The big news in the outdoor clothing world this summer has been the re-launch of Buffalo Systems. Buffalo is the legendary clothing system based on the arctic Inuit tradition of wearing animal fur clothing against the skin. Scottish mountaineer Hamish Hamilton replicated animal fur by using a thick fibre pile and he also invented Pertex to use as a breathable and windproof outer fabric.
The revolutionary idea was that Buffalo clothing was designed to be worn directly against the skin and that one item of clothing ie a Buffalo Mountain Shirt could replace the traditional layering system of base layer, middle layers and an outer wind and/or waterproof jacket.
Buffalo Mountain Shirt
This ‘Double P’ system ie Pile and Pertex is incredibly effective in damp, wet and cold conditions and has been adopted by Fire and Rescue Services, Police Forces, Mountain Rescue Teams and the Military.
Buffalo is also one of a tiny number of outdoor clothing manufacturers still making their garments in the UK. In fact we are proud to say that Buffalo Systems clothing is made in the home town of Beyond the Edge; the great and wonderful city of Sheffield.
Sadly Hamish died in 2024 and the brand has now been bought by James Sleater and Ben Fogle
This will allow new ideas, new colours but mostly importantly the new owners have pledged to keep manufacturing Buffalo in Sheffield.
The new CEO James Slater has issued the following press release –
Buffalo Systems, purveyors of the iconic mountain shirt since 1979, and proudly made in Sheffield has announced the launch of their new Direct to Consumer website.
Buffalo Systems has supplied the Special Forces, military personnel, Royal close protection teams, Mountain Rescue and Search and Rescue teams worldwide, for more than 40 years.
Worn by some of the most iconic mountaineers and outdoors folk from the late Doug Scott, to Andy Kirkpatrick and Joe Simpson as well as Ray Mears and Sir Ranulph Fieness.
And now the brand is being nurtured and revived by adventurer Ben Fogle and Savile Row tailor James Sleater who bought the company in April.
The two entrepreneurs have just announced the launch of Buffalo’s new website.
The website now offers a unique ‘customisation’ function whereby jackets are made to order. This will ensure limited wastage as Buffalo moves to become more sustainable.
In the pair’s ongoing commitment to Sheffield and South Yorkshire, the website has been developed and designed in Sheffield. And the company has already begun expanding and hiring new staff in the city.
‘The new website brings us even closer to the people who love and wear our brand’ says Ben Fogle, ‘we believe where the outdoors ends, the wild begins. And this is where you’ll find Buffalo’
‘The new website features new exclusive products and experiences, including the commission Kit function which will allow consumers to order out of stock product and have it delivered in just a few weeks’ adds James Sleater.
As a UK manufactured brand, Buffalo Systems is working closely with Sheffield council and other businesses to be part of the revival of the city of manufacturing.
James Sleater
CEO, Buffalo Systems
Read our review of the Buffalo Special 6
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.
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.
