Ventile vs. G1000

[John Fenna]

I must admit that I do not select clothing based on its environmental impact, but that being said, the environmental impact of products can be very tricky, and is not always what people expect. Some natural materials are produced at great cost, while some non-natural ones are actually relatively environmentally friendly. Some manufacturers like Patagonia for example have started to publish the details of their production chains. Hopefully more companies will do that so people can make better comparisons.

All very true - which is why I like recycled pop-bottle fleeces over "virgin" fleeces for instance - but it is hard to find all the info on these things ... so I try and get kit that claims some eco-cred over thoses that ignore the issue completely.

 

[Chiseller]

Still got that ventile cape/poncho John? Nudge nudge

 

[Jakob-Julius]

By the way, does anyone know if Fjallraven and Hilltrek clothing is still manufactured in Sweden and UK?

 

[John Fenna]

Still got that ventile cape/poncho John? Nudge nudge

Never had one - Wayland is your man for that one

 

[forestwalker]

Not many folk seem to be worried about the environmental impact of the various choices although I am of the opinion that this is an important aspect of gear choice...

Hmm, linnen should be mostly ok. As is *some* wool. Veg. tan leather (and braintan) as well.

 

[John Fenna]

Hmm, linnen should be mostly ok. As is *some* wool. Veg. tan leather (and braintan) as well.

I have whole outfits that are all pure linen wool and veg tan leather, made by me (so it was not sweat shop labour!) and partially from upcycled materials!
OK - it is a bit retro (it is for work at an Iron Age fort) but it works brilliantly!

I have also made my own more modern garments from wool and cotton Ventile-esque which also work well and are cheaper than bought

 

[Chiseller]

Apologies John for the elbows I thought I'd seen you mentioned reviewing one

Why am I thinking chainsaw massacre when I look at this picture

I do admire your handy work :thumbup:

 

[John Fenna]

Apologies John for the elbows I thought I'd seen you mentioned reviewing one

Why am I thinking chainsaw massacre when I look at this picture

I do admire your handy work :thumbup:

I always wanted a Ventile pocho ... but reviews had already been done
I have not seen the massacre film so the reference is lost on me I am afraid - I am also afraid of chainsaws since one spat its chain at me....
I just love making things!

 

[forestwalker]

I have whole outfits that are all pure linen wool and veg tan leather, made by me (so it was not sweat shop labour!) and partially from upcycled materials!
OK - it is a bit retro (it is for work at an Iron Age fort) but it works brilliantly!

So have I, so have I (and love the clothes abd their functionality). Actually thinking about a hemp/linnen copy of the Fjällräven forester trouser (the problem is finding good quality linnen), And I am a devout "woolian".

 

[John Fenna]

So have I, so have I (and love the clothes abd their functionality). Actually thinking about a hemp/linnen copy of the Fjällräven forester trouser (the problem is finding good quality linnen), And I am a devout "woolian".

I made a copy of the Stormy Kromer bunkhouse trousers out of a Merino blanket and made them wide enough to fit over my linen under-trews - very warm and cozy

 

[Tiley]

By the way, does anyone know if Fjallraven and Hilltrek clothing is still manufactured in Sweden and UK?

I believe that some (most?) Fjallraven stuff is now made in Romania or somewhere similar. I believe that they did have a spell having kit made in the Far East but received a welter of complaints about quality and durability. Hilltrek - I don't know.

As for the main discussion, I like the weight saving, the lack of fabric stiffness when wet and the much, much quicker drying of G1000 - Ventile does get so stiff and heavy when wet through. But I do like the finer 'handle' of Ventile and its greater general comfort. I tend to use a single layer Ventile jacket and G1000 trousers in general; I do have a G1000 jacket (I can't remember which one) and am keen to try out the wax stuff on it to see how it handles in a (wet) British winter.