Hilltrek Ventile Smocks
- Thread starter blaserf3
- Start date
They offer single or double layer models:
hilltrek.co.uk
K
Cruachan DV Extreme Smock
This is a fully featured Double Ventile® smock designed for extreme weather. The backs of the arms, elbows and shoulder areas are reinforced for increased wear resistance when carrying heavy rucksacks or skis.
hilltrek.co.uk
I use a double layer Hill Trek smock for winter work on the hill. I don’t find it as warm as goretex and it’s more durable. It gets heavier when soaked but keeps the water out crawling through peat bog etc
I’d recommend ventile but I don’t need to use it in forestry
Cheers
I’d recommend ventile but I don’t need to use it in forestry
Cheers
diverdave
Well-Known Member
Almost all my stalking pals have Hilltrex smocks. All really rate them. I have the single lined one, i expect i have had it for 4 years now and it is still like it left the shop, hardly a mark on it, an dof course, if you damage it they just fix it for you. It is cool in summer and i just layer up in winter. Its properly wind proof, and it does not leka. I have treated mine with Repel (obviously) and it stops it getting that harder feeling in the wet, but not a drop has ever come through it, even before treatment. I have friends with the double one, and i think it is perfect for winter, probably a little heavy for summer in my opinion. All of us have customised them to an extent, i wanted a longer back to mine, for sitting down, and added a poachers pocket for my, snacks and tow rope, and a compass pocket for phone and car keys, the front pocket takes binos and midge repellent, stuff like that. The fact they do everything in house really helps, you can get them just they way you need them.
Hornet 6
Well-Known Member
I have a hiltrek double layer jacket and love it, but note that although double layer they are nothing like thick/hardwearing as a double layer Barbour version.
I have a single layer smock stashed away somewhere, can't remember the make, I just know it will never fit me again, must have shrunk
Neil.
I have a single layer smock stashed away somewhere, can't remember the make, I just know it will never fit me again, must have shrunk
Neil.
fleckhowa1500
Well-Known Member
I bought 2 SAS smocks on ebay last year and when they arrived I realised that I didn't need them both. So I kept the one with an older pattern camo as it was a bit lighter. Sold the other to my best friend for £35. Turns out that mine is original Gabardine (still a fantastic material) and the one I sold him is Ventile 
, which must be super rare. I often keep him going that its the best bargain he ever got and the worst mistake I ever made.
As we are often out together and as we almost always wear the smocks shooting we have had a good chance to compare them. I feel that the gabardine is just a little more breathable but that his is most certainly more waterproof. It does stiffen up quite a bit when wet all the same. Still love the gabardine all the same and pared with wool or a softie I never feel the effects of the rain or cold.
, which must be super rare. I often keep him going that its the best bargain he ever got and the worst mistake I ever made.As we are often out together and as we almost always wear the smocks shooting we have had a good chance to compare them. I feel that the gabardine is just a little more breathable but that his is most certainly more waterproof. It does stiffen up quite a bit when wet all the same. Still love the gabardine all the same and pared with wool or a softie I never feel the effects of the rain or cold.
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
I wear a heavyweight/double Ventile Hilltrek smock with a lining, as Diverdave mentioned above (my fault he's in one ). Cannot fault it, will never be buying anything else.
Customised as per individual requirements, repairs carried out (locally for me). Reproofing done any time it gets covered in blood, wash it, then wash in proofing or cheaper still use Repel (I'll invoice you for that wee mention Dave
).
Customised as per individual requirements, repairs carried out (locally for me). Reproofing done any time it gets covered in blood, wash it, then wash in proofing or cheaper still use Repel (I'll invoice you for that wee mention Dave
).Why would you wash a Ventile garment with a waterproofer? I thought the Ventile had to absorb some moisture to swell and become waterproof?I wear a heavyweight/double Ventile Hilltrek smock with a lining, as Diverdave mentioned above (my fault he's in one ). Cannot fault it, will never be buying anything else.
Customised as per individual requirements, repairs carried out (locally for me). Reproofing done any time it gets covered in blood, wash it, then wash in proofing or cheaper still use Repel (I'll invoice you for that wee mention Dave
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
It's a good question, but I use the products Hilltrek advised me to. The Ventile certainly does swell when it gets wet, and goes "rigid".
Liathach Natural Smock
Liathach Natural Smock
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I have the precusor to Hilltrex. I got in the mid 1990s - a Snowsled single layer ventile. Utterly bombproof and used it stalking, mounaineering, paragliding and skiing in scottish winters. Its still on the peg , but is now very tatty with frayed cuffs and several patches.
I looked at Hilltrex but price is steep so I got a Bergans Morgedal. In fact i have one in Red for skiing type use, and one in khaki for everything else. Only downside is the zip is not really long enough to allow lots of ventilation.
The Hilltrex look good but for my level of use just a bit expensive. The Morgedals are about £120.
I looked at Hilltrex but price is steep so I got a Bergans Morgedal. In fact i have one in Red for skiing type use, and one in khaki for everything else. Only downside is the zip is not really long enough to allow lots of ventilation.
The Hilltrex look good but for my level of use just a bit expensive. The Morgedals are about £120.
they are double layer
Do you not find it too pale in colour?I have the precusor to Hilltrex. I got in the mid 1990s - a Snowsled single layer ventile. Utterly bombproof and used it stalking, mounaineering, paragliding and skiing in scottish winters. Its still on the peg , but is now very tatty with frayed cuffs and several patches.
I looked at Hilltrex but price is steep so I got a Bergans Morgedal. In fact i have one in Red for skiing type use, and one in khaki for everything else. Only downside is the zip is not really long enough to allow lots of ventilation.
The Hilltrex look good but for my level of use just a bit expensive. The Morgedals are about £120.
K
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
No mine was a brown dried bracken / almost roe buck colour. Most jackets including DPM are too dark given that mostly dried grass etc are actually quite light in colour. My current one is drab olive grey which again blends in well, especially when broken up with a pack, or mud etc. Deer dont worry much about colour - they don’t like shine or very dark.
Wyre Forester
Well-Known Member
I'm going to make a ventile smock - single layer, and based on the pattern of a Buffalo Special 6 but with a fixed hood, no chest pocket (but keeping the side-to-side belly pocket) and with the neck zip going all the way down towards the belly button.
Plenty of places are flogging ventile fabric, and it's not as if I'm overly busy right now....
Plenty of places are flogging ventile fabric, and it's not as if I'm overly busy right now....
Where have you seen it online? I’ve found it on Pro Fabrics but not seen elsewhere
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Thats how my Snowsled is. And it is large breast pocket that will take a map or pair of binoculars and you throw your gloves down the front etc. Brown Jacket below.
The Morgedal has a much sorter opening and the chest pocket is fiddley to get stuff out of.
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