View Full Version : Can you identify this parka?
...that Ray is wearing here...
http://www.britishblades.com/pics/parka.jpg
Looks as though it might be something made specially for him. I'm planning a trip somewhere very cold next year, and this looks just the ticket.
Any ideas?
Martyn - items like that Ray generally borrows (the bbc pay for their hire) however you can have them made.
Try getting a copy of a book called The winter wilderness companion by G Conover - it has a list of suppliers as well as a pattern if you want to make it yourself.
Alternatively Ventile is the thing you want - Snowsled supply the Antarctic survey and should see you right.
bigjackbrass
15-01-2004, 19:38
After several attempts I still cannot get the picture of the parka to display, but judging from your comments and Gary's reply I am guessing that it's the one Ray wears on the front of the first "Extreme Survival" DVD. Assuming that to be the case, I don't think that it's borrowed or hired. That DVD was filmed four or five years ago and Ray wore the same anorak in Lapland last month, no BBC in sight.
My cheaper option was a Swedish Army Arctic Smock, sixteen quid from a surplus store in Stoke. It lacks the chest pouch and fur trim but I'm planning to add those because it was otherwise excellent. Empire Canvas make a good one too - try www.duluthpack.com for a picture - and also the mittens and blanket shirt to go with it. One suggestion: whatever you go for, make certain that it is at least a full size larger than you think you need. The Swedish smock has ample room, not so much "one size fits all" as "one size fits all simultaneously."
Of course, if the picture isn't of that top then, um, ignore everything I just said.
Thanks Gary, I'll try and track that book down.
Thanks Jack (site was offline for a little while, you should see the pic now), yeah, that's the parka I meant. Would that store in Stoke be "!The Quatermasters Store" in Picadilly, Hanley?
I also like the look of that dulluth pack smock - that's got possibilies too. Thanks.
bigjackbrass
15-01-2004, 22:02
Sorry, should have mentioned the shop name considering you only live up the road.
Yes, it was QMS (as I believe the sign now says, in a tragic KFC sort of way). I went in for a pair of old army boots to use when skiing and spotted the smock on a rack. They also had the same thing in black, which is probably not such a good idea for very cold conditions.
Mind you, they had a really pants selection of boots.
My cheaper option was a Swedish Army Arctic Smock, sixteen quid from a surplus store in Stoke. It lacks the chest pouch and fur trim but I'm planning to add those because it was otherwise excellent. Empire Canvas make a good one too - try www.duluthpack.com for a picture - and also the mittens and blanket shirt to go with it. One suggestion: whatever you go for, make certain that it is at least a full size larger than you think you need. The Swedish smock has ample room, not so much "one size fits all" as "one size fits all simultaneously."
Of course, if the picture isn't of that top then, um, ignore everything I just said.
Was it this one you got?
http://www.militart.se/images/M90%20VÄRMEJACKAliten.JPG
Didya know that QMS is now part of the silvermans group?
http://www.silvermans.co.uk/
Still looking for something similar to Rays smock, and your Empire Canvas (http://www.duluthpack.com/images/product_images/c180.jpg) suggestion BJB, is about the closest so far...
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/bcstore/clothing/outerwear/anorak/index.html
Be brill with a fur trim. :)
Why dont you send Ray Mears an email asking the origin of this garment.
I have found the staff there very helpful with the many questions that I have asked. :-P
Contacting Woodlore is probably the best idea. As Chopper said (full of good advice that man!) they are very helpful
Tel 01580 819668
info@raymears.com
It's not hired or borrowed. It's part of Ray's own kit. He had it in Lappland last year and I asked him about it. He had it made, in the UK, to his design. It's basically a double-layered Ventile if I remember correctly.
bigjackbrass
19-01-2004, 19:47
Viking, the smock I bought was an overhead anorak design in off-white cotton, rather than having a full front opening. There are two large bellows pockets low on the front, fastened with three buttons on each. I guessed it was Swedish due to the blue crowns stamped inside, confirmed when Lars Falt commented on it. A very simple garment but certainly adequate to my needs.
As for Ray's, though... I have smock-envy.
Viking, the smock I bought was an overhead anorak design in off-white cotton, rather than having a full front opening. There are two large bellows pockets low on the front, fastened with three buttons on each. I guessed it was Swedish due to the blue crowns stamped inside, confirmed when Lars Falt commented on it. A very simple garment but certainly adequate to my needs.
As for Ray's, though... I have smock-envy.
Then I know wich you mean, it´s an old winter camouflage
bigjackbrass
21-01-2004, 22:15
Forgot to suggest www.norrona.com as a source, too. They have a very nice looking Arctic anorak in their catalogue called, with typical Scandinavian clarity, the Arktis Anorakk. I can't give you any more details from the catalogue because I don't read Norwegian, but I think the website has an English version.
Thanks Jack, it looks to have definite possibilities...
http://www.norrona.com/web/products.nsf/web/friluft_skall_stor/$file/1209_stor.jpg
Arctic scenery is imprinted on those who have opened themselves up to it. Regardless of whether it is the light, the eternity of the cold or quick changes in weather and scenery - the polar explorer yearns to return. Norrøna Arktis clothing in pure cotton is the touring classic for the high mountains and other kinds of cold outdoor activities. It is clothing you will get more and more fond of the more it is used. Norrøna's special cotton material stops the wind and snow, but allows body moisture to escape - which would otherwise cool down the body. This is clothing which for generations has made it possible to survive the cold, wind and snow.
For 25 years Norrøna has been developing and improving our exclusive highly windproof and breathable Arktis Cotton material. It is a combination of traditional and modern weaving techniques and finishing. Designed for use in extreme winter weather.
That one to add to the list for sure. :-D
Martyn,
In Conover's Winter Wilderness Companion he mentioned Wintergreen in Ely, Minnesota as a source for cotton parkas. Check out the link below.
http://www.wintergreendesigns.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_41&products_id=119
Pretty pricey I think but they are available with the fur ruff.
Cheers,
RJP.
Martyn,
In Conover's Winter Wilderness Companion he mentioned Wintergreen in Ely, Minnesota as a source for cotton parkas. Check out the link below.
http://www.wintergreendesigns.com/product_info.php?cPath=32_41&products_id=119
Pretty pricey I think but they are available with the fur ruff.
Cheers,
RJP.
Hi guys !
Jumping in with both feet, as this is my first post here on this forum (been lurking a while though) !
Martyn, you can also get a fur liner (made of wolf fur I think) for the Norrøna anorak. I bought my first Norrøna anorak in 1991 when I first came to Norway. However since 1997 I have been using the "Norrøna Arktis Anojakke", which is open with a full length zip in front (I bought the Ray Mears DVDs last year, and noticed that Ray used the same jacket on one of the DVDs – I think it was the New Zealand episode).
The Anojakke is the best outdoor jacket that I have ever had ! I have used it in winter at -28 degrees Celcius and full storm on the Hardangervidda in Telemark, Norway, to +15 degrees C. at Giants Castle in the Drakensberg in South Africa (early winter time). I even use it in the South African lowveld during early morning and evenings in winter when I’m guiding there.
When skiing in the mountains you do not want to get too wet by perspiration or you will freeze too much when having a break or stop to make camp. I find that you can regulate your bodytemperature in a much better way with the Anojakke by opening the full length zipper in front, than is possible with the anorak. The anorak can only be opened to a certain extent, which is ok for camp use or travelling in the Artic forest, but when you’re going up and down in the mountains and get all sweaty, I prefer the Anojacket.
The Anojacket also has more and better pockets than the Norrøna anorak.
The Norrøna website is available in english - go to www.norrona.no/web/homepage.nsf/web/index.html and choose language.
GJ
My cheaper option was a Swedish Army Arctic Smock, sixteen quid from a surplus store in Stoke. It lacks the chest pouch and fur trim but I'm planning to add those because it was otherwise excellent. Empire Canvas make a good one too - try www.duluthpack.com for a picture - and also the mittens and blanket shirt to go with it. One suggestion: whatever you go for, make certain that it is at least a full size larger than you think you need. The Swedish smock has ample room, not so much "one size fits all" as "one size fits all simultaneously."
Jack, just bought two Sweedish Arctic Smocks from the same place. One was seventeen quid (almost new) and the other was a tenner (a bit battered and bruised, but servicable). I've used the cheap one as a doner, to add handwarmer pockets to the front and cannibalised the waist drawcord to use on the newer one, which didn't have one for some reason ...I've added a drawcord to the hem as well. I'm also adding velcro cuff fasteners to replace the button cuff. I'm also adding waxed elbow patches and shoulder/back patches. Oh, and I used the crotch strap of the cheap one, as a volume reducer for the insanely large hood.
Then I'm gonna dye it, maybe a slate colour, or dark grey and waterproof it. Should be cool for £27 quid and some cotton. :wink: :-D
ChrisKavanaugh
22-02-2004, 07:55
I own the Empire Canvas Anorak. It is extremely well made, but I made some changes. Velcro will clog up in snow. The wrist gauntlets are so equipped. I simply removed the velcro and substituted large butttons. If you want a fur ruff, make it detachable. There are seasons when it isn't necessary. You will also need an Assomption sash to tie up the middle for ultimate warmth. The Conovers excellent book suggests stashing mittens on it connected with a large blanket pin. Nonsence! Mittens are properly worn with a long connecting lanyard that runs from sleeve to sleeve. If you remove a mitten for any reason it merely flops free. Empire Canvas are excellent folks to deal with, though Getting my order from Southern California, in the summer met with the same suprise as the muckluc people! Hey, with global warming the idea of a glacier scraping southward down the freeway had me worried. Oh, neck knives were made or this anorak.
One of the advantages of hooking the mittens to the sash is to get them out of the way. During vigorous exercise such as snowshoeing, I often find the mittens too warm to wear but I don't want them flopping around about my arms. The same is true for any activity where I use my hands a lot but it is too warm for mittens. I often will slip on a pair of light wool or poly gloves while active and when I stop or the temps have really dropped, my mittens are handy and the wool gloves stash easily in a pocket.
We want to see pic´s!!!
I'll get some sorted. I'm still amazed how vacuous the hood is, do your guys still wear helmets with horns on or somethin? :lol:
Probably made to be used with helmet :-D
ChrisKavanaugh
22-02-2004, 19:22
The hood is large to create a warm layer. If you turn the ruff out, it forms a tunnel to create a buffer from the outside cold. Those big tassles on some knit hats act to lock hood and head together. When you turn your head your not looking inside the hood.
There's no ruff on the Sweedish Army Arctic Smock though Chris, and the hood is absolutely huge. Much bigger than anything I've ever seen on a civillian garment. I think it's like viking says, it's designed to go over a helmet - a damned big one too, hence the "horns" jibe. :wink:
I'm planning a trip somewhere very cold next year, and this looks just the ticket.
Any ideas?
Where you going Martyn, and will they let you take some knives?! :lol:
I havent finalised it yet boaty, I'm 40 next summer and I fancied doing something a bit unusual (to help ofeset the pain) - I was thinking a 3 or 4 week trip somewhere inside (or at least close to) the arctic circle, Canada, Alaska, Greenland, nothing extreme though. I'm leaning towards the nothern parts of Scandinavia, maybe Hammerfest, Norway would provide a more interesting trip, but I think I'd stand a better chance of getting near the ice cap from Nunavut, Canada or Barrow, Alaska - go do a bit of whale watching. It's all undecided yet, I've got about 18 months to plan it.
Blissful - a retreat from the opressive heat of summer 8-)
Looking forward to the trip report!
Blissful - a retreat from the opressive heat of summer 8-)
Looking forward to the trip report!I'll be taking plenty of pics for sure. I figure it's the only chance I'll get to go somewhere like that. It'll probably cost me about £4k for both of us, maybe more and I dont think I'm ever gonna persuade the missus to spend that kind of denero on somewhere cold ever again. But it's my 40th, so I get to choose. There's a limit on what she'll do though, so if it's too extreme, I'm on me own. :-D
A visit to the Ice hotel i Jukkasjärvi, might suit the both of you =)
http://www.icehotel.se
Cool. Very, very cool.
Seriously, that's got strong possibilities. Thanks. :wink:
So what was the outcome of this thread? Did anyone have a pattern or source for this smock. I live in Mongolia, and have a few winter excursions to the countryside planned, so I want to get a smock, pants and wolf skin liners made up locally. Locals wear a sheepskin del – which is a long robe with sash at the waist – but for hunting and dog sledding I would prefer smock and over trousers. Any design pattern or web links would be appreciated. Minus 38 last night, currently a balmy -24C. :chill:
Abbe Osram
30-12-2004, 11:11
You will also need an Assomption sash to tie up the middle for ultimate warmth.
Hi Chris,
I was reading about the sash too in the Winter Wilderness Companion and wondered how it could help me increase the warmth. When i tried to sash up the middle of my body I got much colder on my kidney area. What do I do wrong? I have the feeling if I compress the middle area I have less air space between the layers to warm up and start freezing in the area of the sash. But I have to say that I used a belt instead of a sash could that be the problem?
cheers
Abbe
Abbe Osram
30-12-2004, 11:13
So what was the outcome of this thread? Did anyone have a pattern or source for this smock. I live in Mongolia, and have a few winter excursions to the countryside planned, so I want to get a smock, pants and wolf skin liners made up locally. Locals wear a sheepskin del – which is a long robe with sash at the waist – but for hunting and dog sledding I would prefer smock and over trousers. Any design pattern or web links would be appreciated. Minus 38 last night, currently a balmy -24C. :chill:
I don't have a scanner but if none here can scan you in the pattern I could try to shoot a picture with my digital camera from the book.
cheers
Abbe
:chill:
If anyone could send / post a scan of the smock pattern in 'the winter wilderness companion' that would be very helpful in keeping me warm. Takes a while for books from Amazon to get to Ulaanbaatar. Thanks :biggthump