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Im in the market for one. My Buffalo bike shirt is rather old(probably 1980's) and with its yellow body and purple arms and bright red lining,is not really that suitable for anywhere other than the bike. So I want one I can wear out and about the city etc.
Choice is Mountain Shirt or Special 6, both are about the same price. The special 6 is a tad longer, but far as im aware both are about the same otherwise.
Mountain is available in blue, special is available in red, Im happy with either colour.
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My Buffalo bike I've actually managed to wear for a complete year, even the height of summer(vents down, bare skin) So its really versatile, just a shame the 80's colouring isnt really suitable to wear to the pub.
I think the bike is more akin to the mountain, be interested in anyone's experiences of the special 6.
For more 'everyday' use check out the montane extreme smock.
FWIW, I have a buffalo mountain shirt that's nearly 20 years old, and still love it - I actually think it's the better of the two. However, the montane is far more invisible everyday.
And I'll echo, how TF are you wearing it in the summer??
What’s a buffalo shirt? I’m interested purely because anything that lasts ~30 years sounds good to me.
Presumably we’re talking https://www.wiggle.com/p/buffalo-active-shirt?color=slate&sizeInches=40%22++
What’s a buffalo shirt? I’m interested purely because anything that lasts ~30 years sounds good to me.
Presumably we’re talking> https://www.wiggle.com/p/buffalo-active-shirt?color=slate&sizeInches=40%22++
Yup, thats the one, or rather this is the one -
https://www.wiggle.com/p/buffalo-special-6-shirt-jacket?color=red&sizeInches=46%22++
Go buy one and it will fast become your fav top and you'll wear it everywhere. It's one of those things once you've found it you can't believe you've lived life up to that point and didnt know they existed.
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A mate many years ago got me into them. Im on my 2nd, and had an active about 20 years ago but it got misplaced (pinched at a festival) I ended up with the bike one 2nd hand off ebay at least a decade ago.
'It's such a versatile smock I wear it constantly, but the family arent keen on the odd 1980's colours 😆 so been meaning to get something i can wear out. Just one of those things you keep meaning to get around to doing but....
And I’ll echo, how TF are you wearing it in the summer??
Oh I admit in summer it is a tad warmish , just me i guess.
check out the montane extreme smock.
Whats the lining on that ? Is it the same fluffy fleesy stuff as on the Buffalo ? or more a flat more standard fleece ?.
The montane is in most ways the same as teh buffalo. Same fleece style, similar pockets, similar zips etc. comes with a hood, but no waist strap in the pocket.
But it's not exactly the same. teh cut is slightly different, pockets are slightly different etc etc.
Some people prefer the montane, some the buffalo. Try to try one 🙂
Snugpak probably have something comparable too.
What’s a buffalo
a Buffalo, why, don’t you know?
Ive had a couple back in the day. Good for watersports. But they are arcteryx money now, I'm quite surprised
The alpkit jacket looks like a straight copy of a rab fibre pile jacket I had, it was good but very heavy. Super warm though
I'll take a look at both the Jura and Montane extreme on YT, see what they're about.
I dont want to put either down, but sometimes when you se one or more companies copying a style or garment, it's maybe best to stick with the original, even if it is more expensive.
But thanks for the replies and the other examples, I'll check those out thoroughly before making a decision. 🙂
forgot to say my original 80s buffalo was a very different beast to my later one. The early one was much lighter and close fitting, a proper shirt if you like and ideal for cold weather activity - unobtrusive a good layer. My later one was basicallly a teddy bear suit, much thicker pile and puffed up. It wasn't as good imo but was warmer
Thanks for explaining dyna-ti, I’m now highly buffalo shirt curious.
it will fast become your fav top and you’ll wear it everywhere.
I am very guilty of having certain items of “outdoor wear” that have become office wear. I mean, who doesn’t want a highly breathable but warm fast wicking garment whilst going about, erm, emails?
What’s a buffalo
a Buffalo, why, don’t you know?
My youngest is nearly 17 and I still read it in the rythmn of the book
I've watched a few vids on the Montane, and a couple were Scottish reviewers which is best given I know our weather up here, So I think I'll give that a go. Why the hell not.
Just have to work out what size I am. Im a 46 int he Buffalo, sao maybe stick to that size as it gives a bit of space under for layers come the dead of winter.
Just got rid of my 1991 buffalo.....still using it this Feb.
Alpkit Jura partner has one and it is lighter and not as warm as the buffalo....not hem cord to pull in velcro tabs and no strap to pull it in round your gut, so looses some heat. Pit zips though.
I have a snugpack copy of the buffalo, was a gift, pertex outer not as good as the buffalo, fleece very good and warm. Velcro tabs on the hem.
Montane I struggled with sizing, large.was too small across my shoulders, XL was huge in chest and stomach area. Excellent quality but heavy though.
Oddly the Montane hydrogen direct jacket is the item I replaced the buffalo with. Alpha fleece and good quality....fit is good for me and it is light.£80 I paid for mine.
You can get the military issue version off eBay for about £30, but only in the olive drab colour. It’s got a microfleece lining, so a good all rounder. <br />I’ve got one of the original MTB Buffalo jackets, which had the strap that went between your legs, but was rather uncomfortable, so I had a seamstress cut it down and hem it, and I still wear it.
I’ve also got a Special 6, which is really a cold weather jacket, with the thick pile lining. I bought it about six years ago, and it got worn right through the winter for five years, from ten to twelve hours a day, every working day, with just a Helly Lifa underneath, and my safety hi-viz on top. Except when it pissed down all day, then I put on a cheap Millets Peter Storm over the top, just to keep the rain from soaking through. Cheap and very effective; if you’re still dry, if the Buffalo is just slightly moist on the surface after literally a twelve hour day of persistent heavy rain then it proves an effective system. Replacing a £20 outer layer when it starts to leak is better than trying to re-proof a jacket that cost £5-600.
On balance, a Mountain would probably be the more practical option for year-round wear, a thin fleece underneath would give enough warmth while moving around. <br />If things stay pretty much as they are weather-wise, I think it’s highly unlikely I’ll be wearing the Special 6 at all this winter; in fact, probably not for the next decades worth of winters! It’s November and I’m still wearing shorts. Going to see if I can keep wearing them right through the winter. 😁
Oh I have a couple of those army surplus , genuine ones and new, really good for spring and autumn, lighter and wear well but there are a variety of copies that are not great.
You can get the military issue version off eBay for about £30, but only in the olive drab colour.
From personal experience it is not warm if it gets a little damp, it's also designed to be worn with a few more layers, so not as snug as a Buffalo or Montane.
Sizing can come up a little snug as well, so try before you buy.
I might even have one somewhere XLish.
If it's the cut and style of a Buffalo your after I'd go for the Montane. The issue tissue wasn't comparable.
Stealth ad - if you want a Buffalo Systems Active Shirt Slate size 44 I have one unused in a wardrobe. Too short in the body/arms for me.
I bought one when they first came out and still have it, I only use it when it is below freezing mind you. The fleece is a little thin now but still ok. Buffalo made me a custom fit as they were meant to be close to the skin, no base layer or anything. I remember the ads when they were introduced, the guy used to throw himself into a freezing lake then get out, shake himself down then flap about for a while to warm the wet fleece and keep him snug for a while. I believe they were never meant to be anything near waterproof but relied on the water layer to warm up and insulate like a wetsuit. I do put a wind shirt over mine if it is proper wet-Buffalo of course! They do seem to be a bit spendy now though
I have the Extreme jacket and a Hydrogen. I'm usually an XL in jackets but both the Montanes are large's. Sized to be snug and worn with nothing underneath.
The hydrogen is a good all-rounder, the extreme is warm and only worn when it's near zero.
Sportshoes.com were doing the extreme for £85 but they appear to have sold them all.
My Special 6 is nearly 30 years old. Vintage is evidenced by the original badge with just the buffalo logo, not the written word buffalo.
It is, by quite some distance, the best item of clothing I have ever bought. It has seen me through endless winter epics, wild camps, canoe trips, drunken bivis. It kept me warm on the Puffer when my eyeballs froze over. It’s been slept on by the dog whilst camping, warmed up over adventurous children and god knows how many pub walks. I bought it when really getting into the outdoors as a teenage air cadet and I used the same one ever since.
I am quite fond of it.
I have four Buffalo jackets, an Alpkit Jura, and a couple of army-copies (for the kids).
Buffalo Active gets a lot of use during spring / autumn. Worn it down to freezing on the high hills with a long-sleeve merino top under it.
Buffalo SP6 is my winter jacket. Gets dragged out when it's about freezing, there's snow on the ground, or I am off on a bothy trip. This can be daily use if it's a hard winter and the dog needs walked or I am riding in snow. My first one lasted 10 years of regular use before the zips and fabric started ripping. My current one is also 10 years old and doing OK but gets saved from daily use walking the dog or standing in the park.
Alpkit Jura. Gets used for daily winter dog walks. Nowhere near as warm as the Buffalo SP6 - but can be worn when it's just dreich out. Needs a fleece under it when freezing. Zips are more durable for daily use.
Full winter Buffalo jacket:
Buffalo Active:
Army copies - good jacket for kids but I have better Buffalo jackets for pish weather.
If it's hosing I wear a Keela waterproof.
So I want one I can wear out and about the city etc.
If you want something that doesn't look like a pile-lined sack, I'd maybe be looking at some sort of shelled pile fleece or Polartec Alpha or VapourRise as an alternative that'll do s similar sort of gig. Or as above, the Montane Extreme. Or Alpkit has a thing called the Jura Smock.
Isn't the point of Buffalo is that it eschews any pretence at general wearability in favour of some sort of perceived ruthless utility? A bit like a old-style Landrover Defender?
I get the cold weather functionality btw, my fave winter active warm jacket is an ancient Patagonia Stretch Speed Ascent, basically a windproof, softshell outer with a high loft fleece liner, which is brilliant, but a bit more fitted/styled than a Buffalo.
I have a Buffalo Active shirt - when I bought mine the shop recommended this over the special six as the outer was made from rip stop nylon so should be a bit more durable. 8 years later of near constant use through winter it still looks near new!
It is very, very warm for any sort of strenuous activity. I keep threatening to buy a lighter weight version for sailing in the summer.
Nobody mentioned the Paramo Velez smock yet? I've had mine for almost 20 years, although it doesn't see as much use as I'd like it to as it's very warm, I can't really wear it much over 5 celcius.
I still have no idea how anyone can wear one while doing anything even slightly strenuous while the temperature is above zero.
Nekkid underneath with the vents open.
And hope the sun doesn't come out - else it's tapps aff.
Sorry for piggy backing this thread.
I’ve got a Charcoal Buffalo Mountain Shirt in size 46 that I bought this summer & I’ve worn twice.
If anyone is interested I’m after £100 posted for it, preferably by PayPal gift or transfer.
I’ve got a Charcoal Buffalo Mountain Shirt in size 46 that I bought this summer & I’ve worn twice.
maybe you need to wear it in winter before deciding its not for you...
Yeah it’s my 2nd mountain shirt plus a Montane extreme; it’s not the product it’s the size - I’ve lost almost 3 stone since buying it.
I used to have a Buffalo Mountain Jacket for many a year. Bought it off a mate and it was my go to jacket for warm kit. Used to live in my Bergan/Daysack and chucked on whilst static with a light base layer underneath.
Quite fancy the Belay jacket as an everyday warm jacket to replace the several other insulated jackets I have, numbering now around five.
I still have no idea how anyone can wear one while doing anything even slightly strenuous while the temperature is above zero.
I had one years ago and tried to wear it riding in normal UK winter and I swear nearly passed out with overheating. I get that they work for some folks, but bloody hell, you need to be v cold blooded to wear one mountain biking - Or it needs to be exceptionally cold out.
Isn’t the point of Buffalo is that it eschews any pretence at general wearability in favour of some sort of perceived ruthless utility? A bit like a old-style Landrover Defender?A polite way of saying they look like crap 😉
NB I had one and I always thought it did look like crap. Functional, but still looked terrible.
Another vote for the Montane Extreme smock. My OH has an old Buffalo and it is like new still, the quality seems slightly better than the Montane. It's got a deeper neck opening too, so much easier to get on. I still miss my old Rohan Olfio, anyone remember those? I also had a Polaris top with a microfleece inner which was warm enough for winter riding with just a long sleeve baselayer. I say had, I don't remember throwing it out, but I can't find it.
I bought an alpkit jura last winter. Amazing and I am totally converted.
Designed to be worn with nothing else underneath. I was dubious of this but it works.
Great for dog walking on shitty days as well as I may have mentioned on other threads
I cant seem to find Montane extreme smock on their website 😕 Are they still doing it ?
A few on ebay, including a new one in my size that sold a day before I posted this thread typically, and for a very nice price. Damn and darn.
mildredFull Member
Sorry for piggy backing this thread.I’ve got a Charcoal Buffalo Mountain Shirt in size 46 that I bought this summer & I’ve worn twice.
If anyone is interested I’m after £100 posted for it, preferably by PayPal gift or transfer.
I'd take you up on that, but not paypal gift. No offence but I dont know you well enough.
Could always look at the Keela belay jacket?
I've not used any of their civilian oriented kit, their military range is top drawer warmers kit.
I still have no idea how anyone can wear one while doing anything even slightly strenuous while the temperature is above zero.
I borrowed a mates who raved about them to try whilst winter climbing in Scotland. Fully unzipped it managed to be both much too warm on the covered bits whilst my large exposed areas were freezing. I think they probably suit skinny cold people and exceptionally hairy fat people like my mate.
How often are you washing these things?
I've washed my Montane Extreme once but I've only had it 15 years 😂
Always worn with something underneath though
I've had my mountain shirt for almost 30 years. Don't wear it us much now as I used to and never wore it on the bike. Until a couple of years ago, I was stubbornly committed to a night ride every week through the winter regardless of weather. I resorted to the buffalo on a few rides when it wasn't quite freezing but it was very wet. Generally it's not something I'd wear a lot as layering is more versatile. But when it's proper minging out it's hard to beat.
@dyna-ti I’ve PM’d you.
I’d take you up on that, but not paypal gift. No offence but I dont know you well enough.
Fair enough, as I said it’s a preference not a hard rule - I’m not particularly precious about the whole PayPal gift thing but I’m already taking a big hit on the jacket. If I have to pay the PayPal fees then I’d have to say it’s £100 plus postage or collected. It’s up to you but it’s a massive saving on a virtually new bullet proof jacket.
The active lite one is more useful for such a range of uses and temperatures.
On its own, or carry it as a spare layer as backup to chuck on over your 'nornal' kit if the weather changes.
The Buffalo shirt is too warm for most weather, but great in sub zero which hs not that often.
I tend to wear a mesh merino vest under both to feel a bit more warmer around the middle, tucked in my mum would have said,!
I do own the cycle shirt which is like a active lite without the side zips, I think one of the early versions , its far to baggy and wind catching.esp the arms!
Not used that much due to this, but I do use it occasionally.
Buffalo shirt is great worn in a wet suit for cliff jumping etc!
You will not regret buying one , but you may not use it that much in reality over 12 months , but after 25+ years mine has been worth the price and been well used but sporadically!
Just seen somebody on a bike in Edinburgh wearing a yellow Buffalo, which one of you was it? For reference it's about 8°C and sunny.