Buffalo mountain shirt

Jon jons

Jon jons

Ultralighter
Thinking about getting one of the above. Has anyone used one?
Was thinking could use it to boost a sleeping bags rating but only if i could keep it dry as its meant to be all my layers in one. Lightweight if it's the only top I need?
Thanks for any suggestions or experiences.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
I'm a Buffalo wearer :inlove:.

I mostly wear a base layer underneath - lightweight merino is my choice. They are designed to be worn next to skin - and I have done this - OK. depends on the conditions.

Buffalo is NOT waterproof - but in light on/off showers the wet doesn't penetrate to skin level and your body heat helps evaporate it off.
When it is heavy or persistent rain you will need a protective waterproof layer on top.

They are designed to 'work' best when you are active. When stopped you may need an insulating layer over.
I do not find it warm enough if stopped (lunch) or at camp, especially in windy conditions.

Good zips for venting.

I do not sleep in it - too uncomfortable IMHO - makes an OK pillow tho'. My 'over the top' insulating layer is what I use to boost Sleeping bag.

The Buffalo "Mountain Shirt" is the basic model - I use in temps 0c to 10C. There are lighter versions which I use over 10c, and the "Tecmax" which is great in serious cold/arctic conditions.

They are incredibly durable - my first Buffalo shirt is still going strong after a decade of regular use.

PS. The pockets on Buffalo are IMHO the best - big and in the 'right' places :).
 
maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
Wot Cathy said...love mine in the right conditions.
Great in deep Scottish winter. Or for climbing or mtbing. Very durable & repairable.
Requires a true waterproof layer over the top in heavy or prolonged rain.
Many lighter options for additional sleep insulation.
Can't imagine a sleep system relying on keeping a day-wear layer dry in the UK. Would probably work in western USA...but even then it would make me paranoid.
 
Ken T.

Ken T.

Section Hiker
Been looking at that garment for years and just haven’t tried one. Never seeing one on this side of the world still has me curious.
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
If buying 2nd hand, there are a couple of equally as good alternatives that other than the pockets and cut are slightly different . Look out for 'Mardale' and 'Trax'
I've had several pile shirts and eventually settled on my Mardale Alpine shirt and trousers. I like how I can push the sleeves up on my Mardale and rate the pockets better.
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Ken T. said:
Been looking at that garment for years and just haven’t tried one. Never seeing one on this side of the world still has me curious.
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Not much use in warm dry climates. Would suit Pacific NW in cooler season + Alaska and Canada.
And Scandinavia :).
 
cathyjc

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Jon jons said:
Thanks, will probably buy one then work out why I need it:) could justify it as an OK pillow lol.
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I have quite a few "Buffalo's" :oops::oops::angelic:.
The first I bought full price new. The others are all 2nd hand - care of a well known auction site.
I suggest given the expense that 2nd hand is a good place to start.
 
Taz38

Taz38

Thru Hiker
I had one but found it too warm for ascending steep terrain and sold it on to buy a paramo smock. For really cold condition they rock tho.
 
Nevis

Nevis

Thru Hiker
Still have a original RAF mountain rescue test special 6, had it over 25 years, great bit of gear, its been abused and battered around and still works perfectly, in fact my GF has blagged it and i now wear a shiny new red one. Have worn mine next to the skin in some absolute freezing Scottish winters when i climbed a lot and have always been warm in it :) Tried the Montane version years ago and sold it on pretty quick as it the venting was woeful and i baked in it :(
 
EM-Chiseller

EM-Chiseller

Thru Hiker
I've a pair of new without tags mitts in medium on the bay if anyone wants to add to their kit, great from shoulder season through winter edit : SOLD
 
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Pipe Cleaner

Trail Blazer
Pipe Cleaner said:
Didn't Mardale and trax close down?
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Mardale outdoor apparel dissolved 2014.

Can't find traxx online Even companies house didn't give anything I could be sure of being the buffalo clone manufacturer. Forums mostly seemed to stop mentioning them in relation to buffalo threads before 2010. I suspect they're out of business too.

BTW Mardale made them in Preston at one point. A friend of a friend could get employees price on them straight from the factory. Never did it. Was waiting to afford the real thing.
 
P

Pipe Cleaner

Trail Blazer
I've been studying the buffalo website of late. I think I've become a buffalo obsessive. I think I need to buy one just to stop my Internet history being taken over by buffalo searches!

I can't find the special 6 in a 42 on blue anywhere! They've only supplied one retailer who has run out of this size. Not available elsewhere. I'm a buffalo purist. I believe Blue was the only colour for civilians once and green for military which was available at a few retailers.
 
Nevis

Nevis

Thru Hiker
Pipe Cleaner said:
I've been studying the buffalo website of late. I think I've become a buffalo obsessive. I think I need to buy one just to stop my Internet history being taken over by buffalo searches!

I can't find the special 6 in a 42 on blue anywhere! They've only supplied one retailer who has run out of this size. Not available elsewhere. I'm a buffalo purist. I believe Blue was the only colour for civilians once and green for military which was available at a few retailers.
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Royal Blue (same as mine) was the RAF colour, i know that's a hard colour to find, when i was looking at replacing mine i wanted the Royal blue and rang Buffalo to ask them where to find one and they gave me info as to who had ordered them and might have them in stock. They said that some shops only want certain colours, at the time a place in Edinburgh had a load of the Royal blue ones.
 
P

Pipe Cleaner

Trail Blazer
Outdoor warehouse in Edinburgh ordered them in blue. They're an exclusive for that company but they've sold out of 42. That means I'm stuck with black or green or blue 44 size. Funnily enough they suggested I bought one in blue 44 and another colour in 42. Then send the one I didn't want back for a refund.

I'm a fraction under 42c chest but tall hence the longer s6 is needed in 42 size. The mountain shirt is available on blue at 42 size but it's likely top short for my needs. You want a snug fit I believe to get the best performance out of it. 2 inches oversize might be too big. I'm thinking folds in the fabric with the straps cinched in. If my maths is right 2" bigger circumference equals 16mm more diameter (although we're not round, well I'm not). So perhaps not too big.

What do you reckon? 2" oversize is OK with buffalo shirts?
 
Phil-s

Phil-s

Summit Camper
Phil-s said:
No its a teclite has front pocket and hood
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P

Pipe Cleaner

Trail Blazer
Phil-s said:
No its a teclite has front pocket and hood
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I've not seen buffalo in yellow except for the cycle shirts. An unusual colour teclite then. Reminds me of the old plastic anoraks in orange but also yellow. With string hood cords that whipped the face unless you tied them up (not easy on the cold, wet and windy mountain conditions). Only more breathable of course.
 
Nevis

Nevis

Thru Hiker
Pipe Cleaner said:
Outdoor warehouse in Edinburgh ordered them in blue. They're an exclusive for that company but they've sold out of 42. That means I'm stuck with black or green or blue 44 size. Funnily enough they suggested I bought one in blue 44 and another colour in 42. Then send the one I didn't want back for a refund.

I'm a fraction under 42c chest but tall hence the longer s6 is needed in 42 size. The mountain shirt is available on blue at 42 size but it's likely top short for my needs. You want a snug fit I believe to get the best performance out of it. 2 inches oversize might be too big. I'm thinking folds in the fabric with the straps cinched in. If my maths is right 2" bigger circumference equals 16mm more diameter (although we're not round, well I'm not). So perhaps not too big.

What do you reckon? 2" oversize is OK with buffalo shirts?
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That's them, i remember now. Never bought one in the end, just got a red one :) I find that i def need the longer special 6 version as it keeps the butt cheeks warm :)
 
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