Karrimor. What went wrong?

[RedRick Esq.]

That’s a lot to pay for something that doesn’t work as well as you expected.

If I’m being entirely honest I’ll say I’ve wasted a lot of money on fleece jackets that were ok on a cold, dry day but I’ve never had one that I’d wear if it was raining.

I never really expected it to be waterproof and certainly didn't buy it on the strength of any such claims as its a fleece and designed for warmth

I do like it i am not unhappy with it but then i wasnt that unhappy with my old Rab windproof fleece either apart from the fact i had worn it almost threadbare and maybe i should have just bought another of those

I blame you entirely having seen you blather on about how good Paramo is



It is good it is nice and it is certainly good quality but then it needs to be and its only really the shallow pockets that cause any annoyance

 

[Northern jock]

And Keela make excellent kit, for example this

Men's Stratus Jacket

Designed for Rescue teams and professionals working in challenging conditions, our Stratus Jacket is the perfect choice for anyone looking for reliable protection in the very worst weather.

keelaoutdoors.com

I've got one and it's very good

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I'm about to do the same, replace my (very) old winter boots. Lucky with Aviemore just along the road I have a choice of 4 good shops to go to.

A few brands have gone to High St fashion items rather than good hill gear, North Face being one. I've a 40 year old climbing jacket of theirs that still works but the new stuff is much lower quality.
Mountain Equipment, Patagonia, Rab, Marmott are some that still make good stuff.
One filter I use is which companies supply mountain guides, rescue teams, big expeditions with well known names. Those folk use good kit.
Or I ask my mate who has worked with ME for years if he has any decent cast offs .

I took myself off to Rock & Run after booking a fitting appointment and purchased a pair of Scarpa boots earlier but must have tried on 6 pairs to make sure I was happy with the fit. I’ve not got particularly big feet but broke a toe on my right foot playing cricket so it’s a bit deformed and my left foot had a 3.5 tonne pump impeller sit on it and break 3 metatarsals so I have to be careful

Steel capped work boots are an absolute nightmare because the back of the steel cap sits right where the broken toe tries to hide. The steel caps are always plastic coated to avoid the edge wearing through the lining and that leaves a very small ridge that on about 90% of boots rubs my toe

 

[wessie]

I took myself off to Rock & Run after booking a fitting appointment and purchased a pair of Scarpa boots earlier but must have tried on 6 pairs to make sure I was happy with the fit. I’ve not got particularly big feet but broke a toe on my right foot playing cricket so it’s a bit deformed and my left foot had a 3.5 tonne pump impeller sit on it and break 3 metatarsals so I have to be careful

Steel capped work boots are an absolute nightmare because the back of the steel cap sits right where the broken toe tries to hide. The steel caps are always plastic coated to avoid the edge wearing through the lining and that leaves a very small ridge that on about 90% of boots rubs my toe

I knew about your mangled hands. I didn't realise you had mullered all four limbs, you clumsy cúnt.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I knew about your mangled hands. I didn't realise you had mullered all four limbs, you clumsy cúnt.

I’ll jinx myself now.

Every time I’ve been to hospital it’s been after accidents of one kind or another rather than illness and I’ve been convinced for a long time that the first time I’m hospitalised for an illness it’ll be the last time.

 

[wessie]

I’ll jinx myself now.

Every time I’ve been to hospital it’s been after accidents of one kind or another rather than illness and I’ve been convinced for a long time that the first time I’m hospitalised for an illness it’ll be the last time.

they are getting pretty good with liver and lung transplants nowadays

 

[bod]

There is an amazing fabric called Epic, made by a company called Nextec.
Things like high end golf apparel would be made of it because it looks like a normal jumper, but absorbed no water and dried in minutes.
Basically, the fibres were internally silicon coated, and then encapsulated.

Innovative EPIC by Nextec® Fabric - Nextec Applications

Discover EPIC by Nextec® Fabric: Water resistant, breathable, innovative protection. Learn more and upgrade your gear!

nextec.com

The US military saw the benefits and started using it. I have a US Army ECWCS Level 7 cold weather jacket made of Epic, and filled with Primaloft. So impressed was I that I have a brand new bagged up one ready to go.
When the US military found out the actual cost of these to make, they soon put a stop to it.
I'm sure I read somewhere that a roll of Epic was a couple of thousand dollars, and that it required 2 different Epic fabrics for the Level 7 jacket.

About the same time the US Army did a plain green Level 7 that was made by Patagonia, and I have a couple of the waffle half zip level 2 shirts made from Patagonia R1 material.
Also have a Level 4 wind shirt in the old digital camo with a Patagonia label in it.

I keep an ECWCS Level 5 in the motor made of Milliken fabric, that is soft, stretchy, totally windproof & waterproof for an hour or so. Probably the most versatile jacket I own, which I think I got new for about $60 in 2014.
Makes the old British Army windproof smock feel a bit cumbersome, but they are still great and good value.

The Yanks have cut costs a bit in recent years, but still on the whole give their lads quality gear.
Gore-Tex is always Gore-Tex & not some cheap shit immitation.

Seem to have gone off track somewhat, so I'll leave it there or I'll rattle on all night.

 

[Udders]

And Keela make excellent kit, for example this

Men's Stratus Jacket

Designed for Rescue teams and professionals working in challenging conditions, our Stratus Jacket is the perfect choice for anyone looking for reliable protection in the very worst weather.

keelaoutdoors.com

I've got one and it's very good

Nice kit! Not heard of them before. Now about to order a load of clothing!
Trousers, waterproof jacket, merino wool tops, socks and merino balaclava!

 

[Northern jock]

Nice kit! Not heard of them before. Now about to order a load of clothing!
Trousers, waterproof jacket, merino wool tops, socks and merino balaclava!

My wife has one of their soft shell jackets and it seems surprisingly weatherproof for a soft shell. Suspect I'll have one before too long

I think it's the Hydron

 

[bod]

My wife has one of their soft shell jackets and it seems surprisingly weatherproof for a soft shell. Suspect I'll have one before too long

I think it's the Hydron

I'll let you know!
Just ordered a Hydron in moss along with other stuff I don't need.

 

[Northern jock]

I'll let you know!
Just ordered a Hydron in moss along with other stuff I don't need.

Nice jackets, you’ll like it. When did “need” ever come into it!

 

[steve hughes]

There is an amazing fabric called Epic, made by a company called Nextec.
Things like high end golf apparel would be made of it because it looks like a normal jumper, but absorbed no water and dried in minutes.
Basically, the fibres were internally silicon coated, and then encapsulated.

Innovative EPIC by Nextec® Fabric - Nextec Applications

Discover EPIC by Nextec® Fabric: Water resistant, breathable, innovative protection. Learn more and upgrade your gear!

nextec.com

The US military saw the benefits and started using it. I have a US Army ECWCS Level 7 cold weather jacket made of Epic, and filled with Primaloft. So impressed was I that I have a brand new bagged up one ready to go.
When the US military found out the actual cost of these to make, they soon put a stop to it.
I'm sure I read somewhere that a roll of Epic was a couple of thousand dollars, and that it required 2 different Epic fabrics for the Level 7 jacket.

About the same time the US Army did a plain green Level 7 that was made by Patagonia, and I have a couple of the waffle half zip level 2 shirts made from Patagonia R1 material.
Also have a Level 4 wind shirt in the old digital camo with a Patagonia label in it.

I keep an ECWCS Level 5 in the motor made of Milliken fabric, that is soft, stretchy, totally windproof & waterproof for an hour or so. Probably the most versatile jacket I own, which I think I got new for about $60 in 2014.
Makes the old British Army windproof smock feel a bit cumbersome, but they are still great and good value.

The Yanks have cut costs a bit in recent years, but still on the whole give their lads quality gear.
Gore-Tex is always Gore-Tex & not some cheap shit immitation.

Seem to have gone off track somewhat, so I'll leave it there or I'll rattle on all night.

Visited Nextec about 20 years ago when Epic was just a concept. Their sales manager was a Yorkshireman. He and his missus had been in San Diego at least ten years, his accent was a strong as if he had just put his pint down in a boozer in Leeds. Lovely bloke, really looked after us at the factory.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Nice jackets, you’ll like it. When did “need” ever come into it!

I was looking at their smocks and giving one some serious consideration but I’ve got a Buffalo smock that’s best described as faultless.

I might have another look after more beer

 

[bod]

Nice jackets, you’ll like it. When did “need” ever come into it!

I have been looking for something to replace my old Harkila Windstopper for a while.
Hopefully this fits the bill?
Sizing seems to be Scottish as well.

 

[bod]

Visited Nextec about 20 years ago when Epic was just a concept. Their sales manager was a Yorkshireman. He and his missus had been in San Diego at least ten years, his accent was a strong as if he had just put his pint down in a boozer in Leeds. Lovely bloke, really looked after us at the factory.

Am I right in saying the cost was it's big downfall?
Seems to have disappeared off the radar in recent years.

 

[steve hughes]

Am I right in saying the cost was it's big downfall?
Seems to have disappeared off the radar in recent years.

Cant comment bod , when I visited it was a concept. We never developed any interest and so I lost touch. The concept was great Encapsulated Product Inside Clothing ( EPIC) it had a nice hand however at that time Gore’s patent had run out and lots of majors were piling in with waterproof breathable laminates so it was always a tough gig.

 

[bod]

Encapsulated Product Inside Clothing ( EPIC)

Every day a learning day.

The wealth of knowledge here never fails to amaze me.

 

[Northern jock]

I was looking at their smocks and giving one some serious consideration but I’ve got a Buffalo smock that’s best described as faultless.

I might have another look after more beer

Bought one yet?

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Bought one yet?

I resisted

We retired earlier yesterday because we knew we needed to get up and away after queuing over 1hr to get into the track and that meant less beer.

 

[casbar]

Been wearing Buffalo smock for around 30 years now, still using my original one and it is my go to smock for cold weather walking. The whole family use their smocks. Have never worn anything but a T underneath and never been cold - https://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/