Discussion
Kermit power said:
Possibly so, but then so, it seems, do high street fashion retailers. I did say it was an off topic question! 
To find an average of 40" and 32" as Alpkit seem to think is normal, you've got to go back to the Fifties.
Then other retailers are wrong, but Alpkit are offering correct sizes to their target market?To find an average of 40" and 32" as Alpkit seem to think is normal, you've got to go back to the Fifties.
Labradorofperception said:
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.
Funnily enough I was going to recommend Alpkit as well having seen this had been bumped. 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.
cbmotorsport said:
I guess they do their sizing on the average fit outdoor enthusiast/mountain climber/hiker and not joe average.
Typical UK men (and women) are now fat, with little muscle.I'm a lean 6', 82kg and I have a Large Alpkit shirt. Medium is too small.
I used to field test kit and was almost the "Large" size model for Burghaus in the late 90s. For some reason it didn't happen. It would have been handy for me, but maybe not Burghaus, as most trousers don't fit me very well (narrow waist, large glutes & thighs)
Decathlon kit can be very good. I have some fairly tough Decathlon boots which were comfy out of the box (much moreso than my Mindl mountain boots) and great on the volcanoes of Icleand.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 15th September 15:00
Decathlon gear punches above it's weight. The trade off is usually one or two technical features but in every other sense near-identical performance to the bigger brands, but they manage it at 1/6 of the cost.
Alpkit have become overpriced clothing wise - they're selling their gear for the same price as their Rab/Montane et al counterparts, but if anything to a slightly lower spec than them. I want to like their gear but when you trot from Gaynors to Alpkit in Ambleside and compare like for like, it's hard to see why you'd pick Alpkit over one of the better known alternatives if they aren't going to compete on price.
Alpkit have become overpriced clothing wise - they're selling their gear for the same price as their Rab/Montane et al counterparts, but if anything to a slightly lower spec than them. I want to like their gear but when you trot from Gaynors to Alpkit in Ambleside and compare like for like, it's hard to see why you'd pick Alpkit over one of the better known alternatives if they aren't going to compete on price.
Mothersruin said:
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.
Given their emphasis that the dead weight in the kit bag be useful things, it's a no brainer - chuck in a few extra mid layers and a cheap sleeping bag. The reason down and higher-end synthetic jackets cost so much is that they're trying to keep you warm whilst weighing nothing.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'd also point out that it's a 7 mile out and back - at most you're only 3.5 miles from civilization, with a tonne of other people on the hill so it's nowhere near as hairy as the RO's try to make out.
Scabutz said:
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.
My 2p - you want to try and avoid getting wet as much as possible, because if you do, and have to stop, you'll chill off quickly. In this regard, avoid cotton, denim etc.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.
Trousers - I would go for a pair of leggings like Ron Hill Tracksters or similar, over which I would put a pair of hiking trousers made of man-made material. Test how high you can step in them - the "Ladder" means stepping as high as your knee and more. The leggings will help stop chafing as and when you do get wet. I would put a pair of waterproof trousers in your bag, but you will likely end up wearing them. I'm yet to find thin waterproof trousers that breathe enough to warrant the tag "breathable" when moving at anything other than a pensioner's ramble around a lake.
As has been said, merino is excellent. It lasts a long time too, but equally, a polyester thermal and a poly t-shirt would do the job. Tape your nips btw. Wet cloth and nipples are not a good combo. A fleece over the top, plus any warm hat and gloves and you'll be peeling layers before you get to the stream crossing. For a warm packable jacket, ebay perhaps, but I would go for synthetic "down". I'm pretty sure Army surplus stores do a good line of these e.g. https://www.genuinearmysurplus.co.uk/store/British...
In terms of a waterproof jacket, breathable and moving fast tend not to go together, so when moving fast you choose wearing a jacket and getting sweaty (and hot), or not and getting rainy (and cold). Get one with a full zip so you can keep your shoulders and back dry/warm and wet. If you need to stop, you can get the warm layer on under it pronto and then zip it up.
If you're going really fast and it's not pouring, I'd be going in a t-shirt or maybe two thin layers. But you need to be aware how quickly you will get cold if you stop, and also when you start descending and are not generating as much heat.
Leggings: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/ronhill-mens-trackste... £15
Trousers: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-mens-stone-pa... £30 max
WP Trousers: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-mens-stowaway... £12.50
Longsleeve base (over the underarmour): https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-mens-balance-... £12
Fleece: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/freedom-trail-mens-id... £8
Thermal Jacket for Emergency: As above - £21
Waterproof: https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/regatta-mens-birchdal... £40 - but extra features like a peak for the hood, higher hydrostatic head (more waterproof), a thicker fabric (it's winter after all) and some articulation to the arms will make it more comfy, plus of all the gear, it's probably the bit you'd use a decent amount afterwards.
That's still £138, but you could sell the thermal jacket again easily and you'll likely get some use out of most of the rest. I'm sure they have it on the kit list, but get something like this too - it weighs f all and is literally a lifesaver. https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/lifesystems-thermal-b... . If you have to stop, you can sit on your bag to insulate yourself from the ground, get all your gear on, if possible, do a bunch of star jumps to generate some heat, then wrap this over the top of everything, make sure no water's coming in and sit tight.
Have fun...
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