... Buffalo make a range of mountaineering clothing/gear for men and women that is warm, comfortable, practical and, dare I say, stylish! Their gear is suitable for a variety of outdoor pursuits, such as winter mountaineering, climbing, hill walking, mountain biking etc. I have also worn mine ... Read review
BACKGROUND: Buffalo originally developed the shirt to reduce the amount of layers climbers and mountaineers had to wear to keep warm in the winter. The traditional layering system, which had been around for many years and is still taught today, relies on an individual having a wicking layer close to the skin, then an insulating layer (it used to be the woolly pully that your gran knitted for you), and then a waterproof layer on the outside. Whilst this kept you warm and (in theory) dry, it reduced your freedom of movement, especially when you lifted your arms above your head (which can be a distinct disadvantage near the top of a 1000' rock climb).
When Buffalo introduced the mountain shirt, it quickly gained a reputation for being warm and windproof - however, it appeared to have one major disadvantage - it is not water-restistant but not waterproof!!! 'Burn it' the purists shouted as they turned their nose up at it. Don't stop reading, all will be reveiIed. The concept of being wet and warm and enjoying yourself did not sit well in the minds of traditional climbers and mountaineers.
HOW IT WORKS: Buffalo developed the 'Pertex/Pile System'. Pertex® is a bit like Gortex® as in it's a densely woven fabric with high capillary action. When rain lands on the outside, the pertex quickly spreads the droplet out over a large surface area, thining it and making it evaporate quickly. This technique, however, will only keep you dry up to a point. Showers and light rain are OK, but anything more and the material gets saturated and less effective. However, Buffalo combined Pertex with their own pile lining (fluffy, fleecy stuff), to produce a fabric which is windproof, warm, lightweight and resistant to rain. It is also highly breathable and extremely efficient at moving moisture away from the skin.
MY EXPERIENCE: I have the 'Special 6'. The '6' comes in Cobalt, NATO Green (standard purchase for many army types) and Black. I have worn my '6' in many environments(Scotland/Wales/Lakes (winter & summer), French/Austrian Alps, Atlas mountains, Rockies etc), mostly for mountaineering and have been very pleased with it's performance every single time. It is instantly warm when you put it on and is comfortable to wear for the entire day. You can 'lock-down' the cuffs, neck and waist to keep warmth in, or 'break-out' by opening the full-length side zips and chest zip to cool off. The '6' differs from the standard shirt in that the back is longer than the front, giving your bum a bit of insulation when you sit down for a rest. The chest pocket is large enough to easily take a folded OS map, as well as a compass, mobile phone and some snacks. The waist pocket is one big pocket, accessible from both sides of the shirt. It is really handy for sticking your bare hands in to give them a bit of a warm! It also has a strap which you can tighten to keep the warmth in. The hood (optional at extra cost) is attached to the collar of the shirt with Velcro®, which makes it windproof around the back of the neck. However, be careful if you are trogging back to the pub/hut/hostel in bad weather as it can restrict your field of view if you've got it done up tight.
On one occassion, my '6' withstood the ultimate test - a Scottish winter climb! I was with a group of friends, doing a snow and ice route on Skye. After about an hours walk, it began to sleet/snow - everyone reached for their Gortex jacket. One of my mates emptied his rucksack, but to no avail - no Gortex (school-boy error). I gave him mine and spent the rest of the day, in sub-zero temperatures, climbing a Grade II/III ice route in my Buffalo. I was wet, admittedly, but I was warm and comfortable and had a great day on the hill.
WASHING: The Buffalo gear can take a battering and still come back for more. However, you are suppossed to maintain it by washing it in a luke warm water, with just a little bit of washing powder. Hand wash or machine wash is fine, just be careful with the powder! I washed mine in too much once and you don't notice until you're half way up a hill and it starts raining. You start to 'foam up', much to the amusement of your friends. It is one of the few tops you can dry yourself. You can take it straight out of the washing machine and put it on. As long as you're on the move and there's a bit of sun & wind, it dries quick quickly. If you do re-proof it every 20-25 washes, it will prolong its life. However, I've had my current one for about 10 years and don't reproof it that often, maybe once every 3 years. You need to use a spray-on re-proofer, because if you use a wash-in reproofer, it'll affect the wicking inside the shirt. Buffalo recommend 'Grangers Superproof'.
STORAGE: I hang my '6' up on a hanger in a cupboard along with the rest of my kit. However, it can easily be left in a draw. If I am going on an expedition where space is at a premium, I reduce its size using one of those vaccum bags, which are readily available in outdoor shops. Using one of these reduces it's volume by three quarters. As a final note, it's very forgiving if you abuse it! I left mine in the bottom of my rucksack for 6-months on once. When I pulled it out, it just sprang back to live and all was forgiven.
AVAILABILITY: You can buy Buffalo Shirts and their other stuff from most outdoor shops and on-line. They tend to be a bit cheaper online (like most things), but it is worth going to a shop and trying it on, as you need the fit to be right (see my top tip No.1 below).
DISADVANTAGES: The Buffalo can get very hot, especially on the arms, if you wear it in temperatures just above zero. The manufacturer does specify that it is designed for sub-zero, but when you need to wear it in the UK, you usually start out in temperatures above zero, at least for part of your day. Also, if you do decide that you can do without it for part of the day, you need to carry a T-shirt or wicking top in your sack. It is bulky to store inside your sack once removed, so usually goes on the outside or under the lid.
TOP TIPS: 1. Make sure you buy the correct size - it should be ever so slightly tricky to get it over your head and shoulders. It needs to be worn close to the skin to be most effective - that's the only way it was wick away your moisture. Don't wear a thermal vest or T-shirt underneath it - you'll negate the wicking effect. Buffalo recommend that you: 'measure (in inches) around under your arms and do not allow an extra inch or two - unless you are tall and thin and then to get the right body and arm length you may need to add an inch or so'.
2. Put split rings (key-rings)on all of the zips - this makes it much, much easier to ventalate yourself/access pockets when you've got your big, cumbersome winter mitts on.
3. Put your car-keys through the strap inside the bottom pocket - you won't accidently lose them on the top of Ben Nevis then!
4. Put loops on your mitts/gloves and attach them to the velcro straps on the sleeves of your Buffalo shirt - they won't blow away in the howling gale when you take them off to eat your lunch!
As a final note, Buffalo will customize any of their items to order, at extra cost. This is handy if you are extra tall, extra small or odd! Charges for alterations are (Sep 06):
Parkas, Big Face, Tecmax Shirt and Teclite Shirt £33 Mountain & Special 6 Shirts, Jackets & Salopettes - £28.50 Windshirts & trousers - £20 Hoods & Mitts - £11
