Smocks. I know I know but...

[uaoao]

Overhead smocks look cool, but can do your head in when youre sweating :lol, they remind me of either football hooligans, or ww2 commandos.

 

[Tat2trev]

I have an overhead olive green Dutch army NBC jacket and wear it everyday it's waterproof wind proof and very warm .
I also have DPM smocks too which also see good usage

 

[demographic]

They offer less versatility with ventilation, are a pain to get on and off (especially when wet) and make it slower to swap layers around when your activity level changes. Oh, and I don't like tunnel pockets. Full length, decent quality zips every time for me.

All that^.

For me the only two good points about them is the large front pocket which holds a map with ease and the fact that I can pretend to be Kirk Douglas in the Heroes of the Telemark whilst wearing one.
I think I need work on my chin though.

 

[Goatboy]

Overhead smocks look cool, but can do your head in when youre sweating :lol, they remind me of either football hooligans, or ww2 commandos.

...Basically something that strikes fear into the visited populace then!?

 

[woof]

Overhead smocks look cool, but can do your head in when youre sweating :lol, they remind me of either football hooligans, or ww2 commandos.

Works for me.

Rob

 

[Kilbith]

They offer less versatility with ventilation, are a pain to get on and off (especially when wet) and make it slower to swap layers around when your activity level changes. Oh, and I don't like tunnel pockets. Full length, decent quality zips every time for me.

I agree with you in "normal conditions" but not in some circonstances.

When you have a rucksack or a pulka the hipbelt close your jacket like a smock. But with the smock and a deep zip you can have quite the same ventilation.

If you have a long coat, the zip is a problem. First It could hurt under a belt, and it is the forst thing who will be destroyed (when sitting or kneeling), even If you a zip with a bottom opening (lot of jam).

When you have big gauntlets in deep cold, a well made smoke is easier to put on than a jacket with zip or other small motor skilled buttons.

Here (on the right) a ventile long smock in finland from tamarack.

(sorry for my baby english)