Warm, wet weather gear.

[KAE1]

I am on a bit of a posting roll so I thought I'd add this;

What is bushcraft?
No seriously, Its been a really wet summer and I have stuggled a bit in top body clothing.
My Fjallraven forester trousers have been great below but on top I have tried keeping dry in cags and sweated, used quick drying polyamide shirts but remained wet when the rain doesn't stop, used my beathable waterproof jacket and overheated.
None of my choices have been ideal. I am going to buy a breathable/waterproof waistcoat/gilet to keep my core warm when I am inactive (watching nature) but being armless it should vent easily when I am on the move.

What have you guys been wearing?

 

[Mastino]

My top in wet/cold weather is a fibre&pile jacket (e.g. Buffalo). Keeps the wind out, is warm when wet, light, breathable and dries almost as fast as the Forrester pants. Wear it on your skin or on a perforated shirt like the Brynje. Not suitable for temps above 10 C.

Sorry KAE1, I misread warm for cold. Must be the lack of oxigen here...

 

[Goose]

I am on a bit of a posting roll so I thought I'd add this;

What is bushcraft?

Run away!!!!!!!!!!!



Have you tried a poncho for sitting still? I don't think there is a perfect set of clothing but if you are looking for a clothing range to pick and choose from try hunting shops and sites, but it isn't cheap!

 

[KAE1]

I've not tried a poncho, could be handy in the canoe.
I think i will go for this;

http://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/newproduct.aspx?ProductStyleID=105561&CategoryID=1695

 

[John Fenna]

Try a Westwinds/snugpak Ventile shirt!
Or a Bison Bushcraft Ventile jacket worn as a shirt...Ventile rocks!

 

[Fin]

I'm on a posting roll as well!

The problem this summmer has been the changeable weather - warm and dry, to warm and wet, to cold and wet - all in one day.

In the jungle - the ultimate warm/ wet environment - you keep a dry set and a wet set of clothes. The wet set goes on during the day and you accept the fact that you're going to be wet all day. The dry set comes out when you're back at base camp for the night.

All OK for the jungle, where it doesn't get cold (cold and wet being the big no! no!) but UK?

There is no perfect set up for our changeable weather - it's about managing your layers as best you can - although you could still use the principle of jungle clothing by having a wet base layer and a dry base layer.

 

[KAE1]

John F, I had taken a keen look at that shirt, didn't know how comfortable it would be when wet - I am a ventile virgin.
Fin, I have often followed that rule this summer by wearing light, quick dying stuff and accepting that I am gonna get wet. Indeed I've just been out for a mooch around a new badger sett. I simply wore a peter storm 55% polyester 45% nylon shirt, its a great bit of kit, its dry already.

Thanks for comments

 

[Snufkin]

I have this problem when mountainbiking. Only in the coldest, wettest winter weather can I wear a breathable gortexy jacket without becoming a boil in the bag stinker. I use wool shirts and a windproof/showerproof jacket. If it really hammers it down I'll get wet but I'm protected from windchill and the wool remains efficient as an insulator.
For bushcraft I'll use a single layer ventile smock and a icebreaker wool baselayer, either long or short sleeved.

 

[British Red]

Keith,

Try my Ventile when I come over - you won't go back! Its like a loose cotton jacket when dry and more than waterproof enough for all but Scottish winter torrents.

Red

 

[john scrivy]

Just replaced the buttons on my swandri so il be wearing that

 

[crazyclimber]

I used to have this problem also. Conclusion I've come to is that one way or another unless you're constantly changing layers there's times you're going to be uncomfortable.

I'm a big layering fan. Method I've found which works great for UK mountains is split it into uphill and downhill. Uphill just a single long sleeve wicking base layer such as those from HH or TNF. Sleeves up or down as necessary - or as people would have seen me in the beacons a couple weekends back, with the left down and right up going up a hill in a howling crosswind. Downhill I stick on a thinish breathable outer jacket to keep me warmer.
If it's raining I get wet on the uphill but through bodyheat I'm usually pretty much dry by the bottom.
I also take a fleece I can add if I think it's gonna be a cold descent, or if I'm belaying a lot on snow for example.
Works well for me because I usually stop for a bit at the top for a drink / food / view / wait anyway, and at the bottom for the same, or after a walk in to get the climbing kit out, harness on etc.
Only thing is to be careful if you're accepting you're going to get wet doing it. Windchill on wet clothing as you top out can make it uncomfortable, or on one occasion for me scary, if you top out into a gale.
Bushcraft I use the same kinda clothing but it's a case of judging the layers for the work and weather...