Friday 25 September 2009

Retro Tech?


One of the items in a recent 'Joy of Parcels' delivery was a pair of Buffalo mitts. Technology over 20 years old based on a concept going back thousands. These light-weight bundles of instant hand warmth will be my emergency/back-up gloves up in the cold, wet mountains as winter rolls in relentlessly.

9 comments:

Backpackbrewer said...

good value for money and very warm I would suspect. Maybe Santa will bring me a pair.....
:)

Martin Rye said...

They are unchanged with time as they work that well. Kitting up for winter then?

Joe Newton said...

Dave - they dried and warmed my hands up a treat after a cold, wet afernoon outside. I'm a convert. They'd make a great stocking filler!

Martin - the Buffalo concept seems to have many fervent believers (including my Dad) and my initil apraisal of the gloves seems to agree with them. I'm still not sure I'd wear a whole shirt mind, I don't fancy the idea of stewing in my own juices! Rab's Vapour Rise seems a better evolution on the concept. Buffalo's Fell Jacket might be nice for wandering around Bergen city in the winter though.

Yeah, I still have a fairly long wish list as I start planning my winter adventures.

Martin Rye said...

I sold my Special six a long time back. I found it too hot or the rain was falling and I needed a waterproof on top. In some places I am sure they work superb.

The RAB top is a fine looking bit of kit. Big Kev got one and blogged about it awhile back. Wont be long before the snow falls there. Have fun planning the winter walks :)

Backpackbrewer said...

yes, to some degree I cant wait for the winter and already this week I have been treated to two stunning cloud inversions in the Wye Valley

Big Kev said...

Oh aye, Buffalo Mitts. Their ability to turn frozen claws back into fully functioning digits is nothing short of a miracle. Everybody should have a pair.

I was just saying over at ptc's how I can happily wear my Mountain Shirt through Autumn/Winter but I'm somebody that really feels the cold.

The Vapour Rise is a fantastic bit of kit btw and definitely not a warm as Buffalo. I was fondling the hooded version yesterday. Nothing in my size tho' or I would've "traded up" in a heartbeat.

baz carter said...

The Buffalo mitts have worked their magic on my hands on many occasion.

I know the Buffalo shirt would be too warm for me. I bought a Vapour Rise at the end of Spring but need the weather to give it a good work out. I agree that it wont be as warm as a Buffalo.

Joe Newton said...

Dave/Kev/Baz - I am completely sold on the Rab VR Smock being the answer to my winter upper-body prayers. I am hoping it hits the sweet spot of warmth/protection/breathability as the Rab 'cut' suits my shape. Then I will look for a wind/soft-shell to go over the top but I will always have to carry a WP/B hard shell as well due to the high chance of 'wet' precipitation events in this locale.

The Buffalo mitts may get an early outing. The mercury has been falling these past few days. We're down to 5C and raining hard...

baz carter said...

The VR smock is mostly Pertex so an additional wind shirt wont make much of a difference apart from protecting the powerstretch panels under the arms. And that will reduce breathability.

I own a large and it's a close fit which I guess is how it's meant to be. Especially as it can be worn to the skin.