My Winter Anorak

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Rick Marchand

Rick Marchand

Donkey on the Edge
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After several prototypes... over-engineering, under-engineering, bad sewing, improper sizing...... I nailed it!

My wool blanket anorak is near perfect. A few buttons here and there..... it will be done.


This was made to serve as my "Walking Shelter" for extended bush wandering when I would constantly be on the move with no permanent camp.



Here is the evolution......

first prototype "bush shirt"....
BushShirt.jpg


second prototype (sorry, no actual photos)... over-engineered... to many bells and whistles. The pockets were impractical because I took it off several times a day and had to empty the pockets everytime. Plus I found that having two layers sewn together was way too warm while moving around....
rickscappote.jpg


third prototype... plain jane..... it worked well, but the head hole was too small and it needed slits up the sides to access belt items more easily. It also lacked a hood of its own. The two separate layers worked great... I used only 1 during activity and doubled up to sleep or sit in....
Learningaboutsnowshelters.jpg


Current model... I used the last protoype with new modifications (intergal hood, reinforcing webbing around collar and 9" side slits) The anorak is still ay a 2 in 1 design. In extreme cold there is an second, identical anorak (without a hood), sewn 1 inch smaller, that goes under the first...
131434.jpg

131930.jpg



Comments.... suggestions?....

Rick
 
Nice work man, I really like the simplicity of those. I can't imagine any changes I'd want to make as less is usually more on that type of thing. Did you keep the 'tail flap' for sitting down?

PS- You need to make these for sale.
 
Very nice work Rick .... so these were made outta regular wool blankets ????
 
No, I canned the flap because the back hung down enough to sit on anyway.... no need for an extra flap.


They were made from US issue wool army blankets...




rick
 
I think you nailed it on the design. Extra style points too.

What I mention next isn't necessarily an improvement, but would do a lot for me, I think. I would make the sleeves longer, and add a drawstring closure or similiar to the sleeves and the waist. When not cinched up, there would be no functional difference, but when using it in the bad cold would keep you from pumping warm air out while you walked/worked. Also, w/ some extra long sleeves, you could keep your hands/gloves inside your sleeves while walking or sitting, and add some warmth to your hands on really cold days. The reason I say it would not necessarily be an improvement is because it would be better for walking or sitting, but not as nice for something like chopping wood or digging a snow cave.
 
I was using a bush belt for a while but found it difficult to regulate my body temp with it.... I kept overheating and swetting around the midsection. On the second prototype I had drawstrings on the sleeves and waste but they too made it difficult.

I had a question as to why the second layer went on the inside instead of just throwing it overtop and keeping the hood on the inside layer....

The reason the "cold" layer goes on the inside is that it is kept dry in my pack until needed. In snowfall, the outer layer gets damp (really not a problem for lanolin treated wool) but if I throw a second layer overtop, then my inside layer is now damp.... which is not good.

Rick
 
Magnussen said:
I was using a bush belt for a while but found it difficult to regulate my body temp with it.... I kept overheating and swetting around the midsection. On the second prototype I had drawstrings on the sleeves and waste but they too made it difficult.

I had a question as to why the second layer went on the inside instead of just throwing it overtop and keeping the hood on the inside layer....

The reason the "cold" layer goes on the inside is that it is kept dry in my pack until needed. In snowfall, the outer layer gets damp (really not a problem for lanolin treated wool) but if I throw a second layer overtop, then my inside layer is now damp.... which is not good.

Rick
Click to expand...


Great stuff. Now contact Pendleton Mills and get rich. Seriously :thumbup:
 
Magnussen that is a nice anorak. I was just about to make a german wool blanket into a capote for the same purpose. My only concern is that it is a rather thick blanket.

I have the same concerns with bushbelts, I seem to really get burning hot so I watch the sweat issue very closely. That is why I've never been able to wear down coats they are just flat tooo hot.

My biggest concern with the capote is the open front design which requires the use of a waist closure.

Think I'll amke an anorak instead.
 
It's hard to tell from the picture-- is the trim around the neck blue? Maybe it's black. All your other gear is earth toned natural. IF the trim is blue, it doesn't match the rest of your gear. Other than that-- I wish I had one. Cool.:thumbup:
 
Rick,

Did you hand sew everything or use a sewing machine? I have been looking for a pattern for something like this to no avail. SO I guess it is just trial and error, and error, and error... The closest thing I can come up with is from Duluth trading but it is canvas and expensive.

Did you leave the bottle pocket in on this one or remove that also? I am going to try my hand at this. Gonna work on a pattern over the next week or two and see what I can come up with.

Paul
 
Thanks for the update in design. I have been kicking this around since the first thread you posted.

I was considering making an outer anorak of canvas to go over the wool anorak, and maybe waxing the canvas. Still undecided, two wool layers would be great. Just considering different use options. We dont get the extreme cold here that you do.

Really appreciate you sharing your project and evolution of same, great photos. :thumbup:
 
The second one had the bottle holder and i decided that I didn't like the water bottle in the coat.


The first couple I hand stitched everything....PITA!!!!

The last ones were done on a machine using apolstery thread.
 
This is really brilliant. I love the combination of rustic look and practical survival attributes.

Not that you're short on projects, but have you ever thought of making a weatherproof outer layer - perhaps a leather rain poncho?

All the best,

- Mike
 
Wool is one Old School Technology that I am behind 100%. It's heavy, but it's worth it. I spent a lot of cold time deer hunting and winter camping in a Woolrich Coat in my youth and nothing beats wool. I used to complain to my Dad about how scratchy old military wool blankets are, but when the chips are down, wool will save your life.
 
I like that a lot. If you get in the mood for another knife maybe we can do some swapping? Just a thought.

SDS
 
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