is main kangaroo pocket on the inside, an idea I like?

 

[Herman30]

My Finnish isn’t up to much, but from website sounds like a poly cotton mix? Is main kangaroo pocket on the inside, an idea I like?

Yes, it is excactly what i recommended earlier here; 65% polyester 35% cotton with DWR coating.
Yes, there is kangaroo pocket inside of smock on the chest. Very practical pocket.

 

[TLM]

And I don´t give a hoot about if it´s bad for nature.

The problem is that apparently some of the low molecular weight fluorocarbons (used in some DWRs) can pass directly trough your skin. Some people are also afraid of Teflon used in Goretex but that might not really be a problem except when you over heat your pan covered with Teflon non-stick coating.

 

[slaine_23]

Yes, there is kangaroo pocket inside of smock on the chest. Very practical pocket.

Thanks for the link Herman. I’m actually hoping to make something rather than buy but depending how that goes I’ll keep it in mind. Def like the inner pocket, makes sense and maybe easier to make.

 

[Jared]

Devold has a shell top made out of 100% merino wool without any DWR or coatings.

TROLLKYRKJA WOOLSHELL JKT MAN

Devold Trollkyrkja jacket is the natural alternative to a ski shell jacket, made especially for ski touring. The Trollkyrkja collection is a wind- and water-resistant outer layer developed for high-intensity activities combining protection with breathability. The jacket is tightly woven from...

www.devold.com

Believe it's made from this stuff

Wind and waterproof wool: the latest waterproof fabric

Using the latest OPTIM™ spinning techniques, Woolmark and Nanshan have created a windproof and waterproof fabric made from 100% Australian Merino wool.

www.woolmark.com

Though I'd guess it's more expensive than ventile, and almost impossible for a DIYer to get hold of.

 

[hughtrimble]

Devold has a shell top made out of 100% merino wool without any DWR or coatings.

TROLLKYRKJA WOOLSHELL JKT MAN

Devold Trollkyrkja jacket is the natural alternative to a ski shell jacket, made especially for ski touring. The Trollkyrkja collection is a wind- and water-resistant outer layer developed for high-intensity activities combining protection with breathability. The jacket is tightly woven from...

www.devold.com

Believe it's made from this stuff

Wind and waterproof wool: the latest waterproof fabric

Using the latest OPTIM™ spinning techniques, Woolmark and Nanshan have created a windproof and waterproof fabric made from 100% Australian Merino wool.

www.woolmark.com

Though I'd guess it's more expensive than ventile, and almost impossible for a DIYer to get hold of.

Thank you for sharing that. They're very careful with the wording with that, all about water resistance (except for in the link title!) and 'enhanced hydrostatic head' without specifying it. As it's a ski jacket, it's for colder climes unlikely to be hit with heavy rain but rather snow. I'd certainly be interested to try it but at £580 for the jacket, it'll be a good while before I do!

 

[TLM]

While I like merino wool clothing there is one draw back to it, wear resistance is not that great. I would like to see some heavy usage tests before buying.

 

[Herman30]

I’m actually hoping to make something rather than buy

I would suggest to make the kangaroo pocket of mesh fabric.
That way you can open the pocket zipper and ventilate when you get sweatty.

 

[Broch]

Donkey Jackets are still sold, makes and prices vary £75-90 each.

I miss my old donkey jacket - it was tied at the waist with string before I eventually got rid of it

 

[Jared]

Thank you for sharing that. They're very careful with the wording with that, all about water resistance (except for in the link title!) and 'enhanced hydrostatic head' without specifying it. As it's a ski jacket, it's for colder climes unlikely to be hit with heavy rain but rather snow. I'd certainly be interested to try it but at £580 for the jacket, it'll be a good while before I do!

Yes, sounds like it's the wool analogue of ventile.

 

[Herman30]

Had to google "donkey jacket". Looks like a nice sturdy jacket that can take what ever weather is thrown at it. Would not mind having one if the were sold here.

 

[slaine_23]

Can get donkey jackets online but you’d probably want to try one on, they tend to be fairly shaped or fitted. They’re a bit overrated too I’d say, but it’s the sort of thing can find in charity shops every now and again.

 

[EdS]

Gaberdine is windproof, lightweight and quick drying - it’s a tight weave cotton fabric but it’s not especially robust. It used to be used for smocks for SF Troops and Royal Marines, although plenty of other military folk would wear them as the standard issue smock wasn’t as nice to wear.

Proper gaberdine as patented by Burberry is actually a twill worsted wool.

Cotton gaberdine is not really an outlander fabric. It's for trim and pocket lining etc