View Full Version : Arktis or Sass Sas smock
Opinions gentlemen.I fancy a really good quality olive drab sas smock,do i go for the Arktis or the Sass smock.Ive never spent this much on a jacket before so i want to make the right choice,i think they are both Gortex lined and both companys do a trouser to go with them.Anyone got any experience of these jackets.Thanks.
i think they are both Gortex lined
ummmm I didn't think either of them were.....
Ed
Paganwolf
28-09-2004, 00:26
I have a SASS Kit Karry smock flippin great smock loads of pockets fantastic quality and you can also have extras fitted to it e.g taped buttons double hood retainer straps, velcro cuffs more pockets ect check the website out http://www.sasskit.co.uk/ , but as ED says its not goretex lined and as far as im aware none of the SASS smocks are :?: but you can buy liners :wink:
No, neither are GoreTex lined but you can buy a liner for them (or just cotton proof them for shower-proofing).
I've got an SASS Karry Kit jacket too (doesn't seem to me to be a smock cos it's got a full length zip!) - no integral gore-tex, but they sell a liner that works very nicely
Fit and finish on the SASS jacket is excellent, as is the service - mine had to be made since they didn't have my size in stock and it was with me in a couple of days. Also they're happy to chat to you on the phone about their products and the rationale behind them - I enquired about a couple of modifications, one of which was incorporated, the other wasn't but I was given a detailed reason why they had previoiusly considered the idea but had rejected it. I learnt a lot from talking to them!
BUT SASS couldn't do me a green jacket - they can't get a fabric they're happy with. They said that the ripstop they use for the black jacket turns out like a weird tartan when dyed. Still it's worth phoning to find out!
I was on the phone to SASS yesterday about the OG Smock and they can't get the material at the moment. They suggested that a call about in 4 weeks to see what the situation is like then
Richie
I have had two jackets from SASS.
First was a SAS Smock in cotton modal - probably got that about 85. It is still going strong despite very hard use. It got retired for other to use as the stomach area mysteriously shrank ( thats my story and Im sticking to it :roll: )
About four years ago I got another smock from them in ripstop.
Always the service is first rate, very helpful and knowledgable. Treated with cotton proof, both jackets take a fair soaking before letting in.
Have has a squiffy zip or two on the current jacket - but havent taken up with SASS - who I am sure would have sorted - so only myself to blame there!
No experience of Arktis.
Hope helps
Thanks for all the replys lads.I thought that both companys did a water proof smock.I thought i had seen them for sale in Silvermans and Soldier of fortune.
Arktis do, do a waterproof smock:
http://www.arktisltd.co.uk/Products/1015_waterproofsmock.htm
I thnk that Wayne (The General) has one of these - it's the jacket he was wearing at the BCUK meetup. I didn't scrutinise it carefully, but it looked like a nice piece of kit
Available from Woodland Organics (http://www.woodlandorganics.co.uk/shop/clothing/index.htm)
I thnk that Wayne (The General) has one of these - it's the jacket he was wearing at the BCUK meetup. I didn't scrutinise it carefully, but it looked like a nice piece of kit
Available from Woodland Organics (http://www.woodlandorganics.co.uk/shop/clothing/index.htm)
Those are the ones.i knew that i had seen them before.They do look a top piece of gear i have to say.
arktis do a water proof jacket (call it a smock if you like) but it is not gortex
The Sass Smocks are of much higher quality but they are not water proof, however they do sell a gortex liner for their smocks
arktis do a water proof jacket (call it a smock if you like) but it is not gortex
Is it breathable then? (But that's a moot point anyway, when you sweat as much as me :yuck:)
bushblade
30-09-2004, 13:22
Is it breathable then? (But that's a moot point anyway, when you sweat as much as me :yuck:)
I have been using an Arktis Waterproof Smock for over a year now, they are very good. The liner is breathable, I would say as breathable as regular Gore Tex but not as breathable as Gore Tex Pac Lite.
The outer is rip stop poltcotton, which is pretty tough and dries quickly.
The only bad point I would have to say about it is it only has one storm flap that is not lined with waterproof/breathable liner, but this isn't too bad as it has double internal storm flaps behind the zipper.
The older ones were made of a more heavy weight fabric (liner and shell) and the pockets were not waterproof. The newer ones are more lightweight, more breathable and the pockets are lined with proofed nylon (outer pocket only and non breathable) Which doesn't gaurantee a dry pocket but certainly helps.
I have been using an Arktis Waterproof Smock for over a year now, they are very good. The liner is breathable, I would say as breathable as regular Gore Tex but not as breathable as Gore Tex Pac Lite.
The outer is rip stop poltcotton, which is pretty tough and dries quickly.
The only bad point I would have to say about it is it only has one storm flap that is not lined with waterproof/breathable liner, but this isn't too bad as it has double internal storm flaps behind the zipper.
The older ones were made of a more heavy weight fabric (liner and shell) and the pockets were not waterproof. The newer ones are more lightweight, more breathable and the pockets are lined with proofed nylon (outer pocket only and non breathable) Which doesn't gaurantee a dry pocket but certainly helps.Really does sound the dogs twitcher,have to save me pennys and get myself an olive drab version. :-)
I have been using an Arktis Waterproof Smock for over a year now, they are very good.
Do you find that the waterproof liner makes the jacket very warm? I find with the SASS jacket that, once I've got the liner in, it can be too warm. Since it's showerproof anyway, I find that the liner is only really necessary when it's really tipping it down (or it's raining that really fine stuff, that you can hardly see but which soaks you through very quickly!), and the versatility of having a seperate liner means I've got the benefit of the jacket (and all its pockets!) through a wider range of conditions
bushblade
04-10-2004, 13:05
I don't find it too warm at all, I rarely wear it in the summer though (I usualy use ventile as its more comfortable next to the skin). This time of year onwards its very good over the top of wool base layers, and used with a ranger shirt for realy cold weather. You can roll the sleaves up, and it has a two way zip so you can vent if its a bit too warm.
Also the rank slide makes a perfect location for a BCUK badge :o):
This Gortex stuff,in order for it to work(breath ect) do you need to wear a certain type of clothing underneath the gortex jacket for the gortex to work at its best ect.Sorry to ask a daft question but ive never used gortex clothing.
Goretex is a very fragile mebrame, normally guaranteed for thee years (how long does cotton or polycotton lasT?)
Goretex smock liners can be bought for £15 or so, so a seperate smock/liner combo makes more sense.
My personal choice is a single layer ventile, with good features, and a liner, this gives year round performance, in all conditions, and is good when working around fires (no manufacturers produce kit for bushcraft).
Under garments should be chosen well no matter what the outer, this is the comfort layer as it is next to the skin, merino wool, silk & meraklon are all good choices.
There are environments where trying to stay dry is pointless, instead you stay comfortable (the ethos behind Buffalo Gear),a good natural alternative is a ventile/wool combination, certainly when living with others in a confined area like at tent, BO can become a "grating" point and natural fibres win hands down in this scenario.
Neil
Thanks Neil.I think ive narrowed it down to a Sass sas olive drab smock and drop liner or a ventile smock allso in olive drab.
quarterstaff
15-10-2004, 20:24
Maybe look at a waterproof poncho it should fold down small and has other uses and would work well with the sass smock.
cheers
Moonraker
15-10-2004, 22:36
There are environments where trying to stay dry is pointless, instead you stay comfortable (the ethos behind Buffalo Gear),a good natural alternative is a ventile/wool combination, certainly when living with others in a confined area like at tent, BO can become a "grating" point and natural fibres win hands down in this scenario.
Neil
What's BO?
http://www.planetluna.org/graphics/hiker_brut.jpg
:o): :o): :o):
Paganwolf
15-10-2004, 22:40
Er Bushcraft Odour its a beautiful combination of wood smoke, leaf litter with a dash of happiness and contentment with a hint of whisky mac and JD :rolmao: :rolmao: :rolmao:
Moonraker
15-10-2004, 22:47
Just a tad of sarcasm in my question there PW :-) . For a minute I thought it stood for 'Bush Odour' :yikes: ..... :roll:
Paganwolf
15-10-2004, 23:03
:roll: :rolmao:
Brynglas
16-10-2004, 00:36
I use an Arktis waterproof smock for use in my work and out on the hill. ( They also do a standard combat smock which isn't waterproof, but they sell a liner for it). As a hillwalking.mountain jacket I wouldn't recommend it, basically as it's just not designed for that application. However, if you're looking for a jacket that is weatherproof, has plenty of pockets which are big enough to carry all of your essentials and is quiet in movement with a very low rustle factor then this certainly does the job.
My work often entails spending protracted periods out of doors in all weather,and this jacket does the job. I've recently returned from a trip up to the Inner Hebrides during which I made two journeys, one taking a couple of days exploring the north coast of Islay and the other traversing Jura from North to South, bivvying where necessary and using bothies when available. To put it mildly the weather was absolutely pants, with extremely heavy rain and very high winds over several days. During these trips covering a variety of terrain from moorland and mountain to coastal, the jacket kept me dry and allowed me to do a some stalking and wildlife watching whilst out, the material dosen't shed water, it's not designed to, so it gets a little heavy, but I used campfires and wood burning stoves where I could and the jacket didn't suffer any burn holes from sparks etc. and has come through suffering no damage or undue wear and tear.
So all in all a first class jacket which has performed well for me, I have no experience of the SASS smocks so I can't comment, but I can definitely vouch for the Arktis waterproof smock.
Moonraker
16-10-2004, 02:10
That's really useful to hear your experience with the 'Arktis Smock' Brynglas, thanks.
I picked up their 'Rainshield' light pertex, waterproof line jacket half price on ebay today. Looks nice kit which I can use under any other jacket or on it's own in the right weather. Only weighs 370g and packs right down into a pocket. Now just got to find a good price for a smock :-)
Arktis Rainshield (http://www.arktisltd.co.uk/Products/1021_Rainshield.htm)
http://www.planetluna.org/graphics/Rainshield.jpg
Brynglas
16-10-2004, 12:25
That's really useful to hear your experience with the 'Arktis Smock' Brynglas, thanks.
I picked up their 'Rainshield' light pertex, waterproof line jacket half price on ebay today. Looks nice kit which I can use under any other jacket or on it's own in the right weather. Only weighs 370g and packs right down into a pocket. Now just got to find a good price for a smock :-)
Arktis Rainshield (http://www.arktisltd.co.uk/Products/1021_Rainshield.htm)
http://www.planetluna.org/graphics/Rainshield.jpg
That's the liner, one of the guys I work with has one and he rates it as a really good item which can be worn under any smock. We use quite a bit of the Arktis kit as they're one of our suppliers, as yet I haven't come across a single item that they've made which hasn't performed well, generally simple well thought out ideas and excellent manufacturing quality.
Best of Luck
dose everyone agree that these jackets are to hot with the water proof built in for every day use and you are better off buying them as separate items or dose it up the price to much cant mack my mined up which to get :?:
The General
18-10-2004, 21:56
The Artkis is an excellent product, though the pocket contents do seem to get damp when the rain really pours down! :roll:
OK, finally got a picture of me wearing my SASS kit karry jacket (on escort duty for the tribe's Trick-or-Treating last night)
It's soooo black that you can hardly see me (though I didn't realise that I was quite that pale - I need some sunbed sessions...)
http://boaty.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/smock.jpg
I have the Arktis DPM jacket and have worn it in horrendous weather while hunting Deer in Kerry (Ireland).
Literally could not stand erect with the winds on the mountain and the water was being stripped off the surface of a lake and being blown at us in huge drops.
I was not only comfy but warm and dry,wearing only a light cotton sweatshirt under the jacket.
Fast forward a few years and my Nurse Fiance (trained in Croydon) needs a new wet weather jacket! I order the waterproof black Arktis for her as a gift.
Phoned Arktis to check on it's status and the girl on the phone says "Oh, the Pollice FireArms Team Jacket,that's been sent". I was ****** delighted!
My now wife still wears this big black jacket all the time and loves the thing!Had it abouts 5 winters now and never a bother with it,best jacket she's ever owned according to herself! :-)
My own DPM one is about eight or ten years old and abused but going strong!
Hope this helps!