View Full Version : BCUK Ventile Jacket - a short review
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSCF1083.jpg
As far as I know this jacket has not been worn on TV by Ray Mears, it hasn’t saved Bear Grylls form certain death, it’s not endorsed by any celebrity or indeed issued to any specialist Regiments of the British Army……. actually, perhaps that’s a good thing!
I’ve had this in daily use for about a month and I know that the summer isn’t the ideal time to test or evaluate a shell jacket but as this current summer has been a tad wetter than most (since 1798 anyhow) the BCUK Ventile Jacket has had some truly horrible conditions to contend with.
Performance:
Just as you would expect with Ventile the performance has been superb. Those with no experience of the material will need to adjust their thinking. It’s not a waterproof per se, as Gore-Tex is. The material does get wet, slightly heavier and tends to stiffen when drying out however, this jacket, in common with many of the popular Ventile shells isn’t a complete double layer so it doesn’t suffer the ‘stiff as corrugated cardboard’ effect. (My old double layer jacket could stand up on it’s own after a day in the rain.)
In terms of breathability Ventile still has an edge over manmade materials.
I wore it as a shell over a cotton shirt (I know, not usually advised) last week on Snowdon and, after two hours climbing in mixed conditions (slight rain, mist, breeze and then bright sunshine) I was still comfortable and dry. (A man made jacket would have been a boil in the bag experience).
It has had ample opportunity to shed rain, even in usually sunny Chester.
After a couple of hours in really heavy rain on an estuary trip I was still dry and so were the contents of the pockets which proved to me the ability of the water resistant zips.
So, as far as general performance goes I have no complaints, in fact, it performs as well as my SASS Ventile.
Design & Fit:
Based on a Westwinds design it’s a single layer jacket that has a fold away hood with waterproof zips.
Two maps pockets and two side pockets only with the huge improvement of a Ventile half liner as opposed to polyester mesh.
Personally I think that it’s lack of military looks add to the usefulness of the jacket.
My wife is quite happy for me to wear this around town but draws the line at smocks and combat jackets, fair point I guess.
Suffice to say you get less odd glances, it may not be an important point but I think was worth mentioning.
I found the XL to be a good fit and I’m a fairly lar, bi, er, short for my weight.
Basically I’m 6’2 and about 17 st, usually I’ll wear a 46 – 48” and this XL fitted me although if I wanted to wear several deep winter layers underneath I’d find it a little snug. In comparison to the SASS Smock it’s a shorter cut and not as roomy but it is a good fit and also is long enough in the arm for those of us with a tendency to knuckle drag.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSCF1081.jpg
Overall:
The BCUK Ventile jacket does what it says on the tin.
It’s not perhaps the ‘ideal’ but then what is. If I was going to be out for a prolonged period in torrential rain or indeed if I’m in snow/ice conditions then I’ll take my Recon Jacket.
If I was faced with only choosing one in that ‘end of the world as we know it’ scenario I’d possibly take my SASS Smock but for all weather, all use, general purpose (including shopping and walking dogs and children) then I’ll take the BCUK.
After all, we are based in the UK mostly and if your practicing your bushcraft here then it’s a fairly ideal shell jacket at a very good price in comparison to some others and, at the end of the day,
‘If you have been out long enough for the rain to seep through your Ventile then you have been out too long’
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSCF1074.jpg
A few pictures showing hood detail in comparison to the Norrona Recon.
Annie (the dismembered model wasn't looking at her best but she has been playing victim on too many Rescue Diver courses!) :D
Full Hood
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0023.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0025-2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0026-1.jpg
Hood adjusted for depth of fit
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0027-2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0028-2.jpg
Norrona Recon hood for comparison
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0033-1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0032.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d198/MikeBuckley/DSC_0034-2.jpg
Thanks for reading this, hope it was of some help, or at least not too boring!
Mike
Good thread Mike, Cheers.
Great review Mike - quick question though - I've had an original Westwinds ventile smock for a few years now and I wear it whenever I can, however my missus doesn't object to the look of the thing when I wear it down town just to the stench of woodsmoke that's permeated it ! How do you get round that one ?
scoops_uk
01-08-2007, 22:48
Useful review and some good pics of the jacket, thanks.
I hadn't realised it was so smart from the "shop" pics, I'm tempted now!!! :D
Scoops
Great review Mike - quick question though - I've had an original Westwinds ventile smock for a few years now and I wear it whenever I can, however my missus doesn't object to the look of the thing when I wear it down town just to the stench of woodsmoke that's permeated it ! How do you get round that one ?
Long suffering SWMBO has put up with many things. We are both diving instuctors, (wet dive kit pongs), we have a four year old boy, (small boys can be a tad whiffy too), we have a labrador (no comment needed) plus I have some old Lundhags and the tallow dressing, a really medievel offacultory experience. I guess she doesn't notice the faint aroma of woodsmoke :D
Mike
Useful review and some good pics of the jacket, thanks.
I hadn't realised it was so smart from the "shop" pics, I'm tempted now!!! :D
Scoops
Honestly, it's a gucchi bit of kit. I am/have been a bit of a kit monster in the past and so I did compare it to some stiff competition. It's right up their (IMHO) with the SASS, Country Innovations, Swazi, Norrona and Snowsled.
Mike
Looks great!
Some nitpicking from a gear freak...
Anychance for a picture of it fully zipped(how much does the collar cover your face)?
Does that zipper snag your beard?
How is the hood? As good as a Norrøna one? Pic?
All those seams doesnt make it leaky? Close up piccy?
The Recon jacket will not take as much sparks or breathe as much as a Ventile jacket.
Too bad you dont have room enough for a puff jacket underneath since that would make it one serious winter parka.
That mountain jacket cut looks great!
sandsnakes
02-08-2007, 09:17
Out of adversity I was forced to buy one...yes who forgot all of thier goretex when they went to the moot :eek: so I purchased the ventile jacket. :welcome:
Normally I would not spend this amount on kit as I use military stuff as it is cheap and designed for punishment. If it is in a very leary camo design I just dye it to tone it down.
What I noticed first was that it is quiet, not a rustle to be heard which was great improvement on my ex GDR goretex. Things stayed dry and their was a total lack of the soggy armpit syndrome. I am now a convert. The wired hood is fantastic and adjustable so you dont feel like you are in a cave and you do have side vision. There is probably better kit about, but given the cost of ventile per meter and the production quality it is actully very well priced.
Reccomended for days out in the wet in Wales.
Sandsnakes
gregorach
02-08-2007, 09:59
Some nitpicking from a gear freak...
Anychance for a picture of it fully zipped(how much does the collar cover your face)?
Does that zipper snag your beard?
How is the hood? As good as a Norrøna one? Pic?
The collar is pretty high. Yes, the zipper can occassionally snag your beard - I've been meaning to add a little fold-over cover for the top of the zip to prevent that, but haven't got around to it yet. The hood is bleedin' enormous - at full extension, it's got a kinda Obi-Wan Kenobi feel to it... ;)
Looks great!
Some nitpicking from a gear freak...
Anychance for a picture of it fully zipped(how much does the collar cover your face)?
Does that zipper snag your beard?
How is the hood? As good as a Norrøna one? Pic?
All those seams doesnt make it leaky? Close up piccy?
The Recon jacket will not take as much sparks or breathe as much as a Ventile jacket.
Too bad you dont have room enough for a puff jacket underneath since that would make it one serious winter parka.
That mountain jacket cut looks great!
Pictures added to the review now mate.
Leaky, nope, the thread swells within the weave so it seals itself.
I've just dug out my Snugpak Sleeka and it fits under the Ventile so it's rommier than I initially thought.
Mike
Wow, awesome pics m8!
Glad to hear its roomy enough for a puff jacket.
It looks like that jacket sure gives the Recon a run for its money.
Excellent review, 10/10 points!
Hope you manages to wear it out adventuring outdoors!
John Fenna
02-08-2007, 14:02
I am sure I know the girl in the pictures - isn't it our Annie?
Beer Monster
02-08-2007, 14:45
I am sure I know the girl in the pictures - isn't it our Annie?
She doesn't look very well?!? :o
Quick question. Does the collour get quite bulky when the hood is stowed away? i.e. is it constrictive around the throat when zipped up to the top with the hood stowed?
Also is there a storm flap behind the water resistant main zip?
Annie really isn't looking at her best at the moment, tis true.
I was going to add some more comparison pics but gaffer taping a dismembered head onto a tripod, dressing it in jackets and taking pictures in the garden draws a few odd looks form the neighbours!
Mike
gregorach
03-08-2007, 09:42
No storm flap, but it doesn't seem to need one. The water resistant zips work.
The collar can be a little bulky with the hood stowed, but not too bad if you fold it right. There's still plenty of space, unless you've got a massive neck.
MagiKelly
03-08-2007, 10:21
Great review Mike. How does the sleeve length compare to the Ray Mears Swazi Tahr?
Great review Mike. How does the sleeve length compare to the Ray Mears Swazi Tahr?
It's slightly shorter but not by much. I'll dig a tape out later and check for you.
Mike
Ok, Armpit to cuff on the Ventile is 23", and although different to measure I make my Tahr 25".
Hope that helps
I ordered a BCUK ventile Jacket last weekend, it arrived today, very quick service!
I have only worn it walking to work and back but what a great jacket, it feels very comfortable and looks great, it will replace my Gortex XCR jacket for an every day coat, the cut and length are idea for me and the hood is huge!!
I am really impressed! Great work by all involved in bringing this to the market! :You_Rock_
lostplanet
11-03-2008, 23:18
Isn't this the perfect all round Jacket if you Nikwax it as well?
You don't proof Ventile, it doesn't need it and proofing would reduce its effectiveness as the cotton fibres have to absorb a little water to swell and block the rest.
lostplanet
12-03-2008, 15:53
ok, make sense, Thanks
so this isnt any good then?
http://www.nikwax.com/en-us/products/productdetail.php?productid=25 0&activityid=-1&itemid=-1&fabricid=-1
I'm interested as eventually I will want a working jacket for most weathers (cold/wet), so i'm thinking if i had a ullfrotte L/S 200G baselayer under this jacket would be good, I don't want to be too hot.
Celt_Ginger
16-03-2008, 10:40
I am very tempted by this jacket but for one feature, the exposed waterproof (resistant) zips. If the jacket had a storm cover, I'd snap one up right away, but I'm put off by the exposed zips. I just know that they will fail at some point. Dirt or forest debris will get in there and stop them working properly. I know it's probably a belt and braces thing on my part, but that's the only thing stopping me wanting one.
is there a massive amount of difference between this and the westwinds cairngorm jacket?
Dan
is there a massive amount of difference between this and the westwinds cairngorm jacket?
Dan
yes, a great deal of difference
The hood is a compleatly different design and also has wired peak, the chest pockets are much larger inside and a different shape, the lower handpockets are microfleece lined, it doesnt have a nylon liner like the cairngorm, the shoulders are double ventile and the cuffs are also a different design.
I am very tempted by this jacket but for one feature, the exposed waterproof (resistant) zips. If the jacket had a storm cover, I'd snap one up right away, but I'm put off by the exposed zips. I just know that they will fail at some point. Dirt or forest debris will get in there and stop them working properly. I know it's probably a belt and braces thing on my part, but that's the only thing stopping me wanting one.
Just seen this.
I doubt very much that the zip would fail, it's the same zip that's on my Saber bag and that's been in the jungles, desert, snow, woodlands etc for 5 years, it gets kicked about all the time and the zip is as good as new.
We have never had a zip issue on the jacket and some of the people that have bought them treat them very hard and nearly all of us use them when carrying wood and in the woodlands. I really don't think that the zip will be an issue, it's tough and it's up to the job :D
It looks almost identical to the west-winds Airedale jacket.
The torso of the jacket is very similar, it was the basis of the Bushcraft UK Jacket. There are significant differences as Stuart mentioned above, Completely different hood, cuffs, pockets, lining and shoulders. They're the same zips and nice straight lines to the cut of the jacket.
It looks almost identical to the west-winds Airedale jacket.
The BCUK Jacket has slightly more in common with the Airedale than it does the cairngorm, as we used the same yoke and shoulder cut as the Airedale, but otherwise list of differences is the same as the cairngorm:
The Airedale and cairngorm both have a full nylon lining with elasticated cuffs, the BCUK jacket doesn’t and uses military smock style single velcro tab cuffs.
The hood design on the BCUK jacket is unique to the BCUK jacket and neither the Airedale or cairngorm have the volume adjustment method or wired peak.
The chest pockets on the BCUK are larger than those of both the Airedale and the cairngorm, reaching right around under each armpit.
The lower hand pockets on the BCUK jacket are micro fleece lined, a feature not present on either the Airedale or the cairngorm.
The shoulders of the BCUK jacket consist of two layers of ventile, where only one is present in both the cairngorm and the Airedale.
Some more images of the BCUK ventile jacket:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/main1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/logo1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/hoodback1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/hood1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/side1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/back1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v174/diabolik/jacketstone1.jpg
lostplanet
14-05-2008, 18:54
The more i see this jacket the more i like the idea and want one !!...bloody hell i'm going to have to sell some stuff..........Can you please stop posting pictures until I have a small Lotto win ;)
treecare
08-07-2011, 19:55
Hello, I have not been on very much. I hope all is well. I am looking for a Ventile jacket, been doing a lot of searching and I to came up with the West Winds Arctic Parker. I have tried to call them, but had no luck as yet. Will try again, then email them. I have tested all kinds of jackets, Gore, E-vent, Paramo, Wax cotton as well, and some other kinds of treated fabrics used for shooting garments. I still have two Ventile jackets, these date from 1974 and 1981. I don't use them any more, but they are stills round. All my synthetic stuff fell apart in the first year. E-vent did go on longer. I am now going back to ventile. With wool base layer, it should stand up to all I am going through at it, and more. I am writing to Swazi as I would like to get more info from them. I read some reviews, also comments from a few BC UK and NZ users. It would seam to be very good stuff.
Ventile Alternatives to the West Winds Parka (which is very good by the way) :
- SASSKit Ventile-clone smock. Very good. They will also make them in real Ventile if you can source the material from Talbot Mills.
- Hilltrek smocks and jackets . Cheaper than Westwinds and they will do any design and sizing you want (including a Paramo analogy lining)
West Winds Arctic Parker. I have tried to call them, but had no luck as yet.
They're shut on Friday afternoons. I've just bought an Airedale by the way, rather pleased with it.
John Fenna
09-07-2011, 07:49
I have Ventile jackets by a wide range of makers inc West Winds and Hill Trek and love em all - but the only one I have BOUGHT and BOUGHT TWO of is the Bison Bushcraft Ventile Smock....
I love the styling (based on a SAS smock of 60s vintage - I think) fit (loose-ish for my figure, without being too long) and function (big box pockets full front zip and ventile performance.)
One (now showing its age) for the woods, one (nice and new) for town wear ...
treadlightly
09-07-2011, 09:30
The sass smock in 'not-but-very-like' ventile material is a similar design to the BB one mentioned by John and is also terrific imho.
John,
I'm assuming they don't make these anymore as they don't appear on the website.
I like my BCUK Ventile as it's a very 'clean' and 'fitted' design and is an unfussy garment that is at home in town or in the woods but I'm sooooooo glad I held onto my issue Ventile Arctic Windproof when I retired as they seem to be like hen's teeth at the moment. They must have been good as everyone seems to make a similar design!
Not sure if anyone's mentioned them before but there was also a set of Ventile overtrousers that went with them - velcro slits at the bottom to get over your boots and a loose fit so you could wear them comfortably over other trousers.
I have Ventile jackets by a wide range of makers inc West Winds and Hill Trek and love em all - but the only one I have BOUGHT and BOUGHT TWO of is the Bison Bushcraft Ventile Smock....
I love the styling (based on a SAS smock of 60s vintage - I think) fit (loose-ish for my figure, without being too long) and function (big box pockets full front zip and ventile performance.)
One (now showing its age) for the woods, one (nice and new) for town wear ...
John Fenna
12-07-2011, 09:52
I think I had the last one (made to measure:) ) but his sewist lady found Ventile tough going to sew....
and refused to do any more!