Buffalo style smocks- Why?

[Dan00001]

I really don't need one but I really want a Montane Extreme Smock (same sort of thing as Buffalo). The deciding factor will be whether I have a use case for one, although I'll probably just fold eventually, there's nothing like a bit of retail therapy! Anyway, I'm wondering what Buffalo owners use theirs for? Any use cases for out hillwalking? How do they perform on stops, when you're standing around in the rain?

Thanks.

 

[Chris]

They’re not waterproof, but they’re a great warm layer if slightly bulky compared with down jackets.

Mine’s been going for about 20 years now including military usage and it’s still great. Only superficial damage is from me being careless around a fire or when I was a smoker. They’re designed to dry out quickly from wearing them if they do get wet.

Not for ultralight usage, but they’re a nice fluffy cuddle to improve an otherwise cold and miserable day.

 

[TeeDee]

Montane is the one to go for if you are normal sized.
They are a great bit of kit - I have an Arktis one , wouldn't be without it.

 

[Dan00001]

I'm currently using a synthetic insulated jacket as a belay jacket, was out in it for a couple hours today in drizzle dogsbodying. It works great, but I do fancy a Montane smock.

 

[Springchicken]

I used to use a Special 6 shirt in the hills. Even in winter, it was hot - too hot for me when moving. I understand that Buffalo now make thinner versions for mountain or hill activities. I sold the Special 6 but kept - and still use - their Belay jacket, which is brilliant for stops on chilly days.

As a measure of the garments' warmth, a friend of mine summitted Everest wearing a Special 6 shirt and a Belay jacket. He said he was warm as toast.

 

[MikeLA]

Shouldn’t say this, since i live a short drive away from Montane factory but I prefer Buffalo not as heavy or bulky as the Montane.
The Montane does have good qualities a hood which is removable and probably even warmer but I like the fit and style of the Buffalo shirt.
Like a smock coat, I have had the old snugpak pile smock many years ago but no longer.

Buy both either would be a great choice

 

[Dan00001]

I definitely won't be wearing it a lot whilst actually hiking, not is S. Wales at least, we simply don't get cold enough weather, unfortunately! I would use it when stopped, when dogsbodying, or maybe I might don it once I've say reached a peak and the next couple of miles are relatively flat walking/walking downhill.

 

[Dan00001]

Shouldn’t say this, since i live a short drive away from Montane factory but I prefer Buffalo not as heavy or bulky as the Montane.
The Montane does have good qualities a hood which is removable and probably even warmer but I like the fit and style of the Buffalo shirt.
Like a smock coat, I have had the old snugpak pile smock many years ago but no longer.

Buy both either would be a great choice

Hood is a must. The Montane is a fair bit cheaper than a Buffalo, and was speaking to some mountain rescue team members who spoke very highly of the Montane smock.

 

[HillBill]

I definitely won't be wearing it a lot whilst actually hiking, not is S. Wales at least, we simply don't get cold enough weather, unfortunately! I would use it when stopped, when dogsbodying, or maybe I might don it once I've say reached a peak and the next couple of miles are relatively flat walking/walking downhill.

If you wear them against the skin, they arent as hot (the Buffalo ones) You don't need much if anything under them.

 

[Dan00001]

If I'm walking up hill, I'm often in just a base layer, a base layer and windproof if it's windy. It does sound very cosily comfortable wearing pile fleece next to skin, however.

 

[Springchicken]

I've found that a base layer with a Pertex windproof or equivalent suits me on those uphill slogs or walks along windswept ridges. At stops, out comes the belay jacket; it slips over the windproof and keeps me perfectly warm!

 

[hughtrimble]

I definitely won't be wearing it a lot whilst actually hiking, not is S. Wales at least, we simply don't get cold enough weather, unfortunately! I would use it when stopped, when dogsbodying, or maybe I might don it once I've say reached a peak and the next couple of miles are relatively flat walking/walking downhill.

The Belay jacket seems better suited to this than the smock, given you sound like you want to take it off and on again semi routinely. The smock design is really for use as the thing you wear through thick and thin and only add layers on top to, and as such is a bit of a faff to take on/off, but it's not meant to be done often, just at the start and end of your day's moving.

 

[Dan00001]

I've found that a base layer with a Pertex windproof or equivalent suits me on those uphill slogs or walks along windswept ridges. At stops, out comes the belay jacket; it slips over the windproof and keeps me perfectly warm!

I mostly use a Paramo base layer and a Paramo Enduro windproof and have a Paramo Velez stowed in my backpack along with a belay jacket.

 

[k9trev]

Ive a buffalo 6 up for grabs worn once

 

[Dan00001]

I did see it, the size would be too small for me, sorry.

 

[Laurentius]

I rarely wear mine these days, not because it is not any good but it is rather too specialised. I prefer layering up in wool these days, easier to take off a layer when it get's too warm.

 

[MikeLA]

when I did a lot of hillwalking in the winter in the cheviots. I either wore a buffalo next to the skin either my SP6 or a belay and when I stopped if needed, throw on a softie jacket over that.

Those 2 coats were ok size to pack in the rucksack.

A lot of the time hillwalking knowing I was never stopping even in winter I just wore a cheap baselayer not too thin or thick on its own (sort of sweatshirt equivalent) with a buffalo or softie for emergency ie needed stops. With a rucksack on my back didn’t need anything warmer.

But I do enjoy the comfort and security that Buffalo provide, when wet.

 

[TeeDee]

when I did a lot of hillwalking in the winter in the cheviots. I either wore a buffalo next to the skin either my SP6 or a belay and when I stopped if needed, throw on a softie jacket over that.

Those 2 coats were ok size to pack in the rucksack.

A lot of the time hillwalking knowing I was never stopping even in winter I just wore a cheap baselayer not too thin or thick on its own (sort of sweatshirt equivalent) with a buffalo or softie for emergency ie needed stops. With a rucksack on my back didn’t need anything warmer.

But I do enjoy the comfort and security that Buffalo provide, when wet.

I agree with that - there is a certain sense of reassurance with wearing one in inclement weather. It does cover a lot of bases in my mind.

 

[Barney Rubble]

I've had the Montane Extreme Smock for a fair few years now, it's a wonderful bit of kit. I bought it at the time because it was a fair amount cheaper than the Buffalo Special 6. I haven't regretted it. Aside from being cheaper, I liked that it also came with the removable hood as standard.

The warmth of the smock is very subjective of course, but I found it more than adequate to wear this with not much more than a merino wool base layer in sub-zero temperatures. It's not waterproof, but withstands a decent shower and dries out quite quickly. I've had some fun adventures with it when camping in some very exposed locations. Although, regrettably I don't wear mine so much nowadays, the smock has had a hard life and is currently looking quite sorry for itself. It's largely confined to dog walking and allotment duties.

It is very warm though, and down here in Kent, I can find it a bit overkill for our winter weather. It's for that reason that I find myself favouring the classic layering system. Although I also keep thinking of replacing it with a lightweight version of it such as the army issue PCS thermal smock.

 

[MrEd]

I have had one (actually 2) for 7 and 5 years respectively

I happily wear one in the rain with boring underwear it if I am doing anything that involves prolonged activity (walking is enough)
Not waterproof but you don’t get wet inside as your heat pushes the water away from your body, remains windproof even when wet.

If cold but dry I wear it as a mid layer under a cotton canvas outer for warmth +/- a polypropylene under it if it’s really cold or I am majority static.

I wear one easily every day over winter, but I don’t touch it for about 8 months of the year as it’s to hot tbh
But fantastic and if I ripped or lost it I would replace.

I have some gripes about the hood as the come and I had to modify mine a bit to suit me but othrs may get different mileage