View Full Version : Parka Suggestions?? help
I'm looking at getting a winter parka and was looking at the Columbia Ice Wind at around £130. Having looked at it today though, I'm not impressed. There are only 3 buttons on the storm flap, the zip is on the wrong side and the knitted cuffs are that slack,a gopher could run up your sleeve, let alone snow/ wind etc. Anyone have any suggestions for a good parka that won't break the bank ?? :shock:
steven andrews
15-11-2004, 14:09
Swedish Army M90?
M90 (http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr2499.html)
jamesdevine
15-11-2004, 14:10
What about this one Dave. I believe there is also a Swedish army version mentioned somewhere here. If it's new your looking NorthFace do one but it's very expensive.
http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr2687.html
Hope that helps.
James
Arrrrgh both those sites are 'websensed' at work for being military related. Can you copy a pic and upload it to http://imageshack.us so I can have a look :?:
im sure there was another thread on this.. cant find it though! :?:
il host the pics give me 2 min Mighty Oak :wink:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/tomwhite101/Untitled-1copy.jpg here you go dave.. i will have to take this down in a moment as S&A arnt overly keen on people useing their pictures, let me know when you have seen it!
Arrrrgh both those sites are 'websensed' at work for being military related. Can you copy a pic and upload it to http://imageshack.us so I can have a look :?:
Here you go Maddave!
Thanks guys... Just the job. How much do they cost ?? :wink:
The U.S M65 is 39.95 and the S.A M90 is the same
I can highly recommend the M90 parka, I use mine during the winter to keep me warm during low activities.
The U.S M65 is 39.95 and the S.A M90 is the same
So my final question. In your opinion, which do you think is the best for the money ?? :shock:
Paganwolf
15-11-2004, 16:54
ivejust ordered one of those M65's, Gary has a couple they look a pukka parka !!
steven andrews
15-11-2004, 20:01
I'm going to go for the Swedish one.
Swedish seems the way to go when buying cold weather clothing!!
steven andrews
19-11-2004, 16:18
I received my Swedish M90 from www.surplusandadventure.com today and I am very happy with it. A real bargain at just £39.95. Quality is excellent. The site says excellent Grade 1 - and it really is.
Can one of our Swedish friends please tell me what the loop on the left breast is for? It is hollow horizontally.
Thanks
Just put my M65 fishtail through its paces in Scotland - 'orrible weather!
Full parka was warm as toast up on the Nevis range in the snow and the hood (wool lined and big) was a god send.
For walking I removed the liner and hood so it was just a windproof over my swanni again it was spot on - the pockets are wool lined and so make good hand warms.
As we all know the weather was very wet and I delibaretly wore the parka shell (over a swanni) one day to see how wet it would get and how quick it would dry. Well, my flabber was garsted, we walked a fair old wack of the Loch Lomond stretch of the west highland way in good scottish rain and at the end of the day parts of the jacket still hadnt leaked (remember this is just plain old poly cotton) and as such my swanni was still pretty dry.
I am highly impressed with this parka - its versatile, functional and tough.
I ordered my first parka from Surplus and adventure and they sent me a used one instead of new so make sure you point out what you want.
Sizing - top tip here is they come big - if your a Large guy order a medium!!
When all is said and done I think this is the best jacket I have used in a long time and though I still have to test it in Norway's chilly spring weather I can give it the :biggthump for use in blightly!
I received my Swedish M90 from www.surplusandadventure.com today and I am very happy with it. A real bargain at just £39.95. Quality is excellent. The site says excellent Grade 1 - and it really is.
Can one of our Swedish friends please tell me what the loop on the left breast is for? It is hollow horizontally.
Thanks
M90 stands for the whole uniform system, the parka we call "värmejacka" or in english warm jacket.
The loop is for a nametagholder (or whatever it is called in english).
There is also a pair of trousers to this jacket that are really nice when it get´s real cold.
A little tip: Roll in the jacket in the hood wich will make it a lot easier to pack.
benjamin
22-11-2004, 22:39
Just put my M65 fishtail through its paces in Scotland - 'orrible weather!
Full parka was warm as toast up on the Nevis range in the snow and the hood (wool lined and big) was a god send.
For walking I removed the liner and hood so it was just a windproof over my swanni again it was spot on - the pockets are wool lined and so make good hand warms.
As we all know the weather was very wet and I delibaretly wore the parka shell (over a swanni) one day to see how wet it would get and how quick it would dry. Well, my flabber was garsted, we walked a fair old wack of the Loch Lomond stretch of the west highland way in good scottish rain and at the end of the day parts of the jacket still hadnt leaked (remember this is just plain old poly cotton) and as such my swanni was still pretty dry.
What swanni were you wearing underneath, a ranger shirt or the bigger bush/ mosgiel shirt (will one go underneath?)
Just a ranger shirt over a t-shirt.
The M65 Fishtail comes big - I am a large or XL in most clothing and I found the Medium to be the best fit. It will fit over over several layers. I originally bought the parka for Norway and as such needed it to fit over lots of layers so when I got it I played dressing up - and it fitted comfortably over -
1 x ice breaker t shirt
1 x survival advantage wool undershirt
1 x ullforte rollneck
1 x ullsforte 600gm
1 x ranger shirt
1 x Buffalo belay
And the quilted liner it came with!
In this case baggy is good me thinks :-) but for walking it will all tuck into a belt nicely.
http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v342/bearclaw/scotland2204008.jpg
1 x ice breaker t shirt
1 x survival advantage wool undershirt
1 x ullforte rollneck
1 x ullsforte 600gm
1 x ranger shirt
1 x Buffalo belay
And the quilted liner it came with!
Blimey, hope you were standing in the freezer wearing all that...
I will be in February! :chill:
benjamin
23-11-2004, 18:44
What are the big differences between the M65 fishtail and the standard M65 then?
Loads of them, in no particualr order.
Pockets the fishtail only has two deep wool lined pockets where the M65 has four standard ones. The quilted liner and the hood can be used for either (I beleave) Fishtail is big and allows more freedom of movement. M65 standard a sewn in cotton liner the fishtail doesnt and so is lighter. The Fishtail is a tighter weave and more wind proof and being lighter very fast drying.
Lastly the fishtail is what Mors Kochanski wears.
Gary,
How did you talk David Brent into modelling your Fishtail Parka :o):
Nice bergen though :super:
Neil
:rolmao: CHEEKY ............
OK, this may be silly but how do I know if the M65 I'm looking at is genuine or imitation? Does anyone have a piccie where I can see the details? Does it come with a liner or is that extra?
So many questions :shock:
Cheers
Martin
Gary (Bearclaw) sell the genuine ones with liners for £40 ... www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk
M65 or fishtail Martin?
General rule of thumb - nato stock number on label but M65 JACKET in olive is no longer made for the army so these will only be mil-spec unless old stock items.
Gary (Bearclaw) sell the genuine ones with liners for £40 ... www.bearclawbushcraft.co.uk
Damn, I can't give that man any more money. I've just ordered my Xmas present from SWMBO from there :o): :o):
Maybe in the new year. :nana:
cheers,
Martin
M65 or fishtail Martin?
General rule of thumb - nato stock number on label but M65 JACKET in olive is no longer made for the army so these will only be mil-spec unless old stock items.
Cheers Gary,
i didn't mean what I said in my last post. Honest :shock:
Fishtail is the old MOD parka, isn't it?
How can I tell whether it's Mil-spec or cheap imitation, Any other labels apart from NATO number?
Buy from a reputable dealer!
Seriously though best tip I think is brass zipper - and a idiots guide (americans love these) after that its hard to tell really.
Sorry.
Fishtail - yes made MODS are the guys but the new poly/cotton ones are excellent - I have tested mine to bits (not literally) and its now a well trusted garment.
Thanks for the tips Gary. I'd forgotten about the Brass zip. Always a good sign of quality !!
One final question. Does the fishtail always hang down, like the MOD parkas or can it be tucked up out of the way?
Cheers,
Martin
it has press studs to lift it out the way - or if your in for a laught you can go arctic (designed to stop wind robbing heat and snow getting in) and tie the sides together under the crutch, looks like a big nappy. :rolmao:
Ok, thanks everyone for the info regarding the M65.
What about the Sasskit jackets? How do they compare to the M65. Is it only useable in Summer? Or is it Ok for Winter with good warm clothes underneath?
A bit more expensive, but is it worth it? Has anyone used this jacket. If so, which one? Force 8?, kit carry? Field smock?
Thanks for tolerating my ignorance, but i don't have the money to buy several different jackets if I don't get on with the previous ones :?:
And if you don't tell me then I'll just have to try all of your kit on at Ashdown. :o): :o):
Cheers,
martin
Paganwolf
01-12-2004, 07:38
I've got the SASS Kit Karry its very good IMO, plenty of room underneath for plenty of warm winter layers and when used in the summer months with a Tshirt you dont look a sack of :shock: in it, i had the taped buttons a couple of extra pockets, extra D rings inside the pockets to attach things to, velcro tabbed cuffs so i can roll the sleaves up and double hood retainers fitted too. As the name suggests you can carry a good amount of stuff in the pockets comfortably, I always have a pair of leather working gloves and a folding saw in the back poachers pocket,compass in the sleeve pocket,LED mini light attached to one of the pocket D rings and a spare fire steel, one of the inside pockets i use as im out and about for collecting tinder (birch bark ect). Its a tough working jacket with loads of character. And you are more than welcome to try it on at Ashdown :biggthump
Hi shinobi,
I had a kit carry in gaberdine about 14 years ago, good quality, well made jacket. I now have a sass sas smock in ripstop DPM which I wear for work, its used all year round and gets quite a lot of hard use, I like it for the job I bought it for, Im very pleased with it. Its not as wind proof or waterproof as my Hilltrek ventile smock but good enough. Hope that helps.
Brian
Thanks PW and Brian. I'd heard very good things about them previously as well as SASS's customer service. I like the idea of getting the jacket made to your own specification.
And you are more than welcome to try it on at Ashdown :biggthump
I'll take you up on that PW. We're going to have to rename the Ashdown meet to "Ashdown kit exchange and trial" :o):
Sasskit/M65. Hmm, decisions decisions !!! maybe one of each :?:
Cheers,
Martin
geertjan
05-12-2004, 10:41
i like to buy a fishtail parke but what will be a good size?
i have a m65 size medium which fit like a glove must i by a fishtail medium or small because the are big?
Geertjan
If you have a M65 medium a fishtail small will be a good fit - unless you plan to wear many layers underneath - but for general temperate use a size smaller is about right.
I bought a fishtail awhile back but I've always been puzzled by the way the hood attaches. Is the fishtail designed to have something else attached on the outside of it? :?:
I know what you mean. I have just bought one and there seems to be alot of extra buttons and holes left over when you have it attached. All I can think of is that it for use on different M65 jacket models.
I wish I had know that the hood was designed to fit a helmet, it's just so dame BIG!!!! LOL
All ya gotta do now is buy a helmet! :o):
Or adjust the leather toggles to shrink the head room, although the idea of the tennel and fur fringe is to warm the air you breath in and to stop the wind and snow blasting your face.
I adjusted the hood volume and it loked like I had a growth on the back of my head!!! :yikes:
Think I'll keep it as a tunnel :o):
Sasskit/M65. Hmm, decisions decisions !!! maybe one of each :?:
well I've taken the plunge and bought the M65 fishtail. I think I got a good deal from Evil-Bay :wink: It turned up this morning and I'm well pleased :biggthump
The Sasskit one will have to wait until my financial situation recovers a bit more. So much kit to buy, So little cash !!
Thanks for your advice everyone :You_Rock_
I'm off to sew my BCUK badge to the sleeve now.
Cheers,
Martin
Great Pebble
05-01-2005, 13:28
Is the fishtail designed to have something else attached on the outside of it?
Yup, arctic cover.
we are the (bushcrafting) mods!
we are the (bushcrafting) mods!
we are we are we are the (bushcrafting) mods!