Just want to point out that I have seen a few sites where so called experts criticize ventile for becoming soggy and heavy like a sponge. They also say that the manufacturers have to use phrases like storm proof and weather proof instead of waterproof when describing the properties of the material because it is not really waterproof.
I do not really agree with the critics of ventile.
Ventile is not made of the same material as a canvas tent. Canvas when stretched tightly becomes saturated and water rolls off the surface as long as you do not touch the inside of the tent. Ventile does NOT work in the same way.
The structure of ventile fabric changes when it starts to get wet, preventing percolation from the outside through to the inside. It doesn't matter if the fabric is touching anything.

I was in persistent drizzly rain and high winds for hours with a ventile jacket. I felt completely protected from the elements. The jacket became slightly stiffer and no water penetrated to my mid-layer. A letter I had in the pocket of the jacket remained totally dry. A guy who was with me wore a polycotton ski jacket and took a good soaking.

The reason they do not describe it as waterproof is to avoid complaints from people used to sweating up in plastic coats who expect to see the water run off the garment. Because ventile is designed to absorb some moisture into the threads (in fact this allows the jacket to become more water resistant) it is described as stormproof.

Anyway if you want to be absolutely sure just buy a double layered coat. I use single layer because it is so light and because my layering system of wool and sometimes silk can absorb small amounts of moisture and still retain insulating properties.

I moved to ventile after getting more soaked in condensation than I would from the rain.

I have also read that ventile takes ages to dry. I have not found this. In my experience it dries out quite quickly. And even if it is wet it doesn't matter.

ok sorry if this sounds dense, but i only recently (on this forum actually heh) discovered ventile.

id be interested in trying this stuff out.
so where did your friend get it from, how much and so on...

NYR ...

Here's a thread on KnifeForums with the majority of the details ...

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/sh...=1&vc=1

M

I went to Snowsled website, but could find no mention of clothing. Not even a list of what they stock. All I could find were articles on thier sledges.
Could you post the URL of the site you bought the smock from. Here's the link I went to.
Forgive me if I'm just being stupid, but I found thier site unhelpful at best.
http://www.snowsled.com/html/frame_journeys.html

They dont have clothing online. Contact the helpful Lorraine and ask her to send you a brochure...
SNOWSLED CLOTHING LTD
Unit 44D, Nailsworth Mills,
Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
GL6 0BS
Tel: + 44 (0) 1453 839090
Fax: + 44(0) 1453 839800
Contact: Lorraine Goodliff
LORRAINE@snowsledclothing.fsbusiness.co.uk

Steven
Thanks for the info, I'll contact her today.

Go for it Martin...
The smock I bought is called the "classic". It comes with elasticated cuffs but I asked Snowsled to add velcro closure "Stormshirt" cuffs, which they did for only £10 extra.
The "Classic" is available in different pocket configurations. I chose the traditional map pouch, but there is also the option of double bellows pockets or a tunnel pocket.

I've been wearing ventile on and off since 1984. I was seduced away for a while by the claims of goretex. I went back after getting a soaking from condensation too often. Ventile is an all round better choice IMHO. I would second all of the positive comments given above but also add that unlike artificial fibres ventile also behaves well when hit by sparks from a fire. Very usefull for bushcraft or survival use.

Where exactly can one purchase Ventile clothing in the US? I found a couple of items at Orvis, but I would love some other input for other places to find this stuff.

Thanks in advance.