After some suggestions for a replacement for my beloved, but knackered, Buffalo special 6 shirt. It's had a heck of a lot of use over the past 22 years. But it's got too many holes/rips to fix now, and is getting fairly ropey. So, warm and windproof being the key thing i'd like to replicate, and high wicking for sweat/rain, preferably with venting options and probably a hood (I had one for the buffalo). But the biggest change i'm after is a full zip (at a pinch a longer one), as I want it to be more convenient to take on and off. Less than £150 would be nice!

One's i've considered to date:
- Buffalo Belay (full zip almost equivalent), but very pricey
- Keela Belay, seems a copy of the above but don't know what features it has, but it's more affordable. No hood though
- Keela Talus, looks good and I like the features and hood, but don't know if it's too warm in comparison, or how windproof?

Going to miss how good a top that was, it's been so many places and performed magnificently. Thanks

Montane Extreme jacket? I have one as a general winter jacket, love it. Similar weight to a Special 6. The Buffalo Belay jacket I have is good but lighter weight fabric.

I've a Montane too, 'tis good.

Once you've chosen pile/pertex top you're most looking at three things
- cut/features
- robustness/windproofness of the pertex layer
- warmth of the pile

There are other jackets that might compare with a pile/pertex jacket like the new breathable insulated fabrics - look for 'active' in the name or something with Polartec Alpha

Keela Belay isn't pile/pertex. It's a primaloft jacket. Very warm but not designed for active use. Much more compressible than a pile/pertex top though. I know because I have one, although never used it so should sell really

I believe Alpkit make a Buffalo copy

Montane Extreme, I have 3 2 smocks and a jacket. Great piece of kit

Montane Extreme looks good, but seems like they don't make it any more, and trying to figure out what's replaced it...good to know that some options are not pile/pertex, i'll have to re-cast the net...

Ironically, when I searched, google says that the best replacement for a montane extreme is a buffalo special 6

You need to set you sights and ambitions a bit higher


Thru Dark version for £600
https://www.thrudark.com/products/scout ... cket-khaki


On a serious note, I have two alpha versions but the lighter weight ones. So not as warm but perhaps get to wear it for longer during the year. Worth checking to see if the weights of the alpha fabric are published to get the warmth you need

One is montane which is completely windproof and the other is a Mountain Equipment one which is wind resistant, so better as a layering piece.

Montane Extreme owner here, but I do find it very warm so only comes out on really cold days. I find I get on better with jackets with a Polartec Alpha Direct lining; same concept but wicks better for me so much more comfortable. Saw this on Sportspursuit the other day that looks good: https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/pr ... id/3949564

Lots of brands do something similar....

Thanks for the tip on polartec, looks interesting

If there lasting that long, another Buffalo Special 6

True, I have pondered that option...it's just a minimum of £200 now. It might come to that, but keeping my options open for now

Maybe not exactly the same, but I'm really happy with the Keela Belay Jacket that I got off Vinted for £15
The sleeves zip off to make it a great Gilet too

https://keelaoutdoors.com/products/mens ... HcM4hFitS6

Buffalo Windshirt, with just a fleece or two underneath perhaps?

Not worth emailing Buffalo and asking? info@buffalosystems.co.uk

Special 6 is still listed on their website https://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/produc ... l-6-shirt/

Thanks Godiva - it's the cost of direct replacement i'm baulking at for now, but it's a possibility - and I know it'll last a long time again, but also seeing if I can get a vaguely equivalent one with a full zip too...

I’ve got a buffalo big face shirt that I’m probably going to let go if that’s of interest to you. PM me for details

HUX wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:24 pm Montane Extreme, I have 3 2 smocks and a jacket. Great piece of kit

Of course you do pal

Just to throw another name at you and add further confusion.

I had a montane extreme which was very good but never got on with the hood. Replaced it with the resolute smock which is like a heavy duty version of the extreme with a fixed and much better hood. Tougher fabric, feels indestructible. It's still my favourite winter jacket.

Think they might have stopped making it though so you'd have to have a look on eBay.

I'm in thread resolution mode! Not quite a replacement, but going a different tack. Bought a Paramo bentu wind jacket, which I can add the fleece to later to make a cool weather waterproof. Have seen a montane top which is more of a very warm pile/windproof direct replacement, which i'll get another time. Now i've got something that'll see a lot more use and is a bit more versatile. Really impressed with the Paramo so far, and like it's different styling

faustus wrote: ↑Wed Mar 12, 2025 10:12 am I'm in thread resolution mode! Not quite a replacement, but going a different tack. Bought a Paramo bentu wind jacket, which I can add the fleece to later to make a cool weather waterproof. Have seen a montane top which is more of a very warm pile/windproof direct replacement, which i'll get another time. Now i've got something that'll see a lot more use and is a bit more versatile. Really impressed with the Paramo so far, and like it's different styling

That's a lovely looking jacket ! How is it for cycling in ( or is it not for that?) ? the back could maybe be longer... though that depends on how upright you ride I guess?
Hopefully it's pretty waterproof too as you'd not want to have that and still need to carry a waterproof...

It's for pretty much everything but cycling! It's an odd one, because it becomes a waterproof when wearing a fleece underneath, but without the fleece, the shoulders and hood are lined to make it pretty much weather proof (or enough anyway), and it's meant to be quick drying (which I liked as a key feature of the buffalo). It all seems durable (and repairable) and simple, but well thought out too. I expect to get lots of outdoor use from it, from casual wear to walking in the hills etc.