Whats the BEST item of clothing you have ever bought & WHY?

[_mark_]

In response to the other thread.

For me it has to be the Harkila Pro Hunter, just an amazing bit of kit! Also the Alt-berg boots I've owned, when properly looked after, are incredible.

 

[Catfish1972]

Many years ago I bought a hand-made shawl in Manali in the Indian Himalaya. It was made from the belly wool of baby yaks and was without a doubt the warmest little piece of kit I have ever owned. I still have it, but it's full of moth holes. I can't seem to be able to buy one online, so I may well have to go back to Manali to buy a replacement.

 

[santaman2000]

Blue jeans. Self explanatory.

 

[Tiley]

I bought a couple of Swedish Army shirts - I don't know what model - but they a bit like a smock, with two buttons on the front. They are incredibly comfortable, a decent shade of green, hardwearing and only cost a tenner each.

 

[copper_head]

Possum fur / merino beanie hat. Warm light and soft...

 

[Nonsuch]

Early days but I would say the new Swazi Tahr XP

 

[Man of Tanith]

Another vote for possum merino hat.
Bought one on fundamental course. Promptly stolen by Lisa so ended up buyin another as soon as got home so mine was safe

 

[sandbender]

Possum fur / merino beanie hat. Warm light and soft...

+1 for one of those, closely followed by my Buffalo Teclite shirt, fourteen years or more and still going strong and a pair of Clarks all terrain sandals that have walked a fair distance with me.

 

[Dave]

Difficult question.

I've got some really good clothing now, for almost every condition/enviroment imaginable!
So can mix and match.

I find I try to keep kit Ive paid a lot of money for in pristine condition, which takes some of the fun away.

For instance I got 3 pairs of austrian trousers from endicotts, which are pretty much on a par with the more expensive brands, like swedteam etc.

But I'll batter the austrian ones, at £14 a pair, and wont be bothered if they rip or stain or fray.

Whereas, If I was wearing Harkilas, which Ive owned in the past, at £200 a pair, I wouldnt do that.

 

[Gray]

I sleep really cold so the pure merino socks are a godsend

 

[TurboGirl]

The bits that have done me years and become old freinds are mostly generic types eg motorcycle leather jackets... but as a stand out, my Belstaff waxed cotton trousers have done miles in woodlands and bramble pastures, always warm and protective, easily mended and maintained and actually, pretty damn funky too

Theres a few hand spun, hand knit jumpers which have done stirling service over the last 30yrs or so... some of Mums worsted spun ones that she made when sailing in the 50s are still being passed down the family too Its a lot of work but a garment thats good for a quarter century + and better than anything you can buy at any cost is worth it and its own satisfaction.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Another top kit buy- arktis dancam waterproof.
And a hunter waxed jacket.

 

[copper_head]

Another vote for me would be my snowsled classic smock, had it 7 years now. I cant imagine a better garment to tramp round the woods in!

 

[ReamviThantos]

Swazi Tahr waterproof coat, Bison zipped bush shirt, buffalo special six top and bottom. Swazi for what it claims to do (be water proof no matter what), bison shirt for warmth, buffalo suit for same. Also plus one for possum beanie and harkilla gear is just fantastic own a safari shirt and pro shooter trousers, tough as old boots.

 

[Dave-the-rave]

Norgie shirt. Best tenner I ever spent.

 

[MikeLA]

Honestly .mentioned this before the Bear Grylls Survivor trousers, Lightweight, hardwearing and very comfortable.

 

[British Red]

Sheepskin Jerkin


Jerkin by British Red, on Flickr

THE best item for working outdoors in cooler weather

 

[Harvestman]

T3 Tilley hat. Never leave the house without it. Ever.

 

[Kerne]

Bison Bushcraft "autumn" shirt - wear it all the time when I'm out unless it's hot. hard wearing and still looks like it did when I bought it years ago.

Re the possum hat that others rate - I bought one and washed it after a few wearings. It's now fit only for a garden gnome. What did I do wrong...

 

[redandshane]

Best is hard
Swandri Extreme shirt is almost always with me except in high summer
But I kinda like my North Face down Gilet and Fjallraven trousers as well
Buffs are good as too but they are an accessory