Hilltrek Ventile Smocks

[tia]

Ventile Field Smock, Double Layer Ventile ® - Mountain Method

A double layer Ventile smock with centre front pocket, two hand warmer pockets, waist and bottom drawcords, adjustable and wired hood, adjustable cuffs

www.mountain-method.co.uk

 

[Wyre Forester]

Where have you seen it online? I’ve found it on Pro Fabrics but not seen elsewhere

Actually, you're right - pro force is now the only place I can find it.

I was going to go for the 'Earth' colour, which looks like a very low viz brown/grey colour on pro forces website but according to other images of finished garments looks like a much lighter stone colour.

I'll get them to send me a sample...

 

[Hornet 6]

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.

You have just described my West Winds single layer smock.

Neil.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

So after quite a few uses of the stitch unpicker and a lot of effing and blinding, I finished my first jacket. Two layers of Ventile, the outer being ripstop. I followed a pattern bought in Germany which seemed to work quite well. I’m tempted to seal the seams to help waterproof it but am still undecided...

Anyway, pics...:

 

[llwynog]

you've got to be proud of that...

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

you've got to be proud of that...

Thanks, I am pretty chuffed!

 

[llwynog]

What do you reckon it cost you to make and time taken?

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

What do you reckon it cost you to make and time taken?

Materials were about £160 and it took about 30 hours, if not more. If I made more I’m not sure I’d work with two layers unless I could get a more industrial style of sewing machine!

 

[llwynog]

Wow, well done, corvid dedication

 

[Harry mac]

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.

The Ventile version of this smock was retailed by Survival Aids back in the late 80's/early 90's, and was a very expensive item at the time. I bought mine for winter deployments to Norway.