outdoor clothing

[nightshade]

Taking a leaf from bill oddies book I put away the barbour coat and bought myself a "ventile" material coat.I have had it in use in torrential rain for around 3 hours at a stretch it works fine, so I will get myself trousers of the same material soon (the wife has a similar coat )they both accept zip in fleece liners which can be worn seperately
Boots, I have the old leather "daisy roots" which have given sterling performance (for around 10 years now) worn with knee length zip on gaiters,the combination gives adequate weather protection.
Hat, I picked up a waxed deerstalker, at a gamefair near lauceston, which is still going strong.
Socks, wool with either silk or all cotton socks
Gloves, shooters mitts a fingerless glove with a flap-overmitt or ordinary gloves, always wool,with silk inners as necssesary
Silk inners,most motorcycle shops,or just search online

[Boddie]

This is not a plug as I have no allegiance with the company but I do thoroughly recommend the Sealskinz range of products. Cheap they are not but they have served me very well and are of excellent quality and functionality.

[StuartDH]

Two bits of kit that top my list include a superb pair of Scarpa SL boots and a Helly Hansen thermal vest. I've 'survived' on several occasions in the past because of the vest's ability to shed water and insulated fast, even after frequently being immersed in freezing water.

I've also had some great thick walking socks in the past, but they're all now 10+ years old and need replacing so I'd been keen to hear any recommendations.

[allerleirauh]

Hello STuDH,
i think, you have your socks yet, but if not, you should try microfibre walking socks. They are developped for long distance hikes , mountainhiking. They are thin and only thicker at the parts you need it in a boot.They dry very fast, are warm and you never get wet feet in your boots. They have only one disadvantage, they smell really bad after a day. But as you can wash them easy and they are dry in an hour latest it is not that terrible.There are other products now which also take silver in the material.. they shall be not that bad then from smell.
We use them now for years and never had problems, not in winter and not in summer. Also i can recommend the microfibre underwear.

Gitta

[gnu]

Hi

Well I'll have to agree with scarpa sl boots Ive had mine for 20 years and they are still great, may need re soleing in a couple of years, but hey thats not bad.

The other thing I ve found thats great is Paramo water proof jackets they seem to stand upto the rain real well and warm too. I put my barbour jacket away years ago!!

I'll wish you all a Happy and prosperous New Year, happy watching

Paul

[allerleirauh]

well..
i use for the last 16 years now Goretex clothing...it is the best i can think of.

Gitta

[sebpowell]

Gore-Tex clothing is great. You should also check out eVent as this is also great quality (see for example the footwear range by KEEN).

If you have a bit more money to splash out, Mammut have their own breathable fabric called c_Change which is supposed to be amazing as well (although very expensive).

Enjoy

[Lee70]

Originally Posted by Boddie

This is not a plug as I have no allegiance with the company but I do thoroughly recommend the Sealskinz range of products. Cheap they are not but they have served me very well and are of excellent quality and functionality.

I too can vouch for Sealskinz as i use a pair for mountain biking.

Excellent quality and very warm plus waterproof.

[chenjinzhan]

Many person like the outdoor activities but they do not how to protect themself and to improve the joy. Both clothing, pant, glove,socks,boots,that makes their outdoor travel less interesting.

[Cellarman]

Socks - only 2 makes that I can recommend - Brasher and Bridgedale. Very comfortable.

[richnfamous]

There's a saying in Danish: there's no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes.

Socks: I've been lucky enough to find excellent wool-rich socks by Ulvang in that TK Maxx place for about £2.50 a pair. If I'm going on a several day walk with all my gear in a rucsack, I swear by these Coolmax socks: they're great against blisters and wick moisture away very effectively. They're hard to get really clean as you have to wash them carefully...



Waterproofs: Instead of BC and AD we should have Before Goretex and After Goretex I've got army surplus camo ones, which makes me look like a 'weekend warrior' but they're cheap and very tough (which is important as I sometimes crawl through hedges), although a bit noisy. I'd like to try Ventile but being a skinflint, I'll have to wait until I find something in a charity shop...

Recently I've picked up a really nice Craghoppers jacket which is fine in all but extended rain. I like Craghoppers Kiwi trousers too.

Underneath: if it's cold, a Pendleton woolen shirt or a decent fleece. I've got a Gore Windstopper one which is great, but it's a bit 'stiff'. It's really good on its own on a cold windy day and keeps the occasional shower out.

Hats: Sunderlands do a very lightweight one with in a waterproof-breathable fabric which keeps the rain out (and off my specs) but isn't much good when you sweat. In summer I use a reversible cotton cheapo against the sun.

Boots: my precious Lundhags ones finally gave up the ghost last year after 10 years and the third pair of soles. They're the best boots I've ever had but they're not cheap!

When I've got the cash I'll get another pair but until then I've got some lightweight KSBs, a stiff pair from 50 Peaks for when I've got my big rucsack on, and a very comfy pair of Karrimor Aspen ones which have enough space for thick socks. I also have a pair of Keen sandals which are great, but I find that stones, blades of grass and seeds get in easily. Your feet also end up filthy at the end of the day: the soles don't breathe so you get a nice mix of dust and sweat between your toes Comfy though!

I get almost all my stuff on the cheap by keeping a close eye on the charity shops in town. One of the managers knows me and often puts the good stuff to one side for me Paying less = less work = more time outdoors!

[Pete Collins]

I really like Paramo gear. During the colder months, I wear their Alta II jacket and Cascada waterproof trousers. Both are warm, waterproof and comfortable, and the jacket is actually lighter than the fleece and goretex jacket I would otherwise need. I wear a Paramo Trail or Mountain Vent shirt under the jacket, and even when walking in freezing conditions (admittedly here in the lowlands of southern England) I only need those two layers on my upper body. Much more comfortable than being swathed in three or four layers of clothing.

They are too warm for the summer months though, when I carry a lightweight goretex jacket in my rucksack.

I thoroughly recommend Coolmax liner socks as a wonderful way of preventing blisters!

[foxy mars]

I, too am a great fan of Paramo gear. Yesterday, I was in the Go-Outdoors store and picked up a Paramo Explorer Pull-on. This is the new Parameta-S Light and again still reversible. This was a bargain at £39.99 down from £65. Although I have the original Explorer Pull-on, this was getting a little worn, though still wearable. The Trail shirt is very good.

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by Lee70

I too can vouch for Sealskinz as i use a pair for mountain biking.

Excellent quality and very warm plus waterproof.

Sealskins Socks, great gear. I will using my mine with the Shimano cycling sandals on my forecoming double coast to coast bike ride, but if it is raining, otherwise bare feet.