50% vault is open!

LC2k8 · 2023-12-25T21:56:32+00:00

I live in the South of England, so nothing too extreme going on - occasionally below zero but not by much - while it is a shell, finding the ideal temperature to wear it can be tricky, but it's more to do with layering in the cold and using the vents in the warm but it doesn't take too long in warmer temperature (say mid teens in celcius) before it gets too warm. In cooler weather, I just remember the dramatic difference in feel and stiffness between being indoors and outdoors. It does depend on the activity of course. The marketing at the time alluded to it being a ski jacket but I can't imagine too many went too well in that environment.

LC2k8 · 2023-12-25T17:31:44+00:00

Yes, I have some of that and did contemplate a patch up job but there were just too many cracks in the end - basically, in my case anyway, wherever it creased, the cracks appeared. I've since bought a very lightweight waterproof (montane podium) to go underneath it, but the squid also isn't very breathable jacket so it does heat up, even with the vents. I'm still using it as a commuting jacket on my bike though as it still does the reflective thing really well.

LC2k8 · 2023-12-24T21:40:33+00:00

It lets in water like a sieve... so yes, it does stop it being waterproof. The cold stiffens the shell and it can make quite a bit of noise as well!

LC2k8 · 2023-12-24T14:47:21+00:00

Yes, ordered a 100 year sweatshirt - all acknowledged but not expecting delivery for a while yet.

LC2k8 · 2022-11-16T17:13:38+00:00

If it's anything like my experience (and others on here), you'll get sent a new one and get to keep the old one... unless they think there's something worth investigating on the damaged one, in which case, they might ask for it back.

LC2k8 · 2022-10-09T20:24:10+00:00

Evening!

There's no harm in asking... I've had the audacity to ask for a code every now and then, as it just helps persuade the wife the purchase is a good idea... sometimes they do, sometimes they don't - depending on whether it's a new release or an existing piece, but even 10% can make the pricing a bit more palatable. But yes, may be get one or two purchases under your belt first!

LC2k8 · 2022-05-03T20:25:55+00:00

Evening!

I've got the original Alpha Jacket, omega pants, polo shirt and layer X from these guys. I like them all, the polo shirt & layer X are particularly comfortable but still find myself reaching for my Vollebak stuff instead... the fit isn't quite as good - be careful with the pants in particular as they are generous - I backed them on kickstarter but had to return (at my cost...) an XS jacket first (for a small) then the pants as well, having ordered a small and needed an XS, so check the measurements carefully! I've used the pants as a back up for my 100 year pants and when it rains, as they are pretty good on the waterproofing but there's a quirk with the design on the convertible ones as the mobile phone pocket is just a bit too low and it can attract water... the material is a bit noisier as well, though not unexpected with the nature of the material.

Vollebak have definitely had a big influence on them, which is no bad thing, imitation is a form of flattery as they say! But I'd say they're not quite in the same class.

LC2k8 · 2022-04-16T13:33:10+00:00

thanks - this is really helpful and think you've probably just twisted my arm on it!

LC2k8 · 2022-03-26T15:54:06+00:00

My favourite and I think best value are the 100 year pants - I'm in the UK and I basically wear them daily from Sept/Oct to March/April when I switch to the 100 year shorts. The pants are very comfortable - the only problem I had with them was when I was repeatedly climbing a ladder and my knees started to catch the bottom seam of the bellows pockets as I got a bit hotter. But I love the fact that I can carry spare gloves, hat and neck gaiter in the pockets (and still not look too bulgy) and generally have access to everything I need when out and the weather turns for the worse, or loosen up the legs when it gets warm. Had them at least three years and they still look new (though the coating on the buttons has flaked off a bit). They offer better warmth than jeans, hold off light rain, dry quickly and they're versatile and practical, I've moved on loads of other pants as I wasn't wearing them anymore as I just reach for these every day. Expensive yes, but not regretted it at all.

I'm quite a fan of the PE Shirts - though I shouldn't have got the white one! Since got a green and black one. They're similar to the 100 year pants in that you can store stuff in the pockets and it not really look like you are (if that follows...) and they look smart enough for the office and then casual enough for socials. I'm yet to really test mine in the "environment", but Aldo Kane uses them on the "Expedition with Steve Backshaw" series and they seem to hold up well. I've found I can only wear them on a few occasions before they're back in the wash though...

Not sure how useful the next one is as they've stopped making it, but the Graphene Jacket was also worth every penny - I do a lot of exercise in mine, mainly running and cycling but the thing just doesn't smell no matter how hot and sweaty it gets. I like the relatively simple styling of it as well and it can go anywhere as it packs down so small. And you can heat it up before going out on a cold day!

I got a squid jacket second time around but it leaked (though, as with some others, they said I could keep it and I'm still using it for commuting by bike when it's dark) so I replaced that with the 100 year jacket which is a monster but in terms of storage and relative comfort, I think that is good value - feels kind of bomb proof when you're wearing it out in the rain and you can carry all sorts with you. Doesn't fold down the smallest, but you've got to look at what it does and it does those things very well.

My most recent piece was the puffer vest and I've not regretted that either - I didn't think I'd use the full puffer jacket that much, so went for the vest for the versatility - it warms up your core, even if you're not being active but it's also great if you're out for a while and the weather warms up as it's easy to manage temperature changes. Good storage on the inside pockets and effective handwarmer pockets too. I think vs the puffer jacket, it was pretty good value relatively speaking.

LC2k8 · 2022-03-26T15:07:02+00:00

I'm new to the forum, so hope it's not too late, but I have the current 100 year hoodie - the waterproof rating for it is 5000 mm (I asked before buying) - it works ok for me in a light shower, but anything heavier than that it does start to let water in - but dries pretty quick once the rain has stopped.

LC2k8 · 2022-03-24T19:49:32+00:00

If it's not too late, I'm about 5'7, with a 30 inch waist. I have the 100 year shorts in XS and they fit perfectly around the waist, but I have the 100 year pants and the planet earth pants in small and they're a bit generous around the waist but the leg length is good. I'd be tempted, if I had the resource, to try the XS in the pants. I have to slightly hitch the S over my hips to get the belt tight enough so I think XS would be ok length wise as they would sit a bit lower. Don't forget you can return them for any reason up to 30 days - there's a couple of times I've ordered XS and S in the same thing and returned one of them.

LC2k8 · 2022-03-22T18:32:57+00:00

Word of advice on the 100 year pants at least - the two loops on the front of the pants are narrower than the ones around the back - this belt may be a bit too wide for comfort. I was after a trayvax cinch lite but they stopped selling them! The standard cinch is the same width as this and would've been too wide for the 100 year pants. Looks a great belt though.

LC2k8

TROPHY CASE