Project: Custom Survival Jacket

[snarlbuckle]

The purpose of this project is to make a custom jacket that will save your life in adverse weather, while being useful enough to keep with you every day.

Design goals (in order of importance):
1) Waterproof - Must protect the user from severe wet weather long enough to find shelter.
2) Windproof - Must retain heat in high wind.
3) Non-absorbent - Must dry out quickly if saturated with water.
4) Lightweight - Light and compact enough to carry around everywhere you go.
5) Insulated - When coupled with the user's clothing, must provide enough insulation to keep the user reasonably warm in colder than expected weather.

Materials:
Shell: Olive Drab 3 layer Gore-Tex
Lining: Cheap and fluffy fleece

What I need from you preppers out there is tips.
- What features do you like in your rain jackets or backpacking jackets?
- Where do you like your pockets to be placed?
- Do you happen to have a pattern available for a jacket you love?

[610Alpha]

Sounds like a good idea...let us know how it comes out.

[EX121]

Design ideas: pit zips, a longer flap on the back so that when you bend over no rain on the backside, adjustable/velcro secured cuffs & neck and a good adjustable hood. The thing that I have never found is a truly breathable coat that you wear while backpacking, without sweating my *** off. Good luck

[Jerry D Young]

Colors other than OD, preferably tan/brown
A cobra hood w/chin adjustment cord
vent zippers
folds up into its own pocket
flapped, fleece lined pockets
hip length
sheathed waist adjustment string
glove D-rings or hooks or sheathed cord in sleeves across back for fastenning gloves so they aren't lost


That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[snarlbuckle]

My lovely girlfriend is doing the sewing on this project, and under her guidance we have agreed to make a prototype out of dirt cheap fabric prior to the final product. During this prototyping phase, we'll experiment with each of your ideas and some of our own. If I remember, perhaps I will be able to post some pictures.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I like the under arm zippers in the military goretex, it really helps venilate

[snarlbuckle]

On the subject of zippers, does anyone have suggestions as to what type of zipper would suit this project best?

[Javin]

Yanno, something I've always wanted (though I don't know how realistic it is) is a jacket that once "unfolded" or "untucked" can be used to make a hasty tent. Like, it has extra waterproof cloth tucked into it that works as insulator while you're wearing it, but can give you enough surface area for an emergency tent, or a full blanket. And if you're going that far, just start tucking some paracord, fish hooks, stoves, hatchet, and a compass into it too. :D

[snarlbuckle]

Yanno, something I've always wanted (though I don't know how realistic it is) is a jacket that once "unfolded" or "untucked" can be used to make a hasty tent. Like, it has extra waterproof cloth tucked into it that works as insulator while you're wearing it, but can give you enough surface area for an emergency tent, or a full blanket. And if you're going that far, just start tucking some paracord, fish hooks, stoves, hatchet, and a compass into it too. :D

Sooo... a rucksack with a jacket built in?

[Javin]

Sooo... a rucksack with a jacket built in?

Want. .

[HDM]

Just remember us when you get rich off this thing!

[jmsneorrcom]

didnt the swiss military jackets have a back pack built into them?

[Jerry D Young]

I'd use quality, slightly oversize YKK zippers.

[Mr.Grey]

Definitely plastic over metal zippers.
Internal elastic cuffs under main cuffs, longer jacket so the water doesn't run off the coat onto your thighs!

[Foghorn]

I like the idea of buttons in place of a zipper. Buttons can be left undone at the bottom while keeping your neck and upper chest warm. They give you more options to adjust for temp. changes.