Thanks for an informative video Andy. I have had the same smock for several years. Great robust material but I found that when hiking the liner does not 'breath' sufficiently to prevent me sweating. In the end I cut out the liner converting the smock into a windproof jacket only and it has been relegated to low level activities or for cold dry conditions. Rare to get these conditions in Wales though!!

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

For me this is not a summer jacket, 2 layers together isn't flexible. Definitely an autumn-- winter jacket. I did ask the woman in the shop if she could make a removable liner but she wouldn't do it.

Thank you very much for showing us the way it behaves. "Single layer" refers to the Ventile. It is possible to buy double layer ventile that is more waterproof

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you nowthen AD, I know that now but I didn't at the time with reference to the single layer. Really glad you liked the video 👍

Good test andy. You could wax it maybe in areas that are prone to a soaking like the shoulders. To much and it won't breath but the possibility is there. Mark

Great vid and test. I’ve been thinking about one of these. Thanks for sharing 👍✅

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, my pleasure. 🙂

Thanks for that. Very beautyfull Spots there and so good tested in the field. Best Regards from Bavaria. Andi

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, your welcome.

Great vid Andy Andy.

Thank you for going well out o your way to show us. Stay safe x

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, 😊 I like to think that I show things as they really are in the worst weather I can catch on my day off work and hopefully create something a little different at the same time than other videos on KZread 👍

@keithshwalbe6981

3 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty then you have succeeded my friend !

Hilltrek ventile. Never been wet, cold, miserable or sweaty. I use single, double layer & cotton analogy. Bison bushcraft wool guide shirt underneath. Scottish Highlands - I find it best for up here.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

Can't agree with you more, I do a similar idea, wool just helps you keep up with the worlds weather where as synthetic has it limitation, once people know this generally never go back I think.

I have got Hilltrek ones that do the same when they get wet, so you do need some decent layers underneath because it loses insulation when it stiffens up, its tough stuff though, tougher than polyester and nylon

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Nice one 👍

Good video 👍 I have a Sasta Peski anorak with Ventile L24 is a very good jacket. Sorry for my english. Saludos desde España 🇪🇦 👋

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you alexis, you english looks fine. 👍

Great scenery 👍🏻 nice review and it's nice to see someone using it for its intended purpose.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, theres only one way to show how these things work, the real way in the field.

@Legionnaire7777

4 жыл бұрын

Very true 👍🏻

This is a similar fabric to the Bush Poplin that Willis and Geiger used to use before they were bought out.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting to know.👍

Andy, the stiffening when wet is due to the absorption of the water by the cotton fibres: they swell as a result; closing the voids in the already very tight weave. This increases resistance to the passage of water (and is the reason the fabric was developed for use in immersion suits for WW2 aircrew at risk of ditching in seawater ). Works well with wool layers underneath in my experience. In damp freezing conditions (such as encountered when in Scottish winter mountain conditions , when ventile freezes, it become quite amusing!

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

I agree, its amazing stuff. Never had it freeze on me though. I did a film called, is wool walm when wet. And on that I had a sas smock as a back up just to keep the wind out, I've heard somewhere that the gabardine material is similar to ventile and it did feel unusually walm/breathable and safe from the world and what it chucks at you compared to synthetics

Over the years I have had different types of rain gear. Frankly most of the ones that kept me dry had the problem of not venting or wicking off my perspiration, which meant I got as wet as ifI wasn't:t wearing any rain gear.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

I think gortex is the best, British and Dutch army gortex are very good for the price and the expensive sivvy gortex are good. This ventile is up there with the best I think if you want bushcraft robustness as well. The draw backs are it feels too warm in the summer due to the waterproof layer underneath, it gives off a slight heaviness to it and it's expensive. I've discovered that you can't have it all in one jacket, waterproof, robustness, well ventilated, the closest I've come to having it all is by having 2 jackets that you can wear together like a lightweight gortex and a single layered ventile or army jacket over the top so you can split them apart to suit you're metabolism. Hope this helps Kevin 👍

@DrGreysides

Жыл бұрын

Some of the army rainproof jackets use Sympatex rather than Goretex. The hydrostatic head measurement of either is variable, depending on the intentions at manufacturing, but the breathability of Sympatex is much greater than Goretex. Its breathability is due to a different mechanism than Goretex, as the fabric is 100% waterproof.

Hi m8 just come across your channel absolutely love all your videos, I am in the market for a smock for bushcraft ideally waterproof but want it warm . I see you have a wool shirt you use in one can you tell me the name of it . Again love your videos they are excellent 👍👍👍👍

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

It's the Lester River bushcraft shirt, it's very good but expensive and getting it from the US to the UK incurred another cost from import tax and US mail from what I could remember so look into this before buying. I didn't and had to pay the price.

I've watched about all your videos on these various jackets, and I would like to hear your thoughts about wind resistance. Particularly, I'm debating between G-1000 original vs double ventile, but only for wind resistance.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

Both are good in the wind but the ventile in this video is far more superior in all ways. The swedish g-1000 is really only good in dry snow, not British wet snow. This country innovation smock is best,

The CI Rover, double Ventile jacket is superb with some caveats. It is 100% waterproof and windproof as far as the wearer is concerned. Heavy, but rugged, when pushing through thorny scrub and wonderfully quiet, even in a howling gale. It stands up on its own in the bath when sopping wet on the outside. NO hooks required. 😉 Too many pointless breast pockets and silly rain flaps. The deep hood is superb despite the ridiculously complex fastenings at the throat. You'd need bare hands, a good light and months of practice in the mirror just to attempt all the daft poppers and rain flaps. Fortunately the hood works really well without them even into a freezing gale with driving snow. You dress underneath for the day's likely air temperature. The jacket is wonderfully snug, but does not add much *extra* warmth. I consider that its best selling point after decades of wearing man-made, mobile saunas, masquerading as serious, outdoor clothing.

Thanks for the video, what make is this smock? I think the hilltrek double ventile might be good

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

its a small company that has an outdoor shop last i seen, they specialize in making their own ventile jackets and trousers. they have a new location in somerset uk. google, country innovations. press ventile on their web site and its the kesterel smock. the sizes are true, that is my t shirts, shirts, jumpers and other jackets are size L the same as my ventile in the film. its expensive, how ever if you believe in buy once buy good then its worth having. the jacket is on my other film on jacket reviews and i say there that the workmanship is excellent.

@eagleridge1972

4 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty wow, thanks so much for the reply. I was actually looking at them. Keep up the good work with the channel.

Hi. The inner layer is made of what ? Is it something like a goretex fabric ? I'm curious about it. Regards.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

I looked up www.countryinnovations.com where I bought the jacket and its called innovation xl lining, sounds like their own stuff, thats all I know. if you called them on 01934 877333. UK number. or email,, sales@countryinnovations.com then you should get more information on it.

From everything I've read and heard about ventile - including this video - it seems that it's waterproof as long as you wear a waterproof layer underneath. Surely you could say the same about a paper bag! Doesn't exactly inspire confidence or make me want to fork out over 300 quid for one. What am I missing?

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Your missing what the video is about, there's a clue in the title, it's about just showing the reaction when wet. Ventile will get wet underneath on the shoulders and hood in the rain so don't listen to anyone else saying otherwise unless they explain the density. As for this jacket it is waterproof because of the sewn in liner, I've tested it and in my opinion it's probably one of the best #ventilesmock in the UK. It's in a different world from a gortex, bushcraft types like this type of thing and the length of time it would last actually makes it a cheaper price in the end. I bought this jacket around 10 years ago when it was a lot cheaper and it's still good to go. Theres no paper bags hear Neil.

I have never tried Sasta's Peski anorak (which is Ventile L24), but I read that its water column value is around 700mm which is nowhere near waterproof, just mildly water repellent. I don't really mind myself, I can do without waterproof properties, but I'm wondering how well it does compared to G-1000 in waterproofness. I like G-1000, it is enough for me. I'd prefer a jacket made of 100 % natural fibres though. If Ventile is about as good as G-1000 with Greenland Wax, then I'd be happy to try it.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

I would say roughly speaking a "single layered" ventile is about the same when wax is applied though you can only put 1 layer of wax on ventile because the weave is tight, where the G-1000 you can put 3 layers on which is what I've done with my sarak jacket lately with a 4th over the shoulders. I did a video on that but it only had 2 layers of wax on it so I might do a part 2 on that video in harder rain. Just bear in mind that the ventile I used on the video had a sown in waterproof liner which makes a massive difference but not flexible enough in summer in high humidity plus rain So ultimately at the end of the day my preference is I need a light waterproof to go under or maybe over the jacket.

@jussit3909

3 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Thanks for the answer. Sadly many of these jackets like single layered Ventile or regular G-1000 are marketed as "waterproof" which they clearly aren't. I'm still interested in Ventile, although 100 % wool like loden would also be something that I'd like to try. In summer it doesn't matter for me if clothes get wet (it's too hot to wear a jacket anyway) and in winter they won't get wet because of below zero temperature. It's just those chilly spring and autumn days when I wouldn't like to spend much time outside in wet clothes, but then again, I don't really have much reason to go outside in heavy rain so that's why I've been happy enough with G-1000.

Looks great where did you purchase this from ?

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

www.countryinnovation.com if you google or look this company up you will find that they have a range of ventile clothing, it's very well made but expensive. The one in the video is their kestrel ventile smock. Because the liner is sown in i would say that it is a autumn to winter jacket. However I believe that country innovation could make one without the liner but I don't thing it would be fully waterproof.

it seems you are always walking in the rain... Ventile is an interesting material, I used once some WWII tarp made of it and it worked, although it was long until it really dried out again... After sweating (and then freezing) for ages inside fleece and GoreTex I returned to wool and waxed cotton, and I am quite happy! (there is nothing better than wool, even considering its weight, over here everyone wears woolen ponchos + scarfs plus felt berets) greetings from wild, wet, windy and wonderful Western Patagonia, Chile

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

Thanks puma from Patagonia, yes I agree, after using the synthetic materials I have to say wool is the one to have. These days I always wear marino wool against my body including the scarf, my shirts can differ between polly cotton mix or a wool shirt and a wool jumper. We have a lot of rain hear in the UK so gortex is best hear but we have a bushcraft community and I like to test ventile and army jackets with some kind of water proofing but really the safest way is either stay in when it rains or have a gortex included with the army jacket, underneath or over the top, what ever you fancy. The jacket in the video had a waterproof liner sown in so It's robust and waterproof. I am a sun lover really though that might seem hard to believe, I don't like the rain I just test jackets in it. Anyway, thanks for watching puma, hope you enjoyed the videos. 👍🌎⭐

@GAUROCH2

Жыл бұрын

...finally someone who has brains putting some sense among those "lycra-boys" as I like to call them!!! I have a magnificent alpaca poncho, which is joined with a "shaull" from yak wool and a good local wool blanket, and I am happy with the combo. Among other advantages, wool would allow me to wrap and lean against a tree or wall and use a candle below the poncho and /or blanket safely ( the lycra-boys might get into working napalm bombs...) Thanks...keep safe.

Bought a double ventile jacket for £10 in a charity shop.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Waw, that's one hell of a find 👍

What's the point of having a breathable ventilation jacket, then lining it with a none breathable layer. Yes it's waterproof, but if you just want that, just buy a waterproof.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

Some people are more into bushcraft than just hiking and they like a robust jacket when working with and collecting wood, walking through thick woodland in all weathers. Bird watchers like this sort of jacket as well, in the outdoors lying still for long periods of time and also hunters, poachers, people like that. The drawbacks with this jacket is with reference to hiking is it feels to heavy and walm in the summer when exerting yourself. Outside the summer months it's good. I have another video comparing this with the hilltrek single layer ventile, no liner explaining some of this blueband 8. Your question is a good one though considering most people hike in the summer time👍

@u-q-6236

Жыл бұрын

ventile has many more qualities beyong being breathable

Have a old Survival Aids double Ventile jacket that I still have, in my experience only good for dry cold artic conditions ( used it cross country skiing in Finland) destroyed the RiRi zip doing the Fan dance from Storey Car park back in the ‘90’s! In my experience Ventile is very poor in the rain as it wets out and slow drying. 👎

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

Agree, ventile is not waterproof, it needs a light gortex underneath however this one has a waterproof layer sown in so it's OK but can feel heavy in the mind in summer, sort of like an over kill for the temperature.

Great review but where did you get it from please. Many thanks in advance.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

Its the kestrel ventile smock from country innovation. www.countryinnovation.com

@juliankerrell7281

3 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty have you heard of Hilltreck they seem to make a similar product up in Scotland.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

3 жыл бұрын

@@juliankerrell7281 yes I've heard of them and I was going to buy one but I couldn't find one for sale so didn't bother in the end.

Came for the jacket,enjoyed the music. Could you name it, please? Nice video.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

It's the kestrel smock by country innovation. www.countryinnovation.com I've also done a video on country innovation verses hilltrek smock of you're interested?

@friedhelm5845

2 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty thank you, but intentionally I was asking about the music... :) I did find the jackets online, thanks a lot!

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

@@friedhelm5845 the music came from the KZread library of royalty free music of which there is 1000s so I can't recall the song I'm afraid, I don't have to advertise it. Sorry about that.

looks like this one is out of production allready

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

5 ай бұрын

I didn't know this. Thanks for letting me know 👍

Maybe treating with silicone spray would bead and breathe better than wax 🤔

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

It was a mistake treating this jacket because it's got a sown waterproof liner underneath, I've tested it and it works but I've got a video on testing a single layer #ventile and it worked ok. I've used the silicone spray and wasn't impressed, nikwas is ok but to update you I think it's not worth buying these products, especially if you're short of money, they don't go very far in the mountains. If I was wearing a single layer ventile smock in the rain the best thing I think is to have a light waterproof jacket underneath or a wool jumper or both if it's cold. Hope this helps boog boog 👍

There is only rain, love it embrasse it .

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

i try, i really do. but it gets harder each year. if it ain't raining, it ain't training.

Sas windproof smock would you say wax on Barbour coats will proof it sound like your accent is from Hereford where I did few course Or spray on Nike wax proofing

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

Depends how thick you want the wax to be? Barbour wax is melted first then painted on. Spray on nikwax is going to be a very thin application. Nikwax isn't going to be as effective and Barbour will probably effect the DPM slightly. There is another way and that's to rub on dry "fjallraven Greenland wax" I have done this and it came up with some good results with an SAS smock made of gabardine material and ventile material, just 1 layer is needed. I have 2 videos on this, "British SAS smock waterproof test waxed" and "hilltrek ventile smock SV L27 waterproof test waxed" I would have a look at them methods before the other 2 above. Hope this helps you choose the best you want. 👍

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

What couses did you do in Hereford? My accent is a week Welsh accent, I live on the boarder and I've been around a bit as well I suppose.

@eapc44

2 жыл бұрын

Got a thin of Barbour wax melt it like you should brush on my sas smock hair dry it all over to melt Dom is really dark and the water came through coat. Messed up smock and waste of £15 on Barbour dubbing Please note guys IT does not WORk

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

@@eapc44 sorry to hear about your disaster, what happened is pretty bad luck. If you ever get another SAS smock have a look at my video on wax on dry with fjallraven greenland wax, you melt it in with a hair dryer, it had good results. Mines made of gabardine material. As for ventile, only wax the ones that haven't got a sown in waterproof layer on the inside or use wash in nikwax. I've tried both and it works OK.

I bought one, the water went straight through it, my shoulders and arms got soaked. £300 wasted.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

That's odd? I've been in bad rain with mine and mine was dry. Maybe you need to have a word with the company where you bought it. 😲

@philipcamp1370

Жыл бұрын

That's unreal . I have found with the more expensive outdoor items they are generally rubbish . ARMY SUPLUS TENDS TO BE SUPERB

How windproof and breathable is this smock, and do you think it would be a good outer layer in winter? Thanks

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

This ventile smock is extremely windproof and even though it has a sown in waterproof layer it is breathable outside the British summer months. In the summer it feels a little to Warm, over kill and heavy on the mind a little due to the robustness and sown in liner of the jacket though you could leave the zips open. it's not heavy in weight and it's not padded. In my opinion this jacket is one of the best I've ever seen and used and I've seen an old friend of mine wearing one and he does this for a living in Scotland and done some stuff on scottish TV as well, www.backwoodsurvival.co.uk one drawback, it's expensive. I have a video showing this jacket up close and comparing it to the hilltrek ventile, that would give you a better understanding of it. Hope this helps. 👍

@chrishatton1176

Жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty thank you, just saw this. Would you choose g1000 over ventile or the opposite?

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

@@chrishatton1176 opposite, this ventile is better than g-1000 by far. When g-1000 is wet it feels like wet cotton, like denim jeans if you like. When this ventile is wet it feels stiff and like tough canvas, like an army tent but not so thick. When they are both dry the g-1000 seems to feel like a slightly better material but I would go for ventile. In the bushcraft world the g-1000 trousers are popular but not the jackets so much.

Where are you?

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

Жыл бұрын

Just west of talybont reservoir, brecon beacons.

@swalker157

Жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty looks like heaven.

I had a double ventile fishing jacket I used for a few years and they are not waterproof and are heavy plus uncomfortable when wet. I left it outside for many months as an experiment and it shrunk to at least half its size. Anyway I would never get one.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

This one I know now to be a single layer with a waterproof liner sewn in, not a double layer and overall it is waterproof. Single layers are not on their own. As for shrinking half its size?? I've had my denim jeans for near 10 years, washed plenty of times and they are still the same size.

@mattwright2964

2 жыл бұрын

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty mine was double ventile with no liner, made for the Bob Church brand with the Ventile branding and was expensive in its day. I was as surprised, as you are now, but yep it shrank massively but bear in mind I literally left it outside in all seasons exposed. Long story but it was an old one I no longer used. When I did use it it was warm and tough and quiet but yeah not waterproof. The dog seemed to like it as he chewed it quite a lot on the cuffs. Lol. I do a lot of hiking and remote trout fishing and have a mixture of stuff depending, incl a buffalo a berghaus lightweight goretex etc.

This is behind my house

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Waw, what a lovely place to live.

Sooo... Same as canvas tents then....

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

2 жыл бұрын

The ventile is very soft to the touch when it's dry and like a thin type of canvas when wet.

The RAF immersion suits were made of 300 gram (the heaviest available) Ventile which hasn't been made in England in more than 20 years. Stotz makes it and etaproof includes DWR (full of toxic flourocarbon and hydrocarbons) treatments just like modern synthetic breathables. Apparently the new organic etaproof is a bit better where the environment is concerned. If it is the liner keeping you dry it is because of the lighter cotton they sold you as a marketing ploy. If that liner isn't a breathable laminate then you are going to be wet from sweat no matter what, while hiking up those lovely Hills lad. Also, if you don't have wicking and insulation beneath your shell you'll freeze your arse off in cold weather. Cotton retains near zero heat when dry and zero when wet. Synthetics and cotton both absord body oder and eventual smell terrible. Wool, being a hollow fiber and possesing natural anti microbial properties is warmer than most natural fibers and many synthetics when wet, and doesn't get so smelly. Furthermore, breathable is of no value in modern cold water survival suits. They are insulated neoprene or, wait for it..... Gore Tex Pro dry suits, and you'll freeze to death and die in one if not rescued soon enough. Let me know when you find the crab fisherman in Baltic Sea wearing cotton, lmao.

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

4 жыл бұрын

Let me know when you see a baltic sea fisherman wearing oil skins and wellies in the mountains or in the woodland lmao. DH

@Gieszkanne

Жыл бұрын

Years ago when I was looking for an ecological outdoor jacked I was first happy to find ventile/etaproof. but fortunately before I bought something expensive I also found out that these are impregnated with PFCs. I worte some "angry" email to Ventile and Etaproof. On Ventiles homepage no its stated that the DWR on all their fabrics (not only organic cotton) is PFC free. Also they offer much heavier fabrics up to 500 gram! Also now they have Ventile blend fabrics with cotton/hemp cotten/linen and cotten/lyocel. Very interrsting and a good progress!

Is it true you can use a lump of shit as a hot water bottle replacement? Put it in the sleeping bag?

@Andy-walkaboutnutty

10 ай бұрын

Yes. But don't take my word for it. Try it out for yourself. It's always good to comment. It helps my channel grow. Algorithms, don't you just love them 😁