Bargain Alert - outdoor gear deals worth a look
- Thread starter el manana
- Start date
Balagan
Thru Hiker
Yes. Well, I weighed the pocket with the big bundle of thread chucked on top and then on it's own. Sad... I know... I'm seeking counsel...
TinTin
Thru Hiker
I walk fairly hot so it could end up being something I rarely use and maybe I'll leave it at home if it doesn't add to my layering set up. We'll see. I might look for a Brynje T shirt.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
I think you may have obsessive compulsive ultralight gear disorder. It is contagious and there's quite a bit of it about on this forum.Yes. Well, I weighed the pocket with the big bundle of thread chucked on top and then on it's own. Sad... I know... I'm seeking counsel...
Balagan
Thru Hiker
To be honest, I couldn't care less about making the fleece lighter. I just wanted to remove some of the spandex material and since I could weigh the pocket, I did.
The people with obsessive compulsive ultralight gear disorder are the ones who trumpet the lower weight of their fleece while carrying an anvil of a cast iron skillet.
EM-Chiseller
Thru Hiker
To be honest, I couldn't care less about making the fleece lighter. I just wanted to remove some of the spandex material and since I could weigh the pocket, I did.
The people with obsessive compulsive ultralight gear disorder are the ones who trumpet the lower weight of their fleece while carrying an anvil of a cast iron skillet.
Balagan
Thru Hiker
You cheat, you! You're supposed to use a cast iron skillet on a Svea 123.
Padstowe
Thru Hiker
Well that's f#cked with my thinking. I was hoping to use the alpha flash lite over a merino base layer, either a tee or long sleeve, temp depending.
Was going to try it out this weekend as the horrible weather we've been having here has lighten up for the weekend, but I've gotten sick, so that's out the window
.Am new to the alpha stuff, but being that the lite is just alpha & not alpha direct, is it true that it's better to have it over something or is that just polartec sales blurp?
May have to buy some new base layers, what a shame
EM-Chiseller
Thru Hiker
Alpha with a backing and a front ( OR Deviator, norrona Falketind, marmot isotherm, salewa pedroc, etc) works very well without a base, and works well with a synthetic base... Alpha raw with no backing or front, works well with synthetics but again better next to skin. Alpha raw with a face skin ( montane hydrogen, rab Flux, etc) work best next to skin or with certain synthetics under.Well that's f#cked with my thinking. I was hoping to use the alpha flash lite over a merino base layer, either a tee or long sleeve, temp depending.
Was going to try it out this weekend as the horrible weather we've been having here has lighten up for the weekend, but I've gotten sick, so that's out the window
Am new to the alpha stuff, but being that the lite is just alpha & not alpha direct, is it true that it's better to have it over something or is that just polartec sales blurp?
May have to buy some new base layers, what a shame
Merino unless it's very thin, holds the sweat too much and as its wool, keeps the body heat in and doesn't release enough to allow the alpha to do its thing.
Everyone's different... But I've tried one or two
variations and combinations.For me.... Merino and alpha... Any kind... Just doesn't work work together.
I've tried them on the hill, on the bike, running, hiking, sleeping. But then again... It has been said on more than one occasion, that I'm an oddball lol
EM-Chiseller
Thru Hiker
Alpha works very well in hot tempreture too... I wore the Nitro for the 20 mile race... When it was hot I was fine and when it cooled I was fine.
I've hiked in the Norrona Falketind Alpha in the high 20's... I did undo the zip on some of the climbs... But it worked well at managing my overall comfort.
Balagan
Thru Hiker
FWIW, Alpha was invented at the request of Uncle Sam who wanted to replace an R2 fleece equivalent with something that could be worn throughout a day's exertion by Uncle Sam's finest. Alpha inserted itself as Level 3a in a system of 7 layers that could be mixed and matched according to taste. There was only one official caveat: no wool items because they retained water and impeded it's removal.Merino unless it's very thin, holds the sweat too much and as its wool, keeps the body heat in and doesn't release enough to allow the alpha to do its thing.
Everyone's different... But I've tried one or two
For me.... Merino and alpha... Any kind... Just doesn't work work together.
Balagan
Thru Hiker
Could explain @Chiseller's fondness for his mesh body suit, too.
<small print> Says the guy with a newly-washed ex-Danish army mesh t-shirt on his drying rack...</small print>
Last edited:
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
Exped seems to be discontinuing the Lightning (I don't know if it's being updated) so this could be a good chance to buy.
bazpoint
Backpacker
Got tempted into a few more Rab bits before they disappear, so thought someone might be interested in the weights for comparison:
Alpha (regular one, not the Lite), medium: 245g
Merino 120 long sleeve base layer top, black, medium: 147g
Merino 120 bottoms, black, medium: 123g
Brief thoughts on Alpha ("Regular") vs Alpha Lite (vs Freak) - Regular instantly feels both 'nicer' (softer) and warmer and the Lite. The colour is very slightly different, though you'd never know unless you had them next to each other. Though, lets face it, they're both a pretty fugly - I won't be wearing them to any dinner parties. The Alpha on the regular is visibly not quite as thick as the Freak, but it's close. Fit feels more generous in the Regular... not by much, but it is noticeable. The Freak is still the standout item for me... I've worn it walking the dogs every day this week & love it... the other two are more niche pieces but still happy with them at the prices paid.
Alpha (regular one, not the Lite), medium: 245g
Merino 120 long sleeve base layer top, black, medium: 147g
Merino 120 bottoms, black, medium: 123g
Brief thoughts on Alpha ("Regular") vs Alpha Lite (vs Freak) - Regular instantly feels both 'nicer' (softer) and warmer and the Lite. The colour is very slightly different, though you'd never know unless you had them next to each other. Though, lets face it, they're both a pretty fugly - I won't be wearing them to any dinner parties. The Alpha on the regular is visibly not quite as thick as the Freak, but it's close. Fit feels more generous in the Regular... not by much, but it is noticeable. The Freak is still the standout item for me... I've worn it walking the dogs every day this week & love it... the other two are more niche pieces but still happy with them at the prices paid.
Didn't know that. I bought one a while back but still haven't used it!
TinTin
Thru Hiker
My Rab Alpha just arrived. I'm 6'2" 95kg (ish) and I bought XL. I think I could have got away with L and I guess the Alpha might work better if the fit is closer. I have quite long arms but the arms on this are about 2" too long. None of this is an issue for me but I thought I'd mention it in case it might be useful info for someone thinking of buying one.
Balagan
Thru Hiker
Yes the arms are long on the Alpha Lite too. They are either 2" too long or the perfect length for adding a thumb loop on the stretch fabric part (which you can't do in Alpha).
Last edited:
Tartanferret
Thru Hiker
Cheap electrolyte tabs at B&M
Berry was £2
Pink grapefruit £2.50
Berry was £2
Pink grapefruit £2.50