Another bushcraft jacket thread

[daffy]

Hello!

I know this has been done to death but I'm really struggling choosing a jacket.

I'm looking for something for bumming about the woods, nothing too technical or expensive.

Main criteria then:

1.)Budget, under £200, preferably new.
2.)Robust with regards to bushes and fire
3.)Waterproof, rather than warm.

My thoughts were either:

1.)Army surplus - MTP MVP Jacket & Smock over the top, MTP MVP Smock (Both options seem hard to come by on surplus websites?) or
2.)Wax jacket ie Barbour or similar (compromise on no 3, I know! Venture seems over budget)

Need some food for thought, what do you wear and why?!

Cheers

 

[SCOMAN]

With the exception of fire (50/50 Polycotton) the Arktis Smocks are spot on IMO

http://www.arktisoutdoor.co.uk/index.php/product-category/smocks/waterproof-jackets-and-smocks/

one on eBay here supposedly in good nick

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arktis-Bl...788954?hash=item41a0b064da:g:5O0AAOSwt6ZWWIsq

There are some MTP MVP Smocks here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...hash=item4622c9ec9b:m:m-Pmno5J2p65sP4vAHaLTig

new but one size only

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...hash=item3f5159277c:m:m-Pmno5J2p65sP4vAHaLTig

and here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...hash=item3ab34e2af7:m:mbFqIl0aqdilhdhTIVmnNkw
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-A...hash=item3ab34e2af7:m:mbFqIl0aqdilhdhTIVmnNkw

Hope that helps

 

[daffy]

Thanks! Although to be honest I'm starting to shy away from the military look. I really can't decide!

Worse than the mrs!

 

[homesicksteve]

How about a Traveller Jacket from Country Innovation ?

http://www.countryinnovation.com/clothing/jackets/traveller-jacket.html#.Vln7VL_5Xs8

No affiliations, just a happy customer.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Forget a 'perfect' do-all jacket and go down the layering route.

I have a wardrobe crammed to bursting point with jackets and the last time I could have been found in the woods wearing one is Jan/Feb last year and even then it was more a case of "I must use this new Cabelas' wool Outfitters jacket".

Why not spend £200 on one or two nice bushcraft compliant shirt/jacks as in a Swani Ranger and/or a Bison Bushcraft shirt and marry with a Paramo Mountain Vent Pull-On if you can still find the latter in the moss offering?

Just a suggestion

K

 

[daffy]

I think you may be right Klenchblaize, I have far too many garments that just haven't had there use.

I've a mint two dogs bush shirt which, although lovely, has never been worn! It'll be headed for the classifieds section when Ive time.

I have a swanni which I wear a lot and I think a paramo or something similar over the top might just do the trick however I read they aren't too robust for bush bashing?

 

[daffy]

Any opinions on the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock as a good all rounder?

 

[Klenchblaize]

I can only recommend the very garments Paramo have just dropped from their line and worn beneath a Swani rather than over.

The Velez would be fine for a walk in the woods but I wouldn't want to go deerstalking in it. How it will perform around camp of a fire I don't know but others may.

K

 

[daffy]

Why is that? Because they are the ones you have owned? Or because of a change in quality?

 

[Klenchblaize]

Yes, I all but live in one of the four Paramo Mountain Pull-On reversible midlayers they have recently stopped producing.

I won't comment or slag-off something I have no experience of but the material of the Velez simply looks easily torn.

I may be wrong.

If you can still find a Mountain Pull-On in Moss, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

K

 

[Grotzilla]

I can second the mountain vent! I wear as a base layer in Summer & Winter reversing the top accordingly.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Klenchblaize]

Yes, they do - or rather did - call it a baselayer but I've never worn one without either a 'T' or merino vest under it.

K

 

[leaky5]

GS workware in Grays Essex have just had their own range of jackets made. They are almost identical copies of the current British Army PCS jackets, they do them in OG, black and various camos. They are about £65 for standard ones and £99 for Goretex lined ones.
I have a standard black one and am really impressed with the quality.

 

[daffy]

aah sorry i see under the swanni! problem is i live in the very wet NW Scotland

 

[Klenchblaize]

Sorry Daffy, I didn't realise you were a Highlander. That puts things in a completely different light and mindful whatever you go for it will require the prior approval of Nicola Sturgeon.

I'll get my coat!

Cheers

K

 

[Brynglas]

I love my Artists lined smock, nikwax wash and proof it occasionally and it's still in good condition after a number of years.

 

[Nomad]

Hoggs of Fife do an non-insulated wax jacket in the traditional style...

http://www.hoggs.co.uk/prodcut_details.php?catid=69&product_id=128#

Can be had for under 40 quid from several suppliers. Probably not the sort of thing for expeditions in storms, but fine for bumming around and general bimbles. Cheap enough to not worry too much if it gets damaged (easy to patch, and cheap to replace). I've got one and I like it. Smells funny, and will hopefully smell funny and look scabby in a few years. I run quite warm if I'm moving at all, and I find this fine. The lining will give a little insulation, but it's noticeably less than the padded types (got one of those as well - too warm for me). Has a chunky plastic zip rather than a chunky brass one.

Their waxed overtrousers are also pretty good...

http://www.hoggs.co.uk/prodcut_details.php?catid=69&product_id=129

Under 30 quid with a bit of shopping around. Would be nice to have a fly and either pockets or openings to reach the pockets in trousers underneath. They're lined 100% with polyester or nylon, so slide on easily (and no 'drag' at the knees when raising a leg).

 

[Hoodoo]

My main recommendation is, regardless of the jacket you buy, get one that feels comfortable, one that has the types of pockets you would prefer, the types of closures you would prefer, and fits properly around the head, neck and wrists.

 

[Silverback 1]

Look no further.
I was sceptical about buying this because it is of a single layer cotton structure called EVENT, but i have been wearing it in all weather's recently, including the really grim stuff, and it is truly an exceptional garment, and we'll under your budget.
Lightweight, waterproof, and extremely windproof and breathable, highly recommended.

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_P...hshkC5sXcsn5LmCkh9sF0BWtDf_pR6s_HaxoC8cnw_wcB

 

[Macaroon]

Look no further.
I was sceptical about buying this because it is of a single layer cotton structure called EVENT, but i have been wearing it in all weather's recently, including the really grim stuff, and it is truly an exceptional garment, and we'll under your budget.
Lightweight, waterproof, and extremely windproof and breathable, highly recommended.

http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_P...hshkC5sXcsn5LmCkh9sF0BWtDf_pR6s_HaxoC8cnw_wcB

Seconded.......This is beyond doubt the best smock I've ever worn, a little expensive on the face of it but worth every penny. Two years into mine and you'll have to prise it from my cold dead mitts to get it from me!!!