I have been after a Ventile smock for a while but haven't gotten around to buying one. Now, with the different climate in my new location (sometimes minus 20 in winter and continental weather means less rain) I feel Ventile to be an even less risky purchase as a main outer shell (don't have the money for everything at once...)
Some questions for those with experience with one or more of these:
http://www.hillgear.com/acatalog/info_31.html
http://www.west-winds.co.uk/antarcticsmock.htm
http://www.snowsled.com/clothing/clothing_classicsmock.htm#
http://www.sasskit.co.uk/ (then navigate to sas smock. can't give direct link as website is weird)
- Does the higher cost of the Snowsled smock imply better craftsmanship? (incidentally the logos of Hilltrek and Snowsled look remarkably similar..has one ripped off the other?)
- Has anyone bought modified versions of any of these? I would prefer to avoid velcro on the half zip storm flap, not because I hunt but because I hate the noise and so does everyone else around you (including the wildlife). What can you recommend as an alternative fastening? I would have a waterproof zip were it the same colour as the smock...maybe I could get black but it's not so practical.
- Do you know which of these have/do not have double ventile shoulders(and/or hood)? I would like them because I'll be using rucksacks with it.
- I will get a single layer ventile smock because more ventile means more to get wet and add unnecesary weight. I feel that if when it's wet and transfers moisture inwards it's not really doing its job, so I'd wear wool beneath and hope...My question is would the lighter L34 varient be too flimsy for general outdoor use?
- In your experience have you found you've used all four pockets on the Antarctic Smock?
- Have you ordered or made yourself a ventile smock/jacket with either a merino or Nikwax Analogy fleece lining? I wonder how well they work in conjunction with ventile in wet weather.
- Is the hood on the Antarctic Smock too restrictive of vision in normal temperate weather?
Apologies for the hodgepodge of questions. If you can answer any one of them then I would be grateful.
Thanks
Some questions for those with experience with one or more of these:
http://www.hillgear.com/acatalog/info_31.html
http://www.west-winds.co.uk/antarcticsmock.htm
http://www.snowsled.com/clothing/clothing_classicsmock.htm#
http://www.sasskit.co.uk/ (then navigate to sas smock. can't give direct link as website is weird)
- Does the higher cost of the Snowsled smock imply better craftsmanship? (incidentally the logos of Hilltrek and Snowsled look remarkably similar..has one ripped off the other?)
- Has anyone bought modified versions of any of these? I would prefer to avoid velcro on the half zip storm flap, not because I hunt but because I hate the noise and so does everyone else around you (including the wildlife). What can you recommend as an alternative fastening? I would have a waterproof zip were it the same colour as the smock...maybe I could get black but it's not so practical.
- Do you know which of these have/do not have double ventile shoulders(and/or hood)? I would like them because I'll be using rucksacks with it.
- I will get a single layer ventile smock because more ventile means more to get wet and add unnecesary weight. I feel that if when it's wet and transfers moisture inwards it's not really doing its job, so I'd wear wool beneath and hope...My question is would the lighter L34 varient be too flimsy for general outdoor use?
- In your experience have you found you've used all four pockets on the Antarctic Smock?
- Have you ordered or made yourself a ventile smock/jacket with either a merino or Nikwax Analogy fleece lining? I wonder how well they work in conjunction with ventile in wet weather.
- Is the hood on the Antarctic Smock too restrictive of vision in normal temperate weather?
Apologies for the hodgepodge of questions. If you can answer any one of them then I would be grateful.
Thanks