Buffalo Mountain Shirt Review
As a keen outdoors person, I love being out and about in all weathers, in the UK and beyond. The downside of this is layer management. Either you are too warm going up, or you are continually changing layers with weather and lunch breaks.
If only there was something that could cover all your bases. Well, there is, and I found it when a friend of mine introduced me to the Buffalo Mountain Shirt.
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt
I had seen this type of smock before, but as I prefer a more fitted look, I shied away. I also thought it would be too warm, but only until I realised that the trick is to wear is close to bare skin, without any other layers.
Venturing out with my friend over Christmas, I learnt all about the Buffalo Mountain Shirt. Believe me, it works brilliantly. The Buffalo keeps you warm, without sweating and without chilly perspiration. The effect is similar to how an animal must feel from its coat. Inner fur and water repellent outer hair. I bought one in black. My 40-inch shirt fits well, is snug and gives a great amount of movement. When worn close to the skin, there are no uncomfortable air pockets making you cold when you move.
Rated to wind speeds of 50 mph, I was recently out in air temperatures of just over zero degrees. Very windy and walking over flattish ground, I was lovely and warm. When we stopped for a break I popped a gortex outer shell on, which gave a bit of protection from the wind.
The great thing about the shirt is that if you do sweat, the sweat is wicked away and diverted out of the shirt via the PERTEX outer layer. Now the shirt is not waterproof and you will get wet over time, but the great thing is that even when wet, you do not feel cold and uncomfortable and within 30 mins of coming out of the rain you are dry again.
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt
Other features I love are the length (I’ve got the longer version called the Special 6). It’s long and doesn’t ride up when wearing a ruck sack. It also has side vents, almost up to your arm pits for ventilation and huge pockets which can hold a map. You can also fasten your rucksack through the front pockets.
The Buffalo Special 6 Shirt would not grace the catwalk, but its functionality is unquestionable. It really is too warm for Spring onwards but for colder month outings, you really can just take with you this one item. For me, even in the toughest of conditions, the Buffalo Shirt, and a waterproof outer layer will be all you require for the day. With the hood up, you are safely hidden away from whatever nature can throw at you.
I am off to K2 Basecamp in July for 3 weeks, and I can see myself living in this for when we get to altitude.
For me, this is a 9.5 out of 10 !!!!
Nick
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.
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.
