A cloak perhaps?

[dogbane]

I was gonna say:

[dogbane]

Cloaks can look great on women. My mom has a wool cloak she's owned since her days at Columbia U in the 1960s. I remember her wrapping me and my sister up in it with her at the Rose Parade in Pasadena when I was a little dude.

[jamoni]

In extreme cold weather, I bring a wool blanket to go over my sleeping bag. It keeps condensation off and gives me an extra 10-15*.
I see no reason not to wear it as an insulating layer during the day. Especially if it's wet or your gloves are marginal, it's nice to be able to bring the hands out of the weather. It's also a way to get some weight off your pack. Hell, if you wear a poncho over it, there's your sleep system in most weather, with no pack at all.
As for hating on it, that's fine. Don't wear one.

[dogbane]

The blanket cloak is easy to make. When I get some time to put it together, I'll post some pics of my home-made copper cloak pin and show how to turn a wool blanket into a cloak.

[Ducky]

I have been toying around with the idea of a multi purpose poncho. a bit more modern than a cloak.

The idea would be to have the poncho larger than you actualy need and then fold the exsess back up under the poncho. Then at night you could use it as a tarp.
I know the militay ponchos ar somewhat capibul of doing this but Im specificaly thinking about a tarp for a hammock.
Being that you will be wearing it insted of just taking up space in your pack you could make it out of a more durabul and posibuly warmer faric.
I hate those ponchos that make it soind like oyu are dragging a bunch of grocery sacks through the bushes.

Just throwin this out there. What do you guys think?

[Bonecrusher Doc]

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

Heh heh heh. And there was much rejoicing.

[freenarative]

I never expected this to be so controversial. But, it's a good thing.

The nay-smiths are saying > you'll look out of place > smell bad > heavy
The ayes say > There will be no fashions in the ZPAW so how the feck will you look "out of place" > keep your gear clean and it won't smell > heavy? seriously? are you kidding? A cloak can replace a blanket,sleeping bag,first stage filters,outer coat, poncho, warm weather ground sheet etc so how does replacing up to and over 6 items make it heavier?

So,,,keep the opinions coming. There are no wrong answers as long as you state your reasons for your opinion, unless you show WHY you disagree people will just think you are just looking for a barney. Also other points of view will help you to see if you are heading in the right direction your self.

But please, keep it friendly.

[velojym]

The blanket cloak is easy to make. When I get some time to put it together, I'll post some pics of my home-made copper cloak pin and show how to turn a wool blanket into a cloak.

This. Sure, it's great to don all that nifty modern outerwear *now*, but in times when all that stuff isn't available, simplicity will be the order of the day.
Making cloaks out of old blankets will be a whole lot easier than trying to recreate a Members Only jacket, ya know. Sure, it's possible, but when you're more interested in
survival than the retro-chic look...

[northernxposure]

Capote?

I am a fan of Hill People Gear, and do like the Mountain Serape, but as much as I want one (I really, really do) I can't find a solid reason to get one. Yet. Also - I'm kinda with Omega Man and the ren-fest thing - not necessarily hating, just an observation.

NXP

[TheLastOne]

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.

For my bob thing I have a gi poncho rolled with a gi wool under the lid of the bag, essentially my idea was I could wrap up with the blanket under the poncho if needed, also using both for bedding/shelter type materials. I'd like to add a sylnon tarp to my set up soon.

Also, I'm siggin OmegaMan because that shit is funny, I don't care who you are

[Bunni]

Few things to say on this. Close your mind to anything and you aren't much of a survivor. Cloaks are great. I keep a wool GI blanket on my "ranger load out" which is basically high speed low drag, minimal gear and 3 days of food. To say a cloak would make me look out of place, I say look at what I'm wearing.

The cloak covers that all up so the Police watching me walk into the forest preserve think, "huh a cloak, don't see that every day." vs "What the hell is that? Must be a terrorist." With the recent Occupy Movement, the cloak has been making a comeback. They are no longer able to carry or possess tents, sleeping bags, blankets, or any other sleeping device. So a lady started making Cloaks. It is a tent, a sleeping wrap, but most importantly it is a garment first and can not be confiscated with legitimate reasons. Something to think about.

So what to do with that old GI blanket around the house? Get 2 leather straps lay the blanket horizontal. Double lamb ear the top corners of the blanket. Lift the blanket and put it on your head to make a hood. Wrap the straps around the back of your neck and pull the blanket comfortably against your neck making sure the 2 lapels overlap. Roll the tips of the blanket under the first loop and tie the straps in a bow at the back. Hurray a fashionable functioning cloak with no sewing, and leaving the blanket completely in tact.

Part 2- How many of you have a camouflaging cloak? You can roll up a camo mesh, pancho, or cloak and keep it relatively easily accessible. Wear civis most of the time and hide yourself easily in seconds when you need to be less seen. That way you can hide in plain sight two ways instead of one.

[omega_man]

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.

For my bob thing I have a gi poncho rolled with a gi wool under the lid of the bag, essentially my idea was I could wrap up with the blanket under the poncho if needed, also using both for bedding/shelter type materials. I'd like to add a sylnon tarp to my set up soon.

Also, I'm siggin OmegaMan because that shit is funny, I don't care who you are

[OldSchool45b]

Do you think you are Dracula or the fucking prince of darkness? Nothing like standing out like a turd on a wedding dress. Why not get a big coat that covers your kit (minus pack) that makes you look overweight? My gortex fits over my LBE/armor and blends. I don't mean to be rude, but REALLY?

[KnightoftheRoc]

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.

...wikipedia stuff...

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.

I own a cloak, all wool, and it IS uber warm. I plan on waterproofing it when the weather permits, as it's a smelly, room intensive project my fiancee would kill me in my sleep for doing inside the house...

I've used it as garb for overnight on-site stays, coupled with a wool blanket, and the only uncomfortable aspect was the ground I was laying on. If I bend a bit, and use my sleeping pad, it's awesome comfort. Would I use one for a bug out? Certainly not. Functionality aside, the appearance of ANYONE in a cloak is going to draw attention to you, which is most likely going to end badly. Concealed weapon charges would be the least of my worries, but certainly among them.

That said, when we get to the Spring Mock Bug Out contest, I plan on going on a medieval bugout with a few of my students invited along- to date, only one is definitely stoked about doing it, so it may just be two of us. The only synthetics I'll be wearing will be the leggings, as I just don't have a source for the wool ones yet, and mine are a modern version of velvet. I'm not doing it as a part of the theme for the contest- it hasn't been announced yet, but as my own take on it, and for the fun of it.

But, other than a 'for the hell of it' trip, I don't see it being a benefit, simply for the oddity appearance factor. Proper clothing and a nylon poncho FTW, there.

[the_alias]

Do you think you are Dracula or the fucking prince of darkness? Nothing like standing out like a turd on a wedding dress. Why not get a big coat that covers your kit (minus pack) that makes you look overweight? My gortex fits over my LBE/armor and blends. I don't mean to be rude, but REALLY?

Yes I forgot hiking in the wilderness was like a wedding. Do all your bridesmaids care what you look like when you go hiking?

Are you trying to apply 'grey man' concept or something because I'm pretty sure we have put the grey man idea to bed around here.

[OldSchool45b]

I own a wool cloak. I got married in it and my kilt. But to wear it as part of your kit during a SHTF? Yeah, lets all stand out. If we are walking in the forest lets wear a cloak so it snags on everything and lets everyone know where I am. Do they have a place? Yeah. But I would not use it as part of my main line kit. There is a reason why nobody issues them, because there is far better equipment available. In the real world we trade cool but heavy for effective and light weight. Wanna stroll through the woods in one, ok. Go for it. In the real world???

I'm not a hobbit, my AO isn't the shire and I dont plan on wearing a fucking cloak while out in the sticks trying to survive. Wear it around the BOB/BIL? Sure, warm as hell, and heavy as hell. On the move? NFW. I am a D&D player from way back. I have two suits of armor and a storm troopers costume. But I sure as hell am not wearing any of those or my kilt in the field because it make no fucking sense. Just like wearing a cloak. We can all sit around and romanticize the EOTFW, but it wont be a Sterling novel where guns and cars don't work. We are not immediately going back to the dark ages across the board. Grey man or not, looking somewhat normal attracts less attention. One of several reasons SOCOM lets us grow beards in muslim countries. We dress our terps like us, no nobody stands out and gets shot because they stand out. ODA is onto something to an extent and the system works in the real world combat situations. Nobody that has ever been there can deny it. When SOCOM issues our invisibility cloaks, we will start wearing them again after hundreds of years absence on the modern battlefield. And the RENFAIR will rejoice!

[Johnny Bones]

Do you think you are Dracula or the fucking prince of darkness? Nothing like standing out like a turd on a wedding dress. Why not get a big coat that covers your kit (minus pack) that makes you look overweight? My gortex fits over my LBE/armor and blends. I don't mean to be rude, but REALLY?

Good post sir! You truly contributed to the discussion. And for the record, not every situation the OP mentions is a, "Holy shit the apocalypse!" type of situation. Example, "hiking/camping/long walks."

On topic, I'd have to agree with Alias's posts, if a cloak is what ya want, go for it. It's not a bad idea.

[jor-el]

I'm not seeing the prince of darkness.



Still not seeing it. It IS a black cape. Maybe the lighting's wrong...

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Just pointing this out: I don't stock gear solely for the PAW. Today's fashions exist today, and there are many non-PAW disasters in which I'd rather not be wearing a cloak. As I said, if it's time for full battle-rattle, it's a time for battle-rattle and trying to cover a weapon (or reach it under a cloak) will not make it more "discreet."

To Bunni: that shouldn't look like terrorist gear, although all I can make out is a dude in a jacket with a stick. that looks like a hiker. I've seen enough terrorists to know that they don't normally wear tactical gear unless they're already shooting at you.

heavy? seriously? are you kidding? A cloak can replace a blanket,sleeping bag,first stage filters,outer coat, poncho, warm weather ground sheet etc so how does replacing up to and over 6 items make it heavier?

It does not replace all of the above at the same time. It cannot be a sleeping bag, blanket, groundsheet, and poncho all at once. Nor would it be wise to use your groundsheet as a first-stage filter. In reality, it can replace maybe 2 pieces of gear at once.

[Bunni]

I am working on a reversible ghillie cloak. On one side ripstop nylon covering a water barrier, thinking about pvc right now still not convinced. With a nylon mesh on the other side. Pull a thin layer of threads, burlap and yarn through. Good for tossing down the pack and doing a quick conceal.

Most rain coats, dusters, panchos all look the same anyways unless you really pay attention to the person. Sack of material draped over a nobody is what most people see.

The ultimate dismissal and ridicule I see about people who might use a functioning piece of technology seems very petty at least. BTW Cloaks were used most in the middle ages not to keep warm or dry but to keep the filth off your nice clothes, out of your hair, and off your fancy armor.

[dogbane]

I'm pretty much in agreement with Bunni. The main objection to cloaks here seems to be that they deviate from societies fashion norms and are associated with historical reenactors. Kind of weak objections, IMO.

[omega_man]

I think the main objection is that they are not some all-inclusive wonder garment. It might do a lot of stuff; but, it can't do it all at once. Doc Torr made that point fairly clear. I really don't care who wants to use one, I just think it's important to consider all the reasons why you wouldn't want to. The OP did put the question mark in the subject line. A fleece will keep you warm and silnylon will keep you sheltered and dry. Both items combined will weigh less and take up less space in pack, especially when wet.

[Finch]

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

me too



no matter how you rationalize it no one but super man looks good in a cape

[Aonghus]

I have several cloaks (the reenactor thing) and they're great, but bulky. I could roll my big full-circle wool cloak up and it would be about the size of, well, a wook blanket, with just as much capability to keep you warm as, well, a wool blanket.

That said, I give you the Hill People Gear Mountain Serape. Seems like the right blend of function...it's a great coat, a sleeping bag, and a snuggy, all in one. Don't know what the comfort rating is, but at $145 it doesn't seem out of whack price wise.