View Full Version : sass smock
treadlightly
24-04-2009, 21:59
After weeks of indecision I decided to buy a Sass smock in olive green ventile in all but name and I thought I'd post my initial thoughts.
I have to say I was a little disappointed by the feel and look of the fabric. It was shinier, more rustly and less natural-looking than I had expected. No doubt this was due to the proofing that Paul at Sass had told me about.
The sizing is very generous. I am 5ft 11ins and 42 chest and ordered a 180 40-42 ins and it is pretty big and long in the arm, although by adjusting the velcro cuffs and midriff cord it can be made to fit.
I'm really impressed with the storage space. The external pockets are huge and with the poachers' pocket and the internal chest pockets and arm pocket there is more than enough room to stash everything.
I haven't had chance to test it in rain yet, although that will probably change this weekend. I'll post again when I've had a chance to put it through its paces.
Shiny? Rustly? .... I hope that changes, as thats the last thing I'd want to be wearing for that price.
Hope it works out though and look forward to seeing if these kinks iron themselves out as it gets worn in.
RAPPLEBY2000
24-04-2009, 22:12
Tell us how you get on as I am about the same size as you and have considered many times to get that jacket (or one in the "Kit-carry" family)from SASS.
I know them to be a very good company, but it's good to know from first hand how the products cope! ;)
Once its been through the wash once the fabric is completly different ,
Far better feel to it .
Twodogs
treadlightly
26-04-2009, 18:12
Once its been through the wash once the fabric is completly different ,
Far better feel to it .
Twodogs
That's good to know. I've just returned from a weekend in the woods with it and its beginning to grow on me. The weather was good so no chance to test its water resistance but having that amount of storage space was very useful. I've a feeling its going to win me over. Now I need some rain!
treadlightly
26-04-2009, 18:22
Just seen the weather forecast for tomorrow and its terrible. :)
tommy the cat
26-04-2009, 22:00
Well I love mine but wear it so much haven't washed it...well thats the story I am sticking to.
Good jacket, spoke to Paul the other day about some pants.
Dave
Celt_Ginger
26-04-2009, 22:08
I love mine. I've had it a while now and it's great.
wildrover
26-04-2009, 22:38
Same here had mine for a while and love it.
My mate has one of the newer ventile alike and has cottonproofed it and reckons it performs, weatherwise at least as well as his single ventile smock(also cottonproofed).
I have a SASS Kit Karry and very good jacket 10/10 cant think of anything i do not like.
Anyone wanting one try ebay first, there has been several in recent weeks.
treadlightly
27-04-2009, 09:29
Well I love mine but wear it so much haven't washed it...well thats the story I am sticking to.
Good jacket, spoke to Paul the other day about some pants.
Dave
Does he do them in the OG ventile-type fabric?
Yes , I had a shirt and trousers made up in it , well happy .
Twodogs
The Lord Poncho
27-04-2009, 16:10
I've got a black one from SASS made, i think, from the same heavyweight cotton fabric- i think they used to market it as 'special quality cotton' until they realised how much people wanted things like ventile! Had it for about 6 years now. Great quality, not too waterproof though, and does take rather an age to dry.
Washing with a large amount of 'Comfort' or similar fabric softener does wonders to cheaply reproof the fabric (contains a large amount of silicon i believe), and certainly when treated like this, it helps it dry out quicker.
For a while i had a goretex (ex dutch issue parka liner) permanently buttoned into the inside of it. These are very thin, pertex lined, and you don't notice you are wearing them (until you have to do any heavy exertion). Completely waterproof and no damage from flying sparks.
tommy the cat
27-04-2009, 16:31
Ok just a few points as I spoke to Paul at Sass today.
The manufacturer reckons its as good as ventile if not better as they tried to improve on ventile. I does stiffen up when wet but not as much as what people say ventile does.
I got really wet today and all I had was a little dampness at the cuffs no leakage anywhere else. Its quiet but only as much as what its rubbing against ie your goretex trousers!
Finally talking about washing Paul says ignore the instructions in the coat and hand wash in hand hot water with minium of powder rinse well and then drip dry not tumble dry.
I am in the process of looking at the trousers that they do in 'Oxford Weave' as I like them so much...he's sending me a sample of the sand colour they do £65.
Dave
HI
Had a quick look and this is the only one at mo on evil bay!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SASS-sas-SMOCK-combat-JACKET-German-FLECTARN-dpm-VGC_W0QQitemZ370191107841QQcmd ZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_ Militaria_LE?hash=item37019110 7841&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1684|66%3A2|65% 3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Ref: 370191107841
Finally talking about washing Paul says ignore the instructions in the coat and hand wash in hand hot water with minium of powder rinse well and then drip dry not tumble dry.
"minimum of powder rinse well" ?????????
BUMP - i have to wash my SASS smock today, Tommy please tell me what you mean!!!
treadlightly
01-05-2009, 00:08
BUMP - i have to wash my SASS smock today, Tommy please tell me what you mean!!!
The way it was explained to me was you choose very gentle stuff to wash it in like soap flakes or the ecover liquid and use the bare minimum amount you feel you can get away with and still get it clean. Then gently hand wash in warm water, rinse and drip dry. That way, Paul said, you preserve the proofing for the longest possible time.
But what soap specifically? And I never new the smocks came with any sort of proofing on them. Again what specifically is the proofing they apply?
thanks in advance.
I've had mine for 6 months nearly and only washed in once - in the washer - cold water - no soap/conditioner/softner - just plain old water. Came out fine but then again it wasn't too dirty to begin with. I'm just wondering how I would clean it if it was caked in mud and such.
treadlightly
05-05-2009, 17:04
I'm not sure of the kind of proofing but Paul definitely said it was proofed and it is long lasting stuff as long as care is taken when washing it.
He said use the minimum amount of detergent and choose something very gentle like pure soap flakes which you can buy in packets from supermarkets or Ecover's handwashing liquid.
treadlightly
10-06-2009, 12:19
A few weeks on and I've had more of a chance to put the smock through its paces. I really like it now.
The fabric is quite different to ventile in appearance, slightly shinier (maybe due to the proofing?) and lighter I think but it really does the job.
I'm impressed with how much weather it keeps out. I was out in steady fairly heavy rain for an hour and a half the other day and not a drop came through, which was better than I expected. Perfect for our climate - money well spent I reckon.
If you really want Ventile for your SASS smock, you can buy yourself some seconds (= perfect as far as I could see) from Talbot themselves and Paul will make you up any of his jackets using your material. I got an olive green Ventile SASS Force 8 smock and a tan Ventile SASS Field Smock made up - brilliant.
Nonsuch
If you really want Ventile for your SASS smock, you can buy yourself some seconds (= perfect as far as I could see) from Talbot themselves and Paul will make you up any of his jackets using your material. I got an olive green Ventile SASS Force 8 smock and a tan Ventile SASS Field Smock made up - brilliant.
Nonsuch
HI
if you dont mind me asking Nosuch- how much was your smocks to make if you provide the material.
I still love my Kit Karry!
Thanks
I took delivery of one of these today:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAS-KIT-CARRY-SNIPER-SMOCK-XL-Stalking-Hunting-OG_W0QQitemZ260384734240QQcmdZ ViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods _Sports_Clothing_LE?hash=item3 ca023bc20&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C3 9%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318 %7C301%3A1%7C29
It's not ventile, and isn't meant to be waterproof, but I'm delighted with it - especially at £65. Will post up a review in due course.
I spoke to the Sales Director of Ventile not long ago, who said that the fabric comes treated with a flourocarbon type finish, to make the water bead up. This will presumably wear off over time, so the fabric will rely on its inherent properties (ie swelling fibres) to keep the rain out. The DWR could be renewed with cotton proof or similar. I don't know if the SASS fabric is similarly treated though.
forestwalker
12-06-2009, 04:52
Ok just a few points as I spoke to Paul at Sass today.
The manufacturer reckons its as good as ventile if not better as they tried to improve on ventile. I does stiffen up when wet but not as much as what people say ventile does.
Any idea what the fabric is? If the specs are that good I would want some, in order to make a new smock and pants for myself.
HI
if you dont mind me asking Nosuch- how much was your smocks to make if you provide the material.
I still love my Kit Karry!
Thanks
PM sent
Nonsuch
I have one of the OG SASS smocks and more than pleased with it.
It is cut well with plenty of room to layer clothes underneath it.It will take light rain for some time then it will get wet.However it dries out without too much problem.
As for washing i have always thrown mine in the machine on a wool wash.I have not got the time to hand wash it.As for the waterproofing i never expected it to be waterproof,all breathable fabrics will get wet eventually,even Goretex.
I have never found it rustly,even when brand new.Some may want more pockets but find the standard pockets more than enough for essentials.But all in all a good allround robust outdoor jacket.
Just seen a SASS Smock on ebay in Flectarn - 370216089390
Starting bid £1.00