Hacksaw,

Keep thinking! When it comes right down to it, if you can't think you've lost.

I think you come across a key concept to surviving. Not only does one need to be able to do multiple things with a single item to cut down on weight or increase functionality, but one must adapt to their current situation. You never know what, where or when something happens and the only thing you will have to work with is your mind and whatever you have handy.

The word is "improvise." The best example of this is the old tv show "MacGyver." Although the show stretched the laws of physics tremendously, there was a basis in reality, as small as it was. But the concept of improvisation was/is factual.

To answer your question: Yes...but no.

Typically textile motorcycle jackets are made from heavy denier cordura, usually doubled up on the shoulders and elbows because of the need for extreme abrasion resistance. Add to that shoulder, elbow, and back armor, plus the waterproof layer in the liner and they can be stiff. But I find that motorcycle jackets are generally tailored much better than the average coat. A good jacket is sewn with bend and/or twist in the arm (lets face it, when you're wearing a jacket, how often to you keep your arms arrow straight?) and are very form fitting so there is little to no bunching or buckling. I like motorcycle gloves for the same reason. Sewn with a curve in the fingers and the palms seams are cut and sewn perfectly so there are no pressure points on your hands and don't bunch under your hand on the grip.

Also, the armor comes out so if I didn't need it during the winter I could cut bulk and weight simply enough.

Secretly, I like the armor. Once one of my friends was screwing around in the garage and I took a baseball bat to the spine (not a full swing thank God). Without that back armor it could have won me a trip to the hospital. I know of several people (they live on the wrong side of the tracks keep in mind) who have upgraded the elbow/forearm armor on their jackets for protection from knives. The jackets don't cut easy and hard armor is almost impossible to stab through. Some jackets have a ripstop design like ripstop nylon only with titanium threads instead of heavier nylon.

Along the same lines, I used to wear jackets made of synthetic materials, but after I got a good leather jacket as a gift, I can't stop wearing the thing. The fit is near perfect and even though it is heavy, it still moves very well with the body and doesn't get all bunched up like my other jackets. It also does a great job of blocking wind and water and it's much more abrasion and cut resistant. The PETA people might not like it, but I certainly love my leather coat.

If I were caught in a survival situation where I needed a very warm and durable coat, 'ya know, I wouldn't want my fancy down stuff. I'd want my bomb-proof Carhartt (ranch-wear type gear). Warmer than all get out and indestructible. But heavy. It's the heavy and non-compressible part that gets you. You wouldn't want to pack one and carry it somewhere. But if I were already "somewhere" and happened to have the Carhartt with me, I'd choose it over the fancier coats any day.

I've yet to find a jacket that suits my needs 100% of the time, and so for this reason I own several. Some are expensive, some fancy, some cheap, some rugged, all have a purpose, most have several purposes. As with much of the stuff I wear, it is context sensitive. Context dictated mainly by geography, society, and the weather, I am compelled to diversify my wardrobe thus. For this reason, you are not likely to see me wearing my Armani rain jacket in January out on the buddy's ranch while working his cattle herd, nor will you see me wearing my waterproof camo parka in August here in Florida.

Some things are more versatile than others. Where I am apt to change my coat more often, you might still likely find me wearing my photog vest any time of year, either as an outer-garment or under a heavier coat.

this thread reminds me of all the funny looks I get while wearing my heavy sorel boots around during winter. Its cold as hell and every one else is walking through knee deep snow with leather shoes or sneakers. While freezing they look at me like I am the idiot.

I dont know about anyone else but I have always chose function over fashion. When Its cold I wear winter boots, simple as that. As funny as people think I look walking through wal-mart with my knee high winter boots I think they look equally as stupid when we leave the store and I laugh as I watch them stumble and slip the whole way to their cars. Or even better, high heels at the bus stop when its -20 out side.

Given the curent decline of the USD vs almost every currency, the price on the jacket seems a very good buy.

You'd be surprised!


Personally I'm with haertig on that one. Those oilskin long coats are awesome. I was just telling my wife yesterday I'd love to have one while I was telling her about my jacket theory...she of course rolled her eyes and told me how weird I am.

I don;t know about the "perfect" coat - I guess I never gave it much thought. The one I wear the most is a Carhart active-jac. 12oz cotton duck with a flannel lining, elastic fabric cuffs, hood, inside breast pockets, heavy-duty zipper, and an elastic fabric waistband. I've been wearing one for about 13 years and it's nearly in tatters now. My wife gave a new one to me two Christmas's ago (newer version and in dark brown color).

Hi BigDaddyTX,



http://www.townandcountrysports.co.uk/eMerchantPro/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=35&idproduct=650

A mix of hardwareing Woolen Tweed and high tech Goretex in a style where you can wear around town not looking like you've just climbed Everest. But the country gent or the hunting shooting fishing brigade look may not appeal to everyone so I guess there's no such thing as the perfect jacket!!


Some may find this article interesting about the clothing Mallory used in his attempt to climb and failure to descend Everest.

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/3517/v/1/