Buffalo Special 6 Shirt

nicensleazy
nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
edited November 2009 in Road buying advice
Thinking about buying one of these jackets - seen loads of good reviews. It won't be for cycling. Anyone on the forum own one?

Comments

  • EwanR
    EwanR Posts: 16
    I've been using a big face shirt (same material and idea, slightly different design) for the past few years and it is truly excellent.

    If you do get the jacket then my top buffalo tips are:

    Don't wear anything underneath

    Always take a lightweight t-shirt to wear in the pub as it's a little awkward following rule 1 and then realising you are about to collapse from heat-stroke.
  • GavH
    GavH Posts: 933
    I've been using my Special 6 since 1995. Initially I bought it for use in my job as a windproof layer to wear under my smock but now mostly use it for when I go walking or climbing in the hills. The fact it has taken a beating for over 14 years and only has a small tear on the pertex fabric on the sleeve and yet is still fully functional is testament to the product. I've also got a Buffalo sleeping bag as well and can't recommend Buffalo products enough.
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    Dude, buy one :D

    I've had my black one for 3 years, and despite owning a couple of nice winter coats it's the Special 6 I go for every time.

    Even in the coldest weather you only need a t shirt underneath, they are toasty, windproof, oh, and buy the hood to go with it, you won't regret it.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,496
    i've had mine for nearly 20 years, nato green, got it for hiking/climbing trips as it is really light, also use it some winters too if i know i'm going to be hanging around in the cold

    really well made, still in very good condition after a lot of use, the only thing i did was add some short paracord loops to the zips for easy gripping

    it's designed to be worn with nothing underneath, it wicks the sweat away without chilling, i've got drenched wearing it and still not been cold

    i tend to run hot, so find it too warm for serious activity except in the very coldest uk weather, but the full length side zips allow for dumping the heat when you start to boil

    and as LardLover says, get the hood!
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    buffalo's are top kit but you need to wear the shirt againist the skin. What you planning to use it for as sometimes there are better options.
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • onlyonearrow
    onlyonearrow Posts: 157
    I have never owned a buffalo shirt, but I have a number of friends who speak highly of them.

    I would also check out clothing made by Paramo. http://www.paramo.co.uk
    The biological analogy waterproof system works exceptionally well and are exceptionally breathable. They use a wash-in proofiong system and no membranes - so are guaranteed for life. Unlike whats being said of the buffalo system, they do work well with clothing underneath :wink: and Paramo produce excellent reversible shirts that work well as base layers.

    I've got several garments made by them, the oldest one being regularly used over the last 12 years and it still works as well as the day it was bought.

    Both Buffalo and Paramo offer really effective (and I would say better) alternatives to membrane-based systems.
  • nicensleazy
    nicensleazy Posts: 2,310
    Thanks guys - great advice!!!
  • the_red_lantern
    the_red_lantern Posts: 212
    Had mine for about 8 years walking climbing etc, once you have tried the Pertex/Pile combo you never go back.
    Kev
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    2 buffalo jackets in 16 years. Great pieces of kit from the Peak District to the Swiss Alps.
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    good for active warm kit. But if your sat down or not doing much a rab jacket is 10x Better.
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Why are they so weird looking? I don't think they're the most stylish of tops, but hey each to their own I guess ....
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    I agree they're great, but not for cycling as they're too warm.
    More problems but still living....
  • nickwill
    nickwill Posts: 2,735
    LardLover wrote:
    Dude, buy one :D

    I've had my black one for 3 years, and despite owning a couple of nice winter coats it's the Special 6 I go for every time.

    Even in the coldest weather you only need a t shirt underneath, they are toasty, windproof, oh, and buy the hood to go with it, you won't regret it.
    If you wear a t shirt underneath you will stop the whole thing working. The pile needs to be against bare skin to wick properly!
    http://lakescyclist.wordpress.com/
  • ukracer
    ukracer Posts: 421
    had a montane smock for over 10 years and recommend but too hot for cycling i would say
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    Nickwill wrote:
    LardLover wrote:
    Dude, buy one :D

    I've had my black one for 3 years, and despite owning a couple of nice winter coats it's the Special 6 I go for every time.

    Even in the coldest weather you only need a t shirt underneath, they are toasty, windproof, oh, and buy the hood to go with it, you won't regret it.
    If you wear a t shirt underneath you will stop the whole thing working. The pile needs to be against bare skin to wick properly!


    Ahem, what I meant to say was, if you're heading out to the pub or wherever, you only need a t shirt on underneath..............................................as was already mentioned.


    Otherwise you'd look a right t1t.

    :oops:
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    ukracer wrote:
    had a montane smock for over 10 years and recommend but too hot for cycling i would say

    Snap. It's cheaper than the Buffalo and comes with a hood...
  • Mand
    Mand Posts: 4
    amaferanga wrote:
    I agree they're great, but not for cycling as they're too warm.

    Was thinking of buying a Big Face Shirt for my fella's birthday...for winter mountain biking...so do you think they are too warm for that? :-( Thought that's what the ventilation panels were for...to regulate if getting too warm. What else would you recommend for mountain biking that avoided having to layer?
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Mand wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    I agree they're great, but not for cycling as they're too warm.

    Was thinking of buying a Big Face Shirt for my fella's birthday...for winter mountain biking...so do you think they are too warm for that? :-( Thought that's what the ventilation panels were for...to regulate if getting too warm. What else would you recommend for mountain biking that avoided having to layer?

    Personally speaking, I find them way too warm for cycling in any kind of weather. The Big Shirt one is even warmer. Why does he need to avoid layering?
  • Mand
    Mand Posts: 4
    This is only my opinion...I thought it might be an advantage to avoid having to take kit off and carry when he is in a competition, as time is a factor towards getting better position.

    I thought if he wore a buffalo product, he would only need one layer, and if he got hot, he could open the vent zips.

    But obviously I'm no expert, that is why I appreciate your feedback. Maybe it's a bad present idea :?
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    Mand wrote:
    But obviously I'm no expert, that is why I appreciate your feedback. Maybe it's a bad present idea :?

    I've got a buffalo cycling shirt Mand (not the god-awful purple and yellow), I've used it for years for mountain biking (when I was one) over the winter. Whilst it's a fantastic piece of kit it I feel it'll be far too warm for competitive stuff though, I think he'll just boil.

    Tis a nice thought though :wink::D
  • Mand
    Mand Posts: 4
    Okay, thanks. Back to the drawing board methinks. If anyone has any pressie ideas I'd be most grateful. Best start browsing the other forum boards. My backup pressie was a bike cam because he is a bit of a gadget man (oregon scientific ATC 5K or tachyon 2010x both have good reviews). But don't know whether the novelty of using it would soon wear off.
  • MrChuck
    MrChuck Posts: 1,663
    Mand wrote:
    Okay, thanks. Back to the drawing board methinks. If anyone has any pressie ideas I'd be most grateful. Best start browsing the other forum boards. My backup pressie was a bike cam because he is a bit of a gadget man (oregon scientific ATC 5K or tachyon 2010x both have good reviews). But don't know whether the novelty of using it would soon wear off.

    Dunno what your budget is but a lot of people seem to like the Endura Stealth for winter biking (although personally I think I'd also find it too hot). A search on here will probably bring up lots of fans.
  • BE1
    BE1 Posts: 27
    Mand

    Prezzi problem solved a lighter weight buffalo cycle shirt :)

    http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/ls6.htm
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    LardLover wrote:
    Mand wrote:
    But obviously I'm no expert, that is why I appreciate your feedback. Maybe it's a bad present idea :?

    I've got a buffalo cycling shirt Mand (not the god-awful purple and yellow), I've used it for years for mountain biking (when I was one) over the winter. Whilst it's a fantastic piece of kit it I feel it'll be far too warm for competitive stuff though, I think he'll just boil.

    Tis a nice thought though :wink::D

    I have the lovely purple-and-yellow top (with nice matching red fleece lining).
    I'll be wearing it in about 10 minutes' time...

    Gets me seen
    Has lasted me well since 1992 or 1993.
    Excellent for winter riding, commuting etc - even in the dreadful rain last night.
    Great on Winter Polaris events, ice, snow, night rides.
    Commute: Langster -Singlecross - Brompton S2-LX

    Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap

    Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    ex-pat scot wrote:
    LardLover wrote:
    Mand wrote:
    But obviously I'm no expert, that is why I appreciate your feedback. Maybe it's a bad present idea :?

    I've got a buffalo cycling shirt Mand (not the god-awful purple and yellow), I've used it for years for mountain biking (when I was one) over the winter. Whilst it's a fantastic piece of kit it I feel it'll be far too warm for competitive stuff though, I think he'll just boil.

    Tis a nice thought though :wink::D

    I have the lovely purple-and-yellow top (with nice matching red fleece lining).
    I'll be wearing it in about 10 minutes' time...

    Gets me seen
    Has lasted me well since 1992 or 1993.
    Excellent for winter riding, commuting etc - even in the dreadful rain last night.
    Great on Winter Polaris events, ice, snow, night rides.

    It's still a shocking colour regardless :shock:
  • Mand
    Mand Posts: 4
    Thanks y'all for your suggestions. Checked out the lighter-weight buffalo, but have gone for the Endura Stealth instead. Tis rather a fetching style of jacket :)
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    If he's not happy with the Stealth then he's an ungrateful bugger :wink:

Categories