CHEAP 'N' CHEERFULL

pete morley 1

11/02/2003 at 16:37

In these times of innovation and mega breathable tops and bottoms, plus the price tag that accompanies top end kit are we losing sight of why we go outdoors in the first place? I have some expensive gear but not too long ago I was having heaps of fun in my sale craghopper fleece and not very breathable jacket, does this mean that you can't have fun in the mountains without shelling out on the next new bit of kit any more ? what do you think?

11/02/2003 at 16:48

No, course not.

But there are SOME purchases that make it more comfortable / safer / easier to have fun.

Si(C)

Hedgehope Aztec

11/02/2003 at 16:53

Erm, I still am. Not spent over £100 on any of my outdoor clothing (boots excepted). In fact apart from the windproof (pressy) it's more like £50.

pete morley 1

11/02/2003 at 16:57

It's just that, at the weekend leading my walking club's strenuous up hill and down dale some of the more well heeled members seem slighly more concerned with how they look, fashion parade !

Hedgehope Aztec

11/02/2003 at 17:02

'pose nought wrong with wanting to look good and it probably helps bring the price down, but not to £50!

pete morley 1

11/02/2003 at 17:14

A mate of mine is on a real poor wage . so he shops very wisely , but despite the Regatta name tag on his fleece & the Scanda waterproof he has a buzzing time outdoors and the mans great fun to be with.

Glyn

11/02/2003 at 18:13

Pete, you're not wrong...
I was halfway up Moel Hebog last week and amused to see a bloke almost in tears, frantically licking his fingers to wipe a few specks of mud from his lovely (presumably) new soft shell - pathetic.

Funny how you can pick up a Craghoppers Chinook Polartec 200 fleece for £25 when another more 'high-end' brand from excactly the same fabric and probably assembled in the same far east sweatshop can cost three times the price.

John Corteen

11/02/2003 at 18:57

I think that we pay far too much for cutting edge fabrics that do not perform significantly better than the older and cheaper ones. But the clothing and equipment manufacturers have a vested interest in new technology because they can charge more for it.

Polartec 200 has been around for ages and has come down in price considerably. It wasn't that long ago that P200 was considered 'cutting edge' and some of us were prepared to pay for it; my first one was about £90. The new fabrics are copied and the price eventually comes down to reasonable levels.

If it wasn't for people prepared to be pathetic and vein the fabrics won't be developed by the top end companies and the concept will not be taken on board by companies that will make similar products but cheaper. Otherwise we’d all be walking round in tweed, wool and cotton; it was good enough for the first ascent of Everest after all.

I’m all for doing it on the cheap BUT don’t ridicule the people that buy the new stuff, they’re doing us a favour.

Orange Alex Ford

11/02/2003 at 20:07

So very true.

My view is as long as people are getting out and are safe and happy, then what they wear is fine.

For instance finding four Germans on top of Snowdon in thick mist and rain with umbrella's and trainers/loafers, and tehm asking what going down via Crib Goch was like...It was nice to see them out there, but I HAD to point out that they were very inappropriately dressed for even thinking about going along there.

Glyn

11/02/2003 at 20:11

not sure I understand your last sentence John, especially following, and I quote:

'cutting edge fabrics that do not perform significantly better than the older and cheaper ones'
&
'manufacturers have a vested interest in new technology because they can charge more for it'

Glyn

11/02/2003 at 20:17

LOL @ umbrellas

John Corteen

11/02/2003 at 20:23

I was up on Fairfield once and a group of archetypal 'Ramblers' went through with umbrellas, perhaps all this layering and technical clothing is a waste of time...

Glyn

11/02/2003 at 20:31

Now I know what those loops on the back of my sack are for!

Glyn

11/02/2003 at 20:44

someone even told me that the hole beneath my rucksack lid was for a 'hydration hose' - sheesh! I thought it was for a hands-free kit!

Fort

11/02/2003 at 21:52

On another angle, I despair at one or two friends who have lashed out for a ''quality'' breathable waterproof, then complained of leaks and shoddy workmanship when the cotton tee shirt and favourite sweatshirt are wringing wet underneath. Even one who had his jacket pressure tested reckoned the shop was in cahoots with Gore. Despite reasoning and explanations he has gone back to a cheap and cheerful cag. He's happy and we can giggle, another friend got a bargain 2nd hand jacket.

Dave O aka Jungle Dave ;)

11/02/2003 at 23:46

its amazing how sometimes cheaper kit works just as well as some of the expensive stuff..

Jon Doran

12/02/2003 at 00:08

It's not what you wear, it's what you do in it, said the spoiled gear tester. When you remember your best days in the hills you don't think about what you were wearing at the time.

Same with mountain bikes, motorbikes and most other sports. Having a better bike doesn't make riding any more or less fun in itself. Do you think Joe Brown had a less intense experience of climbing because his boots weren't as good?

It's what goes on between your ears that matters. Having said all of which, there is something quite satisfying about really well made, good performing stuff. It's our societal values really, the outdoors just reflects the bigger picture. Bed. Yawn.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

Rob Draper

12/02/2003 at 09:59

When I were a Venture Scout I did all my hillwalking in Ronnies and Army surplus, we became known as the Max Wall Regiment. Now I like to look a little more stylish when I'm on the train to Edale but I still get the same enjoyment on the hill, just a little less embarassment off the hill...

Orange Alex Ford

12/02/2003 at 10:41

Agrees with both Jon AND Rob.

It's not what you wear, its the fun you have.

Mind you that new evENt Jacket...

Ninja Marmot

12/02/2003 at 11:06

Mind you, Ronnies.....

I have my coat already

Shopping

Most popular

Competitions

Promotions