I posted a thread some time ago about the fishtail parka, that I was looking for a wind shell that is mid-thigh length, has a hood, a waist cord, and no built-in insulation and most importantly that is NOT waterproof, that is no laminate or coating whatsoever. I may spray it with a water repellent spray though.

I recently discovered the sixty-forty cloth which was popular during the 70s when Sierra Designs introduced their 60/40 Mountain Parka.

I don't want to pay for the silly Gore-Tex. It may work around the town but in an extended outdoor situation it will not work indefinately and besides it doesn't protect your rucksack and I'd rather use a real waterproof poncho in this set-up. And in the extreme cold it is not justified and you want the maximum breathability. And I don't believe either in trendy and pseudo-technical waist length soft shells.

So do they still make this kind of product today? What would be the closest parka to the Sierra Designs Mountain Parka?

Thanks
Frankie

I had a 60/40 "mountain parka" when a young man. I sewed it using a Frostline kit. It was a GREAT jacket and I like the material. I haven't seen 60/40 cloth in a long time.

I asked Mr. Google about it, and he came up with this. . Don't know if this is close to what you want or not...

I still have my original SD 60/40 parke. It is a little beatup with a few small patches here and there. I still love the parka, it has been everywhere with me. I wish they stll made them, I would buy another in a minute.

No, the 60/40 is 60% cotton and 40% nylon and it's a long shell. I think I've found what appears to be a pretty close parka if not a remake on the Woolrich site, only it has a top 2/3rds of 70% wool/30% nylon liner that shouldn't be there but I think this is it:



"We introduced our first Mountain Parka to the world in 1978, and ever since it has been a favorite jacket for anyone who ventures outside in the winter. This modern-day classic is perfectly designed to handle any weather--on its own for a cold day or layered over a sweater or fleece during the heart of winter. The shell is a comfortable water-repellent 60% cotton/40% nylon blend. Permanently attached hood has a chin guard, adjustment tab, and drawcord. Two-way front zipper with snap-close storm flap. Lower dual-entry pockets, upper patch pockets, and internal security and glove pockets. Adjustable cuffs. Lined inside with wool blend (70% wool/30% nylon) on the top two-thirds and nylon taffeta drip strip on the bottom one-third. Waist drawcord seals out the cold. 33" length. Imported. Dry clean."

It's affordable at $89 and I would remove the velcro on the cargo pockets and replace them with military slotted buttons.

Frankie

Several years ago Sierra Designs reissued their 60/40 parka on a limited basis. I don't think they sold well as eventually the excess wound up at Sierra Trading Post. I'm not aware of anyone making anything out of 60/40 (or 65/35 the better of the two fabrics) any longer.

I'm a thrift store junkie and find these with some regularity for very little money. I've worn and bought and sold several over the years. My current favorite is by Alpine Designs. My all time favorite was by Class 5 Mountaineering Equipage, but it was just too large for me and I sold it on ebay.

Oh man. Now I miss mine. Gave it to my son when I "outgrew" it.

I still have several in a pile in my basement. The unlined Woolrich 60/40 parkas are the most commonly found in thrift stores. I've yet to find one by Holubar, but I've come across most every other brand over the years.

Hi Frankie,

You may want to have a look at the Keela Falkland Parka



http://www.keelausa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=020K

No doubt that ventile is the way to go, but ventile is very expensive.

I still have (and use!) my 35 year old (?) "Camp 7" brand 60/40 shell. It is windproof, very soft and comfortable, and highly water resistant (but not totally waterproof - it will soak through eventually). I recently washed it with some Nikwax water repellent that goes in the washing machine with the garment. That did wonders to restore water repellency. Water just beads right up on the thing now.

I have newer "waterproof-breathable" raingear, and I guess that does breath relative to a Hefty trash sack, but nowhere near like 60/40. The new high tech fabrics are nowhere close to 60/40 in comfort either (just try any waterproof-breathable against your skin and compare it to 60/40).

For ultimate waterproofness and small-size packability you have to go with the newer fabrics. But for comfort and general utility 60/40 wins hands down in my book. I will always grab the 60/40 over the high tech stuff for around town wear, where I won't be sitting in a downpour for several hours.

I wish you could still find 60/40 shells, but I haven't seen any recently.

I snagged an EMS 60/40 anorak at a thrift store recently and wore it skiing last weekend. Quite nice. Camp 7 made great gear in their day.

http://www.oregonphotos.com/Alp-Sport1.html

I got their 60/40 Mountain Parka a couple of months ago. I ordered large but they sent XL with a flaw in the hood. Fortunately large would have been too short for my arms and XL has more room for layering. My mother who sews fixed the flaw in the hood. But now they changed it to 100% nylon but still with the built in wool liner. I give up.

Frankie

Sierra Design came up with a limited edition (only 500 being produced):

http://canada.sierradesigns.com/mens.display.php?id=1065

But it shouldn't be that expensive.

Whatever...

Frankie