Lightweight jacket

[Mr Happymoose]

I've been looking around for a new lightish weight outdoorsy jacket to replace my sasskit smock which is starting to look a bit the worse for wear as cash is a bit tight and sasskit appear to be no more I've been looking at things like this or this. I was just wondering what other people where and maybe recommend? It's normally for spring/autumn use but I layer up under it in the winter as well.

[Mr Happymoose]

Just going to drag this up again and try and garner some advice as I've noticed some more holes appearing on my jacket so I have a sneaking suspicion that this Autumn could well see it off Any advice on a lightweight jacket that's cotton rather than anything man made would be great

[Green Tea]

One of these?

[Saint-Just]

You can't really go wrong with a M65 field jacket...

[Mr Happymoose]

One of these?

You can't really go wrong with a M65 field jacket...

I had wondered about both of those but I'm not sure about how heavy they are. One of the nice things about the SASSKIT jacket is that it's light enough to wear almost all year round if the weather drops a little, it's extremely comfortable to wear as it's soft, doesn't rustle at all and I can even wear it on the coldest days as there's plenty of room to layer up underneath it with out the jacket itself being bulky.

I think I probably need to try the local army surplus stores maybe and actually have a look at some stuff. Unfortunately the local stores round here, even in Stockport and Manchester are pretty shocking and I can't get much of anywhere else at the moment

[Saint-Just]

You have NyCo M65 (nylon-cotton), mine is Cotton only (except for the sleeves lining, which are polyester.)

I wear it in Summer in South West France when we go in the woods, so light enough to cope with the heat.
I also wore it on a recent camping trip to the Lake district, which was great fun but maybe not exactly warm (nor dry )

It is in the washing machine as we speak, going through some Nikwax techwash before getting a proofing with Nikwax cotton, just to see how it works.

If you get the warm lining as well you'll probably be able to face most of what this country's climate can throw at you -temperature-wise.

[Mr Happymoose]

You have NyCo M65 (nylon-cotton), mine is Cotton only (except for the sleeves lining, which are polyester.)

I wear it in Summer in South West France when we go in the woods, so light enough to cope with the heat.
I also wore it on a recent camping trip to the Lake district, which was great fun but maybe not exactly warm (nor dry )

It is in the washing machine as we speak, going through some Nikwax techwash before getting a proofing with Nikwax cotton, just to see how it works.

If you get the warm lining as well you'll probably be able to face most of what this country's climate can throw at you -temperature-wise.

That's good to know, thanks for that. I must admit, I've always fancied an M65 but thought they were more of a winter coat. Might just have to have a look out for a reasonably priced one. I'd definitely be interested to see how the proofing goes as that was the one and only failing of the SASSKIT jacket, it was about as waterproof as a sieve!! Cotton proof improved it, but I always made sure I had a lightweight waterproof if it looked like rain

[Dr Gonzo]

I was going to recommend an SASSKIT smock but their site is down and has been for a while
Those Swedish snow smocks are great, I have a couple and they dye well look here

[Chastiser]

You can't really go wrong with a M65 field jacket...

indeed, i have been using mine since 2008 and its still going strong.

[Mr Happymoose]

I was going to recommend an SASSKIT smock but their site is down and has been for a while
Those Swedish snow smocks are great, I have a couple and they dye well look here

The SASSKIT smock is what I have and it really has been a superb piece of kit for the almost ten years I've had it. Unfortunately as you say, their website has been down for some time and it would appear that they now only do collectible militaria on the ebay store rather than usable kit

[Saint-Just]

They were issued during the Vietnam war so I do not think they are too warm

The lining is a coat in itself, with sleeves and all. It is better if you can try it on though, as mine felt too tight and I sold it on. But it was REALLY warm.

I do not expect the proofing to turn it into a raincoat: if you want that capability, you have to turn towards more specialised fabrics, like eVent, Goretex or go the Ventile route... But it may cost significantly more.
What I want is a degree of water repellency that will allow me to weather an unexpected shower. If more rain is forecast I'll stuff a poncho in one pocket

[Chastiser]

i got my M65 a little on the large size, this means i can wear a suit jacket underneath it if needed. mine tends to be my winter coat with the liner in it. certainly showerproof and can probably be made better with a waterproofing treatment.

i find it a great car coat as well due to the designed zip length. this means you are not over stressing the front zip if sitting with the coat done up.

tbh i bought both my g/f and i one for doing the mac challenge in, and had no expectation of much use after that, however its going to see me through yet another winter this year. i find em warm as toast with the inner layer used. nice high collar (with an integral hood) and very long sleeves (designed to come down over the fingers) folded back to the right length.

i have just purchased another one so that its a better fit without the liner as my original one is too large without the liner.

[Mr Happymoose]

I think I might try and patch up the jacket I have and in the spring (Hopefully when I'm a bit more flush ) have a look around for a half decent M65 with a liner. Looks like it could do the job.

That Mac Challenge looks like a bit of fun as well Chastiser, what a great way to raise money