Hard wearing jacket/smock...

[The Big Lebowski]

Been looking for a hard wearing jacket or even smock for bushcraft related day to day use... Showerproof is fine, waterproof better really but ideally,
something thats going to give a couple of years hard use. Well, as hard as a tree swinging chill monkey can get LoL!

Two intersting smocks so far, are...

Buffalo sytems special 6 shirt,
Montane Men's Extreme Smock.

Grateful for any pointers, Budget £100 or so.

al.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

both great for hard mountain use, buffalo useful for canoeing too. lightweight, hi warmth. not waterproof though, not meant to be. not sure how much abuse the shell would take if yr thinking brambles, sparks and barbed fences. but then, i had a snugpak sleeka elite for my extra warmth layer for 5 yrs now and not a snag on it.
not sure the 2 you mentioned would be my first choice for bushcrafting, i'd probable get a decent fleece or/and sweater and chuck a smock on top. even my goretex is rarely used unless i have to.

you could try a softeshell, webtex do one in green, mines a togg24, hooded, very good slouchy windproof warm layer, bombproof build and doesn't wear out. high activity does cause mine to condensate, but for dossing about in its fantastic. my mates use soft shell jacket and trousers in the mountains now waterproofs ontop if it rains, but just softeshells on the legs. seems to work for them. they take a long time to completely dry out once saturated tho.
food for thought buddy

 

[TeeDee]

Buffalo sytems special 6 shirt,
Montane Men's Extreme Smock.

al.

Of the two the Montane for cost.

But if I may suggest a 3rd alternative?

Get yourself a custom fibre pile fleece made up to YOUR individual measurments from Extreme Outdoor clothing for Under £100 , in your size , specs and colour.

http://www.centralgroupuk.com/ebolcastle/extremecc/index1024.htm


A bcuk review ( 'orrible colour ! ) http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18622&

 

[Shewie]

What about ventile ?

There's a Snowsled smock in navy size M here ..
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72870

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Cheers guy's, food for thought indeedy!

Think what I'm looking for really is autumn/winter gear... Or static summer/poor weather. Something that can live in the pack.
I already have fleeces (not overly technical, but warm) and tend to run hot anyway, so t-shirts in the summer mostly.

Just had a look-see and I reckon I could pick up the montane for £70. Thats some serious jacket for the money

Hmmmm. al.

 

[TeeDee]

Cheers guy's, food for thought indeedy!

Think what I'm looking for really is autumn/winter gear... Or static summer/poor weather. Something that can live in the pack.
I already have fleeces (not overly technical, but warm) and tend to run hot anyway, so t-shirts in the summer mostly.

Just had a look-see and I reckon I could pick up the montane for £70. Thats some serious jacket for the money

Hmmmm. al.

The only thing I would say with The Montane is that their sizing is 'tight' ( which obviously works well for ridding water ) I found sizing on the small side for mooching around in the woods.

### I just saw on another post your a L or XL ,in which case you may want to try before you buy with montane. Shame they dont make them in more 'robust' sizes.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

What about ventile ?

There's a Snowsled smock in navy size M here ..
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72870

Nice find Rich, nicer price but sadly... I swing between L or XL depending on cut

Teedee, I'll look into that then, thanks... go outdoors in cardiff has both the L, XL so I may pop in and try a fitting next time I pass.

Rabbitsmacker, some good reading and cheers for the detailed reply!

I would actually prefere something snug(ish) that can just be thrown on for the day/night. Depending on how restrictive is is of course.

al.

 

[TeeDee]

I had to trade mine on because getting my hands over my head turned into some weird charles atlas exercise. Very tight , for me.
I would look into the Extreme smock , my mate had one made up and it was top notch work.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

yeah actually i am large to xl sizing, and picked up a buffalo in size large and the whole over the head going in from the open side type procedure meant it went on once, came off forever and went on to someone 'slimmer'. in snugpak i'm a large. in all their stuff. my mate had a rab down jacket thingy, he runs cold, and froze in it, i run hot, snugpak sleeka elite, i was nice and warm, and had a big smile on my face cos mine only cost £60 against his £300

 

[The Big Lebowski]

Cheers teedee

Just been having a browse of the extreme stuff, prices are good too!

Regards, al.

 

[mountainm]

yeah actually i am large to xl sizing, and picked up a buffalo in size large and the whole over the head going in from the open side type procedure meant it went on once, came off forever and went on to someone 'slimmer'. in snugpak i'm a large. in all their stuff. my mate had a rab down jacket thingy, he runs cold, and froze in it, i run hot, snugpak sleeka elite, i was nice and warm, and had a big smile on my face cos mine only cost £60 against his £300

I just got the army version for a tenner! With the matching trousers I will look very fetching

 

[The Big Lebowski]

and had a big smile on my face cos mine only cost £60 against his £300

Eeek! Been a long time since i spent that type of dosh on clothing! I did have a Rab over the head down jacket years ago, found it superb.

al.

 

[TeeDee]

Cheers teedee

Just been having a browse of the extreme stuff, prices are good too!

Regards, al.

I wouldnt pay too much notice to that website , I don't think its been updated in a while , he stills makes stuff , and his details cant be got there or out the back of Gunmart magazine advertising the 'Where Eagles Dare' Smock.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

good price there tee dee, i got the army snug trousers off ebay for a £1! plus p&p came to £4!! don't tend to use them much tho, doss about round the house in the darker months in them mind! lol

 

[mountainm]

good price there tee dee, i got the army snug trousers off ebay for a £1! plus p&p came to £4!! don't tend to use them much tho, doss about round the house in the darker months in them mind! lol

I'm planning on using my snugpak suit for a spot of winter fishing under some waterproofs...

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

ideal mate, i've used it for standing behind a blind while shooting, nice and toasty! i also have some thinsulate moleskin type trousers with elastic removable braces from 'tchibo' a few years ago, excellent, dark green too. shame tchibo aren't in uk anymore, but you can mail order.

 

[zarkwon]

The Montane is the dogs danglies imho. Got a few clothing items from them and all excellent. Water resistance is good on smock though not sure how it degrades with time as only got it last winter. The hood is class.