Inverness Cape advice needed

**Kilted KT** · 10th April 06, 04:33 PM

I've been looking at these for a good long time, and would like to know if anyone has one, and your experience with it. While I'd love to have a "real" one, the canvas one will be more suited to my needs, being that I'll be in the middle of nowhere. ( I know goretex and other man-mades are far lighter, but I've grown to dislike goretex...for a myriad of reasons).

I also don't think an austrailian duster works with a kilt, as you can see on my website.

here is a link to the one I am seriously considering.

Inverness Cape

thanks for the help!

**Southern Breeze** · 10th April 06, 04:52 PM

I have one of those from Kiltstore and like it. I got mine to wear when I play at a funeral. So far I've only worn it once, but that was enough to see that it was worth the price.

**Hamish** · 10th April 06, 05:34 PM

Like SB, I have one of those also but mine came from Geoffrey (Tailor) and, again like SB, I have had only one opportunity to wear it, in three years.

The length, I think, takes some getting used to as it is about six inches longer than my kilts, and it was the very devil to manage in a Scottish gale with torrential rain - and with a large suitcase in each hand. (I felt as though I must have looked like an absconding nun having a bad day!!!)

It certainly kept everything dry, with the exception of the lower part of my hose and my shoes, of course.

It is a worthwhile accessory.

**Riverkilt** · 10th April 06, 05:39 PM

Okay fine....

I thought you guys were talking about the wool ones....dang....

Ron

**Southern Breeze** · 10th April 06, 06:01 PM

Another thing I like is that it folds up in a pouch thats compact enough to fit in a side pocket on my trumpet case.

**Kilted KT** · 10th April 06, 07:50 PM

I was asked to provide a few reasons why I dislike goretex and prefer canvas as a water and wind protectant. As reference, I've spent 18 years running a wilderness survival program in the berskhires with avg. 105 7th graders ( appalachian mountains in north west massachusetts for everyone but tartan hiker ), and have been through everything nut a typhoon up in those hills.

here is the list.

1. Goretex is very expensive no matter where you get it. Garments made of a treated canvas, like the inverness cape and dusters worn by cowboys all over the world, are roughly 1/4 to 1/8th the price for a comparably sized garment.

2. Gortex is extremely flimsy around fire and heat. To burn canvas, you have to want to burn it, very badly.

3. Gortex garments tear fairly easily. Rushing through a bramble bush would eat most goretex jackets for lunch. Brambles are one of the reasons cowboys still wear dusters. The aussie duster I have is damn near indestructable.

4. Goretex wears out. After two years, my $300 goretex jacket started to leak like cheesecloth. With a $5 tub of a wax/oil mix, my duster stays very waterproof.

5. Once torn, a hole ina goretex garment is going to stay a hole unless patched with a special goretex patch. Canvas takes a thread and needle. a half-way decent patch job and you are as good as new.

other than it's weight, I have found little use for goretex jackets and pants (*shudder*). It may be great for a light jaunt or extreme trips where the need for lighter gear far outweighs anything else. I personally think it just costs too much, wears out to easily, and isn't sturdy enough for my needs.

hense my desire for a canvas Inverness cloak.

**Southern Breeze** · 10th April 06, 08:46 PM

You've stated that you want a canvas Inverness Cape. The one I have and you linked to is Nylon, not canvas. I just wanted to make sure you didn't miss that detail.

**Kilted KT** · 10th April 06, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

You've stated that you want a canvas Inverness Cape. The one I have and you linked to is Nylon, not canvas. I just wanted to make sure you didn't miss that detail.

ah, yes. I did notice that, and mistyped it seems. Either way, I still believe it would be a bit more sturdy than what is normally wrapped around a goretex shell.

for ~$70, I think I'd be willing to find out!

**GlassMan** · 10th April 06, 09:12 PM

Personally I own a nice heavy tweed Inverness Cape in charcoal grey. I love it. It keeps me extremely warm and covers everying.

Personally I prefer the wool cape even for rain and heavy wind. It's much heavier than the raincoat type to which you linked so there's no worry about the should cape fluttering around too much except in very stiff winds. And being wool, it acts as an excellent protector against the rain. I've worn it in downpours and even though the outside is damp once I make it inside (which is quite slowly because of my leg) I'm still quite warm and dry underneath.

Admittedly, it wasn't cheap. I paid almost $1000 for it, but it's among the best spent money with which I've ever had the privilige to part.

**Kilted KT** · 10th April 06, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Personally I own a nice heavy tweed Inverness Cape in charcoal grey. I love it. It keeps me extremely warm and covers everying.

Personally I prefer the wool cape even for rain and heavy wind. It's much heavier than the raincoat type to which you linked so there's no worry about the should cape fluttering around too much except in very stiff winds. And being wool, it acts as an excellent protector against the rain. I've worn it in downpours and even though the outside is damp once I make it inside (which is quite slowly because of my leg) I'm still quite warm and dry underneath.

Admittedly, it wasn't cheap. I paid almost $1000 for it, but it's among the best spent money with which I've ever had the privilige to part.

Eventually I'll have one of that caliber, but for running around the natual woods, I am certain I would make it unsuitable for formal wear, if not destroy it altogether.