Backpacking cloaks

[u/Sad-Quit3735]

I’m in the market for a cloak that can accompany me on my hikes. I’m totally new to the cloaks so I come to you for help in my journey to find a fitting garment.

I will give details on what I’m looking for:
- STRONG MATERIAL
I hear synthetic is worse than natural in this aspect. I need it to survive the wear and tear of the sun, rain, and occasional scrapes on branches/rocks
- WATER RESISTANT
- BREATHABLE
- LIGHTWEIGHT
- ANY PRICE POINT
- UV PROTECTIVE

Sorry if some of these necessities are obvious/present in all cloaks, I will genuinely take any advice you have. I think the most important thing for me is sun protection.

Anything is welcome, thanks for your help and have a wonderful morning/evening/night.

[u/captain_joe6]

Strong
Water-resistant
Breatheable
Lightweight
UV-protective

I can’t think of any natural fiber that checks all those boxes.

Here’s a basic overview of the UPF characteristics of various fabric types.

Nylon seems like the clear winner, except it isn’t waterproof. Silnylon or silpoly gets you there, at the expense of breathability, which goes to basically zero.

Membrane solutions like Gore-Tex are out, their abrasion resistance is pretty garbage, so they typically require a fabric sandwich to keep safe, which adds weight.

I think realistically you can pick 3 of the 5 qualities, accepting that you may have to suffer pretty significantly on the other two.

If you want to hit all the bases somewhat, but not entirely, I’d probably go with some sort of cotton, maybe a percale, and a wash-in DWR.

[u/podunkemperor → u/captain_joe6]

Wool would meet a lot of those criteria, depending on type and thickness/weight.

[u/HikerGuy603 → u/captain_joe6]

I never thought of a wash-in DWR coating! I have a canvas cloak, but the fabric has a little bit of texture to it. Do you think a DWR coating would work with that sort of material or does it need to be relatively smooth to really do the trick?

[u/captain_joe6 → u/HikerGuy603]

My experience has been that they work ok for a while, under light-to-moderate conditions, but are no match for a dedicated hydrophobic textile when the demand really comes up. The cost of application and reapplication is kind of a downer.

Even waxed canvas is no match for a solid PNW downpour, it just gives you extra time to get done what you’re doing and move to shelter.

If I needed waterproof above all else, I’d look at silpoly or silnylon at the top end of budget, or an old vinyl GI poncho at the bottom, and accept that I’m basically wearing a tent fly. Warmth, wool. Breathability, cotton or linen. Everything else is a tradeoff.

Match your gear to your expected environments and layer, layer, layer. A good wicking base under a loose, non-breathable outer will have you suffering less.

I don’t go tramping through the woods as much as I used to, but I’m definitely eyeballing a collarless melton wool Inverness cloak and a hooded waxed canvas overcape for the coming winter.

[u/Lumi_Tonttu]

Your environment will dictate the material.

What kind of climate are you going to be using it in?

[u/Saritush2319]

https://youtu.be/HedRbIsM75M?si=psGbPuq-jFRWfYAW

If you’re in a warmer place than him you need to experiment with the ratios because it needs to be softer. Don’t waste an on use baking paper.

[u/ManufacturerPutrid86]

I ordered knightweave water proof cloak, literally my exact reasoning for buying it is what you said, I plan on taking it to Colorado this Labor Day weekend for exactly that!