Let us know what you've accomplished using little Buffalo gear and we'll publish your stories here. You can email your story to us and attach any photographs, or simply post them to the address below.

Email: stories@buffalosystems.co.uk

Website Stories
Buffalo Systems Ltd
Unit 3
The Old Dairy
Broadfield Road
Sheffield S8 0XQ
England


 

Buffalo,

If like me the three layer system has been drummed into you from a young age, it's very hard to set off for a day's track with nothing on but the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt (jacket if you're not familiar with the products) and SP6 trousers and believe all will be fine. But that's what I did, and despite very low cloud on Glyder Fach and Trayfan (Snowdonia, UK) I've never been so comfortable.

During the trip I used the zips to control my body temperature, and our route gave me the opportunity to really test the kit with some walking and scrambling on the North ridge which is physically demanding. Both jacket and trousers allowed more freedom of movement than the three layer system and while we didn't use ropes I can see how versatile the kit could be.

The large front zip pocket on the jacket is excellent for map, compass and nibbles and very easy to access even with a day pack on while walking.

On the return home both went in the washing machine and were returned to former new condition making the whole experience easy and enjoyable.

I can't recommend the Buffalo system highly enough.

Kevin Jezzard

Dear Buffalo,

I moved from the UK to Canada six years ago now and live on Vancouver Island. The weather here is very similar to that of the UK having lots of rain, wind and moderate temperatures.

I just wanted to let you know that I have still found no products better suited to such weather than my faithful Buffalo gear. I have the Special 6 shirt, Belay jacket, Wind shirt, Mitts and Teclite bottoms and use them all throughout the year.

When I eventually return to visit England I intend to get my wife a Buffalo shirt so she will realize what she's been missing.

Maybe you should set up to supply us over here in the great white north, I'm an active member on many survival forums and know your products would prove very popular !

Anyway thanks again , I've attached two pics of me wearing my beloved Special 6 !

Justin Guy – Vancouver Island BC.

Buffalo Reply:

Hi Justin

Thank you very much for the story. I will get it on the web site shortly along with a picture.

You will be please to know that we do actually have a distributor in Canada. Samuel Howlett at Runnel Equipment will be able to sort of a Shirt for your wife, and of course anything you need to. They can be contact via their website, www.runnelequipment.com or via email, samuelhowlett@me.com .

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact either Samuel or myself, and thanks for your continued support of us.

Regards

Adam

Hi guys, I just wanted to write a quick thank-you for what has to be one of the best purchases that I have ever made.

I bought my Buffalo shirt over 20 years ago, on the recommendation of a family friend who was a mountain rescue volunteer, as something to wear on my paper round during the colder months.

Since then i've been wearing it for hobbies including orienteering competitions, John ‘o' Groats to Land's End cycle rides, working on the car, paragliding, canoeing and obviously the usual camping and walking.  I've also used it professionally for confined spaces and roped access work.  My girlfriend also used it for horse-riding and running (I may have to buy her one so she stops nicking mine).

It's just a cracking bit of kit that I wouldn't be without.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers

Matt

Well,

That's it.  My last Buffalo has finally bit the dust.  I have had it since 1989 and the blue has faded almost to white.  Sea kayaking had corroded the zips, holes had been patched with spinnaker tape and it was only the hood still in half decent shape.  I have a whole wardrobe of down and primaloft stuff but this was always my preferred choice along with my Helly Hansen field jacket  [Like Buffalo, Helly fibre pile was made on the principle- ‘If it ain't broke, why fix it'?] I intend to buy another mountain shirt, it is lasts as long as the previous one I'll be an old codger pushing 80!  One last thing, isn't  it satisfying, almost smug to say youy have a great piece of kit made in the UK?

Chris Ince

Dear Buffalo,

BUFFALO PRODUCTS IN ARCTIC SWEDEN

In early February, I was involved in some trails in Arctic Sweden, involving working outdoors for several days in unusually cold weather. Much of the stuff I took was Buffalo equipment, and I thought you might like to know how I got on with it

I took my trusty Buffalo shirt, and bought for the trip a pair of Buffalo HA saloppettes, and a pair of Buffalo gloves. [I had of course a proper duvet as well.]

The air temperature was typically below –20°C, down to –28°C at one point. Most of the work involved standing around, and not exercising. There was only a slight wind.

With what I was wearing, I was warm and cosy pretty well all the time (though I did have to jump up and down a bit on the coldest day).

We had one day off, going cross-country skiing, where the temperature rose to –15°C. I wore only the Buffalo shirt – the saloppetes and duvet would have been too hot.

Good things

The HA saloppetes were wonderfully comfortable, and “just right” for warmth, with only thin longjohns inside. I did fell I could have dispensed with the longjohns, though the saloppetes were never too warm. The trusty Buffalo shirt was good, as it did not compress as much as the duvet, and was draught proof when the duvet was unzipped.

Downsides

The gloves were ok down to –15°C, but not below. I added a fleece liner, of a similar thickness, which made them ok. The cuffs of the gloves were too small and too short to fit over the duvet sleeves, and too bulky to fit inside. So there was always a cold bit on my wrist.

The HA saloppettes come in only one leg length, 31 inches. There were 4 of us on the trip, and than leg length suited only myself. You’d perhaps have sold 4 instead of 1 if other lengths had been available.

All-in-all, a the gear was great for me – thanks.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Craig

Buffalo's reply to Rob:

Hi Robert

Thank you for the email. It is very good to hear that in general we did well though we will take your other points on board.

We do say for the Mitts that 2 pairs keep you warm down to about -40oC so 1 pair to about -15 is what we expect as everyone is different when it comes to how warm their hands are. We have designed the Mitts to be worn with our clothing so they tend to fit fairly well with our Shirts and Jackets, but we will have a look at what you have said.

Again, thank you very much for taking the time to write to us. We can only improve when people like yourself take some time to contact us, so thank you very much for this. We will put your report on to our web site so everyone can see the good and the not so good.

Looking back through my emails it looks like we have been on contact with each other a few times about getting the Salopettes for you so we are very glad to hear that it all worked out for you. We do offer a 'Specials' service so we can make garments with longer or shorter legs as required. Please see of service page for more information on this service.

Regards

Adam

Dear Buffalo,

My little story:

I've been hovering over buying a mountain shirt for some time now but didn't really think I would get the time to use it as often as would require to justify the spend, although i don't think they are over priced. More recently I've been spending more time in the Lake District and going further and further and felt now was the time to buy.

Just tested my new special 6 ms, and quite frankly couldn't be more impressed.

After much debate on what to wear or not to wear as it were, under the shirt, after much reading from previous customers I decided to trust the makers and wear nothing under the shirt although due to low temperatures I packed an under armour thermal just incase.

I'm so happy I trusted you guys,we left at 6 am to climb Helvellyn on Sunday 12 th February 2012, cold winters morning with heavy snow and much ice although no wind and i've never been more comfortable. As my fellows continued to strip and put on cloths depending on their layer systems none could believe that I just lifted or lowered zips to suite my temperature and comfort. I've added the hood to my sp6 and felt so comfy and warm that I felt inclined to send this email, so others who are hovering can make the right decision and purchase.

I'm now looking for my best option when its too warm for my sp6 but too cold for a t shirt and know Buffalo will be the make for me.

Photo below is about 100m from the summit on Sunday morning, long may the cold continue!!!

Hi there

Just letting every one  know that your gear is great, i recently purchased the ha salopettes, the big face jacket and the over sized hood from needle sports, already had your mitts and went for a weekend away in the cairngorms. I'm in assynt mrt and we were training in coire na ciste for the day.the weather was blowing a gale,chucking it down with snow and cold...too every one else that is, all i had on was the gear stated  plus underpants  socks and boots thats it...meanwhile every body else was piling on the layers i was still cosy....this is probably the longest time i've spent out in those conditions and at no point did i get chilled, this is really good gear, can't understand why people want to by the goretex crap. once the day was done headed back to the digs, every one  was complaining about being wet , I'm bone dry and have been all day .here's a couple of photos from the day.i'm really happy with my purchase. 

Many thanks . 

Alan Hastings

Dear Buffalo,

I thought I'd send in a report from the Rockies on my Buffalo kit. Growing up in the UK, I read about Buffalo and intended to at least get a mountain shirt, but for some reason stuck to the traditional layering system. Fast forward a few years and my wife and I started to spend more and more time in Colorado, so I had a great reason to buy the mountain shirt, belay jacket, windshirt and teclite trousers over a couple of years. I just about live in the mountain shirt when I'm out on the hills during the colder months (the belay jacket is great for breaks), and the windshirt is great for cool summer days and afternoon showers (and as a back-up for extreme winter weather). I wore the mountain shirt and belay jacket together while standing still in sub-zero temperatures (working as a photographer covering an ice climbing event) for five hours last week! While others huddled around a fire, I didn't have to miss a shot.

I've attached a photo of me wearing my mountain shirt while out snowshoeing last month. The harsh Rocky Mountain winters are no match for Buffalo!

Regards,

Craig from Colorado (formerly UK)

 

Sat 04/02/2012 19:22

Dear Buffalo,

For christmas I was given a SP6 shirt in black. At 1st i was sceptical about wether i'd wear it as i found it a pain to put on but after abit of practice its easier than putting on a normal jacket!

Anyway the other day my car failed its MOT and over the last week i've organized all the parts to fix it so today ive set to fixing it. All i wore today were normal track trousers, boxer shorts, thick socks, trainers, T-Shirt, SP6, overalls and a wooly hat and i was toasty + dry all day. I should mention it was -4.5c, Snowing and i live right next to a very busy road which had alot of M6 traffic so plenty of icy cold blasts as the HGV's roared past and i was lieing on the floor for alot of it. I was outside 10ish till mins ago and beacuse im so impressed ive jumped straight on here to tell you, Also I'm so impressed with the SP6 i'm looking at buying some buffalo trouser to go with it!

To anyone thinking about buying one - do so! Honestly the most comfortable, warmest and most practical jacket i own and i have a few!


Thanks Buffalo - If there's a spare pair of HA Salopettes in black size 42 going cheap please let me know !

My story

The pictures attached show myself wearing my Special 6 shirt and my Canadian friend who I talked into buying the same shirt. He a big guy- around 6 foot 5 and built like a lumberjack. After measuring him we opted for the largest size available. Unfortunately, we were living in Korea at the time, which meant we were unable to try on the special 6 shirts until they arrived. We should'nt of worried- it fit him perfectly. We then spent 3 weeks in Tibet and got as far as Everest Base Camp- where the photo was taken. In a party of 11, we appeared to be the only people who were comfortable in the howling wind and subzero temperatures, even though all the other group members were fully layered up. At no point did either of us feel cold or uncomfortable. I wore a Helly Hanson lifa underneath, just so I could remove the shirt when we managed to get inside for a brew. 

A fantastic piece of gear, which hasnt aged a day in over 3 years. 

Thank you for keeping me warm

Kind regards, 

James Fryers

Hi Buffalo ,

Just a quick email to say thanks for some great gear. My brother, Dad and I have just returned from the Lake District for a couple of days walking.  The Saturday was particularly wet (read heavy rain all day).  I was wearing my ActiveLite Shirt and Teclite trousers (I had my SP6 shirt and trousers as a back up in case it got really cold). My brother wore SP6 trousers and either a thin Merino top or his SP6 top (he took the merino off when wearing his SP6). My dad wore his traditional layering system with top of the range outer jacket and waterproof trousers.  At the end of the day I was warm and dry (it did stop raining for the last 15 minutes of a 10 hour walk). My brother was similarly warm and dry. My dad was warm but very wet.  Every layer he had on was wet.  We debated how much of this was sweat and how much was water ingress but it didn't really matter – wet is wet. I didn't even need my SP6 gear (temps were around freezing at times but probably more like plus 5 deg C in the valleys.  Needless to say my Dad is now a convert and we are helping him decide what to buy.  Fantastically simple clothing that works. 

Keep up the good work. John, Jon & Gareth (sorry no pics as it was too wet to get the camera out)


Dear Buffalo

I wore a purple mountain shirt today to work -I work for Kirklees Council with young people doing sporting and outdoor activities.It drew a few admiring glances from colleagues who were surprised to learn that I bought it in 1997 and have used it regularly since!

The only wear and tear that is visible is under one arm where the pertex has split slightly, other than that it is fine.My favourite use for it has been running in the winter but it now gets most use for daily dog walks on the high Pennines above Holmfirth.

Glad to see that you are still going strong as a company and I hope this testimony to your garments useful life inspires others to invest. I was told when I bought mine that I would be too warm in it......it has been brilliant.

Glenn Swindell

Slightly different from our normal emails from customers, but this is an online review from an independent review over in the USA.

http://hikinglady.com/reviews/apparel-reviews/buffalo-ladies-active-shirt/

So if you are in any doubt about what we or our customers say, you can also read it from testers too.

 

Hi Buffalo,

Just wanted to say that I'm off buffalo shopping this weekend after finally deciding that my original model has reached retirement.  

Bought in 1989 and used every day of every autumn, winter and spring ever since for hill walking, mountain rescue and horse riding (not all at the same time) it has been the best piece of clothing I have ever owned – and there's probably still some life in it yet!

I'm looking forwards to acquainting myself with the new model (and particularly the very welcome zip pocket on front – many a mobile has found its way out between the Velcro of the old one!).

Thanks Buffalo, may you continue for many a year yet.

Sarah Nield

Hi,

Used my Mountain Shirt on Crib Goch in 1990.It pee'd hard all day. All the way to Snowdon, and back along the track. It was cold that day and I was cold too, freezing, and getting looks from my climbing partner. I realised I had cotton undies on. So, discretely these were removed, on my own I hasten to add, and within minutes I was all toasty. Fantastic.

I bought my sleeping system in the Spring of '91 for a self guided hiking trip in the East Himalaya the same year (Max alt. 5200mtrs). I've used it, in one combination or another, on every camping trip since, bar one. Most recently on a two day kayak circumnav. of the Isle of Wight three weeks ago.

Tim.

 

May, Angle Tarn, camped on the moraine above the gill on a nice, well drained platform. Or so I thought, until I woke up to find water all round the single skin bivouac tent; down sleeping bag soggy at the edges and pillow of spare clothing, including Buffalo belay jacket, sodden in a puddle. Moved everything 10m up the hill in the very last of the daylight to a spot I'd rejected earlier as being more exposed. The weather was worsening steadily, with a wind strong enough to drive horizontal rain through the mesh ventilation panels as a fine spray. By 1.00 or so the sleeping bag was saturated, the tent was bending spectacularly in the gusts and I was obviously in for as rough a night as I've ever spent in the hills. No point in staying in the bag, so on with the belay jacket – I was already wearing a teclite shirt – and sat against the windward side of the tent. Though the spray was still coming through I was soon reasonably warm  (I'd begun to shiver in the bag ) and stayed that way until dawn when I staggered off past Rossett Pike in driving rain and gusts strong enough to knock you sideways, then down to Langdale and the campsite drying room, feeling that I'd come through what could have been a very nasty experience rather lightly.

I'd bought the belay jacket on ebay a few days earlier to complement my Buffalo teclite and mountain shirts. I don't like to think what the night would have been like if I'd not won that auction: at best I'd have been mildly hypothermic and sluggish by morning,  unable to  pack efficiently or get down a steep and slippery hillside quickly and safely. At one point I tried putting a waterproof on and began to feel colder and wetter almost immediately. Just as the people at Buffalo say, it stops the system working. Waterproof off, warm again! And talking of ebay, there might be some nice pieces of non Buffalo kit coming up for auction soon when I review my gear....

 

Jem Coady

My smock is 18 years old and has been to Everest, done various mountain marathons and a Tall Ships race but the ultimate challenge was doing the Inn Pinn on Skye this weekend in quite appalling conditions. Sleet, hail and rain were all shrugged off by the best piece of kit I own.

Many thanks

Robin rutherford

Darlington

Hi Buffalo

I bought my shirt 17 years ago and since then have done the coast to coast in it and many other walks. Cycled to work 11 miles each way, for several years in it, including through the winters. Been skiing in it several times, as cold as - 10. And I now wear it in the cold weather while driving my Ariel Atom.

Excellent garment, but it does look as though I'm going to have to replace it, as it's just starting to show signs of wear. That's about £4 a year it's cost.

I'd call that a bargain.

Regards

Paul Pacey

 

I just wanted to acknowledge the outstanding satisfaction I have with Buffalo.  This sort of feedback is foreign from me, so be proud.

I still continue to regularly wear my Buffalo belay jacket, bought in 1993 - in my eyes it doesn't look a day older than the day I bought it.  It has been with me all over the world, in all sorts of climates, whilst rambling, hillwalking, skiing and cycling.  Incredibly robust, versatile and comfortable.

Kind regards

Ian Luciani

Dear Buffalo

Please see attached a photo of me and friends wearing a Buffalo windshirt on top on Mont Blanc in a whiteout! This was a 13 hour day and I was completely shattered at the end! It was properly -15c with windchill on top, but all I had on was a thin baselayer, thin fleece & my good old windshirt but I stayed warm and dry!

Great piece of kit packs down small and very light!

Regards

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to say that I have been using Buffalo clothing for over a year now and it`s changed how I view garments for the outdoors forever.
I had known of them for years but not till last year I managed to get some clothing by them; I bought a special 6 shirt first to see how  got on with it. The result was very pleasing you just have to get your head around the fact that they do work much better with nothing worn underneath. First trip out I found it so comfortable to walk and sleep in as out camping. You just need to seal the cuffs etc generate a little body heat then the shirt traps it in simple. I was so impressed I soon ordered the HA salopettes, just great for standing around in winter camping trips but to walk in, well the two garments retain so much warmth I have to have the zips open often not wearing a hat at times whilst remaining warm.

The benefits are less clothing to carry, I only carry a lite pair of breathable bottoms to slip over my salopettes in really boggy areas to keep them cleaner for getting in my bag latter plus a breathable jacket for just in-case.This happens to be a Paramo one which allows the all important breathable factor to work. Originally when selecting the special 6 I went for this because of the slightly higher grade pertex but I did like the Active shirt too with the back hem adjuster to seal the shirt if worn with normal bottoms ( I often wear my shirt through winter whilst going shopping etc with jeans on, it`s just that inviting to wear) that being said I do get very warm fast so somebody who runs cool may want a windcheater etc when stationary in bad weather.

After testing my shirt for a while I did decide however that I`d really like a draw cord at the hem to just get a slightly better seal when worn with normal bottoms. I contacted Buffalo via email and Adam their sales manager
was a great help, they looked in to it got back to me with a great price to do the modification for me.The job was done, it looks great and works so well I`m very happy. I must say as a company their customer services is outstanding very help-full and very polite.

My experience with this company has inspired my trust in them more, I`m currant saving for some Tech-lite salopettes for when it`s cold but not that cold to walk in as I say my HA saloppetes are amazingly warm so just for the depth of winter use!

In my photo attached I using both HA salopettes & special 6 walking deep in the peak district on new years eve, tempreture was -0 most of the day & the wind chill when I was up the hills for a guess -3 I was just fine. A pair of wool shocks, wicking boxershorts & Buffalo mitts plus sometimes a wool hat was all I needed I never used my back up coat etc all day. You can`t say fairer then that can you?

2011 will hope fully see me in Scotland walking/camping over xmas I already know what to pack first!!!

Best regards,

Mark.

Hello,

I would just like to say that I have been a fan of Buffalo shirts for some time. I purchased one in 2003 whilst in the Falkland Islands working for the MOD and have used it quite considerably since then. My Son managed to hijack it two years ago and it has made a return journey to the Falklands and is currently keeping him warm in Afghanistan. I realised that he would not let me have it back so I have had to order a new one, hopefully this one will travel as much as my old one but it will certainly be put through its paces once again on many of the outdoor trips that I have planned. For anyone in two minds about buying one I would say to just go with it – you will not be disappointed.

Thanks for a great outdoors product.

Spencer

St Agnes, Cornwall.

To Buffalo,
 
Like many others below, I felt compelled to share my story about my Buffalo product.  I bought a Special 6 shirt back in 2003, and it has become the best item of clothing i've ever bought.  It has kept me warm on many walks, and in winter mountain conditions.  I've worn it on cold mountain bike rides, and it did well in a winter in Finland (though not on its own in -20'C).  Otherwise, I wear it all the time as my default casual jacket.  It remains as good as the day I bought it, apart from some bonfire burn holes.  I couldn't recommend it highly enough.  I may even compliment it with a hood.
 
Surely the quick-drying and durable properties of Pertex make it ideal for use as a tough pair of 'outback travel' undercrackers?
 
Matt from Dorset.

Reply from Buffalo:

Surely you must have heard of the legendary Buffalo Boxer Shirt and Supporters.

 

Dear Buffalo,

I would just like to take a little time to say brilliant the special 6 shirt is. I work as a fireman in Greater Manchester ,a few of the lads who I work with are on the Urban Search & Rescue Team and they recommended this shirt to me. 

During the recent cold snap(08/12/10) we all went up to Coniston to walk up the Old Man, the temperature when we got out of the car was -10 and with the winds at the top i have no idea what it must have dropped too.

At no time of the walk was i cold, the jacket was great, it prevented me from wearing at thermal layer and a gortex shell like some of the other lads. I have included a couple of photos of me in the jacket at the top.

I would definately recommend this jacket to anyone who maybe reading this, stop thinking about it, go and get one you will never look back.

cheers

Geoff

Manchester

Dear Buffalo,

Other people might be interested in my experience of the lighter Buffalo clothing. In June 2010 I did 3 weeks walking and wild camping in the Outer Hebrides, usual June averages (but actually colder at night). In practice it was usually cold first thing, hot in the afternoon and cool as the sun went down after 9 ish, and very changeable. Most days were sunny for quite long periods, I needed sun cream. I wore the following (on Adam of your company's advice):

During the day, - Travelite Trousers, which were surprisingly warm and wonderfully quick drying, such that I wore them every night in my sleeping bag. I only wore waterproof trousers (Berghaus paclite) a few times when it rained hard.

And an Activelite shirt and occasionally, when it was cold or wet, a Windshirt (with a belay jacket hood which was very useful) on top. and a Belay Jacket in the evening as the sun went down (which I kept dry in reserve all other times and often slept in)

Together they proved excellent, and were enough to cover all the variation of very hot, cold, light and occasional strong, wind and rain that are "summer" in the islands. All I wore otherwise were a mosquito head net (essential, if only in reserve), sun hat, Tilley easy washable socks (2 pairs) and pants during the day and a cheap, synthetic top and long Johns under the Travelite trousers at night (my sleeping bag was not a good one).

The Activelite shirt and Travelite trousers were just right most of the time but the Windshirt was useful and I'm glad I took it. Adding the Belay Jacket was excellent for sitting about in the evening, I would have been too cold without it. I didn't need any other clothes.

I was concerned beforehand that this kit might not be adequate, but I would recommend it without reservation to anyone considering a similar holiday.

I've also used all 3 tops happily in the winter in sleet and snow on the Black Mountains (on the Welsh Border).

Regards, Nick Dean

Dear Buffalo

Wow! what a jacket the special 6 shirt is top notch and would recommend to anyone.

I spend up to 84 hours a week in this jacket on the coast of France where I work and it can be very cold down to -10c including wind chill and 50+mph winds.

All my colleagues are wearing 3 or 4 layers of clothes and I'm just wearing a Buffalo and am very warm - it's well worth the money .

I also wear my Buffalo for rock climbing, hill walking and shooting so it gets lots of use and thanks to it's durability and quality I shall contiue to do so.

Thanks Buffalo!

Greg

Malvern

hey buffalo,

i stumbled across the 'stories' bit of your site, so i thought i'd add my two penn'orth.
i first wanted a buffalo as a teenage army cadet, but other, more camouflaged, gear got purchased first. silly me.
thus, i left it for 20 years, until my honeymoon in slovenia required the acquisition of a new top. so the special 6 (in green, natch. old habits die hard) it was.
that was last september, and i’ve only just taken it off. my wife is rather pleased that I will now wash it.
it’s the best multipurpose outdoor top i’ve ever owned. from canal boating to canoeing, as warm down gear for running, when cycling, you name it, the buffalo comes along and performs. it's suffered snags and scrapes, but the quality of production ensure it holds up.
so cheers for continuing to make good gear, here’s a pic of me in my favourite jacket in the afan forest, biking in the snow, feb 2010. and yes, i am wearing a baselayer, which i soon realised wasn’t required.

ta,

daf
team badger
reading uk
april 2009


Via Email, 29.3.10

Thank you Buffalo for such great gear.

My dad reccomended the special 6 shirt to me for fishing. I was looking at all sorts of dedicated fishing clothing but decided to follow his advice and buy the expensive Special 6 shirt. Although pricey i'm very glad I did, this is the warmest most versatile shirt i've ever owned and I practically live in it now. Wet, dry, cold, its great. Just make sure to carry an extra if it warms up, the buffalo will cook you.

Well reccomended to all fisherman. The free movement, and light weight is great. You wont get anything better.

Ade
Nottingham


From Nick, 8.3.10

Hi to all at Buffalo,

Just a brief note to say thank you for providing such fantastic kit !

I am a full time Tree Surgeon, and as such am required to work in all weathers and at all times of year. I have worn my Buffalo jacket through three winters, including the very severe one just ending. It has performed extremely well, keeping me warm and dry while all around me were cold and damp. And when I say worn my Buffalo jacket I mean five days a week eight to ten hours a day. Thanks to all at Buffalo, keep up the great work.

 

Nick Chapman, County Tree Surgeons Ltd, West Sussex.

From R.Smith 30 December 2009

I would just like to drop you a note to tell you how impressed I was with you Special 6 Shirt that I bought. I have spent a few hours climbig pen y fan in heavy snow and gale force winds approx 60/70 mile an hour. I wore no other garments under the Shirt and it kept me plenty warm enough.

Fantastic bit of Kit.

R.Smith

From Gordon in Maine, USA 18 December 2009

Howdy!

Behold two photos of Erik in his new buffalo outfit. We went to, well, pretty much the middle of nowhere on Sunday and took the fat pig for a ride in the little sledge. He fell asleep, but at least that means he wasn't cold! The stuff works wonderfully, with a fleece romper suit on underneath, and the hood actually stayed up just fine, without a hat or scarf or anything. It went somewhat mild and wet that evening, and then for the next two days, so that was somewhat depressing. But the snow stuck around and yesterday I went ice climbing. As I drove off at 4 am it was -1. When I returned in the evening it was about -12, and this morning -17. Kurt and I went to Grafton, in western Maine, and had a lovely, if frigid day climbing icicles. It's just so amazingly cold now and the snow pile guarding us from the road became a glacier and had to be chipped away to allow the car in and out. That was my job, with trusty old camp ice axe in hand and lots of traffic. You'll be pleased to hear that I wore the buffalo again yesterday, nothing underneath, and even at minus a lot it was warmer than wearing lifa, thin fleece, and windproof fleece on top. I'm very very happy and will be even more so when Dan brings the expedition hood for it. Wish it had a crotch strap, though, so I shall fashion one. Now I have a meeting.

G.

 

By Email 9.11.09

Dear Buffalo,

I’ve just returned from a week of walking, in the rain, in Scotland. Having seen all the other stories on your website I wanted to add my own experience of how your kit performed.

I wore the ‘Special 6 shirt’, with a hood, every day, and every day it rained. For most of the time whilst walking I just wore the shirt. On a few occasions I put a waterproof on top as I wasn't using too much energy on the walk (e.g. coming downhill) and the rain was so heavy and persistent. On all the ascents of the hills I just wore the shirt - and it kept me very warm. The best example was when we were going up Braeriach in the Caringorms. The wind was around 60mph and it was also sleeting ... I was quite happy just wearing the shirt (zipped up). On another walk I waited on the Cullin ridge for one hour whilst my friend climbed Am Bhasteir (I didn’t fancy the 3m down climb!), it was raining and cold. I had my special 6 shirt on and your ‘belay jacket’ with a gore text on top (and was in a KISSU). Whilst I wasn’t hot, I was definitely comfortable. Had I been wearing your salopettes I could have done without the goretex. I very much doubt I would have been as comfortable wearing the traditional layering system.

The only bit of your kit that I can fault is, I’m afraid, the hood. I don’t find it sufficiently ‘stiff’ compared to the wired hoods on many goretex jackets. So it is a bit of a pain wearing it when it is very windy as it doesn’t stay in place on my head very well. It does however work very well underneath a goretex hood.

Thanks for making such excellent kit. I’m trying to find an excuse to buy a new one of your shirts (I’d like to try your ‘tecmax’ one for winter) but my special 6 one keeps on going and keeps me so warm that it is proving hard to find such any excuse!

Mike Pigott

Buffalo's Reply

Hi Mike

Thanks you very much for the story. I will get it posted this week.

To enable the hood to pack down very small and to fit in a pocket, we have avoided use of wire. We are however aware the hood would benifit from some improvment and we are looking at this point at the moment. if you are wanting a more technical hood you could always look athe the Expedition hood which has a volume adjuster and a wired peak.

I hope this information help you out.

Regards

Buffalo

 

By Email 12.10.09

Dear Buffalo

I feel compelled to write to you in order to thank you for making such excellent products. About 19 years ago I was out looking for a christmas present for my mum, and being easily sidetracked I found myself in 'Blacks' of Sheffield. I discovered the buffalo range and was smitten with the 'mummy style' sleeping bag with the full length  main zip and the head zip.That year my mum got chocolates! and I was delighted with my purchase.

It was soon tested to extremes and proved its worth. As a soldier at the time, it went everywhere. To date it has circumnavigated the world three times, been in two major conflicts (Iraq and Bosnia) been subjected to desert sand, heat ( and cold ), arctic conditions ( I left it in a bivi area in Canada and come back to find it was frozen solid, and would have been more use as a surfboard ), and Sennybridge mud! In later years it has been tested as a bed for the cat, and peed on by my dog (presumably because the cat had bagged it as a bed first) It has always amazed me how warm and windproof it is whilst still being able to be packed so small and being so light in weight. It is a credit to whomever designed it.  

Now this is where I get to my only misgiving, and feel the need to highlight a small design fault. namely the zip! As a junior soldier, I was once travelling back from an exercise in the back of a Bedford lorry with the rest of my platoon, having been zipped up in my bag for a bit of a kip, I awoke with the dire need to relieve myself. On this occasion however I was unable to even get out of my sleeping bag owing to the fact that several of my junior ranked colleagues had padlocked both zips together where they met at the neck; this was where the anti tear properties of Pertex worked against me. When I was finally 'allowed' out of the bag my need to take a pee could best be described as "beyond desperate", so I just stood up and relieved myself from the back of the lorry. To my eternal chagrin, the car following our truck was driven by a young mother who had been following close, so her son could see the lorry full of ruffy tuffy soldiers! She was not pleased but at least she found what her windscreen wipers were for!!!! On a completely separate occasion, I made the same error of cocooning myself completely ( you would have thought I'd have learned ) and was kicked over the tailbord by my buddies "for a bit of a larf" as we entered the camp gates, I recieved a second kicking from the provo seargent for littering up the guardroom forecourt.

However, last year my eldest daughter borrowed it for a sleepover, and she broke it!  I quote: " It wasn't my fault, it just broke, the zip got stuck so I gave it a bit of a tug and it just came away.....". The bag that was giving sterling service before she was a twinkle in my eye, killed in one night by an adolescent! Her sister still calls her 'Man hands'.

Keep up the good work.

Regards

Ian Morgan

Emailed 15.5.09

Dear Buffalo,

I have owned several of your very excellent Mountain Shirts over the years (green for work, blue for fun) and I have always been very greatful for all of your hard work and dedication to quality. Whilst in green mode I can absolutely recommend these shirts for warmth in all climates and have been especially impressed by their ability to maintain body warmth when (frequently) wet - particularly as waterproofs are never practical.

I have also discovered a novel use for the front pouch (!?):

(see attached picture below)

Yours,

John

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Email, March 19th 2009.

Dear Buffalo

I recently had to look for a replacement for my Special 6 and after some sound advice from one of your sales/marketing blokes (Adam) I opted for a hooded belay jacket as I wanted something that was a bit easier to put on and take off than the Special 6, but with the same performance.

After wearing it on a trip to The Lakes last weekend I have to say that it was worth the six week shipping delay.

We decided to go up Helvellyn via Striding edge and on the day the wind was averaging almost 60 mph with gusts well over 80 mph. It didn't let up all day, and close to the summit the air temperature wasn't far above freezing so the wind chill must have been well into minus figures. Add to that some rain showers and there was the potential for a very cold, wet and miserable day.

The jacket was awesome. I wore it with a thin Merino wool t-shirt (which in hindsight probably wasn't even necessary), and from 7 degrees C with light wind down in the valley where we set off, to the howling winds and driving rain during the ascent, to the near-freezing temperatures and biting wind chill at the summit, at no point did I feel too hot or too cold.

It was great never having to faff about with different layers despite the big variation in conditions, and I was reminded of this throughout the day as every hour or so my mate started thrashing about in the wind, adding or removing layers as he got too hot or too cold.

I always used to use the base layer/insulating layer(s)/waterproof layer combination but since discovering Buffalo, I'd now only consider taking a waterproof layer with me if there was a big chance of getting really soaked and having to remain completely inactive for a prolonged period.

Bearing in mind that in the past just my Special 6 and a Merino t-shirt kept me perfectly warm when sat inactive in temperatures as low as -6 degrees C, I'd be confident that with the belay jacket and a thicker Merino t-shirt or maybe the addition of a thin fleece I'd be perfectly warm in temperatures more than twice as cold . Considering how lightweight the Buffalo belay jacket is, the warmth it provides is incredible- I've used loads of different jackets in the past, some of these more than twice as thick and heavy as the Buffalo, yet none have ever been as warm.

Oh yeah- it looks decent too, so I can also wear it day-to-day without looking like a complete tool . Bonus!

Cheers

Leon

10th February 2009

Hello Buffalo,

I worked for 5 years building Scotland's mountain paths.  For four of those years I wore a Buffalo special 6, and deeply regretted the one year I didn't.  The first year I wore what I could find, I really suffered hard, but I needed toughening.  Pathbuilding was hard physical grind, in all kinds of crazy conditions on top of a mountain and rarely backing out.  We only ever stopped for deep snow, but otherwise we had to get on with it.  Buffalo was the garment of choice, we all wore them, it was our uniform.  Nothing else worked, not for long anyway, and certainly not cost effectively.  Seriously, one boss I had even enquired about getting sponsorship from Buffalo!

You could wear out an expensive mountain jacket in 3 or 4 months - technical fabrics generally need careful maintenance.  Far from 10-year ownerships mentioned here, we would go through at least 1 a year - and I consider that really hard wearing all things considered.  As the pile wore down, the pertex thinned out through constant abrasion with stone, then the system began to fail.  Eventually you had to wear a base-layer and you'd look forward so much to getting a new one, but even then they really worked well and kept you warm and happy.  You had to time it so you got you new one at the beginning of winter, when you needed it most, so that the tattered version was perfect for summer.

Certain seams would eventually split - under the arms - and the zippers never really stood up to constant use in grit and grime.  I always meant to contact Buffalo about commissioning a chunky zip version because it really pissed you off when, inevitably, the zip would fail on your precious buffalo.  You'd have to use safety pins.  But then, no zips stood up, or really could in such a job.  The hoods aren't the greatest around the neck, I always wished there was an integrated version.  And that you didn't have to buy it separately. We used to carry over the hoods to our new shirts.  The chest pocket was perfect for stashing tobacco, though in a storm you wished it wasn't made of pertex - soggy roll-ups.  Bad habit anyway.  The vents meant you could wear it 80% of the time, though in milder weather and wrestling with rocks you could quickly boil. 

That said, it is such a simple garment, and I love there isn't much to go wrong.  Maybe that simplicity is Buffalo's real virtue.  Also Buffalo is The Best Windcheater, hands down.  And seriously, if you have cold fingers like me, nothing works like the buffalo pockets for getting them warm again.  It reminds me of the time I tried neoprene gloves up Fionn Beinn, the first snow I'd ever been in up a hill - what agony, serious, serious pain.  Buffalo saved me from wasting money on garments which wouldn't work for long, or work half as well.

We always wore plastic fisherman's waterproofs for full-on Highland storm weather, and the Buffalo was perfect underneath that.  Against the skin, there is something really connecting about being wet, yet also warm and comfortable - it's just not unpleasant, and you need to have faith and drop the base-layer.  You could get on an enjoy where you were and what you were doing - the weather became irrelevant.  I've tried everything, and nothing can beat how that works.  When the storm passes, in a good breeze a buffalo dries in 5 to 10 minutes.  What else does that?

I don't work the paths any more, often I wish I was.  I've literally just started to look for some hiking gear again - what a baffling array of stupid technical fabric terms and systems - and I realised, why am I not getting another Buffalo??!  Somehow I'd never associated Buffalo with recreation, just work.  Fool!  Because, by design, if you work with it then it simply wont let you down, anywhere.  I cannot recommend Buffalo enough for day to day use in a tough mountain environment, unbeatable.  And when I see people wearing Buffalo, I still feel part of the gang.

Looking forward to my new Special 6,

Cheers

Nicholas Richardson

2nd February 2009

I was recommended the special 6 shirt by an army mate, a couple of years ago. He has always worn his in the most un-usual circumstances and swears by it.

He told me that I could get away with wearing the special 6 shirt, with just a t-shirt underneath in the middle of winter! Well, I work outside whilst on duty in uniform & plain clothes. I had to see it for myself. I have very bad blood circulation, especially with my hands, the slighted drop in temperature and my hands start getting numb.

It works, my hands are still freezing (even with gloves). I use the front hand pocket warmers, when the situation allows and it works while there in there.

Unfortunately, while I'm in plain clothes and wearing a covert harness on top of the special 6, I have to wear a jacket as well, usually my leather one. When I'm in the car or in the police station, I get bloody hot and even with the vents open, my leather jacket doesn't vent my perspiration well.  If however I'm wearing my duty belt in plan cloths, I don't need to wear any jacket on top, and I'm laughing.....

Can't have it all, can we.

Buffalo does what it says on the tin.

Dan

By Email 26.01.09

Dear Buffalo

  Hi, I first got my special 6 shirt about 2 years ago, my dad had some Buffalo gloves so I thought I would try out a shirt. It was a month before a weeks skiing trip in Austria, and I had to get a top for, so I decided to get a Buffalo after much research abouth them on the internet.

  I was pretty anxious about using the top for the first time on the mountains so I took another jacket and fleece just in case. But I didn't need them at all and I lived in my Buffalo all week, whatever the weather I was comfortable, if it was snowing I was warm and if the sun was shining I would open the vents and and be cool. The rest of the group even tried putting snow down my back to get me cold.

I was a proper convert after this trip, after the skiing I used my buffalo on my duke of edinburgh gold trip which involved 4 days of walking and camping throughout north wales, covering about 50 miles. The week which I happened to do this walk it rained and rained all week. Again I lived in it all week, even at night when my friends sleeping bag was soaked I gave up mine to sleep in my jacket and it was just as good. I stayed dry, it was amazing I thought my jacket was magic I couldn't work out how i stayed dry with rain almost all week. Its really magic.

My last use for my jacket is everyday use I go to an agricultural college and do a countryside management course and I can wear it every day with out worrying about getting wet or cold, also its perfect for taking the dog out.

I think your tops are the most versatile tops I have ever used they have always kept me dry and warm whatever the weather. Im so glad that i bought it, its such good value i prefer it over every gore-tex or event jacket i have used.

thank you

Dan Small

From: Christopher barrett

02 November 2008

Hi

I found out about Buffalo when I was 14 years old, used the system for long distance sea kayaking.

The original shirt I bought when I was 14 has now finally given up the ghost, that was last month, I'm 34 now!

No matter where I am the Buffalo system just keeps on working. So far I have used it in the Scottish Highlands, right down to the South Sinai desert in Egypt, and I have even used it as an undersuit for Diving in very cold water.

Thank you for creating a perfect system of clothing for my needs

Keep up the good work

Chris Barrett

Email from Duncan Clark, 21st August 2008

Title: A Little Balance

Dear Buffalo,
Whilst I am a great fan of your gear, and have used it pretty much from the start, I have been reading your stories and think they could do with a little balance so that new users can make a proper informed choice.

Many years ago, I used to organise a mini adventure race for our climbing club, and one January tested Buffalo gear 'to the max' by swimming across a plunge pool to retrieve a Tyrolean, then heading up Moel Siabod in the snow and ice! People were quite rightly amazed that I didn't immediately die of hypothermia.

In the Army, I remember being similarly impressed during a particularly unpleasant wet and muddy OP we were mounting once - everyone had the old '58 pattern bags except one lad who had the brand new Superbag and who volunteered to leave it in the OP - what a hero - instead of the cold wet nylon, smeared with clay and grit from everyone's boots, I got a soft warm, deliciously comfy bag with armholes (liner removed)! Result!

As you can tell, I have been well impressed by the performance of Buffalo gear, however there is another side (there always is)…

If you get an unexpectedly warm day (or night) you will melt in it! Yes, it wicks away the sweat but you cant afford to lose sweat at that rate when working hard for extended periods - what this means is that you almost need to carry a thermal and windshirt at times when there is a warm weather risk.

I've one other experience I wanted to share because people should know the full story regarding specialist clothing systems. Once I was involved in a search for 2 missing climbers which took place after a wet bivvi (no problem there) and went on for about 10 hours of driving rain and wind round the back of Y Llewydd in Snowdonia. To start with, I was fine in fact better than my mate who was wearing full waterproof jacket and saloppettes however after several hours there were more and more trickles of water running around inside my 3-piece suit, which also wasn't really a problem because I was staying warm enough anyway.

Where the problem started was when we were forced to become stationary for some time (about 3 hours) with little shelter - my mate was able to deal with this with relative ease, being protected by a barrier, however I started to become wetter and colder as time went on. Luckily the 2 were found before anything worse happened but there you go….

In summary - fantastic and durable kit - and great at what it does best.

Kind regards
Duncan Clark
www.NorthRidgeAdventure.co.uk

Buffalo's Reply

Dear Duncan

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this email to us. I will put it on the web site today. It is very important to have a balanced view of our equipment on the site so everybody can see what it can and, just as importantly, cannot do.

To comment on some of the points you made, I agree about the need to take ‘warm weather' clothing when you are out as well as cold weather. It might be cold at the start of the day where a Buffalo Shirt is perfect, but by lunch time, the temperature could have risen  by 10 degrees or more and a Thermal and Windshirt is perfect, or even an ActiveLite Shirt (!). Getting too hot can sometimes be very unpleasant and without enough water dangerous.

As for your cold, wet experience on Llewydd, we do try and recommend that some form of ‘movement' will be required to keep you warm in times when you are stationary; star jumps for example should do the trick every so often.

One of the reasons for getting cold was that you started to get very wet with cold water. The ‘pushing' process of moisture from your body to the outer layers of the 3 piece suit (Shirt, Salopettes and Jacket) would have stopped because there was no heat to do the work and no heat to ‘warm' the water up when it came in contact with your skin. This is where some form of vigorous exercise does the job and helps keeps you warm. Another way is to put the trusty Windshirt over the top of what you are wearing just as the rain starts. This, though not waterproof, can act as small water barrier and just delay the time it takes for the water to get in and the chilling process to start. (Exercise will still be required though, as above). If a ‘Waterproof' is put over the top and not breathable, any moisture that is ‘pushed' out though the Buffalo Clothing will be trapped behind the waterproof and end of making you colder than before. Of course, keeping your head and hands warm in this type of situation is vital, and a DP Hood on your head can help, and Mitts will help keep your hands a little warmer. The other answer, of course, is to try and find a little shelter!

As for the plunge pool, I did something similar a few years ago to test a new shirt, because loads of other people had done it and I thought that I should really know what it was like. Mine was on a very snowy day on Bleaklow! 20 minutes later we stopped on top for lunch and I was fine!

I hope this has answered some of the points you made. I will add this reply to your email on the web site so new users can see how we ‘try' and address some of the issues you raised.

Again, thank you for taking the time to make these comments. It is always good to hear that we are still making great kit, in the UK, and that we have not given in and gone down the fashion line that so many brands have done before us, and lost their actual reason for making clothing in the first place.

Regards

Adam Thomas

Sales and Marketing Manager

Buffalo Systems Ltd

Hello,

I stumbled across your site when looking for a new snowboarding jacket and after a quick phone call with someone helpful at Buffalo, went for the alpine jacket. Amazing! From very windy blizzard conditions in Austria and France to being soaked during the commute, I have never been cold wearing it, no matter what (if anything) I had on underneath. I've even had to dry it out from damp by wearing it after a wash, and still I was warm (and dry in a few mins).

I also appreciate that I don't look like a ski instructer when on the tube in London. The jacket has instantly become one of the very few things I would replace the next day if anything happened to it. Thankyou very much for making it.

here's a pic of me getting vertigo at Alpe D'Huez 2800 - Dome des Petites Rousses. Hopefully again next year!

Oli

Dear Buffalo,

I have been meaning to check in for a year or so ever since I
realized you actually have a web site! I have been wearing my buffalo
shirt every weekend to ski in Yellowstone National Park where I have
lived and worked since 1993. I am from Somerset and I married a park
ranger and work here as a Landscape Architect. This is buffalo
country (bison actually if you want to be correct about it), and I
always thought it ironic that I am the only one here who has a
buffalo shirt. I often sing the praises of the shirt when people ask
me if I am too cold or too hot and just wait while they are
constantly putting more on or taking stuff off. Even in below
freezing temperatures and winds I rarely wear anything else and the
weather can get pretty warm (winter warm you know) before I get too
hot in it. We mostly back-country ski in the park or the wilderness
areas around the park. We generally don't ski where the bison are as
they tear up the snow, can be pretty dangerous and don't hang out in
the best skiing areas. Hence I don't have any pictures of me skiing
with the bison in my shirt. Just today I was driving up the road to
my favorite ski trail and there were the usual ten or so big bulls
standing in the road. I thought about getting out and taking a
picture of myself next to them but ... didn't!

The shirt is doing well. It is showing signs of wear. I have
seriously worn it every weekend from December to about the end of
April for the past fifteen years. I think part of the longevity is
due to the fact I rarely wash it - it doesn't smell so I don't need
to. I don't wear it in the summer it gets too hot here and though I
love it, it isn't the most comfortable thing to sit around camp in.

I worked in an outdoor shop on weekends for a while, way back when,
in Somerset and went to trade shows with Nick of Nickwax. He was just
getting started then and trying to get his products known. Now you
can by Nickwax stuff everywhere here, every outdoor shop has his
products. Before I emigrated I worked in the Peak District and joined
the Mountain Rescue group. Unfortunately I wasn't there long enough
to do many missions but it was them that got me interested in search
dog work and buffalo shirts!

My search dog found several avalanche victims and went on many
mountain searches out here. She died of cancer two years ago but the
buffalo shirt is still going strong.

It is quite amusing to see buffalo shirts have not changed, even the
same old colours - what's with that - did you buy up the fabric
factory and dye twenty years ago?! But no problem, I agree totally,
why change a good thing!

Anyway, I seem to have got a bit carried away with my note here. The
other reason for writing is that I would like to purchase a Belay
Jacket and I wanted to ask the best way to do that. I will be home at
my parents house in May for a week and thought the best way would be
to have one of your suppliers send it there and I can pick it up. I
hope the sizing is correct and everything as I won't have time to
exchange it. As we are traveling by train I don't think we will be
near any suppliers or stockists. Can you recommend a supplier to
order from or should I just blindly pick?

Thanks for a great product,

Lynn Bickerton Chan

By Email 4th April 2008

Hi Adam

Just thought I would let you know that I finished the Iditarod cycle race in alsaka. I ended up 8 th doing it in 3 days and 23 hours, which I was quite pleased with for a first attempt. I was leading in the early stages but had some mechanicals which set me back a little. As usual temps were pretty cold. However the Buffalo clothes worked really well. In the pic attached it was -40C and although it was chilly whilst I was moving I didn't need to put my down jacket. The Buffalo was enough to keep me going. It's a shame you don't make a sock system however as I did suffer from frostbite and on my return to the UK spent a week in hospital. Luckily my feet are pretty much back to normal, I haven't had to have anything amputated, just lost the feeling in the end of my big and little toes.

The only thing I could think of to improve the jacket is some sort of Camelbak pouch. At those temps I needed to wear my camelbak inside the jacket to stop it from freezing and it made the jacket a little tight and the arms short full (and this was with only a small water bladder). It also meant I had to wear a thermal under the buffalo otherwise the pack would have had to be against my skin which was a bit uncomfortable. Some sort of inner pouch would be cool and maybe a way of getting a little extra room in the back panel.

Cheers

James

 

Hi Adam

Here are a couple of pics from my big trip to Bolivia last year, with Illimani (6462m) the final objective. It was -10oC on top, and by the way the ropes are moving you can tell there was a significant wind chill on top of that. My Buffalo served me faithfully throughout the trip, which included one other 6000er, and two other training peaks above 5000m. Please feel free to use these for promotional purposes. Bolivia is great training for Scottish winter conditions!!

All the best

Martin

By Email 4th March 2008

Hi All

I was out the other day (2nd March 2008) for one of the classic Scottish mountain rounds, the traverse of Bidean nam Bian, starting with the challenging approach over Beinn Fhada. The mountain weather forecast was for frequent snow showers merging to blizzard conditions at times, and a severe wind chill of -20oC. I wore my buffalo as per usual, next to the skin for the round, and I was as warm as toast all day, apart from my hands while trying to stuff down a sandwich at the summit cairn from my spindrift filled sack. We were rewarded with breaks in the weather, revealing dramatic snow filled corries, huge cornices developing in the gale force north westerly, and distant views to snowy peaks. Down to the Clachaig for a pint of real ale, before our pickup arrived, we were buzzing!

I always wear my buffalo shirt in winter, and have taken it to Nepal, Peru, Caucases, and last year to Bolivia. Although now on my second shirt, the first one lasted for over 10 years, I have absolute confidence in its ability to cope with extremely cold windy weather, and even when saturated with rain, the moisture wicks away downwards leaving the skin dry and warm. It is unarguably the best bit of winter kit I possess, and wouldn't swap it for a fancy £300 goretex. Even after all this time I am still amazed at the buffalo systems near magical properties, when you finger the width of the material there seems to be nothing there. But it works, and works very well in all weathers. Thanks for a great invention.

Martin Hulme

By Email 21st December 2007

Hi,

I am just needing to retire my mountain shirt after 16 years of loyal service.  It is the most impressive item of clothing I have ever owned and I will be replacing it with another one.

During its long lifetime it has been used as my primary winter cycle jacket (typically October to March) for things such as expeditions in the Scottish hills, Trailquest and Long Distance events as well as during my daily cycle to work - which over the past years has ranged from a 4 mile to a 25 mile daily round trip as I moved around the country from Cambridgeshire, to Northern Scotland, to Wiltshire, Lincolnshire and now South Wales. 

When I bought the shirt I had a full head of hair - I am now a confirmed 'slap-head'.  It has been drenched completely through many, many times, covered in snow, encrusted with salt from dried sweat and has slid down the road a number of times when I have crashed my bike whilst wearing it and its performance has remained unaffected. Its a little faded now as you can imagine and has lost some of the pile from inside at the front as a result of riding motion but continues to be the warmest thing I possess. 

During its long lifetime it has impressed a number of people with its versatility and the fact that I always wear it against my skin regardless of the severity of the weather and I know has generated a number of follow-on sales and new converts.

Thank you for persisting with this item and retaining its originality as other make's designs and colours have come and gone.

Yours,

Neil Smith

Lincolnshire (at weekends) Wales (Monday to Friday)

By Email 12 November 2007

Hi,

I just thought I'd write in and thank you guys for producing such a great system!

I do ecological surveying for a living, and found myself surveying birds in Sutherland this summer. Although I was going to be effectively nocturnal (with survey sessions at sunrise and sunset), I had expected conditions to be suitable for the kit I would use for surveying, say black grouse in spring.

Unfortunately, although conditions started out fine, the Icelandic jetstream decided to head south for the summer, and brought extreme conditions. Although it rained six weeks solid (with little respite), my biggest concern was the low temperature throughout the night, coupled with high wind. My existing kit just wasn't designed for this (and, having previously worked in practical ecological management, I was used to being more active also!).

So, after asking around, Buffalo seemed to be the name that came up repeatedly, and offered the perfect solution. I ended up wearing the Mountain Shirt all summer (lol!). It was perfect. The vents allowed for me to hike out up the hills and through the bogs (challenging terrain at the best of times - worse at night in extreme weather!). I was then able to close up and sit in relative comfort (thanks to the hood - essential). If rain became far too heavy, I could always throw on my existing lightweight waterproof jacket for half an hour or whatever.

In the end, I was able to cope with the extreme weather far better than the birds, alas.

Certainly, I couldn't have gotten through my summer of bird surveying in Sutherland without the Mountain Shirt! Best and most versatile piece of outdoors kit I've ever purchased.

Cheers!

Chris

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 11.07.06

Hi

In Sept 05 my employers moved to a new building with fewer car parking spacies which meant car sharing, parking fees,bus or cycling. As a keen cyclist I did not want to use existing kit I had as it was not high viz. So after an extensive web search I contacted Buffalo about their Teclite Cycling Top.

It seemed to fit all my requirements and in particular I was looking for one garment that was warm, windproof and waterproof. They advised me that it would be good down to about freezing and may require a thermal base layer underneath for colder temperatures.

I have used the top since end Sept05 and stopped at the end of May06. This top is brilliant. It does all the above. My ride is about 5 miles and involves cycling home at 20.00. The last winter was b..... cold but after a couple of minutes warm as toast. It is superb for communting in all weathers 0 - 10C. Although it does get a bit warm above this when we have the odd mild winters day.

If you are going to commute buy this it is worth it.

thanks for a great piece of kit

Graham

thanks


Via email 29.06.06

Hi,
I have just come back off a three month expedition to the Arctic where I took along one of your Ladies Mountain Shirts, and can honestly say it was the best bit of kit I had. I wore it everyday for the entire expedition, and it didn't let me down, being brilliant in the -20 degree temperatures of March, and the rather soggy wet days of June. It was more than a little grimy when I got it home, but after a good wash it's good as new and ready for the next trip.

Many thanks for a fantastic product,

Sally Staton

 

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

Subject: subarctic survival

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

I was looking through the sales and stumbled onto your website.

I don't know why I ever bother looking at any different kit because the only thing I have that is, as yet, indestructable is my Windshirt.

Its been my faithful friend for more years than I care to consider. I've lived in it for days at a time, its kept me warm every time and everywhere, and it even sports a particularly impressive rope burn from a climbing fall.

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