Just pushed tbe button on one of these after about 2 year procrastination. Just waiting now. I don't mind seasonal waxing as I'm used to this with Fjallraven and Helikon-Tex gear. For really heavy rain I have a Keela Munro jacket, the rest of the time I prefer to use a breathable shell and wool base/midlayers. Thanks for the video, it was really useful
@samuelnewitt6978 thanks, I'm really glad the video was of use to you. When you get it, you won't be disappointed. It has a good thick quality feel to it. This jacket is now waterproofed with fabsil waterproofer. You might be interested in looking into that. I have a video on applying it. It's easier than wax, but you have to air it for a fair few days to get rid of the smell. I spray it on everything.
@Andy-walkaboutnutty I saw that video, thanks. What I've found with my other gear is that Barbour Thornpoof Dressing works really well for me (I have a Barbour Bedale for about towning), and if I want a harder wax, I'll melt Greenland Wax and the Barbour wax together. I might give the Fabsil a go at some point though 😊
Would you reccomend ventile? I see that - despite the tech being old, its quite expensive! But if the jacket can last a lifetime or more than perhaps it's worth it
Do I recommend ventile? I had to think about this one, and I would say "yes, but" and that's not a welsh answer. Ventile isn't waterproof for the amount of rain we have in the UK. It's very windproof, It's tough like an army jacket, it feels like a tough old canvas tent when wet. So why do I say yes? They do last a long time like an army jacket, and you can treat Ventile to be more water resistant than it originally is, and by the way, this one is now treated with fabsil, which I've tested in the rain with a treated M65 rambo jacket, got a video on that. The main reason for my yes answer is, and you won't like this, but, to be ultimately safe, it's best to wear a very plain lightweight gortex underneath. Yes, I know, it's a terrible answer, but with these 2 combinations that can be split apart or worn together, look at the worldwide possibles you could have with these two combinations. If I was walking the British hills, I'd have a gortex. If I was travelling far and wide, in snow, rain, wind, and different temperatures, then I'd pick the flexible option. So, what are you going to use it for? Do you just fancy having one? You don't have to tell me. But, I hope this gives you a clearer vision on what you are going to decide to do. Yes, they are expensive, so do some research before parting with your money, I have a few videos on ventile jackets, hope this helps you out and gives you a clearer vision on your decision 👍
It's by hilltrek, the SV means single ventile or a single layer and the L27 generally means it's thickness with reference to the weave of the cotton I think and L27 is thick. There is a technical ventile chart on Google.
Hilltrek also do a cotton analogy version of this smock, with ventile on the outside and a Nikwax pump liner on the inside which makes it waterproof and breathable.
I had one and found it more breathable / less warm than my Páramo. Didn't really fit very well, though, as the panels are quite crudely shaped. EBayed it.
They are OK for farmers, but they go home at the end of the day, and they might be in and out of a tractor, which will have heaters with a roof. Good for industrial work, and this has crossed my mind, but for me, I wouldn't have one for wild camping or bushcraft. But each to his own. I do own a barbour jacket. It's the vintage style bikers jacket with chest pockets with 1 pocket slanting. There is no hood, and I wear it in the street.
Hey Andy, thanks for this video. Really informative! Just wondering, do you know how many inches wide the chest measures? Trying to figure out what size would suit me best. Thanks again!
I measure 42 inch chest and I wear a size large in UK sizes and hilltrek sizes but to make sure you could ask hilltrek direct I think. hilltrek.co.uk/contact-us/
I found the hilltrek ventile true to British sizing. My T-shirts, shirts, jumpers and other #jackets are all size large. Hilltrek offer to lengthen the arms and body if you are very tall and vice versa I think, i didn't do this. I have another video mentioning this, it's called, "Country innovation ventile hilltrek ventile which one is the best" hope this helps 🤘👍
I have the standard fittings for my size, no extras and yes the jacket covers you bum and down the back of your legs by about 2 inches and the front bit is slightly higher by 1 inch. I just tried it on and layed it out flat as well to be sure. I'm 5'9" size large.
Thanks for that Jodi, would you believe it I've just this last few days washed the jacket and added some nikwax to the material and a polly cotton jacket to see how it fares, I sprayed and rubbed it in though.. put something on my Instagram about it yesterday. Not doing anymore experiments, I'm going to leave it as it is like I used to when I lit fires and got stinking. I need to get a life I think.
Etaproof (same fabric) has a version from organic cotton which is waxed from manufacturing. At first I had the same thought but wax dont make fabric waterproof and water will still get into the fiber and let swell. It maybe just takes longer. I dont know.
@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Oh yes, I see what you mean. Ray Mears has it at £350 and the hood and shoulders are waterproof plus it has side zips for ventilation and easy taking off and handwarmer pockets and kangaroo pouch pocket so that isn't fully waterproof either. I have been looking at hilltrek and I don't see the point without it being waterproof i.e. over £400. As to the other guys comments about wax - I thought that was for the elbows and shoulders only. So many places are too vague about what they are selling. I want to see a person wearing the item and I want to know their height and chest size and what size they are wearing. I also want to know all the features of the garment. All things you would ask in a shop. I would rather try something on in a shop.
@@chrisgibson2328 if you go by the philosophy of "buy good buy once" then it might be worth it but I have enough jackets that's well over £500. All to gather So too late for me. I did a video over viewing my other jackets with this philosophy in mind. It's called, "bushcraft jackets overview to avoid buying loads" it's quite long and I could of done a shorter job but paying a lot is a possibility maybe?
@harvardfacebook7372 I've never tried a poncho. I don't know what they're like and you don't see many people using them these days. I just see them as encumbersome. Especially in windy conditions. I might try one to see what they're like sometime in the future, maybe.
Just pushed tbe button on one of these after about 2 year procrastination. Just waiting now. I don't mind seasonal waxing as I'm used to this with Fjallraven and Helikon-Tex gear. For really heavy rain I have a Keela Munro jacket, the rest of the time I prefer to use a breathable shell and wool base/midlayers. Thanks for the video, it was really useful
@samuelnewitt6978 thanks, I'm really glad the video was of use to you. When you get it, you won't be disappointed. It has a good thick quality feel to it. This jacket is now waterproofed with fabsil waterproofer. You might be interested in looking into that. I have a video on applying it. It's easier than wax, but you have to air it for a fair few days to get rid of the smell. I spray it on everything.
@Andy-walkaboutnutty I saw that video, thanks. What I've found with my other gear is that Barbour Thornpoof Dressing works really well for me (I have a Barbour Bedale for about towning), and if I want a harder wax, I'll melt Greenland Wax and the Barbour wax together. I might give the Fabsil a go at some point though 😊
Would you reccomend ventile? I see that - despite the tech being old, its quite expensive! But if the jacket can last a lifetime or more than perhaps it's worth it
Do I recommend ventile? I had to think about this one, and I would say "yes, but" and that's not a welsh answer. Ventile isn't waterproof for the amount of rain we have in the UK. It's very windproof, It's tough like an army jacket, it feels like a tough old canvas tent when wet. So why do I say yes? They do last a long time like an army jacket, and you can treat Ventile to be more water resistant than it originally is, and by the way, this one is now treated with fabsil, which I've tested in the rain with a treated M65 rambo jacket, got a video on that. The main reason for my yes answer is, and you won't like this, but, to be ultimately safe, it's best to wear a very plain lightweight gortex underneath. Yes, I know, it's a terrible answer, but with these 2 combinations that can be split apart or worn together, look at the worldwide possibles you could have with these two combinations. If I was walking the British hills, I'd have a gortex. If I was travelling far and wide, in snow, rain, wind, and different temperatures, then I'd pick the flexible option. So, what are you going to use it for? Do you just fancy having one? You don't have to tell me. But, I hope this gives you a clearer vision on what you are going to decide to do. Yes, they are expensive, so do some research before parting with your money, I have a few videos on ventile jackets, hope this helps you out and gives you a clearer vision on your decision 👍
Which smock is that? I have one on the way, it's the dv Cruachan
It's by hilltrek, the SV means single ventile or a single layer and the L27 generally means it's thickness with reference to the weave of the cotton I think and L27 is thick. There is a technical ventile chart on Google.
@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Not by much regular or most common is L24 for Jackets and its 220g/m². L27 is 270g/m².
Hilltrek also do a cotton analogy version of this smock, with ventile on the outside and a Nikwax pump liner on the inside which makes it waterproof and breathable.
Cheers for that 👍
I had one and found it more breathable / less warm than my Páramo. Didn't really fit very well, though, as the panels are quite crudely shaped. EBayed it.
Andy, what are your thoughts on the Barbour-style coats for outdoor adventures? Do you have any? Would you recommend them?
They are OK for farmers, but they go home at the end of the day, and they might be in and out of a tractor, which will have heaters with a roof. Good for industrial work, and this has crossed my mind, but for me, I wouldn't have one for wild camping or bushcraft. But each to his own. I do own a barbour jacket. It's the vintage style bikers jacket with chest pockets with 1 pocket slanting. There is no hood, and I wear it in the street.
Amazing review, thank you very much!
I see yours is a L right? Can I ask you how tall you are and what mid layer size you have?
I'm 5'9" tall which is 175cm. all my layers underneath are also a large in British sizing.
Hey Andy, thanks for this video. Really informative! Just wondering, do you know how many inches wide the chest measures? Trying to figure out what size would suit me best. Thanks again!
I measure 42 inch chest and I wear a size large in UK sizes and hilltrek sizes but to make sure you could ask hilltrek direct I think. hilltrek.co.uk/contact-us/
Oh and I'm really glad you liked the video Michael 👍
Very informative.
Cheers Tom 👍
Hi Andy, what size do you have? how did you find the Hilltrek sizing?
I found the hilltrek ventile true to British sizing. My T-shirts, shirts, jumpers and other #jackets are all size large. Hilltrek offer to lengthen the arms and body if you are very tall and vice versa I think, i didn't do this. I have another video mentioning this, it's called,
"Country innovation ventile hilltrek ventile which one is the best" hope this helps 🤘👍
Thanks for the video. Could you tell me if the Braemar smock covers your bum as standard? Or would you need to customise it to be longer? Cheers
I have the standard fittings for my size, no extras and yes the jacket covers you bum and down the back of your legs by about 2 inches and the front bit is slightly higher by 1 inch. I just tried it on and layed it out flat as well to be sure. I'm 5'9" size large.
@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Thanks for the info, very helpful. Going to take the plunge on one of these.
Your channel is great, thanks for sharing! Interactive registration of your channel💖
Thanks rural Vietnam, that's really nice to hear that. 👍💯%
Like 2👍
Waxing would interfere with the ventile process. If you must - nikwax wash cotton proof & tech wash. Iron to activate the cotton proof. If you must
Thanks for that Jodi, would you believe it I've just this last few days washed the jacket and added some nikwax to the material and a polly cotton jacket to see how it fares, I sprayed and rubbed it in though.. put something on my Instagram about it yesterday. Not doing anymore experiments, I'm going to leave it as it is like I used to when I lit fires and got stinking. I need to get a life I think.
Etaproof (same fabric) has a version from organic cotton which is waxed from manufacturing. At first I had the same thought but wax dont make fabric waterproof and water will still get into the fiber and let swell. It maybe just takes longer. I dont know.
Wouldn't double ventile be better and waterproof
Yes and I believe hilltrek do double ventile all over and over shoulders only but the price, oh boy you'd have to hand over a large amount. 😮
@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Oh yes, I see what you mean. Ray Mears has it at £350 and the hood and shoulders are waterproof plus it has side zips for ventilation and easy taking off and handwarmer pockets and kangaroo pouch pocket so that isn't fully waterproof either. I have been looking at hilltrek and I don't see the point without it being waterproof i.e. over £400. As to the other guys comments about wax - I thought that was for the elbows and shoulders only. So many places are too vague about what they are selling. I want to see a person wearing the item and I want to know their height and chest size and what size they are wearing. I also want to know all the features of the garment. All things you would ask in a shop. I would rather try something on in a shop.
@@chrisgibson2328 if you go by the philosophy of "buy good buy once" then it might be worth it but I have enough jackets that's well over £500. All to gather So too late for me. I did a video over viewing my other jackets with this philosophy in mind. It's called, "bushcraft jackets overview to avoid buying loads" it's quite long and I could of done a shorter job but paying a lot is a possibility maybe?
I don’t get it… If you want to stay dry, wear a poncho.
@harvardfacebook7372 I've never tried a poncho. I don't know what they're like and you don't see many people using them these days. I just see them as encumbersome. Especially in windy conditions. I might try one to see what they're like sometime in the future, maybe.