The big news in the outdoor equipment world in 2025 was the purchase of the Sheffield based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems by Ben Fogle and James Sleater. You can read more about this here – Â https://www.beyondtheedge.co.uk/buffalo-systems-reborn-and-revived/. As well as pledgeing to continuine manufacturing in Sheffield the new owners will be introducing new products and colours.
The Buffalo Reversible Gilet was the first of the new designs and was immediately successful with the first batch of gillets in green selling out in 24 hours. Earlier in the year I was I was lucky enough to visit the Sheffield factory and got hold of one the black versions straight off the production line.
I do love a gilet. They are such versatile items of clothing and they can add a good boost of warmth without much additaional weight. They work well as a mid layer but also work suprisingly well as a outer layer.
This new gillet design uses the famous Buffalo Systems concept of a thick furry AquaThem pile that traps body warmth and a wind proof Pertex Quantum outer fabric which feels reassuringly wind and weather proof.
The difference with this garment is that it is reversible. You can flip it round and wear it furry side out. A first this seems a bit counter intuitive but it works surprisingly well with the Pertex sliding against inner layers.
With the fur side out there are four vertical pockets. There are two narrow pockets on each side that seem perfectly designed to fit a smart phone and two wider pockets that are nice cosy hand warmers.
Buffalo Reversible Gilet with the pile side out
Turning the gillet round with the fur inside will maximise the warmth and the pertex outer will repel wind and rain. The two zipped ouet pockets work for storage but also work as wind proof hand warmers.
If you wear this gillet over a thin base layer (or directly next to the skin if you’re a hard core user) you can immediately feel the warmth. It’s a reminder of how effective the Buffalo AquaTherm pile fabric is; the furry pile traps body warmth exceedingly effectively.
There is two way zip that allows quick access to any layers and if you’re wearing this over the top of a harness you can easily use the belay loop.
To conclude this is an excellent addition to the Buffalo Systems range. This is a very warm and versatile item of outdoor clothing. Great as a mid layer insulator but it also works extremely well as a outer layer.
Bufallo Systems says-
Our classic Gilet lined with AquaTherm pile which can be worn as a stand alone piece or part of a more structured Buffalo System.
Wear in conjunction with a Special 6 for extra warmth or a Windshirt over the top of the Gilet in milder conditions for additional Windproof protection.
- Pertex Quantum outer fabric
- AquaTherm Pile internal lining
Buy it direct from the Sheffield factory here – https://buffalosystems.co.uk/products/reversible-gilet-in-olive-green
Alex
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.Â
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest rock climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.Â
