Ventile - any good for site wear?

[kevin wooldridge]

...and you need to get that freelance photographer-cum-model used by Ventile to also advertise on BAJRs behalf.

Not sure how Ventile tracked him down but he could have been born to advertise countrywear (or archaeological wear come to that)....He is an archaeological fashionistas dream....(do I mean that? Probably not...)



With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...

[BAJR Host]

ps... must get your avatar sorted!

?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake

[chert]

Yep

Country Innovations http://www.countryinnovation.com/ is the main manufacturer of outdoor Ventile clothing, though there are two others online in the UK. For me they are also an afternoons ride away, just need to persuade my fair one that we need a family trip to Congresbury so I can see these trousers in the flesh before I buy. Either that or I get a good desktop in the area soon!

Was also pondering how proof they were to baby puke... but you really don't want to know about that do you?

[BAJR Host]

I really don't.. ! :0 but let us know if you do field testing!

?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake

[mercenary]

Wow, they look great. I'm really tempted to get one of the jackets for an arctic circle trip this summer. It's nice to see that someone is still making clothes to last. Worth investing in I reckon. Not sure if I would like to wreck such nice kit on site though!

[chiz]

from a mountaineering perspective ventile is still favoured in artic/antartic/high altitude conditions above modern technical fabrics as it is very dry there (but freezing cold), don't know how well would stand up to mud and wet, especially the mud being ground in to the knees. Probably be very good though as very dense weave.

One item I use for digging in the drizzle is a Rab Vapour-rise smock, its got a micro-fleece liner that keeps you warm, and a windproof pertex outer that is water repellant, but wicks the water out. You may get a bit damp, but it dries very quickly and you stay warm:
http://www.rab.uk.com/clothing/vapour-ri...mock---93/
Its fairly tough given sensible use. Better than goretex. You can get similar trousers which are good for fieldwalking/standing around watching machines, but the knees do go through.

Baby puke is easy to clean off pertex, as are possets.

[monty]

good looking tough stuff is the ventile, using this or other fabrics used for climbing togs is probably the best solution, i swear by goretex and have used it for both climbing and digging..you can get it at the right money at army surplus and you never get wet !!

[chiz]

you're lucky if you never get wet in goretex! I personally find it gets clogged up so doesn't breathe, the DWR rubs off and it wets out, especially if used for site-wear where its exposed to mud and grit. I also find the membrane wears off in high-abrasion areas like shoulders and knees so it stop's working. Much prefer Vapour-rise with an outer hardshell to stick over it it really buckets down, but then some people slate that and insist on Paramo....but that is way too pricey for site.

One thing I did transfer from climbing to site, was not using cotton t-shirts if its even remotely damp out there. They soak up moisture and sweat and stay damp and clammy, yeeeuk, good for giving you a chill. Capilene tops will wick moisture away, not smell so bad and dry quick, Merino wool is even better, but very pricey!

[troll]

Greetings all. I did post something along the following lines a while ago so at the risk of repeating meself here goes...
Field archaeologists work in some of the most extreme conditions and environments. If a company wants a field test and ultimately a thumbs-up for their product, get archaeologists to try them out! What sexier way could there be to market your kit than to have it endorsed by archaeologists? Sponsorship/advertising deals could go a long way towards filling gaps left by naff curators and unscrupulous consultancies! Watches, boots, waterproofs, H/S gear, surveying gear, mobile phones, 4 wheel drives, cameras, site offices, the list is endless. Are we missing an obvious opportunity here? :face-thinks:

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[monty]

merino wool is as Bob said the best.... i had a top and long johns that lasted far longer than any synthetic .... very expensive but well worth it.