Ventile Poncho

[andybysea]

Antique bronze is like a tan colour, similar to the old khaki drill desert kit from the pics ive seen of it, never seen it face to face so to speak. look on bison bushcrafts site they have a pic of a antique bronze ventile smock, should give you a rough idea.

 

[saddle_tramp]

Not being critical, but why use ventile for a poncho?

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Antique bronze is like a tan colour, similar to the old khaki drill desert kit from the pics ive seen of it, never seen it face to face so to speak. look on bison bushcrafts site they have a pic of a antique bronze ventile smock, should give you a rough idea.

Thanks, think I will go with the Olive..

saddle_tramp - I think one of the main reason is it wont melt if sat next to a fire.

 

[andybysea]

Or as a very cheap alternative, you could get a old ground sheet cape, i can post a pic if anyone wants to see, made of cotton canvas with a layer of rubber sandwiched in the two layers, olive coloured /waterproof/ can use as cape/ground sheet/waterproof cover, ex brit ones about 10 quid ex dutch about 5 quid.

 

[MikeE]

But don't they smell lovely! Especially when warmed near a fire! I was issued one in 1976 when I got my first kit issued, thank goodness we got rid of them after a couple on months. My room stank of the darn thing!

 

[andybysea]

I think they smell like Victory, seriously ive got one in my wardrobe,and i havent noticed anything smelling, up close its got that old webbing/rubber smell but it hasnt tainted anything else, if anything my wetsuits hanging in same wardrobe cause the majority of smell in there.

 

[saddle_tramp]

saddle_tramp - I think one of the main reason is it wont melt if sat next to a fire.

I still dont get it. Dont get me wrong, i rate the fabric, got a smock and some half ventile trousers, but im totally aware of its limitations, in that before long, wet will come through it, and that when wet, it goes all stiff, and the breathability kinda goes to waste on an already airy poncho? so i dont see how that makes good poncho fabric? If its all about not melting next to fire, wouldnt wax cotton cost a quarter the price?

 

[Doc]

I still dont get it. Dont get me wrong, i rate the fabric, got a smock and some half ventile trousers, but im totally aware of its limitations, in that before long, wet will come through it, and that when wet, it goes all stiff, and the breathability kinda goes to waste on an already airy poncho? so i dont see how that makes good poncho fabric? If its all about not melting next to fire, wouldnt wax cotton cost a quarter the price?

I'm a great fan of ventile as it makes supremely comfortable clothing when rain is light or intermittent. But I can't help feeling it is a poor choice of fabric for a poncho:

-Ponchos have good ventilation, so you don't need a breathable fabric for one.

-when used as a basha in wet weather, the next morning (if it rains) it will be heavy and stiff, difficult to pack up, difficult to dry on the move unless you wear it.

- If it freezes you have effectively a 6 ft by 4ft piece of rigid cardboard! Try packing that up!

- The real advantage of ventile is that unlike most waterproofs, it is so breathable it's comfy to wear even when you don't need it for rain protection, when it acts as a good windproof. But is anyone going to wear a poncho when its windy and not raining? Its really not practical and flappy in those conditions.

- You would have to melt unrepairable holes in maybe 10 nylon ponchos before a ventile one looks cheaper?

-It's not fully waterproof, which I would have thought is fairly essential if it's to be used as a basha while you sleep. By the time the sleeping bag is wet enough to wake you up, you could be heading for trouble.

Then again, I have never used a ventile poncho, and maybe I am missing the point. but like Saddletramp, I just don't see the advantage in one.

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

I still dont get it. Dont get me wrong, i rate the fabric, got a smock and some half ventile trousers, but im totally aware of its limitations, in that before long, wet will come through it, and that when wet, it goes all stiff, and the breathability kinda goes to waste on an already airy poncho? so i dont see how that makes good poncho fabric? If its all about not melting next to fire, wouldnt wax cotton cost a quarter the price?

I'd assumed that the double layer ventile accross the shoulders would provide waterproofiness where most required and as for the rest as its loose, I guess that would make seepage less likley but being new to ventile and reading up on it, I get your point but still like the idea of ventile as a poncho. Funny you should mention wax cotton costing about quarter well not quite butTHIS wax cotton poncho used by cyclists about half the price and is an alternative i'm considering. Just havn't made me mind up yet.

 

[saddle_tramp]

THIS wax cotton poncho used by cyclists about half the price and is an alternative i'm considering. Just havn't made me mind up yet.

carradice ponchos are good kit (all carradice products are good kit, ive used their super C panniers for years and they keep the rain out easily as well as ortlieb ones) One thing to check before you buy the poncho tho. I dont think it opens out to a flat square, but forms a sort of tent over the cyclist, in the riding position, i think theyre adjustable with velcro straps, but they really are designed for cycling and to avoid being too flappy when doing so. So be worth looking at one before you buy. Theyre also a very thin lightweight wax cotton, which is good, but important to know

If you look at the pic in this link, ( although its not the carradice one,) it kinda shows you the shape of a cycle cape, and the carradice is much the same as that, rather than a flat square/oblong poncho

http://www.bicycleapparel.com/raincapeart.html

 

[DanDan The man called Dan]

carradice ponchos are good kit (all carradice products are good kit, ive used their super C panniers for years and they keep the rain out easily as well as ortlieb ones) One thing to check before you buy the poncho tho. I dont think it opens out to a flat square, but forms a sort of tent over the cyclist, in the riding position, i think theyre adjustable with velcro straps, but they really are designed for cycling and to avoid being too flappy when doing so. So be worth looking at one before you buy. Theyre also a very thin lightweight wax cotton, which is good, but important to know

If you look at the pic in this link, ( although its not the carradice one,) it kinda shows you the shape of a cycle cape, and the carradice is much the same as that, rather than a flat square/oblong poncho

http://www.bicycleapparel.com/raincapeart.html

ah, good advice thats not a good look. Could av been an expensive way to save money.

I really like hiltreks design though and I like the apparent weight the ventile appears to give it (does that make sense) .

I hope this isn't taken as a hijack of the thread (not intended at least) but do you think hilltrek might do a paupers wax cotton version if we ask nice? just seems like a good idea.

 

[littlebiglane]

I have got to say the pros and cons of a ventile poncho have been done to death on this thread in the previous 10 pages of postings. Either its a good or bad idea. You like it or you don't. This poncho has largely been designed by BCUK members. The proof will be in the feedback from the first users - it'll either be a cracking piece of kit (as per BushVen's and slightly less so Wayland's feedback) or it'll be a waste of people's cash. You might think its expensive but ventile clothing is by-and-large expensive - take a look at the ventile shirt by westwinds at £100. Most ventile jackets up around £200. Some slightly less, some considerably more. So £115 inc P&P seems to inhabit the lower end of ventile clothing whilst the upper end of poncho prices!

As far as condensation - you do get that on the inside of a normal poncho in use in certain conditions I am afraid - especially in wet cold conditions when you are exerting yourself. In the past I have got quite wet on the inside using a PU coated poncho.

A link to antique bronze is here as someone asked about colours http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=463832&postcount=227

About the freezing issue. I take your point about the ventile going stiff then freezing - I for one do not plan to use it in winter if I can avoid it - and we get so few days of hard frost in most parts of the country. I know that Snowsled have made polar shelters for years out of ventile and seem to work - taking into account the consistent cold rather than cold and wet conditions http://www.snowsled.com/polar/tents.htm

As far as wind goes - well when the wind picks up with my poncho I popper it together. If you added a belt like Wayland did - see picture - then it almost turns it into a shin length coat anyway. Pair that with some gaiters and you have fairly good coverage.

As far as ventile not being 100% waterproof. Yep - that's right. Hopefully having a large double layer on hood and shoulders will help - where most of the rain mainly falls. Keep your ventile proofed and I think things will be just dandy. But only a day out in torrential rain will tell!

I think that ventile and poncho will always be a 'controversial' or contentious matter - inspiring distain in some and curiosity or amusement in others. This is probably why this thread has clocked up over 12,000 views.

Maybe the production of this poncho will help resolve the matter. I for one wait with baited breath!

 

[Shambling Shaman]

Littlebiglane
Oetzi
ZDP-189
Huon
subedarmajor
harlequin
SimonM (potentially!)
MikeE
lmanton
beachlover
malcolmc
Shambling Shaman - ordered today

 

[malcolmc]

Saddle_ tramp & Doc

I’m getting one chiefly because I think it will be quieter than my surplus nylon ones. As well as being less susceptible to damage from hot things I’m hoping it will stand up to the occasional brush with brambles better than the nylon ones which I have a habit of destroying.

Just my take, in addition to Littlebiglane’s earlier post.

 

[ZDP-189]

I'm not expecting quieter, lighter, more water repellant, but I'm hoping for more spark resistant and OK to use as a sleeping bag cover.

 

[brasst]

ventile has been around for donkys years now. and the price still hasnt come down!why wasnt there a market for ventile ponchos ? coz they are crap the only ones to use them are yhe ones that dont go out in the wet or dirt but hey they will look reeeeaaaaal cool at your trendy bushmoot where whenever it rains everybody runs for cover and takes their expensive kit off so it wont get wet or dirtym I know from personal experience ive seen you

 

[Wayland]

ventile has been around for donkys years now. and the price still hasnt come down!why wasnt there a market for ventile ponchos ? coz they are crap the only ones to use them are yhe ones that dont go out in the wet or dirt but hey they will look reeeeaaaaal cool at your trendy bushmoot where whenever it rains everybody runs for cover and takes their expensive kit off so it wont get wet or dirtym I know from personal experience ive seen you

Don't you just love an articulate and grammatically correct argument?

Had a few beers have we?

 

[bikething]

Don't you just love an articulate and grammatically correct argument?

Dunno,... haven't seen one recently

 

[brasst]

Don't you just love an articulate and grammatically correct argument?

Had a few beers have we?


in reply yes i had but then again i had come back from a gloriously cold and wet weekend on the cumbrian fells,that still does not get away from the fact that ventile as a poncho is useless and grossly overpriced. Could I suggest that the next overpriced bargain you all want to fleece the sheep with is a chocolate fireguard for when your all sitting around in your little pompous clicks laughing at the "more money than sense" sheep brigade. and out of curiousity whoever heard of vikings wearing ventile???

 

[Wayland]

As has already been said, Ventile is a bit like Marmite, you either like it or you don't.

People acting like Trolls are however universally disliked.