thnks that’s really useful, I will get the good to!
baselayers I have bamboo, and wool (merino) so will experiment with those - and look into polypropylene ones aswell
thanks
ed
Buffalo Special 6 - astonished
- Thread starter MrEd
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thnks that’s really useful, I will get the good to!
baselayers I have bamboo, and wool (merino) so will experiment with those - and look into polypropylene ones aswell
thanks
ed
I'm a fan of PP base layers despite the odour issue. I have a helly hansen protocol top that's PP on the inside and wool, doesn't say merino just wool. It's a great cold weather base layer. pp wicks and keeps jmoisture away from skin for wool to absorb moisture. When I've worn wool on its own I found it gets wet and i cool down. PP wicks and stays dry.
I absolutely love my Buffalo, it's kept me toasty and warm on many exercises and recently I wore it under my bike jacket. I found out that my all in one waterproof wasn't very waterproof any more, to the point that I was tipping water out of my sleeves. Despite that I was toasty and warm and didn't notice how wet I'd got despite doing 70mph in torrential rain until I got home.
Other brands are worth keeping an eye out for too. I’ve been using the Montane version out and about in on North Uist for the last week- not cold but very windy and wet sometimes. Have climbed the only hill on the island, spent time sat otter watching and fishing all in the same jacket- comfortable for all thanks to the side and neck venting.
The montane extreme version is generally considered better featured but a lot warmer. My s6 feels a bit cold even in windy late autumn at times and really only good when moving.
There was a shop in ambleside that stocked both brands once so in tried them both on. It was in a hot store so I got very hot in both but it was clear the montane was beefier and a lot warmer. Plus it's a bit cheaper with the hood included! It's bit a better design as smock and jacket versions. Or did back then.
Plus they used to do a version with epic impregnated outer layer with warmer pile for very cold use. Kind of waterproof without affecting breathability or performance. Might be a cotton or ventile such of things.
They are great used as and for the use designed for. Just like any other option you need to know how they work and what they do to decide if they're good for you. Just like a paramo type of system or other non mainstream system.
There was a shop in ambleside that stocked both brands once so in tried them both on. It was in a hot store so I got very hot in both but it was clear the montane was beefier and a lot warmer. Plus it's a bit cheaper with the hood included! It's bit a better design as smock and jacket versions. Or did back then.
Plus they used to do a version with epic impregnated outer layer with warmer pile for very cold use. Kind of waterproof without affecting breathability or performance. Might be a cotton or ventile such of things.
They are great used as and for the use designed for. Just like any other option you need to know how they work and what they do to decide if they're good for you. Just like a paramo type of system or other non mainstream system.
Follow the washing instructions as close as possible, My special 6 got mixed up in a hot wash and dry and ruined the pile. I can still use it but its never felt the same since. Also if you go for a HH Lifa (polyprop) top buy bigger as they shrink a bit after washing (on right settings)
Lifa tops do shrink but they still stretch back due to being a very stretchy, open weave. I got a lifa top when I was 13 yo. I can still wear it as my base layer under my wetsuit when I last kayaker. That's despite it being medium and I'm probably large or xl now. It doesn't feel tight to me neither!
I'm on my second, so I have a grubby one and a going out one Plus a Belay jacket and an Active Lite shirt, and salopettes made to fit my little legs.
The Belay jacket by itself is, apart from going into town, a bit rubbish because it's too flappy and lets too much breeze in round the bottom. Unless you wear a harness?!? At the same size as the Special 6 you can layer it over the top. Similarly you can put the Active Lite, at one size down, under the Special 6. They are helpful with info if you ask, they said the shell of the Active Lite should be one size down because the insulation is thinner and that worked out.
Living in NW Scotland I wear the special 6 most days if it's about 12 deg C or below, just being or working outside. For hiking it may have to be colder but I don't do much of that. Since it's been used most days for maybe six years the fibrepile is much flatter than the new one which is lovely and toasty in comparison, so I have clothing to suit a wider variety of temps because the older 6 is a bit knackered.
If it's cold a merino goes under. Usually I wear a cotton tshirt cos it's convenient and what I wear inside despite knowing I shouldn't if you read the instructions.
I have spent all day, day after day, operating machinary in pouring winter rain with the salopettes, the 6, a merino neck warmer and top and a Sealskins goretex baseball cap under the Buffalo pile hood and been fine. If the Buffalo hasn't dried out the next day, or just after lunch more likely, putting it back on soaking wet is bad for maybe ten mins max then you're warm again.
It's not and is not meant to be waterproof, but I can be really quite soaked and still lovely and warm, moving or stationary. The wettist bits are under my chin down my chest and the side zips. The older one doesn't really like being reproofed so doesn't bead much anymore.
The Active Lite is a nice colour but for me covers a much narrower range of temps I can use it at. Better for hiking normally tho.
I would like the Buffalo Windtop to layer over the Special 6 to keep a bit of heat in and a bit of rain off but £100 for one layer of pertex is annoying. I did get the Curbar top cheap secondhand which fits under the 6 or over the Active Lite making a bit of difference, has a hood which is good and works well if working hard or as a summer spare layer, but is much more breathable they say than the Windtop so cooler.
I also have the Tekmax shirt for beers on the beach at Christmas, super toasty over wet swimming shorts I don't have the Yfronts!
Plus a Belay jacket and an Active Lite shirt, and salopettes made to fit my little legs.The Belay jacket by itself is, apart from going into town, a bit rubbish because it's too flappy and lets too much breeze in round the bottom. Unless you wear a harness?!? At the same size as the Special 6 you can layer it over the top. Similarly you can put the Active Lite, at one size down, under the Special 6. They are helpful with info if you ask, they said the shell of the Active Lite should be one size down because the insulation is thinner and that worked out.
Living in NW Scotland I wear the special 6 most days if it's about 12 deg C or below, just being or working outside. For hiking it may have to be colder but I don't do much of that. Since it's been used most days for maybe six years the fibrepile is much flatter than the new one which is lovely and toasty in comparison, so I have clothing to suit a wider variety of temps because the older 6 is a bit knackered.
If it's cold a merino goes under. Usually I wear a cotton tshirt cos it's convenient and what I wear inside despite knowing I shouldn't if you read the instructions.
I have spent all day, day after day, operating machinary in pouring winter rain with the salopettes, the 6, a merino neck warmer and top and a Sealskins goretex baseball cap under the Buffalo pile hood and been fine. If the Buffalo hasn't dried out the next day, or just after lunch more likely, putting it back on soaking wet is bad for maybe ten mins max then you're warm again.
It's not and is not meant to be waterproof, but I can be really quite soaked and still lovely and warm, moving or stationary. The wettist bits are under my chin down my chest and the side zips. The older one doesn't really like being reproofed so doesn't bead much anymore.
The Active Lite is a nice colour
but for me covers a much narrower range of temps I can use it at. Better for hiking normally tho.I would like the Buffalo Windtop to layer over the Special 6 to keep a bit of heat in and a bit of rain off but £100 for one layer of pertex is annoying. I did get the Curbar top cheap secondhand which fits under the 6 or over the Active Lite making a bit of difference, has a hood which is good and works well if working hard or as a summer spare layer, but is much more breathable they say than the Windtop so cooler.
I also have the Tekmax shirt for beers on the beach at Christmas, super toasty over wet swimming shorts
I don't have the Yfronts!
@grizzlyj
Iv'e got a Buffalo windshirt , a montane featherlite and a keela neutrino which is my fav. The Buff windshirt is a harder wearing more robust material than the others so may last longer and so works out roughly the same value maybe?. I'm looking at the arktis stowaway as I want ATACs AU , might be worth a punt for you too..
store.arktis.co.uk
Iv'e got a Buffalo windshirt , a montane featherlite and a keela neutrino which is my fav. The Buff windshirt is a harder wearing more robust material than the others so may last longer and so works out roughly the same value maybe?. I'm looking at the arktis stowaway as I want ATACs AU , might be worth a punt for you too..
A192 Stowaway Shirt
The Stowaway has been around for a long time, but we feel it deserves a little reintroduction. It was designed to be as light weight as possible with a very minimalistic design. The shirt snugly fits into a little pouch located at the back of the neck and is secured with a drawstring & toggle...
store.arktis.co.uk
I had the buffalo windshield as a teenager. It was bought for cycling as a summer "waterproof ". Obviously isn't but cycling hard with that over the top of my t-shirt it was enough. Much later in my early 20s it still fitted and I used it as my "waterproof" when drying conservation volunteering. I once caught it on a thorn and put a big hole in it. A shrug and I carried on. After getting home at the end of the day I looked where the tear was. It disappeared! Self healing! Great kit but no longer fits. I found it earlier this year and trust it on. It's one size too small!
Now I know I'll not replace it because windshield are a lot cheaper and good enough from other brands.
Sizing is supposed to be very important , you need the s6 snug fit I read. I measured my chest and got the size matching my chest measurement. I was half an inch below the size I got. I regret that as I think it is too tight on me. Despite that it's a thick garment so you look a lot bigger wearing it I reckon.
Now I know I'll not replace it because windshield are a lot cheaper and good enough from other brands.
Sizing is supposed to be very important , you need the s6 snug fit I read. I measured my chest and got the size matching my chest measurement. I was half an inch below the size I got. I regret that as I think it is too tight on me. Despite that it's a thick garment so you look a lot bigger wearing it I reckon.
As much as in don't like thin elasticated wrists find the buffalo wrist design annoying. What I find annoying about it is the way the inside pile on the cuff curls it showing the pile to the weather. Heavy rain it gets wet and isn't nice IMHO. I have no idea if the arms are too short for me and the velcro closure is curling it up and out or my sleeves are too short. Whatever the case I dummy like it!
It's good stuff - bulky but good at keeping you warm, no matter what. A friend of mine wore a Special 6 top, a Belay jacket and the salopettes when he topped out on Everest; he said he was perfectly warm, despite the sub-zero temperature and relentless, cutting wind. I have a pair of their pile mittens in my pack at all times for 'those moments when...' and, in winter, I always fling in my Belay jacket for the chillier stops on longer days out.
As I understand it, this jacket should be something similar as the Buffalo if a thin windproof layer (like Arktis A192 Stowaway) is worn on top?
www.varusteleka.com
I have both the Arktis A192 and this bear jacket in the link
US ECWCS Gen I Fleece Jacket, Bear Jacket, Surplus
Youll be comfy and warm like a bear sleeping over the winter in this jacket. Wear inside out to get hugs! Check availability on our website.
www.varusteleka.com
I have both the Arktis A192 and this bear jacket in the link
I think they may have changed the outside material on the S6 now, the web site is claiming its "Pertex® Quantum" whatever that means.
They still do a normal pertex version to, I looked at both, the quantum stuff has almost the appearance of mini rip stop, was fractionally less shiny but to me felt a bit stiffer.
I went for the normal type (not quantum) which felt slightly softer in the hand. Both looked good though.
I planned to use it this weekend in wales but it was 18c and sunny so it stayed in my bag lol
Why? What's doing it? Annoying me greatly. I'm thinking about it again. A design issue,
This has just appeared on my Facebook feed:
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Wash Care - Buffalo
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