 Well, I was sorting out my glove collection, and trying to find room in a drawer to put them, when I found a blast from the past; yes, my old Peter Storm cagoule from my schooldays (and that's a real Peter Storm, long before the Millets takeover of the brand).
It was packed away nicely in its chest pouch, along with a pair of overtrousers.
When I unpacked it and tried it on, though, I found that the PU coating had persished, leaving me covered in dust. And the stitching under one sleeve had come undone; this I remember from when I last used it, probably 15 years ago.
After a couple of washes in the machine, all the remnants of the PU coating were cleaned off, leaving a 'Bri-Nylon' windproof. A soap wash and TxDirect application were followed by a bit of hand sewing to repair the sleeve, and I now have a bit of retro kit ready for use.
And the funny thing is that it actually looks rather good, apart from the rubbish hood; worn over the top of a ThermalPro fleece, there's an air of Heinrich Harrer, post Eiger NF ascent...
I can't wait to get it out near some label freaks and hear the jibes; I'm even contemplating moving a little Peter Storm label from a later cagoule just for extra retro points...
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| Edited: 03/12/07 20:02 |
 But... but... if the PU coating's fallen off and you've tx-diected it, does that mean it's lost the authentic 70s Peter Storm slightly mouldy plastic whiff?
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 Why? They were crap even when they were new! 
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> does that mean it's lost the authentic 70s Peter Storm slightly mouldy plastic whiff?
Yes fortunately. But then I added so much of my own whiff to the things anyway...
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One of my schoolmates left an apple core in the pocket of hers after we'd gone to watch a rugby match at the boys' school. It was the last game of the season. She found the remains at the start of the following season. 
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I was rummaging in my mums attic the other day and found a 1970s Colemaster framed rucksack (I had it when I had a cagoule) - that was crap too, i covered it up and pretended I hadn't seen it.
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 CP, I too still have a PS caggy but the inner PU coating died 20 years ago
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 Mmmmm I have a Peter Storm cycling jacket...MUST be 20 years old. It is pink and a virulent off-yellow.
Yours for £300. A collectors item.
The there is my Troll (remember them?) Crag Jacket....
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Still have an old Berghaus Berg 172 sac that over 33yrs old and still used for carrying work kit when out with our conservation volunteers.It was repaired once by Berghaus about 30yrs ago.Also still got an old cavas Karrimor Pinacle climbing sac but that has the odd hole in it now.
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 I'm not old enough to have walking kit from 20 years ago. (Didn't work then) Although having said that when I was 16 (21 years ago) and a member of the ACF I purchased an army goretex (original OG colour) bivi bag for £30 and I still have it. Still works fine.
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I have a Ron Hill sports bag purchased in about 1980 and been in regular use since. I will get rid if it ( or send it back to RH for repairs) when the few remaining threads which make the handle break.
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 I'm still using a silva Type 7 compass given to me in 1971.... err, could somebody just point me the way out from here...? 
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Karrimor rucsacs which are well over 20 yrs old and maybe 25yrs, called the Caribou I think - they are still serviceable. Saunders jetpacker bought in 1981, still in use by my godson, he is also using a compass that must be nearly 25 yrs old. Trangia 27 and a brown Coleman stove from 1980 - both considered to be far to heavy by the godson. This thread has got me thinking, I realise I have vests, pants, socks and tee shirts that are over 25 yrs of age! My Grandmother used to say 'wise shoppers shop infreguently'.
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I've got and wear a Patagonia Synchilla fleece jacket I bought after I sold my first flat, which is well over 20 years ago. The fleece is still good, if a bit thinner than it was (which actually makes it more practical for hill use) but the retro knitted cuffs and hem are a bit like sponges.
What sets it apart, though, is the design of the collar, which, according to the Patagonia advertising of the time, was guaranteed "to avoid nerdy flopover". I've always felt proud that I had a jacket without nerdy flopover — that must be a nightmare!
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 I'd love to resurrect my old original Brasher Boots - still the best lightweight hillwalking footwear ever. Nothing since has come close.
My son is now wearing my 25 years old Helly Hansen double pile field jacket. It's survived the rigours of Dartmoor, Sennybridge et al, Norweigen winters, the Alps, the lot. Still going strong.
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> They were crap even when they were new!
Actually, I suspect it will make a half-decent windproof, now that the PU coating is gone.
I hate to throw things away, you see, and it gave me a strange sense of satisfaction to bring the thing back to life.
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But they were crap, all the same In fairness its probably no different to a Buffalo shell now the PU has gone.
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Still used for walking the dog, an original Sprayway goretex jacket, must be 23 to 25 years old, and it still keeps out a fair amount of rain! if i remember correctly, these were the first Goretex jackets made commercially.
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Ian, I had one of the first Goretex jackets from Mountain Equipment which I used on the Pennine Way in 1978. It delaminated and ME replaced it. The seams were sealed with rubber tape! I'm fairly sure that Berghaus were the only other manufacturer at the time to use Goretex.
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and this stink accompanied me & me chums on many YHA holidays to come ...wee bit embarassing 
.... great times tho'
