 I have a Buffalo Special 6 shirt which I like in suitable weather, but am looking for an equivalent for warmer temperatures. Could anyone with experience of both advise me about how much warmer the teclite will handle comfortably. I realise that absolute temperatures will vary from person to person, but a temperature difference should work for anyone. Second question. What are the competitive garments for the Teclite, and how do they compare.
|
 |
 Well that saves me asking that question from after those answers myself the montane extreme is good in the cold but fraction to warm if its not windy or cold.
|
|
I can't answer for the Teclite itself but I have lighter equivalnets by Montane and Patagonia. IF you run warm then the Buffalo Special I'd start wearing around about zero degrees. The Teclite is warmer than the two jackets I wear and it's warmth is enhanced by elasticated cuffs so you can't vent the arms. I've worn a Marmot base layer and a Patagonia Zephyr down to around zero no problem. I'd suggest that if you run warm then the Teclite on its own will only be comfortable up to around about 8 degrees or so.
|
|
equivalents to teclite are rab vapour rise, similar warmth but arguably better pertex outer marmot dri clime, lighter good summer item, boost with base layer to get similar to teclite montane do one cant think what its called though sorry hth
|
|
 I have a couple of Marmot DriClime windshirts, bought cheaply thanks to Marmot's insistence on changing colours and minor details frequently. Excellent little jackets, full zip, no hood, one tiny chest pocket. The cuffs are elasticated, so not very adjustable, and the underarms are mesh for ventilation... like it or not. A good friend of mine has the overhead version of the Buffalo Teclite (I've only ever used the Special 6 myself) and loves it; he's had it for at least five years, possibly longer. The hood is a bit feeble but I understand that this has now been changed in design. The shirt kept him comfy in chilly Scottish rain followed by a couple of astonishingly hot days (can't give you a precise figure, but it was blazing sunshine and certainly wasn't below seventy five degrees) thanks to the way it manages sweating so well and the handy ventilation options. I'd say it's a more versatile garment than the Marmot shirt but pretty comparable in terms of materials and temperature rating.
|
|
Interesting last comment. I have a friend who has the Teclite and finds it too warm for walking but great for golf until you get into winter weather. He complained that the cuffs were too warm. He does run quite hot. My impression of the Teclite is that it feels heavier and presumably warmer therefore than the Dri-Clime. I think the lining is a little thicker than Marmot's or Patagonia's offering. I did have a Dri-Clime but I found the neck too loose when zipped up and the underarm mesh vents were a real pain in cold wind when sitting down. For warmth I prefer a closer fit to seal and trap the warm air in. I found wind coming in through the vents, hitting my body and chilling me. Also the loose neck created another avenue for a draught. But as I said my comments are base upon the fact that 1) I run pretty hot and sweaty. 2) I have no personal experience of the Teclite itself, only of two of its near equivalents. I'm pretty sure that if either I or my friend were to wear something like that at 21 degrees C or more we'd be in danger of keeling over with heat exhaustion.
|
|
Major, all I can say is that I was boiling in a Ventile shirt  My friend may not be the most reliable temperature control - he often rolls his sleeves up in winter - and was probably hotter than he'd have chosen, but considering that he was wrapped in black and purple Pertex I was amazed that he didn't simply keel over, let alone claim to be pretty comfy. A steady, moderate breeze may well have helped thanks to the venting options on the Buffalo shirt, but I'd certainly regard anything over seventy as the upper limit of comfort for most people in any of these lined tops.
|
|
 I wear a Montane Krypton (not a million miles different) for ski touring on windy and/or unsunny days, so that would normally be be subzero but that's with more than minimal base layers. I was wearing it with a single light fleece base on Sunday in winds and ambients of a couple of degrees (the odd snow flurry) and was good and toasty walking uphill without a pack and the vents open. I think I'd use it for active stuff up to about 5 degrees or so... I generally think of myself as "running hot" and usually wear less than those around me. Mardale do similar things in a range of weights, not used those particular garments but have some of their other stuff and they're okay. The Krypton's a good bit of kit, but anything approaching warm and/or nice and I'll be in an unlined Patagonia Ready Mix which vents better, has a better hood and is just simply cooler (temperature rather than street cred, though it might be cooler that way too if that sort of thing bothers you!). I prefer the Krypton to the Ready Mix and an extra layer as it's lighter, plus I got the Krypton a while ago in a bragain bin for £40. If I was throwing full price at this sort of thing and didn't have existing kit the Paramo Velez or Patagonia Dimension (or Ready Mix) might well be what I'd go for. Pete.
|
|
Many thanks for all the answers. You've given me a lot to think about.
|
|
 Think my teclite shirt has the best temperature comfort range over any other single item of clothing I own (which is many )
|
|
I've worn a Montane Krypton with nothing underneath down to about 2 degrees but wasn't comfortable unless I kept moving. On it's own I'd be happy down to about 5 or 6 degrees and up to about 10 or 11 maybe a little warmer if I wasn't active. Jon, interested to hear of someone else wearing a Ventile shirt. I have one but haven't used it for walking yet. The fit is baggy and hence a little draughty/cool. May well use it as a windshell in Spring and Autumn.
|
| Edited: 27/03/08 10:51 |
