Inverness style rain cape

[Jack Daw]

I have the BANDSPEC brand Inverness Cape, and it's reinforced for pipers. I've had it for over a year, but have yet to wear it despite Texas rains. I'm thinknig I may have to wear it tomorrow, night, though. The one time when weather was forcast as clear, I left it behind in Houston when I traveled to Altamont, NY, for a piping competition. It rained all weekend and I had to make-do with a poncho I bought on the quick at a sporting goods store.

The only thing I don't like about the cape is refolding it to fit back into the little pouch it cimes with. It's like trying to unscramblie eggs.

[emolas]

So, James... Did you ever end up getting one of Mister Antony's capes? I am considering getting one but I am curious about the fabric type. I don't want anything thick like canvas or oilcloth nor do I want a thin plastic poncho. I want something akin to a USMC all-weather coat but in an inverness cape style.

[McFarkus]

I really like the idea of the cape from Empire Canvashttp://www.empirecanvasworks.com/stormcape.htm. I know it's more expensive, but I've had experience with oilskin in the past, and it just gets better looking as it gets older.

[James MacMillan]

So, James... Did you ever end up getting one of Mister Antony's capes? I am considering getting one but I am curious about the fabric type. I don't want anything thick like canvas or oilcloth nor do I want a thin plastic poncho. I want something akin to a USMC all-weather coat but in an inverness cape style.

No, I never did..... I toyed with the idea for a long time, but could not convince myself to get one when I live in Southern California. We just don't get that much rain!

I did see and touch one at the Queen Mary Games, and it isn't a cheap plastic at all. It is not quite as heavy as our all-weather coat, and it isn't lined either. It was a heavy synthetic and if it rained more here, I would get one. The "Bandspec" seems to be the way to go, in my ever so humble opinion. If you do decide to get one, look around, there are several sources, and you should be able to get one for around $100.

[JerseyLawyer]

As a piper coming from a family of people who play in pipe bands, I have found that inverness rain capes tend to proliferate like wire hangers in a wardrobe. Getting them back in the pouch is like folding a parachute, but the secret is to putton the thing and flatten it completely, then press all the air out as you fold.

Mr. Anthony, as you can see from the website, also makes two other models, which I've never seen for sale in the US - one is a heavier version of the standard, and the other is a Gore-Tex model that costs a mint ($400+). Frankly, for the money of the last one, I'd probably go the extra and buy a scotch-guarded tweed cape.

Trust me, though, carrying a cape is a guarantee of a bright sunshiny day. Until the minute you get tired of carrying the thing around on your belt. Then good luck. Oh, and put the pouch on with the flap on the bottom, so that you can get the cape out when you need it. You're never going to need to fold it back up before you get home anyway (as if that would even be possible).

[James MacMillan]

As a piper coming from a family of people who play in pipe bands, I have found that inverness rain capes tend to proliferate like wire hangers in a wardrobe. Getting them back in the pouch is like folding a parachute, but the secret is to putton the thing and flatten it completely, then press all the air out as you fold.

Mr. Anthony, as you can see from the website, also makes two other models, which I've never seen for sale in the US - one is a heavier version of the standard, and the other is a Gore-Tex model that costs a mint ($400+). Frankly, for the money of the last one, I'd probably go the extra and buy a scotch-guarded tweed cape.

Trust me, though, carrying a cape is a guarantee of a bright sunshiny day. Until the minute you get tired of carrying the thing around on your belt. Then good luck. Oh, and put the pouch on with the flap on the bottom, so that you can get the cape out when you need it. You're never going to need to fold it back up before you get home anyway (as if that would even be possible).

You are so right!

and - from Sunny Southern California, just outside the back gate of Camp Pendleton!

[McFarkus]

JerseyLawyer from Chicago

[Nanook]

Frankly, for the money of the last one, I'd probably go the extra and buy a scotch-guarded tweed cape.

Tradition here is not tweed but melton or loden cloth--- the standard pattern for the Highland Regiments is dark green. No need for "scotch guard" or other fluorochemical treatments as wool is naturally water resistant.

[ccga3359]

No, I never did..... I toyed with the idea for a long time, but could not convince myself to get one when I live in Southern California. We just don't get that much rain!

I did see and touch one at the Queen Mary Games, and it isn't a cheap plastic at all. It is not quite as heavy as our all-weather coat, and it isn't lined either. It was a heavy synthetic and if it rained more here, I would get one. The "Bandspec" seems to be the way to go, in my ever so humble opinion. If you do decide to get one, look around, there are several sources, and you should be able to get one for around $100.

Well Jay, the simplest solution seems to be to move north to British Columbia where they have more than enough rain. Then you may have your cape and need it too.

[JerseyLawyer]

Tradition here is not tweed but melton or loden cloth--- the standard pattern for the Highland Regiments is dark green. No need for "scotch guard" or other fluorochemical treatments as wool is naturally water resistant.

I've seen tweed and barathea offered, but nothing else. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. Doesn't the water-resistance of wool depend on how it's treated?

Now I'm curious - I do one day hope to invest in a "real" Inverness cape for cold weather.