Long Distance Walking (>4000km) + Wild Camping, Woolen Travel Over-Garment or Cloak

[fleetwalker]

This is a practical request. I would really like to appeal to the experience and knowledge of the community here to come up with a pattern or ideas for an over garment that is suitable for a very long walk over months and varied terrain without the use of much or any modern clothing/shelter. This may be part of a larger series of posts as I flesh out my plan.

This community has some of the most discussion on woolen cloaks and garments i could find on the internet. I have been all over the search and found a couple useful threads, but they don't quite answer what I need to know.
A great one is: https://bushcraftuk.com/community/threads/travel-cloak.162933/
Many of the other threads are more about people wanting to look like jedis or elves, and while that is brilliant and perhaps a plus, my main purpose is not related to that.

It's apparent to most people the basic benefits of wool cloaks and over coats and the like, but it would really like to zero in on an actual specific pattern/design/material, so I can make or have made something for myself that will work well on my actual intended walk.

Here are some of my initial thoughts below:

Terrain:
For Long Distance Walking from South East Asia into Pamir Mountains
Terrain anywhere beween Hot and Humid to Dry and Cold

Important Aspects:
Some mosquito protection....
Will encounter heavy rain (ideally can use this garment as rain gear or at very least in conjunction with a simple poncho)
Can dry well while in use/worn
Use as Blanket (I have experienced many cold nights even far south)
Resistant to body/sweat odor (Ideally doesnt start to smell like shte too soon, wool/sheep smell is fine)
Good warmth/weight ratio
Neutral inconspicuous color like grey or brown.
Does not look expensive or fine, nor too rough. (not nice-looking enough for people to want to steal or rob me for, not rough enough for people to think I am a beggar)
Has hood
Can accommodate wearing backpack or sling bag inside or outside
Easy/quick to wrap/don
Does not reveal nakedness beneath (allowing me to be naked and stay jail-free while I am hanging my normally internally-worn clothes on outside of pack to dry out while walking)
No contact with armpit (cloak style or large Armscye, to keep garment as odor free as long as possible without intense washing)


Wishlist Features:
natural anti insect treatment methods? (via soaking/boiling?Lanolin?)
Internal and External Pockets for storage and hand protection from sun/weather/insects
Rolled edge seam can be used as long slim pocket
Can be used as shelte with a walking stick
Zips recessed behind edge, garment be folded/zipped into a sleeping bag or bivvy
Two thin layers instead of one?
Lining for keeping clean and cool?
Pattern simple enough to be recreated or copied if neccessary by normal street tailors
ideally not a button up
Opens at front?


Possible Material:
Barathea
Loden
Boiled/felted wool?
Alpaca?

Form ideas:
Cloak
Robe/Kaftan
Ruana
Himation
Djellaba
Birrus Britannicus

Ideas for What is Worn Underneath:
Simple loose linen or cotton button down shirt with large armscye
Sarong/Dhoti
Sarouel/harem pants

Interesting Quote about Birrus Britannicus:
"it would then have been spun and woven in the grease. So, you’ve still got the lanolin. So, once it was made and you’re wearing it, it’s all covered in lanolin. So, when the rain hits it, that runs off. Now we know it would’ve been spun as a worsted spin. So that’s spun along the fibres because that’s the best one to help the rain also runoff as well. It’s almost like today’s wax jacket. You could think of it in the same way. You know, the Barber wax jackets, you put those on, they’re covered with the covering of oil to help the rain and their waterproof as well. And windproof, which the Birrus would’ve been as well, it was a tightly woven cloak. "


It would be great to get an earnest conversation started about this garment, introduce any additional considerations for its use that you all might have, and then narrow down on the practical points/design.

Your wisdom would be so appreciated and will likely make a direct difference in my comfort and ease on my next trip!
Thank you in advance.

 

[fleetwalker]

You seem like very experienced on this particular subject, @Toddy , I would really appreciate some of your thoughts here.

 

[Tengu]

Im having trouble with the idea of something that is for all climes

(Dont look at me; I work in the Iron Age).

 

[Toddy]

I don't know what age you are, but my generation was probably the last to use Barathea overcoats as standard school wear. They pre-dated the mass produced waterproof cagoules....before that there were only really heavy and very sweaty oilskins, the kind deckhands used. Barathea coats over wool blazers kept kids warm for generations.

A Stockman's coat is more useful than a cloak. A Stockman's coat with a hood, made of Barathea would be superb, but verrrry expensive. The last time I bought Barathea of a suitable weight for this was over twenty years ago and I paid £28 a metre then, and that was a sale price.

My wax jacket is lined with good wool flannel, and it's been utterly bombproof.

I think, to cover all eventualities, that a Stockman's coat in waxed cotton with a wool flannel lining, might be your best bet.

It won't look as remarkable as a cloak, if you have both the yoke and the hood removable (they can be one piece, no leaks or drafts) then you just have a long coat. Find a neutral colour, doesn't need to be black or navy, it can be olive green or rust or sand coloured, but try to avoid looking military in the cut, in the buttons, etc. Personally I'd go with a decent zip and a fold over stud flap.....and I'd build in hidden pockets inside, and make sure that the outer pockets did not let rain run into them.

My tuppence ha'penny worth

 

[Lean'n'mean]

I too would go with something in waxed cotton but since you're going to be in hot & humid conditions, a hooded oilskin watchcoat would be more comfortable as it's lighter in weight, more packable & you can better regulate the heat & humidity build up underneath. Wouldn't be able to wear a large pack underneath & though it could pass as a rainproof cover, it wouldn't serve as a blanket as they are unlined.
There are also oilskin ponchos to consider, or even just a good quality poncho with a removable liner.
Looking at your criteria list though, you are asking a lot from one piece of clothing.

 

[fleetwalker]

These are the type of feedback I was looking for. Thank you. I currently use a synthetic poncho, and it has been my go to for breathable rain protection for many years.
Maybe a light woolen wide overcoat/watchcoat paired with an oversized width synthetic poncho would be the way to go. Can be cinched up with a belt or left open to thermo-regulate. Zip built in for optional use. That should be enough for a wide variety of use. My biggest issue in the past is staying warm while wet (obvious) even with a poncho (or two). When it is constantly raining, no matter the rain gear, and there is not shelter/one needs to keep moving, changing into dry clothes means that set just gets wet too, then one is carrying around a lot of heavy wet clothes while one is wet. Or one has to stop moving, which can get cold (even near equator), and wait 3-4 days until the rain stops and everything has finally dried (while damp and cold) and then hope that the rain doesnt start again after a day or two....

 

[fleetwalker]

I don't know what age you are, but my generation was probably the last to use Barathea overcoats as standard school wear. They pre-dated the mass produced waterproof cagoules....before that there were only really heavy and very sweaty oilskins, the kind deckhands used. Barathea coats over wool blazers kept kids warm for generations.

A Stockman's coat is more useful than a cloak. A Stockman's coat with a hood, made of Barathea would be superb, but verrrry expensive. The last time I bought Barathea of a suitable weight for this was over twenty years ago and I paid £28 a metre then, and that was a sale price.

My wax jacket is lined with good wool flannel, and it's been utterly bombproof.

I think, to cover all eventualities, that a Stockman's coat in waxed cotton with a wool flannel lining, might be your best bet.

It won't look as remarkable as a cloak, if you have both the yoke and the hood removable (they can be one piece, no leaks or drafts) then you just have a long coat. Find a neutral colour, doesn't need to be black or navy, it can be olive green or rust or sand coloured, but try to avoid looking military in the cut, in the buttons, etc. Personally I'd go with a decent zip and a fold over stud flap.....and I'd build in hidden pockets inside, and make sure that the outer pockets did not let rain run into them.

My tuppence ha'penny worth

Can barathea be boiled or put in hot dryer to get ride of lice or bedbugs, will probably be ruined no?

 

[Toddy]

If it's washed hot before the garment is made.....and that depends on the quality of what is used as 'barathea'....much nowadays is fine stuff for evening wear. Boiled wool isn't boiled, it's just washed at around 60˚C.

Lice were a problem for soldiers in the past, my g.g. Uncles fought in the trenches in WW1, and their kilts were ideal hiding places for lice and fleas. One came home on leave and his Mum and sisters were so appalled that his Dad took him out to the cowshed and had him strip off and he washed in a tin bath out there with carbolic; they weren't having lice or fleas in the house.

They washed his uniform in the big copper......the trick is not to agitate the wool while it's in the water. They didn't boil it, but they did wash it hot with carbolic. No thermal shock while it was wet. Laid it out to dry, and then they steam pressed everything before he went back to the front all clean and as freshly dressed as they could make him, with new underthings, socks and shirts.
Like so many others he took the Low Road home, and he was missed, missed enough that even a great niece so many years later was told what state the soldiers were in and how they'd tried to make one of theirs as comfortable as they could.....so, no, I wouldn't boil, but I'd find a decent soap (and it has a very distinctive smell, can you cope with that ? ) or a more modern alternative. Flea spray works, folks with pets that go outdoors use it. Not good on our skin though.
What do soldiers use nowadays ?

I worked outdoors, in every weather the UK could throw at us. Some places we had no way to dry out clothing even overnight.
Best we could do was stop the windchill and keep moving. Good cagoules and waterproof trousers, even over wet clothing, keeps the wind out, and if you keep moving, you'll live. Might be kind of miserable, but you'll live.

We talk a lot about layers for the outdoors, something you can open up, let the heat of the body drive off the built up moisture, stop things getting too wet...it works, but it needs forethought, it needs an awareness of climate and season and just where you are.

What works in a sodden wet cold dreich Scottish Winter is going to be most unpleasant in hot dry, with occasional thunderstorms, elsewhere.

A poncho's good, it covers your kit and yourself if need be, but it's 'noticeable', it flaps around if you don't have the straps and studs just right, but it works.

Layers, I reckon your best bet is layers.....like my waxed cotton with wool lining.....but maybe with a poncho to pull on over the top of everything if the weather gets miserable ?
Sweaty though.

Even the Pilgrims had regular stopping places to wash up, tend to their clothing.
I think you need to consider doing likewise. Kit check, sort out stuff, be as clean and dry (as you can) before you set off again.

 

[Tengu]

Yes, that makes sense...have a break too.

But I have never done such a thing and I would get bored pretty fast.

 

[GreyCat]

@fleetwalker : you might want to look up "Fandabi Dozi" on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@FandabiDozi

He has done quite a lot about the Great Kilt:

GC

 

[fleetwalker]

If it's washed hot before the garment is made.....and that depends on the quality of what is used as 'barathea'....much nowadays is fine stuff for evening wear. Boiled wool isn't boiled, it's just washed at around 60˚C.

Lice were a problem for soldiers in the past, my g.g. Uncles fought in the trenches in WW1, and their kilts were ideal hiding places for lice and fleas. One came home on leave and his Mum and sisters were so appalled that his Dad took him out to the cowshed and had him strip off and he washed in a tin bath out there with carbolic; they weren't having lice or fleas in the house.

They washed his uniform in the big copper......the trick is not to agitate the wool while it's in the water. They didn't boil it, but they did wash it hot with carbolic. No thermal shock while it was wet. Laid it out to dry, and then they steam pressed everything before he went back to the front all clean and as freshly dressed as they could make him, with new underthings, socks and shirts.
Like so many others he took the Low Road home, and he was missed, missed enough that even a great niece so many years later was told what state the soldiers were in and how they'd tried to make one of theirs as comfortable as they could.....so, no, I wouldn't boil, but I'd find a decent soap (and it has a very distinctive smell, can you cope with that ? ) or a more modern alternative. Flea spray works, folks with pets that go outdoors use it. Not good on our skin though.
What do soldiers use nowadays ?

I worked outdoors, in every weather the UK could throw at us. Some places we had no way to dry out clothing even overnight.
Best we could do was stop the windchill and keep moving. Good cagoules and waterproof trousers, even over wet clothing, keeps the wind out, and if you keep moving, you'll live. Might be kind of miserable, but you'll live.

We talk a lot about layers for the outdoors, something you can open up, let the heat of the body drive off the built up moisture, stop things getting too wet...it works, but it needs forethought, it needs an awareness of climate and season and just where you are.

What works in a sodden wet cold dreich Scottish Winter is going to be most unpleasant in hot dry, with occasional thunderstorms, elsewhere.

A poncho's good, it covers your kit and yourself if need be, but it's 'noticeable', it flaps around if you don't have the straps and studs just right, but it works.

Layers, I reckon your best bet is layers.....like my waxed cotton with wool lining.....but maybe with a poncho to pull on over the top of everything if the weather gets miserable ?
Sweaty though.

Even the Pilgrims had regular stopping places to wash up, tend to their clothing.
I think you need to consider doing likewise. Kit check, sort out stuff, be as clean and dry (as you can) before you set off again.

Yes maybe combining synthetic and organic layers and cinching them down with a belt would do the trick. All of these ideas make lots of sense for northern and cooler climate, but I wonder if they might not also be viable in wet and humid, when of a more medium weight and worn openly. For instance I know linen was used in Europe etc, but it also is a good fabric for hot and humid climates as well

 

[fleetwalker]

@fleetwalker : you might want to look up "Fandabi Dozi" on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@FandabiDozi

He has done quite a lot about the Great Kilt:

GC

This is a very useful explanation for a very versatile piece of clothing. It also led me to the Manta de Castilla used by chilean outdoorsmen.
We are getting closer.
Thank you so far.

If anyone has more like this I would love to know.

 

[Ozmundo]

I know that some people have done the Camino del Nord/Primitivo routes using reproduction medieval clothing in modern times.

I’ve only tried a quick Google search and came up blank. But I know there are several blogs about it is out there.

Some common things I recall from the articles were that all were of groups using the oberge/hostel network do not carrying camp kit. As such they were not especially encumbered, indeed many people were carrying more load in modern kit.

Specifically mention were that the short medieval travel cloak was well liked over a long garment as an outer layer. Essentially something closer to hip length as it gave adequate protection with pit excess weight or hassle.

 

[fleetwalker]

I know that some people have done the Camino del Nord/Primitivo routes using reproduction medieval clothing in modern times.

I’ve only tried a quick Google search and came up blank. But I know there are several blogs about it is out there.

Some common things I recall from the articles were that all were of groups using the oberge/hostel network do not carrying camp kit. As such they were not especially encumbered, indeed many people were carrying more load in modern kit.

Specifically mention were that the short medieval travel cloak was well liked over a long garment as an outer layer. Essentially something closer to hip length as it gave adequate protection with pit excess weight or hassle.

useful note on length

 

[Ozmundo]

Yes. I have a calf length cloak gets used for sitting around the fire. Effectively a rectangular brushed wool blanket with a pennanular broach on the shoulder. Quite nice for a nap or sleeping layer but not my first choice when moving on foot.

Wool tunic, leggings and winnigas absolutely fine. No worse than modern clothing for any task really.

 

[Ozmundo]

Double post.

 

[Tengu]

My question would be what did the locals wear traditionally?

(But not all traditional clothing is suited to the climate, and I doubt many folks were crossing climatic zones anyway).

 

[fleetwalker]

My question would be what did the locals wear traditionally?

(But not all traditional clothing is suited to the climate, and I doubt many folks were crossing climatic zones anyway).

I have been reading a lot about how wool is was used in hot desert climates for temperature regulation, then I thought, what about in hot and wet climates? I do not see many examples, but one notable one would be the "Jungle Sweater" used by States military in WW2 and Vietnam. It looks to be a thin woolen jumper with buttons below neck. Was purported to be perfect for the climate. Not thick enough to be hot, but due to it being wool, it kept soldiers warm when wet (which is a real problem in the jungle that I have experienced myself)

Locals in most jungle climates often wear long sleeves and pants (even jumpers!), so this also tracks.

 

[fleetwalker]

Yes. I have a calf length cloak gets used for sitting around the fire. Effectively a rectangular brushed wool blanket with a pennanular broach on the shoulder. Quite nice for a nap or sleeping layer but not my first choice when moving on foot.

Wool tunic, leggings and winnigas absolutely fine. No worse than modern clothing for any task really.

The winnigas is a golden idea. Easy to replace. Versatile in use (with many different types of footwear).

 

[fleetwalker]

Thanks to all your suggestions. I am not close to finished on this subject, but so far I am thinking the following with regard to clothing and sleep/shelter:
UPPER-
1x synthetic poncho - easy to find and replace
1x light weight woolen great kilt - aka 5m x 1.5m bolt of light nondescript plain coloured woolen fabric (not sure on exact weight, ideally with lanolin still in? or maybe it can be treated?), can be used for sleep and shelter, doubled up for warmth, adjusted for thermoregulation, ideally can be replaced without much hassle

LOWER-
Kilt - see above
thin linen or woolen shirt - naturally coloured with buttons and with wide armscye
sarong and/or very thin loose trousers - I wear dhoti/sarong regularly and love it.
breechcloth - woolen or linen or cotton, for keeping rest of clothes clean when sweat
winnigas - for leg protection

OTHER-
Walking stick - multiuse
Hammock - cheap woven one can be bought in most of third world
light Straw mat
1x synthetic ground cloth

ideally all can be easily repaired or replaced inexpensively in most locations
ideally none are a large target for theft

Depending on how far we get here, I would like to tackle the rest of the setup (food, water, fire, carrying etc.)

Would love more thoughts, advice, and criticism here.