I have now used most of the kit that has been donated by sponsors in different ways; walking, running and climbing. I haven't quite put them throught their paces yet but here are some of my
first observations....
Arcteryx Phase AR Zip Neck baselayer:
When i'm wearing this baselayer I simply never notice it! When walking up steep hills on warm days it doesn't seem to get wet and sweaty at all.
The zip neck allows you extra ventilation when you need it on the way up, yet it feels good to zip it up fully once you get higher and into the wind. The cut is also perfect (for me anyway!) It has nice long arms (so that you don't get breezy wrists) and a nice long body (so that it doesn't ride-up above your pack's waist strap and give you a drafty mid-riff). When winter climbing I have found it is plenty long enough to tuck-into my fleece leggings without it constantly pulling out when I reach up. I felt nice and warm.
I have to confess to using this baselayer over and over again without washing it. I just give it a good airing! It dries out really quickly and doens't smell bad, like many baselayers do - brilliant for long weekends away, for camping or for people who just can't be bothered with chores!!
The fabric is quite thick, which gives it its warmth for activities in cold weather but it is surprisingly breathable. Also the cut and fabric are very comfortable against the skin (there are no itchy labels or irritating seams).
Everyone I have spoken to who has tried the
Arcteryx Phase AR is singing its praises. This baselayer does exactly what a baselayer should and (like most Arcteryx kit), it is so flattering you'll want to wear it out to the pub too!
Get yours at Joe Browns!!!
http://www.joe-brown.com/ 01286 870327
Mountain Equipment Firefox II Jacket:
So far, I have worn this jacket walking, running and climbing. In my view, there is a very definite niche, where this jacket totally excels; summer/alpine mountaineering and hillwalking - making it perfect for the UK Big 3 Challenge!
WINTER: Because it's winter at the moment, I have possibly been taking this jacket somewhat outside of its comfort zone; scottish winter walking and climbing. Despite being really light, it is also surprisingly durable (it has even resisted a few snags from my ice axe, when stashing one down my back - ooops)! The jacket is cut really high at the neck and so gives good protection from rain and snow when the weather is gnarly. The adjustable hood also performs well, staying-put in even the most difficult winds. The same is true of the peak, which is stiff enough to keep its shape and not collapse.
I was pleased to find that the jacket is cut longer at the back than the front. This reduces that horrible feeling when your jacket rides-up unnoticed over the course of the day leaving you exposing your baselayer or bare skin to the elements (brrrrrr!) The hem draw-cord helps it stay-put too.
The cuffs open REALLY wide, allowing you to get massize winter gloves tucked in easily. This is a brilliant feature and saves you a lot of time fiddling and poking about. Why don't more jackets have this???
I did find however, that the velcro wrist-straps and cord adjustments (hem and hood) are very lightweight and a bit too fiddly for winter gloves. The velco strip on the wrist is pretty narrow and so it sometimes works its way open. Having said this, I was really surprised by how well it performed overall in Scottish Winter.
Strangely, the zips on the chest pockets are towards the outside of the body (rather than on the inside, either side of the main zip in the middle). The result for me is a bit more fumbling and dropping of things when trying to get in and out (especially in big gloves). However, I suspect this is just a personal preference!
RUNNING: This jacket is sooOOoo breathable that you simply don't get that feeling of rivulets of sweat running down inside your jacket. When running it is so light that it makes you feel fresh and swift even when you're flagging! The pit zips help add ventilation where you need it and are nice and long, so that you can have them open wide for a very breezy feeling, or part-way for less dramtic increases in breathability. The cut is not close-fitted like a running jacket but is instead loose enough to fit a fleece mid-layer or two underneath should you need it. Having said this, the Active Goretex is awesome and more than copes with extra sweating caused by running about the place!
WALKING/SUMMER MOUNTAINEERING: This is where this jacket starts to shine and all the features mentioned above come into
perfect harmony: for summer mountaineering/alpine/walking there is an ideal balance between weight-saving features and durability. It gives you great protection from the rain and wind, while allowing you to move freely, layer-up and stay fresh. Plus if it is dry (unlikely), you won't even notice that it's in your pack!!
Contact Nevisport for more information:
http://www.nevisport.com/ or call 01397 704921
