Aye Up All,
This appears to be a recurring topic on the site and has prompted me not only to create a review of one which I use frequently myself but to post an insight to the thought process which perhaps ought to go ahead of making a jacket choice.
The question which is the best jacket for BushCraft? is a pretty subjective question a bit like asking what is the best knife? or what is the best boot? As some members have already quite rightly responded It is the jacket that suits your BushCraft needs. There are however, I believe, certain fundamental (possibly common) factors that should guide us in an initial right direction when it comes to choice, e.g. what is the point of wearing a jacket in the first place? Here are a few suggestions
Protection - from the elements - wind/rain/snow/sun/temperature;
Protection - from the environment - foliage hawthorn/gorse/bramble/bracken etc;
Protection - from your activities - shelter/fire construction/use; ground contact; rucksack carriage;
Adjustability the ability to control the micro-climate within your clothing - venting or insulating;
Carriage - of items that support your activities anything from a pencil to another garment!
Concealment if being low profile is a requirement and this doesnt necessarily mean disruptive pattern camouflage.
Many jackets of different fabrics/configuration/style may appear to initially fulfil the above until you explore your own specific use of one and discover both its advantages and limitations. Take the elements aspect for instance would you want to cross country nav or hill-trek, in sunshine, with a pack-load - in a heavy wool smock? (or at anytime for that matter!). Conversely, would you want to sit around a base camp in cool/cold weather - in just a polycotton jacket? Both those statements have in fact introduced not just the weather elements aspect but the personal activities level also! Remaining with the weather aspect though (and both the aforementioned materials) would you want a garment that remains wet for hours after your initial activities whilst you are sat around your base camp or overnight-ting in a (cool) shelter? (cool as in temp not construction!). I learned that lesson with Ventile and wool back in the 80s during a very wet Scottish ML course!) In my experience it is better to have a shell garment that sheds water not holds it hello Goretex etc - but obviously that material is defo not resilient to quite a few BC relevant activities and so a point recently made by another member re not looking for a jacket that does absolutely everything to the letter, holds water, if you will pardon the pun. A few simple questions will inform your thought process: When will you need full H20 proof on the move yes; under your tarp/in your shelter infrequently. When will you need full insulation on the move less likely; static most likely. When will you need the following attributes comfort, robustness, durability, adjust-ability, spark resistance, carriage ability (pockets) and possibly discreet appearance - I would venture almost 24/7. So simply by identifying the point(s) of having a jacket and asking when will I need those features a natural division is identified between H20proof, insulation and other attributes. Indirectly it has identified the layering principle. Without going into the technicalities of it (or the plethora of material types and claims within it) the layering principle does offer the most versatility of any clothing system. Allied to intelligent selection of base/mid layer materials and garment styles and correct venting/insulating practice relevant to your activities it is difficult to beat. In my experience the main challenge of the layering system is getting the bulk-to-function for each garment correct so that you achieve comfort without towing a hand cart behind. But to maintain focus on that BushCraft jacket itself (which I believe fits into the outer-layer (not the shell!) of the layering system, there is yet another fundamental element to it fit! I have often watched in dismay people trying on (and purchasing) clothing, particularly mil surplus jackets and trousers which were simply too small, with the potential to restrict movement when under-layers are added leading to cold spots at pressure points especially at elbows; knees; seat; shoulders etc. Shoulder width is probably the most critical dimension especially if the jacket has a set-in sleeve construction (a la M65 pattern) and if you (mistakenly) choose it exactly whilst wearing only thin layers beneath. As you subsequently have to add layers whilst in the great outdoors that arm seam moves onto the shoulder plane tightening the arm hole and shortening the sleeve length= physical and thermal discomfort. Better to start with a jacket that is slightly too big and allow for those under layers, you can always roll cuffs and pull in waist and hem cords when under-layers are fewer. (or is it just about looking Gucci?
) Or you can purchase a jacket that doesnt have the (mostly now outdated) set-in sleeve in favour of the kimono style (more on that in Part 2.) Oh yes and there is one other aspect (a major requirement perhaps in the view of some) which has to be factored in value for money! Im fortunate enough to have either been issued with or able to have afforded some of the most technically capable (claimed!) and expensive C&E over many decades and it has all been used up to and beyond its design capabilities. Much of it has been nice to own but rarely has it surpassed expectations in the field. There are alternatives. I think that I have now more than scratched the surface re BC jacket requirements/specifications and more importantly pre-purchase thought process without yet identifying a specific recommendation. No doubt there will be those who wish to add to or challenge my opinions - which is a good thing before I do post the review so that this info and any comments can be absorbed and subsequently applied by anyone later viewing the best BushCraft jacket review, which I will post tomorrow. Enjoy! 
This appears to be a recurring topic on the site and has prompted me not only to create a review of one which I use frequently myself but to post an insight to the thought process which perhaps ought to go ahead of making a jacket choice.
The question which is the best jacket for BushCraft? is a pretty subjective question a bit like asking what is the best knife? or what is the best boot? As some members have already quite rightly responded It is the jacket that suits your BushCraft needs. There are however, I believe, certain fundamental (possibly common) factors that should guide us in an initial right direction when it comes to choice, e.g. what is the point of wearing a jacket in the first place? Here are a few suggestions
Protection - from the elements - wind/rain/snow/sun/temperature;
Protection - from the environment - foliage hawthorn/gorse/bramble/bracken etc;
Protection - from your activities - shelter/fire construction/use; ground contact; rucksack carriage;
Adjustability the ability to control the micro-climate within your clothing - venting or insulating;
Carriage - of items that support your activities anything from a pencil to another garment!
Concealment if being low profile is a requirement and this doesnt necessarily mean disruptive pattern camouflage.
Many jackets of different fabrics/configuration/style may appear to initially fulfil the above until you explore your own specific use of one and discover both its advantages and limitations. Take the elements aspect for instance would you want to cross country nav or hill-trek, in sunshine, with a pack-load - in a heavy wool smock? (or at anytime for that matter!). Conversely, would you want to sit around a base camp in cool/cold weather - in just a polycotton jacket? Both those statements have in fact introduced not just the weather elements aspect but the personal activities level also! Remaining with the weather aspect though (and both the aforementioned materials) would you want a garment that remains wet for hours after your initial activities whilst you are sat around your base camp or overnight-ting in a (cool) shelter? (cool as in temp not construction!). I learned that lesson with Ventile and wool back in the 80s during a very wet Scottish ML course!) In my experience it is better to have a shell garment that sheds water not holds it hello Goretex etc - but obviously that material is defo not resilient to quite a few BC relevant activities and so a point recently made by another member re not looking for a jacket that does absolutely everything to the letter, holds water, if you will pardon the pun. A few simple questions will inform your thought process: When will you need full H20 proof on the move yes; under your tarp/in your shelter infrequently. When will you need full insulation on the move less likely; static most likely. When will you need the following attributes comfort, robustness, durability, adjust-ability, spark resistance, carriage ability (pockets) and possibly discreet appearance - I would venture almost 24/7. So simply by identifying the point(s) of having a jacket and asking when will I need those features a natural division is identified between H20proof, insulation and other attributes. Indirectly it has identified the layering principle. Without going into the technicalities of it (or the plethora of material types and claims within it) the layering principle does offer the most versatility of any clothing system. Allied to intelligent selection of base/mid layer materials and garment styles and correct venting/insulating practice relevant to your activities it is difficult to beat. In my experience the main challenge of the layering system is getting the bulk-to-function for each garment correct so that you achieve comfort without towing a hand cart behind. But to maintain focus on that BushCraft jacket itself (which I believe fits into the outer-layer (not the shell!) of the layering system, there is yet another fundamental element to it fit! I have often watched in dismay people trying on (and purchasing) clothing, particularly mil surplus jackets and trousers which were simply too small, with the potential to restrict movement when under-layers are added leading to cold spots at pressure points especially at elbows; knees; seat; shoulders etc. Shoulder width is probably the most critical dimension especially if the jacket has a set-in sleeve construction (a la M65 pattern) and if you (mistakenly) choose it exactly whilst wearing only thin layers beneath. As you subsequently have to add layers whilst in the great outdoors that arm seam moves onto the shoulder plane tightening the arm hole and shortening the sleeve length= physical and thermal discomfort. Better to start with a jacket that is slightly too big and allow for those under layers, you can always roll cuffs and pull in waist and hem cords when under-layers are fewer. (or is it just about looking Gucci?
) Or you can purchase a jacket that doesnt have the (mostly now outdated) set-in sleeve in favour of the kimono style (more on that in Part 2.) Oh yes and there is one other aspect (a major requirement perhaps in the view of some) which has to be factored in value for money! Im fortunate enough to have either been issued with or able to have afforded some of the most technically capable (claimed!) and expensive C&E over many decades and it has all been used up to and beyond its design capabilities. Much of it has been nice to own but rarely has it surpassed expectations in the field. There are alternatives. I think that I have now more than scratched the surface re BC jacket requirements/specifications and more importantly pre-purchase thought process without yet identifying a specific recommendation. No doubt there will be those who wish to add to or challenge my opinions - which is a good thing before I do post the review so that this info and any comments can be absorbed and subsequently applied by anyone later viewing the best BushCraft jacket review, which I will post tomorrow. Enjoy! 
