A cloak perhaps?

[freenarative]

Has anyone a view on a cloak? My thoughts are that, when worn over your PLCE or carry rig it allows access to your gear in a tight situation without people seeing what your hands are doing. A sort of 'get your gear just in case'. Also you don't escalate a situation because people don't feel threatened. Its uber warm and a good one is waterproof.

Lets look at what wikipedia says:

"A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been some form of long, unstructured outer garment used to protect people from the weather.,,,Figuratively, a cloak may be anything that disguises or conceals something. In many science fiction worlds such as Star Trek and Stargate, there are cloaking devices, which provide a way to avoid detection or to make an object appear invisible.

Because they keep a person hidden and conceal a weapon, the phrase cloak and dagger has come to refer to espionage and secretive crimes: it suggests murder from hidden sources. "Cloak and dagger" stories are thus mystery, detective, and crime stories of this. The vigilante duo of Marvel comics Cloak and Dagger is a reference to this."

So, in closing, does anyone have one? If yes, show/tell us why, If no,,,,would you consider getting one. If you saw someone wearing one what would you think? Remember this isn't an everyday wear question, it's for hiking/camping/long walks long term bug out/never coming home bags etc.

[Piggpen75]

I don't have one, but have considered making one with a green GI blanket. I'd see it as sillier to a poncho without a front.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Well, shoving your hands under your clothing does not make people feel safe. Cloaks look out of place, and draw further attention. I think a cloak would do the opposite of what you intend.

[MichaelM]

Cloaks are good at making you stand out and bad at keeping you protected from the weather if you need to do anything but hold them closed.

[NamelessStain]

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episodes with the "man in a cape".... just saying.

[Maverick299]

If coupled with a long gray beard, pointy hat, and a staff, people will probably just steer clear of you because they think you are insane. That might just be crazy enough to work!

[MikeM]

I've got a couple in the bins that I store my garb in from the old SCA days. I've got a great tunic, robe and cloak set all made from wool that was great for keeping warm during down time, but I'm not including them in my preps unless we end up with a "Dies The Fire" scenario

[lokifz1]

Don't shave for a few days, get a beatup cowboy hat and a serape.

Much better then a cloak.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Don't shave for a few days, get a beatup cowboy hat and a serape.

Much better then a cloak.

Or a good coat.

[Kutter_0311]

Don't shave for a few days, get a beatup cowboy hat and a serape. Much better then a cloak.

My thoughts exactly, until I saw he's in the UK. I imagine one might have an easier time with a cloak there...

[catalyst]

i get a terrible sense of deja vu reading this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=84349

[Wormjello]

I'll stick with my Outback duster.

[BullOnParade]

If coupled with a long gray beard, pointy hat, and a staff, people will probably just steer clear of you because they think you are insane. That might just be crazy enough to work!

In contrast, the only people that do talk to you, will be the insane ones. A long jacket can do a lot of what the op is looking for, even conceal a pistol when worn in a shoulder holster, maybe even a rifle slung across your back. But unless you can pull off the trench coat look (lots of people think they can, few ACTUALLY can), you should avoid them, as again, people will notice the average 20 year old in a trench coat.

[Quietus]

Just to give this thread more than one viewpoint:

I have been doing re-enactment for many years now, so it should come as no surprise that I have a few cloaks about the house. And I very much like them.

There is a very good reason why cloaks have been in use pretty since the human species evolved to a point where we could make them. And the reason is that they work.
It was not limitations in skill, knowledge or technology that kept it around. Just look at the iron age in the cold north where I live. They had many forms of outerwear (even waterproof coats), but the cloak still played an important part. This was a time where making fabrics was very time consuming and tedious work, and required more resources than most would ever imagine. And still they preferred a garment that required more fabric to make than most other things.
That would not have been the case, if they did not do their job well.

The only thing that has really pushed it to the sideline, is fashion during the past 60 or so years. And that could be changing. I made a mink lined kashmir cloak (short - about waist length) for christmas and now it seems pretty much all her female friends want one as well. So who knows? maybe in a few years, they will make a comeback.

In any case. I don't wear any of mine, when I go to the store or things like that. As it has been said, that would make one stand out in a way that might not be desirable. I do however wear a cloak for some formal or galla events. What would often be called a "opera cloak". Although traditional, they are very rarely seen these days. Even so, I have never received anything but possitive comments on it. But formal attire wasn't really the subject I assume

I do often pack a full length wool cloak, when on overnight hikes in the colder months. In such cases, it replaces the wool blanket that I would otherwise pack. And it makes perfect sense. It is about the same size and weight as the blanket, does all the same things + more. It's near waterproof, warm even when soaking wet, won't burn when sitting around the fire and it can be used as a sleeping bag or to make shelter if need be (I have use mine as sleeping bags in sub zero conditions).
I also carry a poncho, so the cloak is not used for weather protection. Only the things that one might otherwise use a blanket for.

As for practicality. I can't really think of any task that I could not perform while wearing a cloak.
So while it might not be the perfect attire for everyday wear, it does still have it's uses.
And in a "fecal matter has hit the rotary oscillator" type scenario, I doubt there would be much in the way of dresscode. And should that happen, a cloak would absolutely be worth having, due to it's versatility.

[Browny]

Nice one Quietus.

Any chance you could post some action shots wearing your cloak? I have a light canvas type cloak made for Medieval re-enactment many moons ago, and it was a lot less cumbersome than it looked.

Cant find any shots of me wearing mine though, will have to trawl through the photo storage at some point.

[Quietus]

Nice one Quietus.

Any chance you could post some action shots wearing your cloak? I have a light canvas type cloak made for Medieval re-enactment many moons ago, and it was a lot less cumbersome than it looked.

Cant find any shots of me wearing mine though, will have to trawl through the photo storage at some point.

I'm currently on my new PC (as in, not yet fully set up), so all my non-work related photos are on a backup drive.
To lazy to look through them at the moment, but I suppose I could snap a quick photo later today.

[omega_man]

Hasn't this "cloak" idea been brought up before? I can't think of a more ridiculous and out-dated concept. I think this is more if a projection of a fantasy of coming across some post-zpaw Harley-raiders and ,while seemingly inocculous, you swoosh your cloak to the side to reveal a fancy sword and akimbo desert eagles--whereupon, daftly dispatching said ne'er-do-wells. Seriously, a Marmot Precip jacket, fleece layer, and silnylon tarp are more packable, wearable, lighter, better, and less Harry Potterish. Add a decent purpose-built concealed carry rig, Ta-Da! Problem solved.

If the zpaw ends up being a permanent renaissance festival, I'm so getting bit.

[the_alias]

Hasn't this "cloak" idea been brought up before? I can't think of a more ridiculous and out-dated concept. I think this is more if a projection of a fantasy of coming across some post-zpaw Harley-raiders and ,while seemingly inocculous, you swoosh your cloak to the side to reveal a fancy sword and akimbo desert eagles--whereupon, daftly dispatching said ne'er-do-wells. Seriously, a Marmot Precip jacket, fleece layer, and silnylon tarp are more packable, wearable, lighter, better, and less Harry Potterish. Add a decent purpose-built concealed carry rig, Ta-Da! Problem solved.

If the zpaw ends up being a permanent renaissance festival, I'm so getting bit.

Sorry but why the hate exactly?

You give me an option between synthetic clothing and a wool cloak for extended use outdoors I'll take the woolen cloak.

Strongly well woven wool is less vulnerable to scratches and rips than synthetic clothing and outerwear - in my experience

Wool retains less stink.

It may become heavy when wet but it also retains heat well.

Wool doesn't melt to your skin if a wayward ember appears.

I just was out this past weekend for the Winter Bugout and whilst it was too cold for my gear to stay the night what was I wearing for working in the woods? Merino t-shirt, heavyweight Merino shirt, woolen vest type garment and over the top I had a woolen poncho - pretty similar to a cloak in some ways.
I also can use it as a blanket giving full body coverage.
Why? for the reasons I mentioned - underneath my poncho I had my Ribz vest with vital gear and it was much easier to access than if I had it under another jacket.

Just today I came across this http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Products/ ... fault.aspx - sort of like a cloak in how it can be used.

Don't let your distaste of America's quaint notions of Medieval life turn you off the fact a well made woolen cloak could be a versatile piece of equipment.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

You can have your wool cloak. I'm sticking with normal people clothes. CCW of an assembled rifle is (IIRC) illegal in my current state of residence, but I can rock my Glock concealed under a button down shirt. I also found a place to live where a wool blanket (I keep one rolled to my bike, and one with my gear) might actually be too hot at night, but makes a decent ground pad if my CCF pad isn't enough. As for concealment, if I need a rifle, I'm gonna have it slung and in the open, or broekn down in a case attached to my pack. I'm pretty sure if I had a cloak on, I'd get stopped and searched by the resident Lawdogs, at which point concealed rifle would have me in more hot water than a concealed pistol would, or even a rifle on a slung.

Just my 2 cents there.

[Quietus]

@ omega_man:

If all you want is for your stuff to be small and light, it doesn't really get much better than one single item that can serve as protection from rain and cold, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, sitting pad, shelter, blanket, concealment, improvised carry sack, first stage water filter, etc, etc.
+ it won't melt and is near impossible to burn and it will still keep you warm even if it is soaking wet. None of the things you listed does that.

All in one item that weights less than all but the smallest and lightest rucksacks and packs smaller than most sleeping mats.

the_alias has some good points as well.

[the_alias]

To be clear my arguments and points were not trying to deal with the feasibility of concealing weapons under a cloak nor arguments about the 'grey man' nature of a cloak.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

@ omega_man:

If all you want is for your stuff to be small and light, it doesn't really get much better than one single item that can serve as protection from rain and cold, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, sitting pad, shelter, blanket, concealment, improvised carry sack, first stage water filter, etc, etc.
+ it won't melt and is near impossible to burn and it will still keep you warm even if it is soaking wet. None of the things you listed does that.

All in one item that weights less than all but the smallest and lightest rucksacks and packs smaller than most sleeping mats.

the_alias has some good points as well.

Wet wool smells like dick. Just saying. ETA: For clarity, keep in mind that wet cloth is heavier and odiferous, and wool doubly so. For an outer layer in a cold, wet environment, I'd go for a hardshell with a separate waterproofed sleeping system. The extra 5 (maybe) lb is worth it to sleep in a dry, warm, and non-muddy-dog smelling sleeping bag. Keep in mind for the math that a hardshell is lighter than a wool cloak, so you can subtract some weight even if the wool isn't wet.

[omega_man]

There's no hate intended, if you've seen any of my posts--you'll that I'm a huge fan of wool. It's not the material of said cloak, it's the concept. And as far as the lightweight arguement, the items I mentioned (which, are there for example) weigh less and take up less space than a GI wool blanket.

[Regular Guy]

I'm not sure about a cloak but a wool liner or synthetic liner and a synthetic poncho wouldn't be a horrible idea. You could have the poncho and liner in a bed roll strap system. For a bed down you could set the poncho up as a shelter and then use the liner or wool as a blanket.