Cloak Advice

[Lishy]

Hello everyone.

As many know, TRF closing weekend is often cold and wet.  Last year I had a velvet cloak that did nothing to keep out either, and the wool one I was lent by a friend was very warm- but like a sponge!

Can anyone make a suggestion as to what sort of type would keep me both warm and dry?  And any vendor links would be most welcome also!

Thank you all!

[Lady_Lily]

wool is actually one of the best fabrics you can go with because it still insulates when it is wet. You can lanolize to make it water shedding! i have a wool cloak and it is amazing even when soaking wet, it also doesn't take horribly long to dry.

[dragongirl]

you can get a waterproof cloak like this one, I'm not sure how warm it is but PVC/Vinyl is usually very warm.  http://www.customcloaks.com/pvc_cloak.html

[LadyShadow]

I would suggest the wool one or a very think warm material and having it weather proofed.  There is at least one vendor at TRF that sells this type of cloak.  Although I dont remember which, and if the cloak would keep you very warm or not.

[Pascal]

Like the others have said, wool is really your best bet.  If you had a completely waterproof one (like a raincoat), you'd sweat so much that you'd get wet anyway.  Wool will breathe and keep you cool (and warm.  It's a mystery)  ... and the fibers will swell when they get wet.  It's more water-resistant than water-proof.

Thicker wool will work better than thinner.  Think Army blanket thickness (actually, a popular Renaissance vendor of high-priced cloaks uses Army blankets exclusively as the source material).   The downside of heavy wool is that it's ... well, heavy --  and it may be itchy.

[Celtic Lady]

Back in '07 we were at MnRF for one of the wettest weekends there. Not only was it wet it was chilly, too. Half Moon ( http://www.hmoon.com/faires.html ) was there and I bought a wool cape from them. It was the best investment I ever made as it kept me warm and dry. In fact it helped dry the wet clothes i was wearing when I bought it. I give them two thumbs up  .
That winter I used it along with a windproof polarfleece vest as my main coat. I was toasty warm wearing it here in Iowa.

[gem]

If you're interested in sewing one, I highly recommend using DWR (durable water-repellant) microfiber--just like what high-end mundane raincoats are made from.  The stuff is fabulous--it's made for sportswear, so it's very comfortable; water beads right off of it; and it has the look and feel of sanded silk.  I've made a whole set of "Ren-friendly rainwear" for my family out of the stuff.  Here's one walking cloak:




You can find the DWR microfiber at Rose City Textiles (in Portland, OR, where they know about performance rainwear!)

[McGuinness]

Can anyone make a suggestion as to what sort of type would keep me both warm and dry?  And any vendor links would be most welcome also!

Thank you all!

Exactly what I'm trying to find out too! My mother was going to make one for me, but decided against it because of the cost of the fabric and her skill level, so she's decided to look into buying one for me as a gift.  Anyone have recommendations for vendors or online retailers that make some quality cloaks? I'm hesitant about buying one from the sites that have the same products as all the other sites out there; I'd rather support someone who makes their own. I'm going to look around here at PaRF if I have some times this coming weekend or two, but some online places would be great.

Any recommendations?

[Blue66669]

There is a vendor at TRF called Mystic Cloak and Tailor, and they offer high quality cloaks, that are, indeed WATERPROOF!

They're done in faux suede and microfiber in all colors and styles. I know a few people that have them, and swear by them.

http://mysticcloakandtailor.com/Photos.htm

[Lishy]

Thanks for everyone's advice.  Blue, is that where the one you let me use last year came from?  I remember it being very dry and warm!

[Blue66669]

Actually no, that was Ace's cloak that a good friend's mother made for him. It's basically like an old piece of family history now LOL. I know that a few of our RFers own Mystic cloaks, and they rave about them. And, it wouldn't be hard to take one, then line it in fleece if it's not warm enough.

[Hatter]

Back in '07 we were at MnRF for one of the wettest weekends there. Not only was it wet it was chilly, too. Half Moon ( http://www.hmoon.com/faires.html ) was there and I bought a wool cape from them. It was the best investment I ever made as it kept me warm and dry. In fact it helped dry the wet clothes i was wearing when I bought it. I give them two thumbs up  .
That winter I used it along with a windproof polarfleece vest as my main coat. I was toasty warm wearing it here in Iowa.

I'll give a hearty huzzah for the Half Moon product.  I hawk at the MRF.  There are days that are cold and days that are wet and days that are cold and wet.  I wear my Half Moon cloak through it all and stay dry and warm.

[Muffin]

I will give a big HUZZAH to Half Moon as well!! I bought a travelers cloak in 2007 and it was one of the best purchases I have ever made!! It is well made, stands up to washing, weather, etc. very very well!!!

Bacardi will be getting a cloak from them this season as well!! 

Highly highly recommended!!!!!!

[duffy]

this is the ultimate year round waterproof cloak/cape. i would just layer to be warmer. after looking at all the available ones i went with this one. it has kept me dry every weekend so far and always gets compliments. wife and i both love them. she is 5'2" and has the small, i am 5'9" and have the medium. the large was to long for me. i wanted something i could wear when its hot or cold.

http://www.moresca.com/product_info.php?products_id=82

[DragonWing]

Here is a website that makes leather as well as clothe cloaks

{oops redo}

http://www.13moons.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=82_83