“This is not a re-enactment garment, but rather a very practical outdoor outer layer made in a classic style.”

We’ve used our experience of outdoor activities over the last 40 years, to bring together a garment that works in all conditions, just the way we want it to. It’s the one garment that you can grab and wear in any condition. From high wind, snow, rain, dog walking, mountain trekking, commuting and pub crawling. Also survival tested at festivals.

Our smock is based closely on an original British Antarctic Survey smock, given to us by a customer. Read about that here. That original was made at the famous Hebden Cord, now closed down, in Hebden Bridge where we’re based. We added a baffled, kangaroo style pocket, in addition to the generous chest pocket, to our version. Perfect for keeping your hands warm and storing all your extra adventure tackle.

Made of premium Ventile® L24 with a single layer construction

Lightweight, breathable, quick-drying & tough

Baffled, kangaroo-style pocket

Generous chest pocket (fits an action mat)

adjustable drawcord hem, waist & hood

Built in cuff with popper adjustment. No crap Velcro here to spoil your jumper

The single layer Ventile® construction will keep you dry in rain for a couple of hours and protect you from rough weather all day. It’s light, incredibly breathable, quick drying and tough.

You will get people telling you that you need double Ventile® to stay dry, but the problem here is that it will be heavier, sweatier and more expensive. For more of an “action smock” you want single Ventile.

“The real joy of this amazing garment is that you don’t sound or feel like you’re wearing a sweaty crisp packet!”

Want to be 100% waterproof? Stay inside by the fire.

So, what's your size?

Three sizes cover everyone from XS to 3XL

Josh (40″ waist pants, 2XL tops) wears size 2 smock.

Ed (5’8″, 10.5 stone, medium tops) wears size 2 in the photos. It’s OK but really he should be in a size 1 (the factory made him the wrong size sample)

Size 1 S - L
Size 2 M -2XL
Size 3 2XL - 3XL
  • INCHES
  • CM
SIZE123
Pit to Pit (A)33.534.936.4
Back Length (B)31.331.932.5
Sleeve Length (C)30.131.932.5
SIZE 1 2 3
Pit to Pit (A) 85 88.75 92.5
Back Length (B) 79.5 81 82.5
Sleeve Length (C) 79.5 81 82.5

It’s a loose fitting garment with a good sleeve length and the waist draw cord sizes it well for anyone.

Any questions at all please email us and we’ll do our best to guide you.

The story of the HebTroCo Ventile Smock

It was used at Rothera Base, Antarctica in 1986-1988. The shot here is me on the left with it on.

Here’s the original smock that we were given by Will, a HebTroCo customer, who was issued it when he was part of the British Antarctic Survey in the 1980s.

Will told us…

“It was used at Rothera Base, Antarctica in 1986-1988. The shot here is me on the left with it on.”

“My children don’t want it and I just look at it now with fond memories so it’s time to offload it. You were provided with two wind proof tops, this one was used on field trips, whilst the other was for general 24 hr use.”

The design brief for these original smocks was to make a simple and practical garment to keep you alive and working merrily in cold-and-wet or cold-and-dry conditions. We thought it best we stick with that as it sounds like most of the year here in Yorkshire. If it was good enough for the Antarctic, it will keep us happy walking on the top of the Pennines and walking to the pub in Hebden Bridge.

Polar clothing must keep the body warm whilst allowing perspiration to disperse. The pattern must allow a full range of free movement and be comfortable whatever the weather decides to throw at you.

The smock should be worn as part of a layering system. The magic is that several thin layers allow ventilation to let the perspiration out, as well as trapping air for insulation. Thick heavy clothes just don’t do this.

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Reviews

  1. Joaquin (verified owner)

    Overall excellent product with a few shortcomings.

    The good: really quite waterproof, more comfortable than Gore-Tex, good weather protection, orange color helps me not get shot when hiking during hunting season, very breathable, good pockets, well-priced for Ventile.

    The bad: the drawstring system is a bit annoying (especially the bottom cinch, which hangs low and is easily tangled, also is funny looking to see it dangling between the legs), the hood opening could be wider (sometimes it is hard to get the hood on due to the design), relatively amorphous shape sometimes feels baggy in the wrong places (especially the arms), no side zip for ventilation (probably would raise the cost a lot).

    Overall, I am content with this piece, and my fancy Arcteryx waterproof has been mostly displaced. Especially good for longer walks on cold days where rain is likely or certain. I’ve walked 1.5 hours in the rain with this and not gotten wet underneath.

    With some very slight adjustments, this would be a 5/5 piece. However, I am sure the price would have to go up to make these (better cinch system, size zip, a more adjustable collar). Good deal for cold and wet weather!

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