So I decided to get a buff cause I wanted something light for around my neck that was more versatile than my balaclava.

I got an okay looking one (are they supposed to be this ugly?) and then went looking for a softshell.

I came out with a Mountain Hardwear Offwidth jacket. £50. Fits like a glove, and most importantly, will fit under my motorbike jacket to give me a bit more insulation, without being bulky. (This was the main reason for the purchase.) Can also see it for cycling in cool weather.

Am curious now if this is a decent bit of kit. I like how it doesn't look all goofy and technical, it's very low-key, and black. Also, much less bulky than my collection of fleece, so I can see it being good for travel.

Normally I do some research, but this was an impulse buy, totally.

Thots?

I think you did the right thing not buying the buff, and the saving there counts owards the jacket so really the jacket cost you £38.

Glad to see that you're back to 'normal' Darren.

Lola, you have to clarify here, did you get a Buff and a Soft Shell and a soft shell instead of a Buff?

Then we can have a propper barny with Darren ;-)

Jules, you have to be kind to me I'm in recovery ;)

Pick off the heretics while they are weak, thats my philosophy.

Buying one piece of kit, Lola, doesn't preclude you from getting an other piece of kit later.

Good that you are prioritising.

I'm going with the lighter, BPC buff this weekend, rather than the Primaloft St jock's buff.

lol @ y'all.

I got a Buff, AND I got a Softshell.

Let the games begin! ;)

I hope your buff matches the new softshell?

Not even remotely.

Then again, everything goes with black, non?

"Everything goes with black"

Including - would you believe - even more black. When I walked the Pennine Way last September there was a woman who set out the same day as me, and I must have seen her every two or three days, depending on how staggered our starting times were each day. Half an hour difference, and you might not see any sign of the other. Anyway, she worked in a gear shop and not only raved about Haglofs, but was clad head to toe in the stuff, and all in black. Before I knew her name, I was actually thinking of her as 'Ms Haglofs'. At one point in a cafe, I asked if "a woman walking the Pennine Way" had been in, and the guy serving me said "There was one an hour ago dressed in black Haglofs." I do recall she had a Buff as well!

I'm getting tempted to buy another buff that is more dapper than my St Jocks one. Something that'll go with my mismatched kit.

I think that I have more Montane than other manufacturers' kit, but would never kit myself out in one brand for the sake of the brand name.

Nice, dual-weave stretch nylon/polyester softshell, using their Tufstretch fabric, rather like Schoeller Dryskin. Also good price, considering the MSRP is $99.

It won't give a huge amount of insulation, though.

See: not always 'Rip-off Britain'...

lol, thanks. Wore the Mtn Hardwear yesterday hiking and it was grand. Also great today under the motorbike jacket. (the buff was very effective today too, btw.)

I had a wee nosy on the internet the other day and found a Go-Lite women's Xirtam jacket for £70, so I ordered that, too. Great service from One Outdoors, too - it got here nearly instantly.

I think it may be a more versatile jacket. It rains a lot here. I think the Go-Lite is a keeper. Great fit, and it has a hood, and it's not crinkly or noisy, and it's waterproof, and it's windproof. :)

I may return the mtn hardwear one. Not sure. It's still a good jacket, and it looks cool. ;)

Cunning" Duncan said
"Primaloft St jock's buff"

Is this like a jock strap buff? Yet another use!

Is this like a jock strap buff? Yet another use!

Oh, so it is supposed to cover the head on my shoulders not the head on my....

boom tish