Here's an interesting idea, this one is expensive but the idea is interesting. Putting a light weight coat that is waterproof and has fleece to use in a emergency if you fall in a lake or caught in a potential rainfall and everything gets soaked and the temps outside are cold and you need to dry off and warm up fast.


http://www.surf-fur.com/index.asp

Sooo...that's a $120 bath robe?

Yeah, but look at the nifty way in which you can hang it!

Wiggy sleping bag or quilt, works when wet.

It needs more pockets for our stuff.

Sue

I understand where you're coming from, Falcon, but I would also probably look for a hooded fleece robe at a discount rather than shell out $120 for this niche market surf/scuba robe. Interesting design, though. I wonder where else you can get fleece with the poly flouro razmattaz membrane?

They work very well and are nice and warm.
Water transpires(?) thru the fleece to the waterproof shell then drip down the shell and away from the wearer.
Mine cost $49.95 if you look around you can find the same thing
for much less than 120.00

Sure it's the exact brand? Their website states $119 (I rounded it up) but retailers sell it for $20?

Their website also states "developed in 2003 by husband and wife............."

Looks like a hood robe fleece jacket to me. If its high end then its probably worth the money.


Wonder if the model is provided as the "warming" unit?

I'm looking as something similar. A friend of mine is a very good seamstress, and she specialized in period wear- I've talked with her a few times about making a couple of cloaks for me, including a one made from wool blanket, and a second one made from a couple unused but tanned deer hides I have a buy option on. Yes, it is kinda old school, but...

Am I the only one who's first thought was "I didn't know Falcon was a girl" when they say the picture?

"I didn't know Falcon was a girl"
hahah, no I just liked showing the pretty gal in the wardrobe, it would be really ugly if I posed (fat balding man).

I liked the idea of the product but as stated it's way to expensive and as others have brought up there are cheaper venues. It's a good concept though. I could see a less than $20 one may be feasible, I had saw this thing in a scuba magazine while waiting for the misses to get done shopping and had looked into it. A waterproof fleece would definitely be a nice addition if the price was right.

It isn't a new idea. Looks like a modernized great coat.

Great coats were standard issue in European armies through WW2. The great coat was all weather protection and often served as a combination raincoat, sleeping bag, supply pack, ground cloth, pup tent and field jacket. In many places and times soldiers pretty much lived in their great coat 24/7. It was the all-in-one gear of its day.

Typically made of heavy wool tightly woven to increase its ability to deflect wind and shed rain. Features could include a short cape to increase weather resistance, large pockets that would accept supplies, oversize collars to protect the face and neck, sleeves with cuff closures that allowed the hands, sometimes the entire arm, to be pulled into the coat. Some were said to be sized large enough that a soldier could tuck his legs up into the body of the coat. Lacking anything better a soldier would sleep in his coat.

The down side was the coats were not entirely waterproof and they were heavy for the warmth offered. Gaining, by some reports, ten pounds or more when exposed to rain for a long time.

Modern materials, like poly fleece and breathable membranes, should be more weatherproof and less likely to hold any water. They should be about as warm as an equal weight great coat but lighter in wet conditions, perhaps drier, less itchy and more resistant to insect damage.

A modernized great coat is a good idea. A lot depends on details and specifics. Perhaps how you drive it. The price seems high but if it is all that the best great coats were it could be a real bargain.

polytetrafluoroethylene- that's the "inner membrane that allows maximum protection from blustery conditions".

And some design specific items- reversible stainless steel snaps, pass through changing pockets, etc.

Equals $120.

Ironraven, there is a really nice cloak
here

If you can get a homeowner's loan to buy it.

Their ad copy is worth the visit even if they do cater to a different clientele................

Seriously, if you know anyone in Southern Cal, there are several places that sell period clothes from film and tv productions, Melrose Avenue, I think, has some outlets for these items......

Falcon, I hear yuh- great concept, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled.......

Back in the early 90s at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, there was a design class for students who would study a special-needs group of people and create a useful garment for them. One of the designs was a special coat for the homeless, warm, waterproof, no fasteners except a tie belt, and deep pockets.

There were a flurry of articles at the time, but I can't find anything recent. And I couldn't find any photos at all, although from memory of the article in a magazine, it was a form of greatcoat.

Here's the article, a good idea:
Shelter-Pak Coat

Sue

I think I'll keep my eyes open as well Jakam. It would be nice to have one to throw in a car and one for a long term BOB. I could easily see caught in a rainstorm and have a shelter come apart, poncho or tarp rip,fall in a creek or lake, or what have you and you find yourself wet and in the cold with the possibility of no fire. It would be nice to have something that you could regain heat fast and not worry about the water affecting the material. One of the things I love to carry is a beach towel because they are big, dry out quickly and can be a little warm.

Easton makes something like this. It isn't full length, only to just below the buttocks. Not truly waterproof, but close. Sold in their Hockey clothing line. I use one as my coaching (read opening the bench door) coat. Warm, and has been involved in three tire changes in the rain. I remained dry where the coat was and wet elsewhere. Might be worth a look.

Thanks for the info Desperado.