Sasta Peski Ventile Anorak - Dark Olive

  1 of 10

  Very nice looking anorak. Well made overall with only one slight stitching flaw where the care label was attached. A good, slightly roomy fit - with a 35 inch chest and 30 inch waist I could easily fit into an XS rather than this Small, which fits me more like a Medium, but at the price I'm happy enough as the fit is easy to adjust and has plenty of room for me to wear a chunky jumper underneath. One area that often causes difficulty is arm length, as my wing span is 6 ft 1 inch, but no problem here with the Peski. The velcro cuffs work nicely, the pockets are useful and the hood easily adjustable for a decent fit, the stiffened peak offering very good protection. Naturally, being only a single layer of Ventile, the Peski is rain resistant rather than waterproof but adequate for sustained light rain or showery days, and more comfortable than any synthetic windshirt I've ever used as it maintains a much more tolerable 'climate' within during periods of activity and rest.  

  John

  2 of 10

  Superb piece of kit! To start, I am 6' 2' (188cm) tall, 215 lbs, 44' (111cm) chest, 38' (97cm) waist. I do have fairly broad shoulders. In the USA, I normally wear a L-tall or XL. I ordered the Peski in XXL and find it a perfect fit for this type of garment. The shoulder seams hit where they are supposed to, the sleeves are plenty long enough, and there is room for a thick insulating layer underneath. I have only had a chance to use the Peski twice, once on a drizzly/sleety day in the low to mid 30°s(F), and once on a windy 50°(F) day. If the trend continues, this garment may soon take top spot for my woods wear. Currently, that position is occupied by my much loved Buffalo Teclite shirt. By way of comparison, the Peski has a better hood, is less clammy during high exertion, blocks the wind equally as well, is cut long enough to work with waterproof chaps, is more suited to hanging out next to a campfire, and doesn't seem to develop that awful funk that the Buffalo does. It is only slightly more bulky when stowed. We will see if the lack of side zip venting proves problematic in the 60°-70°(F) range once the weather warms up. So far, I am quite impressed with the quality of craftsmanship and thoughtful consideration given to design. The only quibble I currently have is that the waist cinch is bright red and has no garage or retainer, so there is just this loop of shock cord that sticks out at the navel. So far it hasn't caught on anything. Fingers crossed it continues to be a non-issue. All in all, I am quite happy with the Sasta Peski. Importing it to the USA was hardly an issue. It surprises me that items like this are not readily available here.  

  Nicholas B

  3 of 10

  This is a great anorak and suits my purpose of bushwalking. I have always appreciated ventile for outdoor use, its very tough, weather resistant, silent and has a comfortable soft feel about it. It is a single layer so this suits Australian winters, I was wearing it with a long sleeve t shirt in temperatures of around 8 - 12 degrees C and was pretty warm, any colder I would just put on another layer. Having a closer look at the detail is what really impressed me, the quality of stitching and its cut are of high quality, a lot of work has gone into its making and I love the fact that its made in the EU. The only minor faults that I found was the zippers could be a bit more of a heavy duty type in the pockets and the elastic drawstrings could also be of a bit more heavy duty, other than that I cannot fault this smock. Sizing was a concern for me as I did not want to get something that would not fit as I live in Australia. I am 6:2in tall, slim, long arms, and weighs in at 90 kg, I opted for a XXL and was glad I did, arm length was perfect, I like long sleeves and when I reach out they don't ride up. The length at the back is longer than the front, this is great for when you sit on a log you end up sitting on the smock, keeps you dry, freedom of movement is also great, you just seem to forget you are wearing a smock. I have a 44.5 in chest so the XXL was perfect as it allows me to add extra layers. When the smock is fully done up with the draw strings pulled, Velcro around the cuffs secured and the front neck area all done up you really appreciate the fabric, the wind just does not get in. The hood is well designed and has two adjustment cords, one for the neck area and the other of the hood head fit. The hood peak has something like a thick wide padded section that allows for adjustment, I seem to prefer this than the wire types, I have only worn the hood twice and I did start to get a bit warm. Well done on a great anorak.  

  Andrew Harrison

  4 of 10

  This is a fantastic anorak! I researched and deliberated a lot before buying this due to the high cost and the fact I hadn’t seen one in person. Having received it yesterday, I took it out today where it met my every expectation and more. Firstly the fit and length is fantastic, not ridiculously over sized so that it snags on vegetation but instead just right with some room for extra layers when needed. The hood is big and gives good coverage. Totally windproof and breathable which is a bit of a revelation coming from gore tex. Its also refreshing to have hand warmer pockets in the correct place (for me at least, I prefer them higher up) also the zipped pocket is the ideal size (not too deep that things get lost at the bottom) and has a loop to attach a compass or knife. I used it by the fire today where it coped admirably and has now been christened with the smell of woodsmoke. Some of the other reviews highlighted the draw cords, mine came with more than heavy enough black elastic and solid zips. I’m guessing they have updated them. Well done Sasta for producing a fantastic anorak! I should also note having contacted Sasta before purchasing with questions, they were very helpful. It’s nice to come across an outdoors brand that isn’t just a huge corporation but instead independent and still family owned. Also thanks Woodlore for your quick processing! Be aware that it is Ventile and be sure that it suits your needs before ordering. Look forward to using this both in the UK and abroad.  

  Jamie

  5 of 10

  The Sasta Peski is a very well designed and constructed anorak, with excellent seam stitching. The hood articulates perfectly with your head once the draw cords are tightened, it does not obscure your vision when looking to the sides, up or down. As mentioned in a previous review, the drawcords, I feel, should be made of a slightly heavier cord as I think those fitted may stretch out over time and loose their elasticity, as has occurred with a previous goretex jacket's waist drawcords of a similar thickness. only time will tell. In a light rain shower, the water droplets beaded up immediately on the surface of the ventile cloth, which bodes for well for use in heavier rain. The fit of the XL size, allows for layering a thin fleece underneath. I am 6' 6' with a 42' chest and have long arms, even so, the sleeve ends reach to cover the back of my hands, so bear this in mind if your arms are fairly short. Overall sizing is very similar to the Fjallraven No. 8 anorak but due to the slightly thinner and softer drape of the, ventile fabric, the Peski anorak gives a more fitted look and feel. For many years I have worn Goretex jackets in many guises but none have given the same level of comfort as the Peski . So my conclusions so far, are that the Peski anorak is an excellent piece of clothing with a lot of thought having gone into its design and it is very well made.  

  Mark Stanbrook

  6 of 10

  Finally got to put this through it's paces on a dog mushing trip to Alaska, and it's performance was outstanding. Pros, big enough to wear multiple layers underneath, (inc, larger down jacket when needed), wind stopping ability is amazing. I really noticed the difference while on snowmobiles as trousers were not ventile, the hood is spacious and well designed providing good protection while still being able to see. The pockets are a really good size allowing for trail snacks, spare gloves/hat and a smaller water bottle to be carried and accessed without having to stop the dogs. The length was also just right, long enough to protect while bending. It held up well when bashing through the bushes (Sledge steering takes some practice). Cons, these were minor and due to the environment I was in. The waist elastic kept snagging on the sledge, resolved by twisting it back on itself, and the zip pulls were awkward with heavier gloves/mitts resolved by adding longer paracord ones. Overall it is a great smock and considering the weight and pack down size it will now be on all my future trips, subject to testing it in the rain next.  

  Andy D

  7 of 10

  Great Anorak, really comfortable and functional.  

  Robin Conway

  8 of 10

  I purchased this jacket for a weeks long photography trip in the Cairngorms. After owning my previous Ventile smock for 20 years I was very much looking forward to this new garment. The cut of the Sasta is excellent. The neck and hood work really well, the drawcords are superb as are the cuffs. When worn as part of a layering system I find Ventile absolutely superb but I do think it is key that you understand how Ventile works or you could be very disappointed. If you are looking for a jacket for cutting about Keswick market square and sitting in coffee shops then there are cheaper better looking options available. This is a hugely functional jacket, although expensive they are so easy to look after and extremely robust. I still have my 20 years old single layer Ventile wind shirt from WestWinds, although it shows signs of wear it is still functional. For my use Ventile is the perfect material. I need a robust quiet jacket that can be easily repaired and maintained. Love it.  

  Nicholas Mccarthy

  9 of 10

  I've been using Ventile for some years now and find it much more user-friendly than man-made stuff (no noise etc.). Anyway first things first, thanks Woodlore for quick delivery. When you first take the anorak out, the two things you notice are how light it is, and the quality; it looks great! I've used it a few times now and so far it has been great at keeping the weather out, while not getting too warm. I usually wear a base layer and light fleece underneath and this works for me fine (maybe in summer time just the base layer). Now for the down points - the hood is great but not wired, but feels more like stiff foam pads, but it does seem to work very well. The Velcro on the cuffs is a bit small and I can't see them working as long as my other anorak which has studs. This also goes for the elastic cord used in this anorak, which seems thin. Having said that it still is a very good item, and well made, I just hope it lasts as long as my old anorak.  

  Paul P.

  10 of 10

  This anorak is traditional in its styling being an over-the-head design. The Scandinavians know a thing or two about being in the woods, and this is often reflected in their designs, often without being mentioned in their sales/marketing information. This is very evident in the subtle features of the Peski; things you cannot see in the pictures for instance which are the little things that make a good design a VERY good design. Like the large textile zipper pull on the main zip which has a large snap lock popper on, so using it with gloves on is a doddle, and it can be locked in place stopping it from flapping in high winds and striking you in the face. Or the large rim of the storm hood; much the same as the Fjallraven Anorak No.8, but on the Sasta it's only the top half of the hood that has the foldable rim. In high winds it'll protect your face, in heavy rain fold it back and it creates a gutter, dispersing water either side of your face; simple but genius! The neck is still really high too and you can snuggle down into it. For those not familiar with Ventile, I would suggest some googling for exact specifications and history; there's not enough room here to do it justice. For me, after years of trying many different fabrics, I wear Ventile or poly cotton. If you truly understand the layering system, fabric-type functions and the fact that sometimes you are going to get a little damp then this is the anorak for you. Ventile is exceptionally weather-proof but will wet out, but it will be a damp garment not a sodden one! Single layer ventile in my experience also dries very quickly, even through body heat whilst it continues to rain! In the summer it's cool enough to wear, providing a windproof barrier, and it'll survive heavy showers and dry out. In winter, wear wool or a good Polartec fleece like a Swazi underneath and you'll not feel the damp come through even in the heaviest of rain. The fabric swells and the fleece or wool remains warm whilst pumping the dampness back away from you. Ventile is incredibly tough and its longevity will give any modern day fabric a run for its money, arguably outliving most. It's natural, quiet and develops a lovely lived-in look too. The Peski is very light, and I mean light! You'll notice straight away in comparison to your normal outdoor jacket. The pockets are well positioned and comfortable for hand warming, and for once a waist cinch that sits on the waist for those with a long torso. The hood, as mentioned, is excellent and very adjustable. Nothing to do with function but even the leather branding label are of high quality. Attention to detail aesthetically is often underestimated; we all like things that look nice! Anyway, a great anorak, with great features for the serious outdoorsman or outdoorswoman who understand the benefits of the layering system! Highly recommended!  

  Simon