Monday, 2 February 2015

Buffalo Clothing

‘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


Buffalo Belay JacketThis 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


Buffalo Fell JacketA 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



Buffalo Fell Jacket WomensThis 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.
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt 
  • 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.

We have a great range of men's and women's Buffalo clothing at clothing at Penrose Outdoors, why not check it out?

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