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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: gunwharfman on 10:41:25, 29/10/17

Title: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:41:25, 29/10/17
I've been going through all of the clothing and equipment I've bought for camping and hiking and have begun to throw out the purchasing mistakes I've made. For example, I went through a period when I concentrated on buying, comparing and contrasting baselayers. My mistake was to buy an Odlo synthetic elasticated tight fitting one. I really hate it, it makes me feel like I'm the contents of a sausage skin, the material clings to every part of my torso and arms and I just can't live with it any more. I can only comfortable in a looser fitting garment.

I've also had a throw out of a few pairs of hiking socks. Its difficult to pin down why they just don't work for me, but they just don't work! One pair for example, feels like I am permanently walking on a ridge under the balls of my feet. As I run my fingers over the material there is definitely no ridge. I've concluded that the material just tends to bunch up as I walk. They are already in the bin.

I have also disposed of my Lightwave Fastpack 50L. It is a good rucksack and well made, but it just never seemed to fit me properly, no matter how I tried to 'tweak' it, after about 4-5 days I always ended up with sore and raw shoulders.

I will continue to sort out my stuff over the next few days, I'm sure I'll find more to throw out.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: fernman on 12:15:13, 29/10/17
I empathise with you on the rucksack.

I bought online a Lowe Alpine Trail 35, it was a lovely product, nicely made, fitted well and felt comfortable, but I didn't know when buying that although it was green colour everything inside it (main compartment, pockets, lid) was bright orange, which I just couldn't stand. (I believe they've changed their product description in that respect since I took it up with them.)

After returning it unused I replaced it with a Vaude Jura 30, again bought online. It's another well made item, colours perfect for me this time, but there's something about it when I'm carrying it that just doesn't feel right; in spite of readjustments it doesn't seem comfortable enough. It's difficult to put into words, but unlike my previous couple of daysacks (Berghaus and a cheapo Chinese one), together with the feel of the above-mentioned LA Trail, I'm too conscious of it being on my shoulders, back and hips, rather than almost forgetting it's there.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: pauldawes on 17:48:26, 29/10/17
I’ve made the classic error of buying far more things that I actually need.


The number of times I’ve resolved to not buy any more kit until something I use actually wears out...then see something I really like, so buy it...suggests my will power is not 100 percent.


For example, I’ve got a 25l sack, and 45l sack both of which I use often, both in usable condition, and may well last me years yet. But I’ve got another sack..a 45l Osprey Mutant, bought two years ago, never used.


But can’t remember buying any walking kit that on use I disliked so much I’ve got rid of it. But I may be “blanking my memory” to make me feel more cheerful.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: fernman on 19:39:40, 29/10/17
But can’t remember buying any walking kit that on use I disliked so much I’ve got rid of it. But I may be “blanking my memory” to make me feel more cheerful.

Hmm, things are coming back to my mind now!

There was a sleeping bag that looked good on paper but in use wasn't warm enough for me, so I sold it on a certain well-known auction site, practically brand new. The bidding was fast and furious, with the eventual buyer getting it for a good price. But the thing is, I had managed to buy it at such a massive discount that I unintentionally made a profit on it.

This was offset by making a big loss on an unused self-inflating ground mat that I bought in too much haste and then decided I could get something much lighter weight. But I was glad to get it out of the way.

The longer I think about it, the more items I shall probably remember, such as the laminated pile jacket that was nice and warm but turned out to be too stiff, bulky and heavy. It is good to wear for outdoor jobs and gardening when it's cold, though!
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Mel on 21:39:09, 29/10/17
I prefer to think of my purchasing mistakes as a learning curve for what I DON'T want  ;D


My main one is buying rucksacks which are wayyyyy too big for what I need.


..  Oh, and trousers with no stretch in them.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Jac on 08:20:09, 30/10/17
I prefer to think of my purchasing mistakes as a learning curve for what I DON'T want  ;D

Good thinking, Mel.

GWM - I hope all those discards are going to charity, not literally into the bin, as even if they don't sell them they'll get sold on and recycled.

Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Percy on 09:21:29, 30/10/17
I bought some UnderArmor underwear as they were cheap in the outlet park near us.


Awful. I had nappy rash after a long walk in warm weather.


My usual mistake is buying something cheap as I’m too impatient to wait until I can afford the expensive version. Of course I buy the expensive version at a later date. Classic false economy.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Another_Smith on 09:26:58, 30/10/17
I've also had a throw out of a few pairs of hiking socks. Its difficult to pin down why they just don't work for me, but they just don't work! One pair for example, feels like I am permanently walking on a ridge under the balls of my feet. As I run my fingers over the material there is definitely no ridge. I've concluded that the material just tends to bunch up as I walk. They are already in the bin.


Socks are the bane of my life! I have pretty narrow feet that are also size 13 so they very easily ruffle up in boots. I've spent tons on socks as decent merino wool ones don't come cheap, I only use smartwool PHD over the calf socks now as these just seem to be the best fit for me. Trial and error is a costly thing though.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Another_Smith on 09:27:56, 30/10/17
My usual mistake is buying something cheap as I’m too impatient to wait until I can afford the expensive version. Of course I buy the expensive version at a later date. Classic false economy.


As the saying goes 'Buy cheap, buy twice'.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Jac on 12:48:31, 30/10/17
I bought some UnderArmor underwear as they were cheap in the outlet park near us.
Awful. I had nappy rash after a long walk in warm weather.
/quote]
I am trying not to visualise :o
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:11:34, 30/10/17
We had a conversation in the pub on Saturday about really tight fitting baselayers and trousers. A couple of the blokes go to the gym and the comment was that its too "Jules and Sandy" for me.

Remember them and Mr Horne as well? oh we did laugh!
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Percy on 16:38:56, 30/10/17
I will wear a really tight fitting base layer but only under something, never on its own. I find that it wicks much better if tighter. If you’re a bit sweaty and want clothes to wick they must be figure hugging.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Percy on 16:40:31, 30/10/17
PS - I’m way too young for Around The Horne but was brought up on my dad’s tapes of it. Kenneth Williams was a genius comic performer.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Another_Smith on 12:44:51, 31/10/17
PS - I’m way too young for Around The Horne but was brought up on my dad’s tapes of it. Kenneth Williams was a genius comic performer.


Ditto, it ended 20 years before I was born  ;D
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Marshy Pete on 13:03:41, 31/10/17
Hopefully by "throw out" you mean donated to charity rather than put in the bin.



Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:10:32, 31/10/17
Ive got half a wardrobe full of impulsive mistakes, mostly purchased in the 1990s, when living in Cardiff.
There cannot be many of us, who have visited a Outdoor shop, during one of their bargain sales, and not come out with an impulse buy.

One occasion really springs to mind, when i was in Crickhowell adventure gear, sometime in the early 1990s, when they had an awful lot of surplus stock to shift.

A basket full of Buffalo gloves and head gear, for less than a £5 each.

Ive still got four unused Pertex hoods, still in their cellophane wrapping, and two pairs of their pile lined gloves.

Why the Brecon shop had so many in stock, was a mystery, but they were being sold so cheaply, that you simply could not resist buying them in bulk.

I even had the opportunity in Up and Under, in Cowbridge Rd in Cardiff, to buy shop stained clothing at make us an offer price.


I can still remember a top spec Berghaus GoreTex, with one heck of a deep stain, down its front, for very little money.

If your in an outdoor shop, when they have a bargain rail, its only a brave person who can walk away, without buying something you do not really need, if its being sold at a very low asking price.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Mel on 22:17:51, 31/10/17
Sounds like you could open your own outdoor gear store yourself there DA!!  :D

Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: sussamb on 07:29:30, 01/11/17
Ive still got four unused Pertex hoods, still in their cellophane wrapping, and two pairs of their pile lined gloves.

Why the Brecon shop had so many in stock, was a mystery, but they were being sold so cheaply, that you simply could not resist buying them in bulk.


Can't believe anyone in their right mind would buy 4 Pertex hoods then never even use one, whatever price they were going for  ::)
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Percy on 10:14:12, 01/11/17

Can't believe anyone in their right mind would buy 4 Pertex hoods then never even use one, whatever price they were going for  ::)
No one in their right mind has.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:09:43, 01/11/17
I've just thrown out a Lifeventure waist wallet! When I was standing in the queue for customs a couple of years ago (I bought the wallet the day before) my passport and money were now in it. I then made the mistake of unclipping it from around my waist and opened the zip. The wallet was clutched in my left hand so I could quickly get out my passport with my right hand for scrutiny. Suddenly a passenger behind me tapped me on my shoulder and said "is this your money" pointing at the floor. It was, about 600 euros had just fallen out! As I was waiting for my passport, my right hand on the counter, I dropped my left hand with the wallet to the side of my leg and the money just fell out. I never used it again and now its in the bin!
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: sussamb on 12:49:55, 01/11/17
No one in their right mind has.


 ;D
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:37:00, 01/11/17
Just returned from Bettws Y Coed, this afternoon, with an impulse buy, a rather nice one as well.
I am now the proud owner of a virtually new Montane Featherlite Down jacket, for the princely sum of £40.
The original sales tag, with the dizzy price of £180, is still attached.


It was upstairs, on the clothes rack, in Cotswolds Rock Bottom bargain shop.

For some reason it had to be returned to Montane, for a new front zip to be installed, but apart from that, the jacket is like new.

I have been a fan of Montane equipment for years, and the jacket fitted me perfectly, and at £140 below retail price, it had to come home with me.

On this occasion, it was not a mistake  purchasing this lovely item, and as it was the only one there, it would not have been in the shop for long.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: sussamb on 19:44:50, 01/11/17
And I guess in many years time you'll be saying it's still in the cupboard in its original packaging  ;)
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Mel on 22:33:18, 01/11/17
I am now the proud owner of a virtually new Thommen Altimeter.




(sorry, couldn't resist  :D   ;)  )



Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: sussamb on 05:58:23, 02/11/17
 ;D O0
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 10:22:36, 02/11/17
Not in this instance, its going up Snowdon with me this morning.
Unlike most of my other kit, this jacket packs up to a very small size, in its provided stuff sac.

When an item of clothing proves just too bulky to carry around, that is when it usually gets little use.

You cannot stuff a Goretex jacket into a very tight space, and when you have unwisely bought several over the years, you simply stop using them.

I much prefer using a very lightweight waterproof, the kind that can be stored inside a wastebelt.

When you carry a ruc sack, that's when you take far too much kit than you need.

£40 was an out and out bargain, especially when exactly the same jacket was being sold up the road, in their full retail price shop, at £180.

This Montane jacket, can be tucked away inside a waste belt, so you do not really notice you have have it with you.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: jimbob on 11:26:07, 02/11/17
So, Dyffryn, it was not a mistake, so why did you mention it in this topic and not in other topics which cover purchases and, say, bargains? ??? ?

My error was to buy some waterproof over trousers "cheap" that not only act like wind socks, but deployed correctly could have stopped the Titanic from sinking. Heavy, sweaty, baggy, rubbish. However it did lead to the discovery that unzipping the zip offs and walking in shorts in the rain is really no hardship at all, given that my skin dries very fast and is quite watertight. If I went into very cold situations I maybe would rethink the tactic but it has worked for me, to date.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Percy on 12:34:06, 02/11/17
For some reason it had to be returned to Montane, for a new front zip to be installed, but apart from that, the jacket is like new.
This is a fascinating paragraph.


I’m going to make a wild stab in the dark and guess that the ‘for some reason’ was that the front zip needed replacing.


Also: apart from the new zip, it is like new? So the new zip is the only bit that isn’t new.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: pauldawes on 16:11:00, 02/11/17
This is a fascinating paragraph.


I’m going to make a wild stab in the dark and guess that the ‘for some reason’ was that the front zip needed replacing.


Also: apart from the new zip, it is like new? So the new zip is the only bit that isn’t new.


Maybe it’s like Trigger’s broom...the jackets itself is 10 years old, but zips, pockets, torso, and arms have all been replaced in last month.


But to be fair to DA..a good quality Montane lightweight jacket at 40 quid would have seen a lot of us opening the wallet. I’m pretty sure I’d have been buying...and I do very little impulse buying.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:29:06, 02/11/17
The jacket was a huge success this afternoon.
Went as far as Clogwyn station, and even though the temperature was not that cold, there was certainly a mild windchill.

The most impressive thing about the jacket, is the superb hood.

It has several cleverly designed adjustment loops, and the hood is the perfect size.

The one aspect i do like about the range of Montane down clothing, is that all their down fill has been carefully chosen, and is ethically sourced.

The company is as British as they come, and realise they have a moral duty to ensure no animal suffering took place, when obtaining their feathers.


It says this on the tag on the jacket, so i sincerely hope Montane are true to their word.


That for me, was a pleasant surprise, and i only wish other manufacturers were as open on the source of their chosen insulation.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: sussamb on 19:12:20, 02/11/17
The most impressive thing about the jacket, is the superb hood.


Guess your 4 pertex ones will still stay in their cellophane wrappers then  ;)
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: fernman on 19:40:18, 02/11/17
With Dai's spending habits, if he'd moved from Cardiff to Gwynedd sooner he'd have saved the Gelert store in Beddgelert from closing :D
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: jimbob on 20:39:54, 02/11/17
Dyffran what planet are you living on? Montane is NOT as British, as they come.  In a survey on the "ethics " of the market Grough stated the following "In an outdoor magazine’s latest gear guide, of 154 waterproofs tested, 102 were manufactured in China. Brands sourcing their jackets in the People’s Republic include Berghaus, Columbia, Gelert, Golite, Karrimor, Marmot, Montane, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Rab, Sprayway and The North Face."

The people's republic do not necessarily give one fig to western values of animal comfort. 

If you are going to make such statements in future please check your facts are (a) up to date and not stuck away in that famous wardrobe of yours and (b) true.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: NeilC on 08:49:10, 06/11/17
Well they're a British company who, like most manufacturers now, use factories in other countries to get their work done. It's a sad fact of life for almost any product other than the real top-end.


Whether the down they use is sourced by themselves or they leave up to the factory isn't known to me.
Not all Chinese down is suspect. A lot of cheaper stuff is off dead birds. Montane were a relatively early signatory to the RDS so they are clearly trying to source down ethically which is more than many makers can say.


Also live plucking is not confined to China, it's also done in Poland, Hungary and so on - there most of the non-Chinese down comes from, especially the high quality stuff.
So it's not unlikely that many down products any of us have bought in the last decade, from almost any maker, have at least the possibility of live plucked down in it.


So Montane, in the scheme of things, seem to be making a reasonable effort. They're not as British and controlling in their sourcing as say PHD but better than many.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: jimbob on 09:32:38, 06/11/17
NeilC  O0
Exactly right.Much better worded than my clumsy attempt.

Dyffryn,  please note.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:43:49, 06/11/17
In the complex world of global capitalism I personally would suspect any company who suggests they are selling 'British' products. I know there may be actual British small businesses but in the bigger scheme of things, how would we know and really, does it matter? It doesn't matter to me, if its on sale, at the right price and I choose to buy it I will. We now know, I think because of the internet, that so called 'home grown' companies might be based anywhere, their financial base might be somewhere else and I suspect the so called 'British' tag might just be part of their 'honest and open' marketing strategy.

For me, who or what do I believe? In fact I'm not a believer, we live in a world of capitalist conjurors, who's only purpose it to make profits. And as for the poor animals, do I believe their 'caring' approach? No I do not! Only smoke and mirrors I suspect.

Am I in a bad mood this morning? Sorry but yes, I've just had a ding dong with a Care company who are only too willing to take the tax payer's shilling whilst covering up the fact that their client is being allowed to wallow in his own [censored]! I feel better now because at least in my own small way I fought back and refused to accept their phony explanation.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: NeilC on 09:32:40, 08/11/17
My most recent error was buying a Lifeventure Thermolite sleeping bag liner.
I wanted a warm liner to supplement my summer down bag, to extend its temperature limits so I don't have to make the jump to my much warmer winter bag. Sea to Summit make a big deal about their expensive Thermolite liners. I don't buy their silly claims of adding 15C to a sleeping bag but as lightweight, knitted material goes, Thermolite is about as good as you're going to get even if it's not a miracle fibre. So when I saw the Lifeventure one for £13 I thought it would be a bargain.

The trouble is, when I got it, it turns out it's only 50% Thermolite and the other 50% is something called Modal. I looked it up and they couldn't have picked a less suitable fibre for warmth. Modal turns out to be made of cellulose like cotton is but it actually absorbs up to 50% more more water than cotton does is used for it's "cool feel" in underwear as it has minimal thermal retentive properties. So great for a tropical bag liner, useless for a thermal liner.

In practice the liner adds a bit of warmth - maybe a couple of degrees at cool Summer temps.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: fernman on 18:03:41, 08/11/17
I'm surprised you didn't send it back for a refund.
It shows how important it is to check things like fabric composition when you can. Even in a shop it's something easily forgotten, although I do it by habit after 28 years as a white goods service engineer. I was looking at baselayers in Aldi yesterday (following on from the recent Baselayers thread in the Gear section) and some tops and bottoms they had were 48 percent cotton!
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: wobblyknees on 19:05:28, 08/11/17
and some tops and bottoms they had were 48 percent cotton!


I've seen that before with Aldi. It is sloppy (sneaky?) work practice and advertising at best and very annoying if I have went out of my way to buy the advertised product.
Title: Re: I've made purchasing mistakes. Have you?
Post by: NeilC on 15:26:59, 09/11/17
I'm surprised you didn't send it back for a refund.
It shows how important it is to check things like fabric composition when you can. Even in a shop it's something easily forgotten, although I do it by habit after 28 years as a white goods service engineer. I was looking at baselayers in Aldi yesterday (following on from the recent Baselayers thread in the Gear section) and some tops and bottoms they had were 48 percent cotton!


Should have done really but then they do actually say it's Modal if you look carefully enough so I'd prolly have to have paid the return postage and at £13 it's hardly worth it. I now have a liner that's kind of warm so might come in handy at some point.