I knew next to nothing when I first stumbled out alone into the Mourne Mountains with no idea, no equipment and nothing to sustain me except that golden beginners enthusiasm. Luckily one piece of kit was about to come my way that would change everything.
My first purchase in the field of outdoor clothing was a Buffalo “Special 6” Mountain shirt and it has been a constant companion to me on everything outdoors ever since. I completed the Mourne Mountain Marathon wearing that Buffalo jacket, walked the Mourne Wall wearing it, cycled across Ireland wearing it, walked the Camino De Santiago in Spain with it. I even spent one night out in the snow on a hillside shivering in it: that night the Buffalo most probably saved me from a trip to the hospital.
The main selling point of the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt is simply that it can be worn for all those activities that require control of heat, moisture, sweat and windchill. Hiking, Skiing, Climbing etc
Usually Coats come on, then off, baselayers are pulled on and off. The constant battle for climatic control distracts from the adventure. With the Buffalo you simply slip one on and you’re set. The excellent breathability of the Pertex and Pile, coupled with zips at each side of the torso mean that you can meet any eventuality with no need for changes of clothing.
The map pocket centred in the chest area makes a perfect feature for quick navigation and a clutter free, sleek, existence in the hills.
The Joey pouch style pockets in the belly of the shirt also make for handy access and no shortage of storage space.
The Buffalo Special 6 shirt is stylish, practical and most importantly has been tested and relied on by reputable people in the most hostile of environments. Designed by and used extensively by special forces soldiers the shirt is also much loved by mountain rescue services and professional outdoors people.
Despite all this the Buffalo has one feature that begs for further development, one aspect that would make it hands down the ultimate one stop outdoor garment: that aspect is waterproofing.
The Pertex shell on the Buffalo will hold small showers of rain at bay for a while but as a garment it is shower proof only. Sustained moisture leads the shell to cling to the body and in a downpour soon you are soaked to the skin. Strangely tho the pile material retains it’s warmth even when wet. Here the Aqua Therm Pile lining comes into it’s own. I have been often soaked through in torrential rain however remained warm due to the Aqua pile.
With a price tag of around £120 pounds the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt isn’t an impulse buy however, for me, the price is a non-starter for discussion. For the quality and the life span of most units the Buffalo is a quality investment and one that will last (A decade of heavy use is not uncommon with a Buffalo…many users report theirs lasting longer).
On this note however the following points should be borne in mind for care and repair of the Buffalo:
-The Pertex Shell does not like sparks from the campfire. It will tolerate a few but as with any clothing avoid sparks from the campfire.
-The Pertex Shell also is vulnerable to sharp rocks, fences and the like.
-Buffalo stand over the product for a lifetime guarantee. For small repairs such as little rips and burns as above Buffalo will provide you with a repair kit for free. Iron on patches will have it good as new.
– I am the singularly most wreckless and clumsy man I have ever met with equipment. Despite this my Buffalo has only a few small scuffs and one small rip. This is after 4 years of heavy use (I even wore it Caving!)
In short if I had only one piece of kit to recommend for the outdoors it would be the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt. It keeps you warm, dry (ish) and most importantly can be thrown on and forgot about leaving you the freedom to get stuck into your own adventure.
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Find a bargain on eBay
The special six smock often sells lightly used on ebay for as low as £20.
Hi,
How well does it work in hotter weather?
Hi Patrick!,
Welcome to Hikersblog! Yeah the Special 6 works well in hot climates, the zips at the side mean you can make it as ventilated as you like.
I wouldn’t be wearing it in the hot of a summers day but it’s perfect for around the campfire when the sun goes down and you need a little extra warmth.
I brought mine walking the Camino in Spain and it was perfect for this. Also you can get away with a much lighter sleeping bag if you bring the buffalo too!
Hope you enjoy the blog!
Rusty
Hi
Thanks for reply. I’ve only just noticed that you replied to me.
I agree with you, it is the best piece of kit I have ever purchased. mine is now 20yrs old, has numerous rips & the pile is now threadbare. I have(to my shame)replaced it twice with other makes, as they were up to 50% cheaper, & for good reason ! they were not as good, I am currently struggling to find one local to me, as I’ve put a bit of weight on & might need a larger size, so want to try a couple of different sizes.
All the best in your future adventures
Rob
Hi!
I know the question has already been asked about how the special 6 shirt does in warmer weather but wanted to check. I’m from Belfast myself and although if I purchased a shirt it might get used for hiking the mournes occasionally the primary use would be for dog walking everyday just around the block. I’ve read mixed reviews about the shirt being too warm for even Autumn and winter use in the UK. Just wanted your opinion for Belfast weather. Would it be ideal for our Autumn and winter months for walking a few miles in everyday around the city and countryside or would it be too warm?
Cheers!
I use mine for winter hill climbing in Scotland. I find that for hill walking, 5c and below is when I use my Special 6 with nothing on underneath (get the hood!). I have had my water bottle freeze solid and yet I remained comfy. As a comparison when camping on a frosty morning I was sitting in my Special 6 all snug and my pal had his down jacket on…
Great review, surely you understand that if it was waterproof it wouldn’t work? The pertex is breathable allowing the liner to wick moisture away. With say a gortex outer this wouldn’t be possible, unless you were sat still.
The special six is a great piece of kit and is the first thing on for runs and walks in anything below zero. I find it too warm is anything above that, I move fast and usually carrying a small/medium load.
Happy adventures
Mike
I bought mine over 20 years ago and used it a lot walking in the Lakes and Scotland back then. Great bit of kit. I’ve not done a great deal of walking etc over the last few years, but am now finding time to ‘get back into it’ and drag my son away from his computer games. I dug the old Buffalo out of the loft and wore it last week while out near Pendle. The heavens opened and it poured down for an hour or more and the only wet that penetrated the Buffalo (that I could feel) was at the shoulder where the seems are. I know this isn’t waterproof, but I was perfectly comfortable (i also have the hood). I agree with others here that it can be a bit too warm for conditions which aren’t so cold, but the side zips, neck zip, cuffs and even the ‘kangaroo pouch’ zips can help with cooling.
I still love it though and am looking forward to more dad and lad wandering!
Hi Rusty,
You’re probably aware but they do milder weather stuff too like the Active Lite Shirt, and teclite shirt and jacket.
Had mine since 1999, still going strong. The waist strap pulled out of its stitching recently (I’m getting too fat in old age!) but was easily repaired. Its seen -31oC with a Fairfield (another British make) fleece on top with no problems. Normally worn on its own on a hike with a gortex shell on top when it rains. Can’t fault it, can’t believe its nearly 20 years old. Best clothing I’ve ever bought for the outdoors.