The post man's been ...

[Bearlegged]

Very nice!

[AndreR]

My alpkit bike was perfect from new and never had an issue with it.

Same, I've had 3 now and all arrived in perfect condition and never had any problems other than wear and tear Transmitter is 8 years old in April and Camino is 5 years old.

[Johnallan]

My alpkit bike was perfect from new and never had an issue with it.

Same, I've had 3 now and all arrived in perfect condition and never had any problems other than wear and tear Transmitter is 8 years old in April and Camino is 5 years old.

It's good to hear of some positive experiences. Hopefully once the issues are resolved, it turns out to be a decent bike. It'd be nice to get a ride on it

[Lazarus]

Hope it works out for you

[redefined_cycles]

100% w/p? Outdry socks, boots, gloves?

This brings me to the question. Been looking at waders on Patagonia. Full double seam sealed. But then they have a great big hole at the feet.

That left me absolutely confused!!

John, you can never be 100% waterproof btw. You'll have a lawsuit on ya for reverse-false advertising!!

[Rapideye]

Postie brought a new saddle bag, a Knipex cobra XS mini pliers and Park Tool chainbreaker.

[Alpinum]

But then they have a great big hole at the feet.

That left me absolutely confused!!

Does it have latex gaskets?

I have a drysuit for kayaking with neoprene covered latex gaskets (neo for protection and flexibility, latex to seal) and for training reasons I've spent my fair share swimming in the North Atlantic and glacial rivers with it and always came out dry. Except of course for the uncovered bits (hands and head). Thinking about going for a swim when paddling, it has happened enough outside of training too...

Never thought of bikepacking in UK in a drysuit, but sometimes it may actually make sense... I have a colour matching PFD to go with it. Will bring that too next time I come over.

Back on topic.
Postie brought a cheap Primus gas stove which I took apart to replace the not so good silencer on my XGK II with a better jet cap - the one from the 25.- Primus. Works a treat. I can even regulate the power somewhat and best of all - have saved 25 g - that's more than what I need to melt snow and get 1 L water to boil in current mountain conditions. Hurray

Also he brought a new Exped mat. My 3rd on warranty due to - once again - synthetic filling coming undone inside and shifting all over the place, leaving me cold at night. I seem to need a new one every 2 years. Now it's green and has two valves (both of which will be reinforced before first use - another, more serious weak spot).

[redefined_cycles]

Thanks for that info Gian. It's something I only came across after watching the Patagonia movie 'welcome to the world of cheap crap'. They explained how they started with them wader trousers and double seam sealed them.

It goes on to mention how they started with China production, top class. But then found out it was Uigher internment/concentration (Uigher terminology, not mine) that were making their gear so back to the drawing board it was.

That then prompted me to go straight out and buy my dad a Patagonia down gilet (Thankfully he wears it, often, yay ). Anyway, these is them. Waders... New topic of learning curve for me

https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/ ... lsrc=3p.ds#

Actually, looking at it again with fresh eyes. It does seem to have feet inbuilt! How did I miss that! I was thinking about their walking matchup to the waders for the BB200.

https://www.anglingactive.co.uk/patagon ... 9f90692f02 as there are reports of people just using them as regular hikers. But the weight put me off a little, though the fact that they should last a very, very long time (for my needs) makes me still wonder at investing. Somewhere in the blurb it also explains about how well draining they are

Anyway, for now, some cheaper Arcteryx will have to do.

[Alpinum]

It goes on to mention how they started with China production, top class. But then found out it was Uigher internment/concentration (Uigher terminology, not mine) that were making their gear so back to the drawing board it was.

A significant portion of Patagonia stuff is still made in China. If you don't want to support China in any means, you'll have to look beyond Patagonia.
As always, their marketing is strong. "Don't buy this jacket" - remember the advert for a fleece jacket? Funny how they marketed the style fleeces not long after this ad, showing exactly that. They get their garments manufactured in the same factories as "fast-fashion" (eg. Shein). They where early adopters of trying to play green, but whilst many other outdoor brands had been using PFC and PFAS free for years, Patagonia announced going PFC free on a few waterproof garments (with big advertisment about being oh so sustainable) only in about 2023. Just about 13 years after eg. Vaude went PFC free with most waterproof garments.

I don't mind their gear. I used to use loads of their gear and still have one bag I use for specific trips and my girlfriend has a seemingly very good waterproof. Yet I never believed their marketing bs more or less than that of any other brand.

1.4 kg and many many hundred quid for some waders to be trashed by damaging the foot piece... I recommend to not use suits/waders with built in waterproof socks for walking/hiking more than absolutely neccessary. Usually they can be replaced, but they are not meant for walking anything but very short distances.

[Hyppy]

With a Columbia Outdry jacket in that green.

The green is way less 'plastic toy soldier' than it appears in the product photos. The sizing seems very generous and I perhaps wish I'd done as the kids do and ordered a couple of sizes to try before returning the wrong one. I think medium would have been fine, but I'll live with a large and plenty of room to layer up. Hoping for a rainy Jennride now to test it out.

[redefined_cycles]

It goes on to mention how they started with China production, top class. But then found out it was Uigher internment/concentration (Uigher terminology, not mine) that were making their gear so back to the drawing board it was.

A significant portion of Patagonia stuff is still made in China. If you don't want to support China in any means, you'll have to look beyond Patagonia.
As always, their marketing is strong. "Don't buy this jacket" - remember the advert for a fleece jacket? Funny how they marketed the style fleeces not long after this ad, showing exactly that. They get their garments manufactured in the same factories as "fast-fashion" (eg. Shein). They where early adopters of trying to play green, but whilst many other outdoor brands had been using PFC and PFAS free for years, Patagonia announced going PFC free on a few waterproof garments (with big advertisment about being oh so sustainable) only in about 2023. Just about 13 years after eg. Vaude went PFC free with most waterproof garments.

I don't mind their gear. I used to use loads of their gear and still have one bag I use for specific trips and my girlfriend has a seemingly very good waterproof. Yet I never believed their marketing bs more or less than that of any other brand.

1.4 kg and many many hundred quid for some waders to be trashed by damaging the foot piece... I recommend to not use suits/waders with built in waterproof socks for walking/hiking more than absolutely neccessary. Usually they can be replaced, but they are not meant for walking anything but very short distances.

Thanks for this Gian. I think I'm ove that bit of my life of 'not buying from China' but I still ensure I get stuff as ethical as poss. So you're saying that Patagonia is the same cheap crap, same low wages, but marketed differently

[Alpinum]

So you're saying that Patagonia is the same cheap crap, same low wages, but marketed differently

Here's another take:
Just another outdoor brand making good stuff bs'ing around, trying to sell more.

But off course I can happily appreciate your form of interpretation. Sounds more fun.

[redefined_cycles]

All cleaned up and ready to take a Nelson Mandela quote aswell as a Let Gaza Live and a Palestine flag.

So happy to be reunited with a Travis Boost fork. Thanks again Rich.

[PaulB2]

I've finally given into the dark side and bought an Ortlieb quick rack and panniers for a 4 day road tour in a couple of months. I'm most looking forward to being able to squeeze in a change of footwear

[nobbythesheep]

Got issues with my occipital nerve in my neck so hopefully this will help elevate things a tad

IMG_1760.jpeg (46.06 KiB) Viewed 5217 times

[thenorthwind]

...with some nice 5/10s in very good nick from size 12 legend, ton of this parish. Thanks mate

[Rapideye]

...and brought a Fjern Arktis down jacket. Managed to find a cheapy second hand one that needs a patch as it's only for bike packing and camping. My overnight in January which was a bit cold persuaded me to replace the synthetic one I've had for about 12 years.

[Rapideye]

...and finally arrived with another Isobaa merino wool t-shirt that I ordered back mid Dec from Sports Pursuits. Took a while to get in stock and they weren't keen on me changing it without buying the new one upfront. Couldn't be bothered with that, so just waited.

[voodoo_simon]

...and finally arrived with another Isobaa merino wool t-shirt that I ordered back mid Dec from Sports Pursuits. Took a while to get in stock and they weren't keen on me changing it without buying the new one upfront. Couldn't be bothered with that, so just waited.

I assume the isobaa tops are good if you bought another one? Any idea how they compare to ice breaker?

[Rapideye]

...and finally arrived with another Isobaa merino wool t-shirt that I ordered back mid Dec from Sports Pursuits. Took a while to get in stock and they weren't keen on me changing it without buying the new one upfront. Couldn't be bothered with that, so just waited.

I assume the isobaa tops are good if you bought another one? Any idea how they compare to ice breaker?

Sorry, no idea. I've never had an Ice Breaker. I bought both at once, along with a half-zipped long sleeved top. The quality seems ok to me. The t-shirts are softer than the only other merino t-shirt I've bought from Mountain Warehouse. Price-wise they're reasonable. I'd spotted them before and it was a comment from, I think, Fatbikephil, where he said they'd lasted him a while, that pushed me to give them a try.

[fatbikephil]

...and finally arrived with another Isobaa merino wool t-shirt that I ordered back mid Dec from Sports Pursuits. Took a while to get in stock and they weren't keen on me changing it without buying the new one upfront. Couldn't be bothered with that, so just waited.

I assume the isobaa tops are good if you bought another one? Any idea how they compare to ice breaker?

Sorry, no idea. I've never had an Ice Breaker. I bought both at once, along with a half-zipped long sleeved top. The quality seems ok to me. The t-shirts are softer than the only other merino t-shirt I've bought from Mountain Warehouse. Price-wise they're reasonable. I'd spotted them before and it was a comment from, I think, Fatbikephil, where he said they'd lasted him a while, that pushed me to give them a try.

Yup I've got an Isobaa long and short sleeved top and some boxers, all good. Been pretty hard wearing and fit me well

[JohnClimber]

It seems to work well with a bulky light load, such as a Spring/Summer/Autumn sleep set up

[redefined_cycles]

It seems to work well with a bulky light load, such as a Spring/Summer/Autumn sleep set up

Very nice John. You got a link and possibly weights?

[redefined_cycles]

Oh, and as the ambassador/saviour for your forks, I feel compelled to ask this. Are they wearing that harness thing out of choice? (said with a misplaced Liverpool accent ).

[JohnClimber]

Link here

https://aeroe.com/products/spider-front-rack

Weight - 641grama