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Ventile Clothing - Traditional clothing and materials

Clothing to make you proof against the elements
There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes! - Billy Connolly

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View all ventile products at Orvis.com

Traditional Materials: Barbour | Ventile | Harris Tweed | Moleskin | Shearling Travel: Zambezi twill Rhino cloth   Clothing in Antarctica
Category: Down coats | Fleece jackets | Kids winter coatsHats / gloves | Russian Fur HatsTees

Ventile

The author modelling moleskin and ventile wear up a mountain in Antarctica

Ventile is a long staple cotton fabric of the highest quality. It was developed in World War II for high altitude clothing for the RAF. It is a natural fibre naturally, soft, windproof and incredibly hard wearing. I've worn a ventile windproof jacket and over trousers in hurricane force winds well below freezing and apart from being blown every where was as comfortable as could be - ok it's all relative but the weather didn't get through.

Ventile is the fabric used for the "windies" that I was issued with as standard wear in Antarctica. These compromised the outer layers, not insulated as such, but because of their windproof properties gave more warmth than would appear. They were worn everywhere, no modern fabric came close in comfort or versatility.

A friend of mine wore his ventile "windy jacket" every year on the ski-slopes of Europe on his return, and still does so, taking great delight in their lo-tech appearance before heading off down a black run leaving everyone standing.

Ventile garments are often offered as "Hunting Wear" where they function admirably being resistant to snagging on vegetation, highly breathable, very water resistant and exceptionally quiet in use adding a "stealth" aspect to their qualities.

Ventile is also very versatile, I had a pair of ventile pants in Antarctica and also when I left and travelled around South America. I've worn them in all climates and temperatures and always found them supremely comfortable. More windproof than moleskin and harder wearing. They are also superb in really cold weather when teamed up with some thermal undergarments as the wind just never gets through them.

Any of the modern (not historical) pictures on this site that show people in Antarctica will mainly show them orange or green ventile windproof jackets - for practicality, they had no rival.

The "secret" of ventile is simple, it's not laminated, it's not coated, it's just made from the highest quality raw material. The finest long staple cotton fibers found only in the top 2% of the world cotton crop are used. The cotton is then woven into a very dense "Oxford" weave pattern that requires up to 30% more cotton than other conventional fabrics. It is an entirely natural 100% cotton product.

On wetting, the cotton fibers swell and a combination of fibers and weave pattern mean that the fabric "closes up" preventing the passage of water. The fabric still remains breathable in a way that no other man-made synthetic water resistant material can manage.

Properties;

bulletWeatherproof, protects from anything the elements can throw at you.
bulletWindproof, in Antarctica the windiest continent on earth, ventile is used to make windproof garments for field parties.
bulletBreathable, very important in Antarctica (and elsewhere too) when rest after exertion can cause freezing of sweat if it is not allowed to escape.
bulletQuiet, no "rustle", so people or animals can't hear you approaching.
bulletComfort, soft and forgiving and doesn't stiffen up at low temperatures like some synthetic materials do.
bulletDurable, tough and hardwearing.
bulletReliable, simple construction means no coatings or separation of layers to worry about.

        
Men's Ventile Field Pants
- $279

Six suspender buttons that are low profile so they don't dig into your waist, and two front change or key security pockets; left pocket is open for easy entry, right has zipper. With traditional briar pants placement of doubled Ventile cloth front leg and back calf these otherwise single-layer pants are perfect for temperate conditions or casual wear. Ventile is the world's sturdiest poplin. The soft, pliable fabric is so tightly packed, it is waterproof, making these the most useful and durable pants you will ever own. In khaki. Washable. Imported. Even sizes: 32-46. Plain finished up to 35 with wear-resistant mock leather hem at no extra charge.

Ventile Cloth Upland Shirt
Ventile Cloth Upland Shirt
-
$225
This shirt from our upland hunting clothes selection is the hardest-wearing upland shirt you'll ever own. And very likely the last you'll have to buy. 30% more cotton yarns per square inch than any other breathable hunting shirt for comfortable protection. Articulated underarms for expanded overhead reach and breathing ports for comfort. Double-layer elbow patches for field wear and briar resistance. Upland hunting shirts available in stone, sage. Washable. Imported.

Ventile Hunting Jacket
Ventile Hunting Jacket
- $695

Hunting jacket made of the finest breathable upland cloth.
Unquestionably the greatest breathable, waterproof upland hunting jacket ever made. Thoughtfully constructed and cut from the world's best hunting fabric— Ventile, a cotton fabric that runs the gauntlet of briars and thorns without a snag, yet can efficiently transport moisture vapor away from your body to keep you cool. All stress points are bar-tacked, and all seams are double stitched with side seams "rear-facing" to reduce wear. Blood-proof game pouch opens up for easy cleaning. Six exterior and two interior pockets. In khaki. Imported.

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