‘Function Not Fashion’
Buffalo was created to meet the needs of those who take
on the challenge of outdoor activities seriously, beyond that of the summer
enthusiast, and who are looking for outdoor clothing that will perform,
whatever the activity and weather conditions they’re up against. Whether it's
mountaineering, hill walking, climbing, skiing, multi-terrain biking or
canoeing, function is more of a priority than fashion.
‘Function not fashion’
Buffalo products have been tried and
tested (rigorously over at least a Scottish
winter season!!) and are intended for use in extreme
conditions. Whilst a shirt, jacket or pair of trousers cannot just make you
comfortable, they could possibly be instrumental in saving your life. And in
life threatening conditions, colour and style become unimportant.
Buffalo originated the Pertex/Pile concept in
the late 1970's, after developing Pertex with Perseverance Mills Ltd. So what is this concept and what does it
do?
The Pertex/Pile concept is a densely woven
capillary fabric, which absorbs and disperses moisture very quickly along its
fibres and over the surface area, where it then evaporates. It is extremely
windproof, breathable and repels external moisture, when used in conjunction
with the insulating pile fabric, made by Buffalo. The end result is a system,
which ensures the user is warm, whilst wicking moisture away from the body and
repelling external moisture.
Since this concept evolved, these fabrics have been
technologically improved and the range of clothing and sleeping bags set the
standard in the field. This ensures maximum comfort in cold, wet conditions.
From zips, to threads, all of the components of a Buffalo product have be
thoroughly tested and are the best available. Their quality and performance can
be judged from the fact that RAF Rescue Teams, Under Water Rescue Teams,
Mountain Rescue Teams, Association of Mountain Instructors and Police and Fire
Service Emergency teams all buy Buffalo.
The Buffalo range avoids any unnecessary features
like zips and pockets, no unneeded seams to allow moisture penetration and thus
causing chilling, and no yearly colour change in an attempt to be fashionable.
The aim remains the same, function before fashion- performance and durability
being the only priority.
'Clothing and Sleeping Bags
for the Serious Outdoor Activist'
How it works
At its origination, Buffalo clothing was designed to be
used as a single layer system of winter clothing, which would controversially
replace the multiple layers of conventional winter clothing for climbers,
winter hillwalkers and fell runners. The level of comfort reached saw the
system taken up for use in many other outdoor activities. With this cross-over
of uses, Buffalo, in contact with people repeatedly putting themselves and
their clothing into the most extreme weather conditions, went on to design
clothing for specific activities, developing the fabrics used to include other
climatic conditions.
Keeping your skin dry
The key to remaining comfortable in the outdoors is to
stay dry. Your skin chills around 40 times quicker when you're wet than when
you're dry, so Buffalo clothing is designed to keep you dry. By having highly
breathable garments, along with fantastic ventilation and a close fit, you need
a surprisingly small amount of insulation to keep warm when active.
Get the correct fit
Buffalo clothing works if the primary layer (shirt)
is worn next to the skin and is a close fit. If the customer measures as a size
40" chest then 9 times out of 10 they should have a size 40" shirt.
Going for a macho size 44" will only decrease the performance. Whilst
wearing any Buffalo garment, your body heat will drive any moisture away from
the skin and onto the outer fabric, which by capillary action will disperse it,
and the wild will help evaporate it. This whole process will keep you
comfortable, whatever the conditions. It’s important to get the correct fit so
the body doesn’t have to heat up so much 'dead' air, greatly increasing the
breathability and therefore the comfort level.
Ventilation
Another key to keeping the skin dry is ventilation.
Very slight adjustments of the zips will make a great difference to the warmth
of the clothing. If it gets too hot unzip a little and too cold, zip up again.
This zipping and unzipping can be done all day without having to stop once to
add another layer or take one off like the traditional layering system and
other 'Soft Shell' systems. It enables the wearer to keep the same temperature
all day.
Although Buffalo isn't 'waterproof', even the
heaviest downpours will not make you uncomfortable. If it is very wet or cold,
a secondary layer is sometimes required. However, never wear a waterproof over
any Buffalo garment. Why? The wind can't get to the outer fabric and
evaporate the moisture, so much and more water will build up in the system and
the wearer will start to get cold. This is due to the fact that a waterproof
layer is not breathable enough. No waterproof fabric is breathable enough to
cope with the amount of moisture a Buffalo Shirt can move away from the skin.
When you need more protection, you can use one of
Buffalo's Jackets. They use the same materials as the shirts, and will continue
the moisture management system without impeding the breathability. Here at
Penrose Outdoors we stock a range of Buffalo Jackets,
for use in a variety of activities and conditions, including the very worst
winter weather.
Buffalo Belay Jacket
This
jacket from Buffalo features Classic Pertex Shell and 'AquaTherm'
pile lining. It is a lightweight, short, compact alternative to the
Mountain Jacket for climbing, skiing, caving, cycling, canoeing and all year
round casual use.- Packs away small and
light.
- Windproof to 50mph.
- Internal baffled
two-way front zip.
- Two pile lined, zipped
outer pockets.
- Touch-and-close cuff
adjustment tabs.
- Touch-and-close
attachment on collar for hood (available separately).
- Scooped back.
- Weight: 626g
- Sizes:
36/38/40/42/44/46
Buffalo Fell Jacket
A
new, stylised Jacket for Men, providing all of the Buffalo Performance with an
extremely tailored appearance, whilst featuring a PForm Shell with 'Teclite'
Pile Micropile Lining. Its attention to detail is very high, and fits very
well to give plenty of freedom of movement. Alternatively it will suit a city
environment too.- PForm high performance
mini ripstop outer shell
- Fast wicking Teclite
micro-pile lining
- Attached Teclite lined
fold away hood
- Internal storm baffle
on two-way front zip
- Two zipped outer
pockets
- Touch-and-close cuff
adjustment tabs
- Elasticised hem
adjuster
- Sizes: Small, Medium,
Large, Extra Large
- Colours: Dark Russet,
Bark.
- Weight: 512g
Ideal for a multitude of outdoor uses including
fell walking, low level trekking, snow sports and general outdoor activities.
There
is also a Women's alternative to the Fell Jacket. It features the same PForm
Shell with 'Teclite' Pile Micropile Lining as the Men's Fell
Jacket, but it is a lighter alternative to the Ladies Belay Jacket,
but more suited to Women than the unisex 'Teclite Jacket'.
BuffaloFell Jacket- Women
This
new Ladies Jacket features Buffalo’s 'Teclite' Pile Micropile Lining
with a high performance, mini rip stop, highly breathable, water repellent,
Performance 6 shell. This gives the jacket the acknowledged performance of the
Buffalo ‘Teclite' range with the addition of improved design features.
Ideal
for a multitude of outdoor uses including: fell walking, low level trekking,
snow sports and general outdoor activities.
- PForm high performance
mini ripstop outer shell
- Teclite micro-pile
lining
- Attached Teclite lined
fold away hood
- Internal storm baffle
on two-way front zip
- Two zipped outer
pockets
- Touch-and-close cuff
adjustment tabs
- Elasticised hem
adjuster
- Stiffened peak in hood
- Weight: 487g
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt- Men
The
Special 6 Shirt has been Buffalo's bestseller for multiple years. It is
thoroughly used in the outdoor world for a variety of pursuits and disciplines
as it combines a lightweight Pertex Outer with an AquaTherm Pile
Lining to make it highly wind, water and abrasion resistant, super warm and
ultra quick drying.
Key
professionals including Police, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Mountain
Rescue and Expeditions have used this jacket successfully for a number of
years. It has been tested over 30 years in the most hostile conditions.
- Classic Pertex shell
- AquaTherm pile lining
- Windproof to 50mph
- Storm baffles on neck
and side zips
- Cut 5cm longer than the
Buffalo Mountain Shirt to allow rain run off
- Hand warmer pocket
- Large front map pocket
- Rucksack hip belt can be
fastened through hand warmer pocket
- Tape and buckle waist adjuster
- Touch-and-close hip
adjusters
- Touch-and-close cuff
adjustment tabs
- Touch-and-close
attachment on collar for hood (available separately)
- Eight ventilation
controls on each shirt, including two-way side zips
- Weight: 675g
The
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt works most efficiently when worn next to the skin, so
sizing is important, as the shirt should be close fitting without being
restrictive.
