Snowshoe hare or traditional anorak from Empire?

[Midwest Firecraft]

I have a $100 synthetic Anorak that has got me through my first year of winter camping. Looking at purchasing a cotton anorak and having trouble deciding between the two. I pull a BRS with snowshoes and am active while at camp. I love the venting on the snowshoe but like the length of the traditional. Thoughts?

[Justin P.]

I have the snowshoe, I understand there can be some benefits a longer more traditional design, but I felt like that would get in my way more often than not.
But never having tried one that is strictly and uneducated guess on my part.
But that was the illogical logic behind my decision anyway.

[Midwest Firecraft]

That's what I'm worried about. Don't want it getting in the way while snowshoeing in deep snow. Seems like that is what has been used for long time though...

[4estTrekker]

You can use a sash to "hike up" a longer a anorak when needed. Cuts down on the venting a touch through the bottom, but the fabric breaths anyway.

[Midwest Firecraft]

Do you prefer the 10 ounce Lure of the North or the 6 ounce Empire?

[SD_Motak]

I've worn Empire's Arctic Anorak while ice fishing, shore fishing, and snowshoeing with never a thought about it "getting in the way" because I was enjoying myself so much. Your choice between that and the Snowshoe Hare Pullover depends on what you are doing. Think it through. The Arctic Anorak was designed for activities while walking while the Pullover was designed to excel at activities such as cycling. Longer coverage keeps the large muscle groups warm and protected, but shorter coverage makes it easier to use a bike. There's a lot of overlap between the anorak and the pullover such that either will work well for most activities, but the anorak will excel at "slower" paces and the pullover will excel at "faster" paces.

[Justin P.]

Covering large muscle groups made me think of something else.
And also, another reason why I might tend to like my short version.
I have almost never had really cold feeling legs and rear end, every other part of my body can feel cold, but my legs and rear still feel fine.
Heat loss is heat loss I know, but that's my perception anyway.
My point being, right or wrong I don't really tend to put much thought into covering those areas.

[Midwest Firecraft]

Decided to go with a $45 Swedish Military Jacket that I will modify into an Anorak until I decide what works best for me.

[AK Venture Bear]

If you have a good machine, you may want to consider sewing your own anorak, using a combination of patterns producible through The Snow Walker's Companion and sewing instructions from Lure of the North, since their anorak kits are based on the patterns from that book. I recently completed an anorak in this fashion, and what's advantageous about it is the pattern for the body and sleeves start out HUGE, definitely at or below the knee if you're not a giant, and well past your fingertips. You can tailor the fit to your liking.

[Heavy Duty]

I have a few of these, I have a 10oz traditional OG empire canvas works anorak (by Duane Lottig), a light weight modern snowshoe hare pullover out of 6oz canvas and another snowshoe hare pullover out of the ripstop ATACS camo cotton/poly blend, and a swedish military button up anorak.

Out of all of them, I prefer the light weight ATACS camo poly blend snowshoe hare. It's the perfect blend of wind block, breathability and weight. The camo is a big plus because my other ones are filthy.

The swedish anorak will do you just fine!

FWIW I camp the same way you do. Pull a toboggan on snowshoes.

[Midwest Firecraft]

I have been very happy with the wind blocking and breathability for the price. The hood sucks, but I will modify it at some point.

[Heavy Duty]

You're right about that, the hood is pretty bad.