By Email 19 September 2007

Hello Buffalo,   

Completely soaked in a rain storm while descending from the Scafell range in early september, wearing full buffalo, we stopped to swim below styhead tarn. The water temperature was rated 'challenging' -  I dressed again in my wet Buffalo kit and was instantly warm and comfortable. Saved once again  - throw away your breathable clothes, they dont work in the rain...

Chris Salisbury

By Email 30 August 2007

hi

i went camping with a friend for 3 nights, the first day included a waterfall, which my mates canoe managed fine, i however got wet, and i mean wet, all my stuff was wet, everything except my phone and gps, and some food, all in plastic tubs, i was rather worried, the days were warm, but the nights cold, so at the first camp site i built a rack, and used my friends matches to dry out my cheap sleeping bag etc, overnight, but the special six, which i was wearing when i capsized, was now completely dry, this about half an hour from when it was completely underwater, for about 5 minutes while i swam to the side, i had a good nights sleep.
cheers folks, keep making the stuff that works!

Chris

By Email 13 February 2007

I just wanted to tell you about how much I love Buffalo kit.

I have been using your 3 piece clothing system for a number of years now in winter and find it superb. The Salopettes especially on an ice cold belay with spindrift flying around are just what you need. The shirts keep you at just the right temperature with their ventilation options on the walk in and the mitts revive frozen hands with ease while the belay jacket tops things off when it gets seriously knarly. Topping out on the Ben in a whiteout warm and comfortable is a great feeling.

In summer though I confess to having taken to using a lightweight membrane waterproof when I feel its too warm for the DP shirt...

However I was out in a group this weekend in Wales. It absolutely chucked it down. I in my lightweight waterproof was soaked inside from sweat and outside from rain in no time at all and it was getting cooler with the wind. I'd taken my special 6 along as a warm up layer just in case. I thought I've had enough of this. I took off the lightweight 'waterproof' that felt like a wet dishcloth, stripped off my soggy damp base layer and put my special 6 shirt on.

It was like putting on a duvet. The pile just felt so nice against the skin. Putting it on was like the feeling you get when you sip a well deserved pint, that of knowing its just what you need!

I pulled down the ventilation zips and kept on going. The rain kept pouring down but I in my special 6 was fine. The outer was quickly wet but it dried in 5 mins after the showers stopped and I never felt wet inside once. Just comfortable the whole time. It made me realise just how much I love wearing buffalo kit and how pants other waterproof kit is at keeping you comfortable.

Another member of the group had a flash modern softshell and didn't fare half as well as me in my years old DP shirt. Their jacket wet out after 5 mins and again resembled a dishcloth, barely drying out at all, the buffalo was touch dry in minutes.

So thanks for making such great kit that I've come to rely on so much. Even in this British 'summer' the DP system can still be more comfortable than anything else.

Ed Loffill

By Email 13 February 2007

hi buffalo,
i've been looking at these jackets for a few years, i have tried most
technical fabrics on the market. i did have a pertex jacket and liked it ,
so i decided to go for the more robust pertex 6 belay jacket. it is
excellent, i have worn it with just a t shirt in minus 2. it was plenty warm
enough. i have been taking the dog out in the gales, not a problem either. i
have even had to undo the pockets to let some cool air in...i wish i had
bought the hood. i have worn it in drizzle and heavy downpours, i just give
it a quick shake and its almost dry. and when i have been in prolonged
downpours it has only taken 20 mins to dry over the back of a chair. i know
the jacket is not supposed to be waterproof, but it is very water resistant.
i decided on the belay jacket so that i could take it off quick roll it up
and put it in a bag when travelling, or using on a mountain bike. i have
been that pleased with it i have bought a second one in a different colour
and larger in size.

thanks for an excellent product

roly,

newquay cornwall.

By Email 5 January 2007

Just back from a walk up Ben Rinnes in Scotland wearing my Buffalo next to the skin. As I climbed quickly the vents were open at the sides and as the temperature dropped near the snowy summit I zipped up. Was dry next to my skin all the time and could feel the moisture on the outside of the shirt when I changed back at the car. Have also worn the shirt next to my skin many times in heavy rain and have always been comfortable wearing the wet shirt. I would never think of wearing anything else when hill walking.

Ed

By email 14 January 2007

It's not very athletic or 'military-macho' but I wear my buffalo shirt over my biking leathers!  There are few colder wetter places than a motorbike in winter where you are doing little to keep yourself warm.  It seems to be perfectly shaped for this with the long back and 'V' shaped cut: it doesn't flap around or ruck up.  The bright blue colour is also highly conspicuous without being day-glo.  Performance wise it is faultless - warm, wind-proof and exceptionally hard wearing - no sign of having to be replaced after five years of daily abuse.  Only the zipper handles have come off but I replaced them with nylon string which I prefer anyway.  The only feature I would add is some means of closing the inner pockets to prevent things falling out when the jacket isn't being worn.

By email 13 January 2007

Hi

In '94, with my business just bankrupt, I answered an advert for drivers to drive trucks around Bosnia for an aid organisation. As it gets a bit chilly in Bosnia in the winter I needed to kit out. I called Buffalo and you very generously sent me a complete sleeping bag system, a Mountain jacket, an Active shirt and a pair of salopettes. We were billeted in Split, Croatia and the first couple of convoys were into villages just over the boarder into Bosnia. Many of the volunteers were ill prepared, with no previous experience, either of off road driving or of cold weather. It wasn't a major problem as the weather was mainly warm and dry and the drives were initially short and on tarmac. However, in Jan we prepared for a big drive into Sarajevo, over Mt Igman which was at the time 'unpassable' according to UN, etc. Temps were around -20 degrees and there was deep snow.

The convoy set off and after a while I parted company to make a collection from another aid agency, the intention being that I would catch the main convoy at the customs post near the top of Igman.
To cut a long story short I managed to reverse my ex Army 4 tonner off the edge of the hill (so much for experience) and spent the night on the mountain rather than making it to the rv. With the truck at a bit of an angle it was not safe to run the engine to keep warm or even to stay in the vehicle. I had loaned my Mountain jacket and Active shirt to a couple of other volunteers who had come more prepared for the January sales in Weybridge than a drive around Bosnia in the winter.

I was looking forward to a sleepless night of walking around shivering. Anyway, I crawled into my bag, curled up on the snow under a tree...

...and woke up 6 hours later, snug and warm, to the sound of a snow plow. The driver pulled my truck out and I was on my way to Sarajevo where I tied up with the rest of the convoy and we delivered our load of rice, dates and generously donated shell suits to an incredulous population. Shell suits, ffs, no one is that desperate. I have, before and since, used expensive down and synthetic bags. In dry conditions inside a tent I have been warm and comfortable in them. Factor in a bit of dampness after a couple of days and the comfort levels have dropped enormously. Not one of them would have kept me warm sleeping on the ground in a pile of snow. I still have the kit, except for the salopettes which I passed on to a replacement driver, and use it regularly. Apart from a rip in the outer of my Active shirt (can you fix that?) everything is in perfect order. So, many thanks for your generosity and for the quality of your kit.

By email 11 December 2006

I used my Buff whilst a Royal Marine Reservist doing my commando course in what was cheerfully referred to as bleak Leek. All I ever used was a t-shirt, thin cotton jacket and my buffalo shirt.

From moving quickly with weight to the lying in the cold wet in a matter of seconds it was a god send. No matter what happens I have every faith that it would keep me comfy and protect me form most things nasty, 7.62 short bullets aside.

If I could only take one piece of kit the buff would be it.

Jim
Now a 'buffalo soldier'.

By email 5 December 2006

I was out on my bike a couple of weeks ago – cycled over the Wrynose pass, down the Duddon, to Eskdale and back over the Hardknott pass. It was a truly filthy day, lashing horizontal rain and freezing cold. Wore my 1989 grey buffalo shirt only – after 1 hour I noticed some dampness on the elbows and then I think my exertions dried it out from the inside as that was the only time I was wet. Fantastic piece of kit. The other cyclists were wearing very expensive gore tex and were wet and miserable.

All the best

David

By email 18 September 2006

Dear Buffalo

I have always worn tweeds for my Scottish hill stalking trips.These have always been very good but having owned a Mountain shirt for one week I can say that I am converted!!

All of the usual sweaty discomfort has been eradicated leaving me feeling cool or warm enough as required and dry.The lightness of the garment is a help in itself and it's ability to vent proved incredibly useful.

My thanks to Adam for his kind advice and my comment for somebody considering purchasing a Buffalo garment is - BUY ONE. I am the most sceptical person you could wish to meet about clothing technology but the buffalo has exceeded my expectations and made arduous walking - comfortable walking. My buffalo didn't just keep me warm and dry - it took part in my adventure!

Regards

R.Everitt

By email 6 September 2006

Dear Buffalo

I wanted to write and thank you for some fantastic kit. I've been using my Techlight Jacket and Special 6 Jacket for the last 3 seasons ski-ing in the Alps. Having previously relied on various brand name “breathable-waterproof” products the buffalo kit blows them all out of the water.

Most of my ski-ing is done with just a merino wool base layer and the Techlight, when it gets extra cold I slip on the Special six over the top. Perfection!

In over 30 seasons of sweating and freezing in the Alps I have never used as simple, successful and practical a clothing system as yours.

Best regards

Doug Babic

P.S. I found using a thin merino wool base layer (icebreaker skin 200) both keeps my kit “sweeter” smelling far longer and is very comfy.

Via email 02/03.06

Dear Buffallo

bought my 3 piece buffalo kit, hood mits and superbag over 15 years ago I have used  various bits of kit to cycle to and from work in for 15 winters, used it for police observation work including lying on top of a block of flats in snow for 10 hours watching a car park.. completed two three peaks races and countless mountain treks. most recently camped out in wales in february at minus 10. still warm dry and cosy. friends still say ' have you still got the same buffallo gear'? funny thing is now so have most of them. Best thing I every bought.

Mark Helme

03/01/06

Dear Buffalo,

Following the purchase of one of your mountain shirts in the summer of 2001 it has been a godsend.  Quality stitching, strong material and total warmth has kept me going without hitch. It has accompanied me on two Round the World trips. From the top of Mount Cook in New Zealand to the prison cells of Alcatraz.   The shirt has been around the washing machine hundreds of times but still performs as new.  I would strongly recommend your jackets to anyone who is considering any types of sport or travelling as it is a great companion.  Jogging in the snow, hilwalking in summer or just doubling up as a sleeping bag in an emergency you can't go wrong.  I have included a photo of myself on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York in minus 8 deg celsius temps but the buffalo kept me smiling!, and in stark contrast pockets full of Egyptian sand on an early morning quad bike trek into the desert!

Regards

Stephen

03/01/06

Hi there,

I was browsing the site and noticed the story section so thought I'd share a funny Buffalo moment. I was camped on the Clunie Ridge with my wife, on the summer solstice some years ago, using the Buffalo sleeping bag, which I've had for about 15 years. We endured a violent thunder and lightning storm that night, the lightning being quite painful to look at as we were in thick mist, which when illuminated by the flashes made us feel like we were in a neon tube. It was also accompanied by torrential rain and I was awoken in the early hours by my wife, surrounded by various bits of camping equipment floating round her and me lying in a pool of water. True to the claim though, the Buffalo bag was still warm and I hadn't noticed the water at all as it had warmed up as it slowly surrounded me! My wife had a job to get me out of the bag and into the storm to finish the ridge I can tell you! I always remember the advert with the chap lying in his Buffalo bag, floating in a river, smoking a pipe. Well, I can attest to the warm when floating qualities of the bag but so far have resisted buying a pipe to go with it! A big thank you for inventing Buffalo from an ardent fan.

Alistair

17/10/05

Hi Guys,

Just been checking out the website and was prompted to tell you about my last winter trip to the Lake District in January of this year; it was the weekend when the Lakes was hit by winds of 80mph!

Wearing a Special 6 jacket, with hood, and trousers I was always warm and comfortable even on the top of the fells when we were being advised to head back down to the valley by other walkers, and having been knocked off my feet twice by the strong gusts of wind! We camped that weekend at Sykeside, Brothers Water, and my Buffalo bag was as good as ever, even when I climbed into it each evening wearing wet gear – this dried out overnight ready for another soaking the following day. This is just the sort of weather when Buffalo gear comes into its own, wild, cold, windy and wet – my friends are always amazed at how well it works, and one has even started wearing it!

I currently have some 12 pieces of Buffalo equipment and am always looking for reasons to buy more!

Robert Alp

Hello

I bought my mountain shirt in 1999, when i first joined the territorial army. i really wanted a special 6 shirt, but i my budget couldnt stretch to it.

despite the fact that it is pertex 5 not pertex 6 - which concerned me that it wouldnt be so warm, hardwearing or wind proof - it has served me tremendously well through its military and adventure training outings. It has been my jacket of choice, even when my mates were choosing 'puffa' style jackets and it has kept me toasty and warm, especially when i have been soaked wet through. worn under a smock it has been perfectly adjustable in terms of fit and temperature control - and has seen me right from Wales to the Falkland Islands.

the reason i write now is simple. I have just spent £200 on a new water-proof jacket, and on wearing it into the Brecon Beacons for its first big outing, discovered that it is defective, and let the water straight through.
normally i would just wear a t-shirt under my jacket, but thankfully today i wore my mountain shirt - in the torrential rain and high winds, it was the only thing that kept my dry and warm.

i cannot recommend buffalo enough - the price was initially high, but the quality and longevity makes it the most valued item in my wardrobe!

well done buffalo, and thanks

tim jarvis

13/10/05

Hi Buffalo,      

For my 18th birthday I was bought a Windshirt, with the comment ,  "It is expensive but if it's really what you want then look after it."      

Well 12 years later and I have gone through all manner of other even more expensive waterproof tops. I still have the same shirt today and cannot stress how adaptive it has been through wind, snow, rain, biking, hiking, in fact anything that has been thrown at it, it has coped with so well. I have had very little to do to look after a fantastic garment that has in all honesty looked after me.

Thanks Mum and thanks Buffalo.

Colin Smith.

Dear Buffalo

Well, I never though I could believe it.

After getting soaked during the day waist down and pouring in rain, I had to get into my Superbag fully dressed and wet but to my suprise I was very warm despite being wet.

After a warm comfortable night I am please to say I woke up with all my clothing bone dry. Didn't want to get out of the bag and get wet again after that. I was a bit unsure at first as I gave up a down bag to buy this Superbag, which was as expensive, but I can withoiut a doubt recommend you to everyone.

Thanks Mr J Roberts

Dartmoor, Devon

24th May 2005

Dear Buffalo

When I was 16 I saved up all the money I could from my Tesco's checkout position and bought a Big Face shirt. In the 10 years since then it has been almost the only piece of kit I've worn (at least on top) every winter and autum trip, it has seen me through Bivi's in Scottish snow holes and torrential rain in the Lakes, and I have to say it is the one item of clothing I would never want to part with.

Anyone out there still undecided? Buffalo may look a bit basic, and be completely different to almost everything else on the market but it really really is an excellent system, and you won't regret buying it.

Best wishes,

Ed

8th March 2005

Dear people at Buffalo,

I was in Kiruna, Sweden a few weeks ago for a subarctic survival course. I was looking for clothes I could trust and after talking to Adam, I decided to buy a special six shirt and leave my fleece and gore tex at home. Thank god I did!!! It was freezing below -20C and I was still feeling great. I must confess that I had a thin merino wool base layer under it, but the Buffalo shirt was much warmer than I had expected. Never any condensation on the inside and snow did not stick to the outside, so I never had the risk of being stuck with frozen clothes. It has earned its place in my backpack now, no matter where I am going!

Congratulation on a making a great shirt,

Bjorn Victor
Belgium

Note:

A few months later Bjorn sent us a picture of him on the Haute Route in summer.

14th January 2005

If the longevity of my windshirt is anything to go by you are doing yourselves no favours. They cannot be killed and as soon as everyone has one no more will be needed.

I would love to be one of those customers that keeps buying more, but until I've killed this one you've no chance.

Thanks

Stuart Parkin

November 2004

Dear Buffalo,

I have been using your system for around 10 years now and it never ceases to impress me. I have crossed icy streams in Scottish winter mountains and been comfortable minutes later. I have been in conditions cold enough that my drink(inside a bottle, inside my rucksack) froze solid, wearing your mountain shirt and been warm. Last week I wore a fleece/Goretex layer in the lake district, never again, Buffalo only from now on. I recommend it to everybody.

Yours
Steve Procter

Dear Buffalo

The enclosed picture shows me, on summer (?) holiday in Austria, on route to the EdelweiB hut above Werfenweng. Despite the persistent rain, and being soaked to the skin, I'm still smiling as I was warm, and knew I would dry out as soon as we stopped drinking beer and started walking again!
Thanks, Naomi

Hi my name is Theodore.I lost the plot large & decided to walk to my local shops in an absolute white out. If it was'nt for my mountain jacket i was wearing my wife said " I might not have ever seen you again".So thanks to you at buffalo you probably saved my life. Thanks again Theo !!!!!

via email