Varusteleka Thermal Cloak

The multi-functional Thermal Cloak can be used as a coat/cloak, sleeping bag, and tarp or emergency shelter.. The extremely simple yet astonishingly adaptable design makes this a valued piece of gear for a multitude of situations all year round.

• Dimensions:
• 216 x 216 cm / 85" x 85" (opened and laid out flat)
• 216 x 108 cm / 85" x 42.5" (zippered shut as a bag)
• Weight:
• 1500 g / 53 oz. (100 g/m2 Climashield insulated)
• 1300 g / 46 oz. (67 g/m2 Climashield insulated)
• 650 g / 23 oz. (Non-insulated)
• Pack size compressed:
• 40 x 20 cm / 15.5" x 8" (100 g/m2 Climashield insulated)
• 35 x 15 cm / 14" x 6" (67 g/m2 Climashield insulated)
• 20 x 10 cm / 8" x 4" (non-insulated)
• Three two-way, double sided zippers
• A total of six tie-down webbing loops
• Waterproof and thermal reflective shell fabric
• Waterproof taped center seam
• Materials:
• Shell and lining: 100 % polyamide
• Insulation: Climashield Apex
• Reinforcements: 500D Cordura
• All materials are NIR compliant

The Climashield insulated models double up as sleeping bags. The heavier 100 g/m2 insulated version is a bit heavier and bulkier than the 67 g/m2 variant but also offers roughly 50% more insulation, making it ideal for use in extreme cold. The non-insulated models have no insulation or lining, the silvered underside of the shell fabric is bare and visible. These unlined cloaks can be used as sleeping bag covers, similar to a bivvy bag.

If you´re in the need of a packing or compression bag, we recommend the following options:

• Carinthia compression bag. The smaller 20x40cm model.
• Särmä TST Dry Bag. The 10L / 612 in³ model.

For wear as a coat or cloak you will need a belt or similar strap. If you don´t own such a wonder already we recommend the Särmä TST utility strap.

The Thermal Cloak's roots and purpose

Since we believe in giving credit where credit is due: The Särmä TST Thermal Cloak is in all honesty our take on the Norwegian Jerven Fjellduk, a fantastic piece of kit which we've grown to love and respect over the years. Our design is basically the Finnish evolutionary offspring of its progenitor, adapted to suit our and other Finnish end-users needs based on our own experiences and feedback gathered from various users, especially military and law enforcement, around the country.

The design of the Thermal Cloak is outrageously simple, and that´s what it´s all about: from simplicity comes reliability, and this type of gear must be worth your trust. The Thermal Cloak is basically just a waterproof, insulated square but by the clever use of zippers and tie-down loops, it can be worn as a coat, used as a sleeping bag, or pitched like a tarp. This very versatile piece of gear adapts to a multitude of situations making it a valuable companion in the field, all year round.

The multiple functions of the Thermal Cloak

Sleeping bag or bivvy

The most simple trick is to use the Thermal Cloak as a sleeping bag. Fold and close it shut to form a bag and dive inside, or use it as a bivvy bag over a regular sleeping bag. The thermal reflective shell and Climashield insulation make the Thermal Cloak a sleeping bag on its own and an even better shell bag for use as a bivvy.

The 67 g/m² Climashield insulated model is on its own roughly equivalent to a modern military summer sleeping bag. This is no exact science, but we suggest that the Comfort Limit is 5 °C (41 F) and Extreme Limit -10 °C (14 F).

The highest level of sleeping baggy pleasure is achieved when the Thermal Cloak is used in conjunction with an actual sleeping bag. In this configuration, you can keep your clothes and gear (especially any electronics or batteries) safe and warm within the Thermal Cloak whilst you yourself sleep comfortably inside the sleeping bag. The joy of getting into non-frozen-solid clothing on a cold winter morning is something you just have to experience first hand to truly appreciate.

Example: Thermal Cloak + Carinthia Defence 1 = a sure bet which keeps you going all year round in all but the very most extreme freezing temperatures. And if it gets really, really cold, like -35 °C (-31 F), just use a 3-season bag inside the thermal cloak and that´s it. A combo such as this gives you a quickly donned thermal shell coat, emergency shelter, and summer and winter sleeping bag all in one.

When using the Thermal Cloak as a sleeping bag we strongly recommend using a sleeping mat between the cloak and the ground. This protects the shell of the cloak from jagged rocks and sticks, a waterproof shell is not worth much if it´s full of holes.

Coat or cloak

When movement stops your own heat production slows down. In cold temperatures, it´s extremely important to add warm clothing fast when activity levels drop from high to low. For this purpose the Thermal Cloak can be worn like a coat or cloak:

• Fold the cloak in half, zip up the long side halfway. The open section will become your armhole.
• Zip shut one short side halfway starting from the previously left-open armhole corner. The open half will become your headway.
• Leave the other short side completely open. This will become your feet hole.
• Pull the sock-like bag over yourself, push your head out of the slit left for it, and your arms out of their large opening.
• Take your belt/strap and tighten it around your waist and pull up the excess length of the cloak so it does not interfere with leg movement.
• Your warm, insulated thermal cloak is ready!

You can lift or lower the "hood" as desired and adjust zippers for the perfect fit. Through the large opening for your arms, you can also access your jacket pockets and any chest-worn gear. This configuration is no acrobats dress, that is a reality, but whatever you need to do in such situations when wearing this makes sense - that you can do. If the need arises you can also operate firearms from this setup, we recommend some training beforehand.

If you´re really in no hurry to get going you can zip shut the feet end of the cloak to further conserve heat. In this configuration you´re basically a legless blob with arms and head, so don´t expect to get a quick running start if something happens.

Emergency shelter or tarp

Six reinforced tie-down loops along the sides and corners of the cloak allow for its use as a tarp or similar emergency shelter. There are numerous different setups that you can use depending on what you need, we recommend experimenting and learning what works for you.

Hammockeers a-hoy: by shutting the Thermal Cloak over your hammock you get great insulation, basically an under-and-over quilt. This cocoon also shields you from the wind, making this a viable option especially for wintertime hammocking.

Sewn in the EU

These are now made in Latvia by Sia GPT.