> But Caption, there are NO standards for sizing on the small through to XL range

Yes, I know.  But it's funny that I'm 'S' in almost everyone else's gear, but XXXXS in Crag's...

I did say "but they're ['S'] certainly 'M' by most other standards".

> They just don't seem to exude a sense of quality.

See.  Trust us, we're engineers.  We have an innate understanding of quality...

<cough>

Unfortunately it gives us expensive tastes without the salaries to indulge them! Probably why we are both TKMaxx scavengers...

And to prove my point, I purchased a Hi-Gear (Microdot 350) sleeping bag from there based on the obvious quality of the item - way beyond what I would have usually expected from that brand name. Of course, I later ascertained that they had out-sourced the manufacturer to the reputable Pyrenex down company and it had 650fp down fill inside ripstop Tactel... for £30!

Parky,

for £19.99 I bought a pair of Schoeller softshell trousers (albeit ACG branded). They exuded quality. I also bought a pair of Garmont Pinnacle 4-season mountain boots for £19.99. In that light, CH just doesn't seem to raise a spark...

> I purchased a Hi-Gear (Microdot 350) sleeping bag

Did I miss a trick here? <goes off to check TKM spotter's log> No; no mention of Microdot.  Phew...

I've got a pair of Nozzy lites, cos they were £20 without having to spend hours mixing with chavs rummaging through Tkmaxx and they meet my requirements for them - for undemanding day walks in summer and as a lightweight spare pair of trousers on multi-day trips. Anything more would be (in software engineering terms anyway, building a Rolls Royce when the customer wants a Mini.

And they don't have thigh vents at my knees, knee reinforcements round my ankles and hem zips/ adjusters past the end of my toes!

And they come in other colours apart from black - which is the most ludicrous colour for walking in this weather.

captain paranoia wrote (see)

> I purchased a Hi-Gear (Microdot 350) sleeping bag

Did I miss a trick here? <goes off to check TKM spotter's log> No; no mention of Microdot.  Phew...

Spotters Log? It was in the Hatfield TKMaxx a couple of years ago. I've only used the bag a half dozen times but it's one of the best £30 I ever spent! I contacted Hi Gear for more info and this was the approximate spec they sent me...

Filling: 350gms French duck down - 650 fill power JIS9010 Standard.

Outer Fabric: DuPont Tactel Nylon.

Liner: DuPont Tactel  Nylon.

Style: Mummy Shaped with cowl hood and box foot.

Construction: Wall-quilted single layer, Full neck/shoulder baffle

Size: 225 x 82cm (foot 32cm)

Weight: 1320g

good points chaps but only if they're in your tk maxx. and they fit! could i wear schoeller trews for work? a sleeping bag could prove difficult to walk in. mountain boots sound good.

hang on, isn't there a flaw here? that's it! ch don't make those.

a 10 minute internet jaunt delivers them to my door and i can always get them rather than taking pot luck; and they fit me because i'm not 6' and not of an athletic type build with an inside leg measurement of several feet resulting in yards of trouser leg tripping me up.

if other maunfacturers provided a range of sizes then i doubt i'd buy ch but that still doesn't detract from them being probably the best value for an all round trouser for £20.

Bought a pair of the trousers a couple fo weeks ago in Rathbones in Keswick, only bought them as Craghoppers are noe of the few manufacturers who cater for us people with stumpy legs! They are really comfy to wear and seem hard wearing (time will tell).

Gary ...

If I ever make it big in the Outdoor world I am going to insist my name is stitched on the arse area of every trouser brand I've ever worn. I think it would raise a smile or two having a label on the arse area saying "Tested by Uad"  - Wrote UpandDown.

Well now! That would of course very much, I feel, depend upon just how it is that you're actually testing them!