Discussion
I am doing an event in the Brecon Beacons in Jan and there are some standard bits of kit I need, I have sorted some but need some PH advice on a few bits please. Notably, trousers (hiking or military grade combats), waterproof jacket, warm kit jacket (this is if I break a leg and have to wait rescue - guidance is should keep me warm in -15 for a couple of hours).
Anyone got some advice please on how much I should spend and on brands? As with everything the range out there is bewildering from £30-£500 on most stuff. The trousers are important as I need to be able to move quickly and climb mountains. Warmth is important but I am planning on using Under Armour or similar compression base layer so wicking and manoeuvrability probably more important.
The warm jacket is confusing. Its required in an emergency so might not get used. However if I did end up in the situation I need a decent bit of kit.
I don't mind spending a bit on good stuff but I don't want to spend loads for the sake of it. I wandered round Go Outdoors earlier and was completely baffled.
I am also not sure what to wear on top when doing the event. Obvs if its pissing it down will wear the rain jacket but if its just v. cold what to do? I sweat a lot so don't want massive layers or big stuff. I also hope to be moving at a decent rate.
Anyone got some advice please on how much I should spend and on brands? As with everything the range out there is bewildering from £30-£500 on most stuff. The trousers are important as I need to be able to move quickly and climb mountains. Warmth is important but I am planning on using Under Armour or similar compression base layer so wicking and manoeuvrability probably more important.
The warm jacket is confusing. Its required in an emergency so might not get used. However if I did end up in the situation I need a decent bit of kit.
I don't mind spending a bit on good stuff but I don't want to spend loads for the sake of it. I wandered round Go Outdoors earlier and was completely baffled.
I am also not sure what to wear on top when doing the event. Obvs if its pissing it down will wear the rain jacket but if its just v. cold what to do? I sweat a lot so don't want massive layers or big stuff. I also hope to be moving at a decent rate.
Sounds like you need a Mountain Equipment Lhotse waterproof jacket or similar & a down or synthetic lightweight insulated jacket for your pack.
Normal wear would be wicking base layer, insulating mid layer such as a softshell jacket ( can be water resistant) then a waterproof/windproof outer. You may get away without the outer when on the move unless weather is really bad.
Lots of softshell trousers out there from Rab, ME, Paramo etc - find what suits you best.
Whats the event?
Normal wear would be wicking base layer, insulating mid layer such as a softshell jacket ( can be water resistant) then a waterproof/windproof outer. You may get away without the outer when on the move unless weather is really bad.
Lots of softshell trousers out there from Rab, ME, Paramo etc - find what suits you best.
Whats the event?
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Saturday 25th August 21:11
Have you considered hiring the equipment if it's just for a one-off?
My OH and I are off on a trek soon and found a great local independent place that hires out the expensive equipment as well as selling it.
http://www.trekhireuk.com/
My OH and I are off on a trek soon and found a great local independent place that hires out the expensive equipment as well as selling it.
http://www.trekhireuk.com/
If you sweat a fair bit when exercising and you’re outdoors in the winter mountains then nothing is better than Paramo imho, from wind, rain, snow whatever - you wear it all day long and it just works.
To be fair though all the budget stuff is pretty damn good these days and not a lot of point spending loads for just one event - could also borrow kit or get factory seconds via eBay. What is the event?
To be fair though all the budget stuff is pretty damn good these days and not a lot of point spending loads for just one event - could also borrow kit or get factory seconds via eBay. What is the event?
The event is the Fan Dance organised by Avalanche Endurance Events.
Interesting that a couple are recommending Paramo. That was recommended by the organisers and is an event sponsor. I was a bit cynical about whether they were the best. Good to have other opinions about them.
Good suggestion about renting. I'm really hoping that I enjoy this event and will want to do more. Think it could be a good event for me. I'm not fast but I'm big and have a lot of endurance. Carrying heavy s
t over a mountain is right up my strasse.
I've gone for an army issue Bergen 2ND hand. That seemed the best and a bargain at 40 notes.
Boots I'm looking at the altberg tabbing boots.
Interesting that a couple are recommending Paramo. That was recommended by the organisers and is an event sponsor. I was a bit cynical about whether they were the best. Good to have other opinions about them.
Good suggestion about renting. I'm really hoping that I enjoy this event and will want to do more. Think it could be a good event for me. I'm not fast but I'm big and have a lot of endurance. Carrying heavy s
t over a mountain is right up my strasse.I've gone for an army issue Bergen 2ND hand. That seemed the best and a bargain at 40 notes.
Boots I'm looking at the altberg tabbing boots.
That looks an epic event!
Chris Townsend knows his stuff when it comes to mountain wear - worth a read: http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2016/07/outdo...
Chris Townsend knows his stuff when it comes to mountain wear - worth a read: http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2016/07/outdo...
Don't overthink it. I did this last year in Jan, and making decisions / buying kit now is total guesswork. No point buying a nice down jacket that you will in all likelihood not need. You'll need to wait until 12 hours before you start so you have an idea of the weather.
An Under Armour base layer plus a fleece will be enough, as you'll be generating too much heat as you walk for anything else. Any lightweight shell jacket from Rab, Marmot, Montane, or Mountain Equipment will work when it rains.
Don't bother getting too heavy weight trousers. A pair of shell waterproofs might be necessary (I've only ever used mine on Snowdon at 2am on the last leg of the 3 Peaks when it was blowing a hooly, other than that they've lived at the bottom of my pack). I've got some Marmot somethings.
Decathlon have a lot of decent kit at reasonable prices.
Boots wise, as long as they're broken in they'll be fine. If we're luckier than a lucky thing it'll be properly cold and there will be snow on the ground, where crampons might be necessary for the decent down Pen Y Fan. It won't though, so just treat yourself to some nice Smartwool socks.
An Under Armour base layer plus a fleece will be enough, as you'll be generating too much heat as you walk for anything else. Any lightweight shell jacket from Rab, Marmot, Montane, or Mountain Equipment will work when it rains.
Don't bother getting too heavy weight trousers. A pair of shell waterproofs might be necessary (I've only ever used mine on Snowdon at 2am on the last leg of the 3 Peaks when it was blowing a hooly, other than that they've lived at the bottom of my pack). I've got some Marmot somethings.
Decathlon have a lot of decent kit at reasonable prices.
Boots wise, as long as they're broken in they'll be fine. If we're luckier than a lucky thing it'll be properly cold and there will be snow on the ground, where crampons might be necessary for the decent down Pen Y Fan. It won't though, so just treat yourself to some nice Smartwool socks.
Edited by IrateNinja on Saturday 25th August 23:16
How much training are you doing prior to the event?
Assuming you do 'some', wear what you wear that works when you do that.
IrateNinja has it prettty much sorted although I'd invest in a decent merino base layer.
Just bear in mind that if it goes tits up, and it can & does, having some decent insulation layers can make a massive difference when you're forced to stop moving. You have a minimum kit list and weight requirement to meet anyway - I always try make sure that every thing is useful - if not for yourself then someone else if they get in a tight spot.
Assuming you do 'some', wear what you wear that works when you do that.
IrateNinja has it prettty much sorted although I'd invest in a decent merino base layer.
Just bear in mind that if it goes tits up, and it can & does, having some decent insulation layers can make a massive difference when you're forced to stop moving. You have a minimum kit list and weight requirement to meet anyway - I always try make sure that every thing is useful - if not for yourself then someone else if they get in a tight spot.
I found a Buffalo Special 6 shirt to be perfect when working hard, most of us would have one when in Antarctica and they held up in phenomenal cold winds. big vents up the side so easy to cool down when needed, windproof (very), also stays warm when wet. Best to wear against the skin for full thermal benefit if you're expecting it to get wet.
Did an overnight in terrible cold, wet weather in the Brecons carrying a military bergen quite a while back, I was the only one that was toasty warm with only the Buffalo on. Everyone else in base layers, then fleeces and then waterproofs were overloaded with gear and having to change vents and zips all the time.
With the Buffalo on, as long as you stay moving you'll stay warm when wet.
Helly Hansen used to have the base layer sewn up, all the Royals used them, I used to wear one skiing or under my leathers on the bike, seemed perfect for the job. If you have the Buffalo mountain shirt above then keep the base layer dry for use when you're not in the Buffalo.
Montane trousers are super comfortable and hardy, I started wearing them after a friend of mine who's done most of the 8,000m summits including Everest would wear them on his approach walks (as well as general daytime wear).
ETA Model of Buffalo used
Did an overnight in terrible cold, wet weather in the Brecons carrying a military bergen quite a while back, I was the only one that was toasty warm with only the Buffalo on. Everyone else in base layers, then fleeces and then waterproofs were overloaded with gear and having to change vents and zips all the time.
With the Buffalo on, as long as you stay moving you'll stay warm when wet.
Helly Hansen used to have the base layer sewn up, all the Royals used them, I used to wear one skiing or under my leathers on the bike, seemed perfect for the job. If you have the Buffalo mountain shirt above then keep the base layer dry for use when you're not in the Buffalo.
Montane trousers are super comfortable and hardy, I started wearing them after a friend of mine who's done most of the 8,000m summits including Everest would wear them on his approach walks (as well as general daytime wear).
ETA Model of Buffalo used
Edited by Jakarta on Sunday 26th August 00:37
Boots & socks are more important than most people realise, make sure the boots you choose fit correctly & are comfy, decent socks help no end (take a spare pair in case you get them wet).
Bergan wouldn't be my choice but plenty of forces guys manage just fine with them, there are lighter & more comfortable options though!
Berghaus Deluge waterproof over trousers are often recommended, they are pretty cheap & effective if a little heavy. I rarely wear mine.
Bergan wouldn't be my choice but plenty of forces guys manage just fine with them, there are lighter & more comfortable options though!
Berghaus Deluge waterproof over trousers are often recommended, they are pretty cheap & effective if a little heavy. I rarely wear mine.
LordHaveMurci said:
Boots & socks are more important than most people realise, make sure the boots you choose fit correctly & are comfy, decent socks help no end (take a spare pair in case you get them wet).
Bergan wouldn't be my choice but plenty of forces guys manage just fine with them, there are lighter & more comfortable options though!
Berghaus Deluge waterproof over trousers are often recommended, they are pretty cheap & effective if a little heavy. I rarely wear mine.
Agree, Merino Wool socks are the bees knees.Bergan wouldn't be my choice but plenty of forces guys manage just fine with them, there are lighter & more comfortable options though!
Berghaus Deluge waterproof over trousers are often recommended, they are pretty cheap & effective if a little heavy. I rarely wear mine.
Mothersruin said:
I'd invest in a decent merino base layer.
Make very sure that you're not allergic to wool before you do that!!I spent £60 on a supposedly excellent one which came very widely recommended. I put it on to go out cycling on a cold day, and had to turn round and change before I even reached the end of my road. It felt like I was wearing something made out of horse hair and brillo pads, liberally doused in battery acid.
You don't need to go mad and start buying Acrteryx kit and gucci boots.
As someone up thread correctly suggested, get yourself a good pair of boots, Scarpa or similar and decent socks and look after your feet.If you're new to mountain walking, you'll be thankful you invested the time and money in decent footwear - that's the wear point !
A lot of the high cost, high spec kit is for specific purposes - mega breathable for stuff like winter and alpine climbing, when you'll be sweating like a glassblower's arse and need max breathability.
For UK hill conditions, a decent shell will suffice - a good one, with good breathability should be no more than £100 - look at the own brand stuff at Go Outdoors or Cotswold (North Ridge and Ayacucho).
A wicking baselayer is sensible - again, you can get a Crane one from Aldi - merino is fine, but any half decent shop will sell them.
Boggo flece midlayer - keeping warm is about layers. Should cost £15 from pretty much anywhere.
Trousers- do not wear cotton (or cotton baselayer), when it is wet it stays wet, has naff all insulating property and will quickly chill you and rub. Again, basic walking trousers will suffice. the canvas type are ok for summer in the Pyrenees but not when you're pish wet through halfway up the Fan. Stretch man made fibre stuff like Brasher, Craghoppers is about £30.
I would try and avoid Army spec stuff. I've used it, including the on the Fan Dance, and whilst the PLC is fine (I think it's made under contract by Berghaus), it's probably too big for a day sack. Likewsie cotton DPM trousers - no need and see above.
The Simond and Quecha kit at Decathlon will be fine. Simond is a well known mountaineering brand bought by Decathlon. It's not bad for the price.
There's a lot of hype and premium pricing in the outdoor market. The best climbers tend to be the ones that smell of wet labrador, and have jackets mostly held together by gaffa tape....
Just adding to your comment on warm jacket.
Too many people go out and spunk ££££ on a down jacket, then use it in a UK November and it turns to cold wet mush.
Down is perfect for that one crisp clear day in the whole of a Scottish winter, or wandering off for your early morning poo in the Andes, but not UK dreich.
A cheaper synthetic jacket will keep you warm when wet, but they do cost - budget £75 for a decent one. they are often refrred to as belay jackets.
https://www.alpkit.com/products/heiko-mens?gclid=E...
Alpkit is a good supplier of sensible priced kit.
As i said, better to layer up, and have a heavier duty fleece in your sac. The Buffalo kit is good, but best when worn with no baseleyer. It would still be fine as that heavier outer layer.
Labradorofperception said:
https://www.alpkit.com/products/heiko-mens?gclid=E...
Alpkit is a good supplier of sensible priced kit.
Totally off topic, but why do clothing manufacturers persist with silly clothing sizes like that?Alpkit is a good supplier of sensible priced kit.
The average (aka medium) British bloke these days has a 43" chest and a 37" waist. To find an average of 40" and 32" as Alpkit seem to think is normal, you've got to go back to the Fifties.
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