Hello to all, old reader-turned-new member. I have some questions about smocks when you might have some free time, and I know of nowhere else to get solid feedback but on this website. I am relatively new to smocks, having been introduced to them by another US veteran, but I am a huge fan and now own multiple copies, of which I make regular and hard use in my area. So far, everything from Arktis: everything is holding up well in rain, wind, cold, and in mountain hiking use. Zero complaints and I am happy.
One thing I would like to know, is, why does their material vary? For instance, the Core products seem thicker and heavier than the rest. French CE, Olive Green, Irish DPM are all equally robust; M90K and PenCott GreenZone are thinner, and Flecktarn is thinner still, even though they were manufactured in the same year. Does anyone here know why this is?
Another question I have, is, are all smocks Made in UK, or some elsewhere? The tag says so, but Lara Tactical (France) did a tour of the UK facility and was told design is what Exeter does, and that many products are "made in the EU." Program can be found here:
I am wondering if factory location might account for differing quality.
Last question is: is SASS still in the smock business and if not, are there any other smock manufacturers equal to or better than Arktis? Heretofore I have been "brand loyal" and Arktis has products I would additionally like to buy and add to my collection (B220, B211), but they don't respond to e-mails with questions much (if at all), so I am guessing government contracts are the priority and retail customers, not so much. SASS is highly spoken of by British military veterans but they don't seem to be around, anymore. Are there other solid options?
Sorry for the longwinded post, but there's no one and nowhere else I can turn for answers, but here.
Cheers, everyone!
One thing I would like to know, is, why does their material vary? For instance, the Core products seem thicker and heavier than the rest. French CE, Olive Green, Irish DPM are all equally robust; M90K and PenCott GreenZone are thinner, and Flecktarn is thinner still, even though they were manufactured in the same year. Does anyone here know why this is?
Another question I have, is, are all smocks Made in UK, or some elsewhere? The tag says so, but Lara Tactical (France) did a tour of the UK facility and was told design is what Exeter does, and that many products are "made in the EU." Program can be found here:
I am wondering if factory location might account for differing quality.
Last question is: is SASS still in the smock business and if not, are there any other smock manufacturers equal to or better than Arktis? Heretofore I have been "brand loyal" and Arktis has products I would additionally like to buy and add to my collection (B220, B211), but they don't respond to e-mails with questions much (if at all), so I am guessing government contracts are the priority and retail customers, not so much. SASS is highly spoken of by British military veterans but they don't seem to be around, anymore. Are there other solid options?
Sorry for the longwinded post, but there's no one and nowhere else I can turn for answers, but here.
Cheers, everyone!
