Swedish Snow Smock

[bayleaf]

Any updates on waterproofing the smocks? I have one now and want to waterproof it.

I have one of these smocks,in an unaltered condition.During the last winter I wore it a great deal whilst walking the dog,often in falling snow,and it never let any water in.If I were you,I'd give it a chance to so that you can discover how waterproof it might already be.The fabric is quite a heavy weave,and should resist some rainfall.
I wore my snugpack jacket underneath,and was almost too warm.
No doubt about it,they are great smocks.Good luck,whatever you do with it.

[arcticsheets]

dylon seems to be the only readily avalible dye over here

colours wise i've seen pretty much all the range used - depends on what you want to use it for - blending in or standing out...

not found out how to introduce myself at the mo so for now hello! just wanted to add here that last year i purchased 3 of the full button arctic parka version of this i gave them all a hot prewash to remove any hidden marks or stains that any dylon dye may not have adhered too, i found that if you add 650g of salt rather than the 500g that dylon suggest that colour finished result was much much better as the xtra salt opens up the pours on this material letting the colour thru fully ,i dyed one the intense purple ,another in yellow believe it or not and the other the tulip red all came out exactly as they looked on the box,apart from the yellow which was tad darker obviously as the base colour is this offwhite grey colour,, this xtra salt deffinately helps produce a more solid colour when dying these swedish types, as ive tried another couple since with the 500g and they were a bit lighter and uneven and had to get another dye ,,SO just a tip that 650g od salt instead od dylons suggested 500g will deffinately help in creating a more solid even colour to your smock/parka

[arcticsheets]

that leather pocket really looks the business on that ,nice

[udamiano]

Welcome and thanks for the top tip Arcticsheets

if you pop over to the introductions forum here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=15
you can say hi to the masses

[resnikov]

Any updates on waterproofing the smocks? I have one now and want to waterproof it.

Well I tried to waterproof mine with some Nik wax cotton proof washin stuff. It kind of worked, the water does bead on it but it still soaks it fairly quickly. Going to have another go with the 2nd half of the bottle and put the smock in the tumble dryer to see if that helps.

[edelweiss]

Well I tried to waterproof mine with some Nik wax cotton proof washin stuff. It kind of worked, the water does bead on it but it still soaks it fairly quickly. Going to have another go with the 2nd half of the bottle and put the smock in the tumble dryer to see if that helps.

Putting it in the tumble dryer certainly should help. From my experience these wash-in waterproofing stuff like Nikwax performs better after heat application. You might also try to
steam iron it.

Another possibility would be Erdal Aqua Stop. I don't know if it's available in the UK, but if it is, you might want to give it a try. Smells horribly during application, but really does the
job. I recently waterproofed a poly-cotton smock with this, and the water just beads of.

[redneck]

Nikwax has never worked forme regardless of heat,I just can't believe the hype when people say it's superb,I keep getting caught in the " I'll try it one more time" thing and always get left disappointed, after half a dozen tries I gave up.

[Volund72]

I'd thought about sending off for one of these, in the past, but just never got around to it. After reading this truly inspiring thread, however, I ordered one last Friday, and it arrived today. And I'm glad I did: they're a cracking piece of kit. They must have some big lads in that there Swedish Army, though, because I've got a 50" chest, and mine's got loads of room (I was a bit concerned that the sizes only went up to XL). Brilliant: plenty of room to move, and plenty of room for layers when the weather gets colder.

Haven't made any final decisions on mods, yet, but, like I said, there's plenty of inspiration in this thread. I'll post a couple of photos when it's done.

[RobvG]

Well, I got mine in as well. It has more holes then an emmentaler cheese, I don't mind a patched hole or two but with this one I lost count. So much for grade 1... Does anyone know a place to get them beside the wholesale stores or genuinearmysurplus? genuinearmysurplus has a horrible horrible service with their webshop (in the end I had to settle for half my order). I've mailed them that this is not really acceptable but since I had to wait 1.5 month for this delivery I rather lost hope I can exchange it.

[Andy T]

I've just bought one of these from a local army surplus, it was already dyed green. It cost me £25 which i didn't mind paying as it was already dyed. They had a few in so if anyones interested send me a few measurements and i can pop in and see what they've got.....and of course you pay the postage.

[RobvG]

I've just bought one of these from a local army surplus, it was already dyed green. It cost me £25 which i didn't mind paying as it was already dyed. They had a few in so if anyones interested send me a few measurements and i can pop in and see what they've got.....and of course you pay the postage.

Well if you could, please! It's the over the head type right? If you could see if they got it in M (without so many bloody holes) I'd be chuffed!

[Andy T]

the one i got was in great condition apart from a couple of buttons that were different, easily changed.

[Badger74]

I don't suppose any of you that took the pockets off have still have them?

I want to put chest pockets on but with similar material.

[Pandabean]

I forgot about this thread. I have my fur ruff now thanks to pignut. I have yet to attach it but been looking at ways of doing so. If it is detachable it would make the smock easier to wash. But it wouldn't look as nice sitting on the hood, I could do popper buttons as Pignut suggests.

Anyone else attached a ruff?

I fidn the smock too big to use as a general daily smock, even with the small size. Portable tent!

[TeeDee]

Has anyone found a good supplier of these in reasonable condition?? Also looking for the matching trousers?

Which suppliers have you guys had good service with?

[Teepee]

I got mine from Addlestones Surplus. £18 plus £5 dely.

It was unissued and the button up type.

[TeeDee]

I'm looking for an XXL Version of this if anyone knows where i can get onr please??

The XL is just a wee tad to tight.

[Badger74]

I've found out that the button up ones can be buttoned together to form a reversable double layered smock.

[Corso]

interesting

gave up on mine though - it fell apart shortly after the dying experience

[England Ram]

Just finished my full frontal button up one.
cost £15 from ebay.
Dyed in black (£5) , took off all the buttons and pull cords before I dyed it. Sewed on large black buttons(£2) and replaced the pull cords with black parra cord(£3). just waiting for some pull toggles(£2) for the cords and I wil be set. Total outlay of £27, not bad.

Waterproofing I will use fabsil, I know someone else who has one and they used fabsil and it works fantastic. I will be using it on my dutch polycotton smock as well.

Mine was enormous, even after a boil wash, even too big with all under layers on etc, so I took it in by about 6 inches at the back and it fits perfect. Probably went from an xxxxL to an XL which being a 38/40" chest is spot on with underlayers.
Taking it in was much easier than I thought, just followed the rear crease and pinned it where I wanted it, tried it on a few times adjusting to fit, then did a running stich up the back, misssing out the pull cord bit, then sewed the flap of material over at the bottom so it lays flat against my back.

I dont know how to post pictures on here, once I know how Ill post some.

[Dreadhead]

nice one. plan on modding two of these for me and the missus. be good to get some pics ram

[Simon1]

Hi All,
Thought i'd post some more photos of my smock, since i've done some more mods!!!! I got my good old mum to put a draw cord in the middle, I have made some antler buttons, which I thought looked pretty good, and I have put a faux fur coller around the hood!!!! Hope you enjoy the photos!!!!

[Dreadhead]

those antler buttons are the dogs bollox mate looks braw

[Simon1]

Thanks Dreadhead!!!! I was pleased how they turned out!!!

[MartinK9]

Nice Modding Simon.

[Man of Tanith]

Looks good Simon
i got as far as dying mine brown then got distracted by other things (this happens more than i am willing to admit) time to dig it out again methinks

[Simon1]

Lol, well I thought it might spur a few people on to complete there smocks,glad everyone is enjoying the pics.

[Dreadhead]

i ordered a size small and it arrived today. really didnt plan on it being this size! its 28" or 70cm pit to pit.anyone got a small and confirm this is definitly the smallest size? tis 3 times the size of me!

once iv got it dyed im thinking of cutting it down to size any tips? was thinking of cutting it down the centre, taking a few inches off each side then adding leather seams down each edge to make it a full button up smock. and then would probably need to cut some out the back too. the hood may prove a problem... blaah textiles aint really my thing. just wanted to confirm the size before i get the dye and scissors out!

[wildrover]

Hi Hamish,
Don't need one of these, but quite fancy one.
Not sure what 70cm pit to pit actually looks like tho'
What size are you mate?
Height, Weight, Chest etc...
A pic, wearing would also be great..

Cheers
Chris

[Dreadhead]

Hey Chris measure a top that fits pit to pit should give you an idea. im usually a 34" chest so usually go for small or medium sizes but i swear this thing is like an XL. heres a couple of pictures to show you how wide it comes out. id say im short around 5'7ish?


By wanderingpict at 2012-05-31

By wanderingpict at 2012-05-31


dont suppose somebody with a medium could measure theirs pit to pit? just want to make sure this is definitly a small before cutting it up!