Cloaks

[S.C.M.]

I wasn't sure if I should post this in the clothing section, so I put it here. If someone wants to move it, fine by me
So I found this video about cloaks
[video=youtube;yN8cYd3poIk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN8cYd3poIk&feature=fvwp&NR=1[/video]

and I wondered, does anyone on here use cloaks? and if they do, what are their opinions on them?

 

[Harvestman]

I really enjoyed that

He's right. Cloaks are good. I only wear mine after dark though, to avoid embarassment.

 

[Tengu]

Me, I have a lukha

and various blankets

 

[bilmo-p5]

IIRC, Drew has a rather fetching black and red number.

 

[Binxie]

I've really been thinking of getting one but I don't want to be heckled by kids in the street.

 

[Llwyd]

I have made many of these over the years but mostly for reinactor people. The one I kept for myself has a sheep skin sewn into the shoulders.

The main side effect of this is that reinactor girls keep wanting to pet me and feed me oat cakes? A mystery that is?

I have yet to test one on any sort of trip or expedition.

 

[Paddytray]

wool blanket man myself I also have a bog oak broach that comes out when no ones looking. Idont know why we dont all wear them though if only it caught back on . http://uniforma-army.ru/italy_rim1.php .
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94393&p=1138876#post1138876

 

[greensurfingbear]

There was a chap who did a you tube video looking at different ways to wear a wool blanket as a clock and how to roll it for sleeping etc.....worth checking it out. I'm on tapatalk on iPad and it's a hassle finding the link lol

 

[Paddytray]

it also makes a good extra layer round your sleeping bag using a paracord woven through the edges to form a bag to pop your sleeping bag in

 

[rik_uk3]

Still got the wife's nursing cloak from back in the 70's, not used in nursing now of course but I'd never get rid of it, she still wears it from time to time

 

[John Fenna]

I often take a cloak out into the woods in winter - great for around the campfire!

 

[Corfe]

Great video - couldn't agree more with the sentiments - I'd be wearing one tomorrow if I thought I could get away with it.

 

[treadlightly]

That was great fun. I love cloaks (and capes and ponchos for that matter). ihe's right about how well they deal with rain. I just wish they were more socially acceptable.

 

[TurboGirl]

I have one I made for festivals but its huge, long and made of old cotton curtains sso useless in the woods in 3 seasons... It's a royal PIA to launder too as it weighs a ton... However it can fit three in comfort in front of a fire and makes me look like a mad auld witch so I love it!

Wool is definately the way forward and I love his simple design- I often use a shawl folded old-stylee to create a collar, it's grand to see a bigger one which will make a hood The cloak nearly got DIY fabsilled, might try it sometime if I didn't think I'd be a human candle at the camp fire

 

[drewdunnrespect]

IIRC, Drew has a rather fetching black and red number.

u remember rightly

 

[Binxie]

Does anyone know where you can get the wool from? The only blankets I can seem to find are only 170x120ish sort of size and are two small to do anything with.

 

[TurboGirl]

I like digging through MOD surplus crates like Anchor Supplies etc- bet you have loads near you They've often been washed and felted a bit so are slightly more stable... otherwise charity shops in the bedding sections can yield up some gems to patchwork together

 

[Paddytray]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130792061350?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 these worked for me

 

[Binxie]

They'll do nicely Paddy, cheers for that.

Also might try having a look around some charity shops as you suggested Turbogirl. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[Badger74]

I bought 3m of a grey wool at £6 per meter, similar to that in guardsmans great coats, and made a 2/3 circluar cloak with a 1.5m radius. Heavy and bulky BUT warm and weatherproof.