I follow the Greyarcher1 on YouTube who has excellent instinctive archery discussions, bow reviews, and equiptment advice. Recently he has a few videos on making cloaks that are archer friendly. I know he uses fleece and I would prefer wool. The Asbell wool poncho does not appear as functional to use.
I could really see myself sitting in a treestand with an archers cloak.Give it a look ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8QcgzoYz34o
Legolas
I've seen that too. I am currently searching tartan suppliers to find a pattern that would provide maximum camo effect. I'm also considering designing a pattern, there is a weaver in Scotland that will do custom patterns. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
Steve A
Steve A,
Just a grey wool blanket has great camo capabilities like a deers coat.
I don't like the trashing around pulling your arm out to shoot and putting your arm in again. Too much movement and trouble to me. Basically it's a wool or fleece poncho.
Ah.. not interested.
ChuckC
I suppose it would be great for roaming in the "forest", or nostalgic stuff... but for serious hunting :nono:
I can surely see getting busted trying to get it out of the way to get a shot. In a treestand it would seem to be one big dark blob.
Hey... Now I know what to do with that hideous terri cloth bath robe... :D
Like a gun fighter pulling his long coat back in a gun fight. Not very practical for hunting.imo mike
I used to carry a gray wool blanket up with me for one late season stand I had. The stand was in a huge white pine so I wasn't worried about back cover and I used the blanket draped around me for additional wind blocking and warmth. I cut a small slit in it and ran my safety harness through it so when I shrugged it off my shoulders it wouldn't fall. Worked pretty good, but can't say I ever shot a deer while wearing it.
While this cloak is "cool" on a certain level, i.e. LOTR, I wouldn't ever wear one just from a practicality standpoint.
Great for taking naps.
...
I'm not interested, looks like a lot of potential for string/clothing interference. I also wouldn't want all that material waving around, seems like a good way to get picked off. And don't get me started on hoods, they never seem to work for me.
Looks like fun for playing medieval warrior though... :archer:
The guy running that YouTube page has one pretty strange ideas about archery, bow making etc ...
He is not as knowledgable as he thinks he is ...
I often wonder how much actual hunting this guy has done .
I've done some trekking and much prefer a capote up here where you need to work out in the cold. Watchcoats, long cloaks, ponchos are great in pouring rain - but fail in most other situations.
It's like walking around with a shelter-half draped over you.
Here's a link to a "Matchcoat" method to form a blanklet to make a good cold-weather wrap. I have used this to warm up when a wool blanket is available (I have three in my RAV4 at the moment). Works best with a smaller blanket.
QuoteI often wonder how much actual hunting this guy has done .
72 orcs and one dragon.
just buy a Swanndri shirt !
As a longtime Swanndri wearer ... I concur !!!
I use my ghillie suit in basically the same way. I leave my bow arm out of it while I hunt. It has worked well for me (until I simply cut my bow arm sleeve off).
It's not that bad of an idea.
Not my thing but there is some advantage of having something you can get more into to keep warm and get more out of to shoot or cool off when moving without having to carry or pack it. It would take some movement to get out of to shoot, but so does a heater body suit.
If you like it, have fun with it.
What is a "Swanndri" Shirt?
I have one in very heavy weight wool I bought at King Richards Faire and its like wearing an oven but the sleeves are huge and hang down maybe 10-12 inches and I can't see using it for archery but I haven't honestly tried.. I use a leather belt with belt bag and its perfect for primitive Black Powder.
I bought my Swanndri jacket when TOO SHORT was selling them from Screaming Eagle....great clothing item with very tight knit wool.
Paul Brunner had them do a buffalo plaid and also a camo version...but normally they come in grey, blue or green.
There are some similar versions out and about but I have hunted in 18* freezing rain and snow with this over a filson wool vest...over an woolrich alaskan shirt....woolrich wool pants...lacrosse iceman boots....beanie cap and wool gloves and been TOASTY. Put hood up...sit up against a tree and you will fall asleep...haha
(http://www.denewear.co.uk/store/media/img/prd/95/1256125640/XL.jpg)
(http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e6/82/6c/e6826c1a74597c0c63dcbdd87146c513.jpg)
Here is a good description and photos of the Swandri Mosgiel shirt/jacket
Swanndri uses a 100 year old process to make the wool water proof, The shirt, isn't a shirt like your use too, it's quite thick and long, goes about midway down the thigh, and you wouldn't tuck it into your pants. It's made this long so as to enable the wearer to sit down in mud and muck if the need should arise while hunting, and not get wet.
They use to be made in New Zealand, but like many things today, the wool is still made and treated in New Zealand, but it's now made into a garment in China and shipped back to New Zealand.
Both my shirt and jacket were the originals made in New Zealand, now if you want originals, you have to shop around.
im rt on the coast in no cal .I had a camo swandri shirt as in pic it was fine 40 miles east of here.but if you are humping hills on the coast you need a light rain poncho over fleece.I personally don't think it is rt for every weather situation.
I'll pass on the cloak thing. Just to much material hanging off to get hung up on stuff.
Besides, all the deer would be scared off with my hunting buddies laughing there butts off at me.
I been thinking about getting a hooded plaid robe in fleece or wool. I am thinking about customizing it with some buttons and inner pockets for hand warmers and such. After the winter season they go on sale.
Really the idea is something simple (see the video where Grey takes a blanket and makes a cloak with marbles and string).
When he pulls his arm out to shoot it looked easy and simple. I know most of the deer I have shot I had ample time to get ready. Heck getting the bow off the hook is a lot of motion also.
Swanndri looks fine but $300 is a little rich for me and defeats the concept of simple, love to have one as a gift.
Yes, everything has it's place, maybe on the west coast you can wear fleece with a poncho or some other water proof garment, but if you get sweated up and and get hurt, or get stuck for some other reason and can't move around for whatever reason, and it gets cold, you'll wish you had some wool !
I paid about 1/3 the list price for my Swanndri shirt and jacket, I ain't rich either, just smart and in the right place at the right time.
There are plenty of plans on the internet for building capotes and blanket shirts out of wool blankets. Much more practical than a poncho arrangement.
I bought some "camo" burlap from my local Tractor supply. I cut is big enough to cover me up when standing....then wear it like a match coat. When I sit down (I use a Torges tree seat) I all but disappear....I think it was $15? I have seen it clearance for $10 or so...cheaper and cooler than a ghillie suit....and useful for all weather!
It's not hard core real tree, just more a mottled pile of old leaves pattern...