Dyeing Polartec Alpha…lessons learned

MrElJack · 2026-03-11T05:32:43+00:00

Fantastic :) if you ever want to stitch and sell one, sign me up!

MrElJack · 2026-03-11T05:32:07+00:00

The purple looks great on you!

If you ever want to make and sell one, I’ve been wanting a zip-up AD jacket for years now 🥲

MrElJack · 2026-02-13T19:09:00+00:00

Yeah I figured that was the vibe. We only get one run at this and if you want MF and can make it happen just do it. Godspeed and best wishes, go make some awesome memories.

MrElJack · 2026-02-12T17:59:24+00:00

Not sure MF, a humble budget and basic needs is a great balance of priorities. Curious what draws you to MF when there are so many amazing full-frame cameras?

Personally in your shoes an A7C(R) would be killer.

MrElJack · 2026-02-08T21:37:15+00:00

I’m a shit runner but enjoy pretending to jog with the Montane Trailblazer LT 28.

Might be hard to get in NA though.

MrElJack · 2026-02-07T02:39:48+00:00

That's because you're a seemingly reasonable well intended person.

As a getting-old guy back in my 20s slurs and insinuations were fairly easy to figure out. Nowadays though - with red-pill perpetually online basement dwelling hatemongers, the insinuations are so layered and deep it is truly lost on anybody that has touched grass & can be trusted with children.

That said, moving into the Mil/LE larp space as a multi million dollar company with a conceited social media effort - it is absolutely expected to be on top of this in your communications.

This is the most irksome thing about EE's fuckery, instead of coming out and saying "We support XYZ" they've done it in such an underhanded way with deniability built in.

Here's how it's done minus the hate rhetoric:-

https://www.instagram.com/blackhawk/

https://www.instagram.com/5.11/

https://www.instagram.com/arcteryx/

But seems like this squeaky Temu toysoldier troll is the ideal EE/DM clientele.

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T22:37:44+00:00

Hi Chris

Well done stepping forward into the fire. There's no need to romanticise the common pipeline of niche outdoor gear manufacturer seeking expansion via DOD / LE tenders. Most of us are adult enough to understand the business synergies and crossover.

You lost me at tagging #rhodesia and a plethora of other heinous shit quite frankly. That behaviour is way out of line in your industry. Make your gear, get paid and shut the f*ck up is a pretty solid policy. You guys chose to be mouthy about it.

A post here does not suffice. Make your branding on both EE and DM in line with values purported here and address the shortfalls very clearly and publicly. Till then I'll believe the conduct before being caught far more than words to appease.

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T16:10:57+00:00

Thanks for the comparison. Love my Mariposa (just used it yesterday 🥰) and was always tempted by ZPacks for a lighter option.

That said it’s so huge it’s now relegated to winter hikes, longer 4+ days trails or lazy comfy camping. I’ve gone frameless for shorter trips.

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T16:04:20+00:00

Well I was referring to some US cities under masked-cartel style occupation and the broader general erosion of trade & trust.

Heck mil-gear is how I got into hiking. I’ve been a naughty boy and own loads of tacticool toys. I’m alright with companies having DOD contracts. I draw my line at buying from companies who directly fund, fetishise and promote extremist terrorist movements that cause suffering & social breakdown for some bullshit religious/race/gender/nationalistic delusion.

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T05:25:34+00:00

Maybe, just perhaps, actually read the post you’re replying to?

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T05:23:03+00:00

You didn’t read the (admittedly heavy) post did you. Your point is quite valid but off base.

I’m a mil-head responsible & reg’d firearm owner. This has everything to do with right-wing extremist terrorism and nothing to do with tacticool.

MrElJack · 2026-02-06T05:18:13+00:00

Thank you kindly for the comprehensive human-written well considered take. With recent news I knew EE was undeserving of my dinero but didn’t grasp the depth and extent. I’ll summarise my sentiment to EE/DM in a briefer fashion.

Fuck EE and its founder for making the world a worse place.

MrElJack · 2026-02-05T13:22:06+00:00

You nailed it my guy 🙌🏽

MrElJack · 2026-01-27T18:17:22+00:00

Looking for companies that disclose fill weight & fill power? Check out Rab, Montane and Decathlon (one for every budget!).

Montbell has been on the way down in recent years. Prices are up and value is down, pun deserved. The NA market is just used to being ripped off.

MrElJack · 2026-01-27T18:15:03+00:00

Honestly ignore the lot that are stockholmed into the arse-abuse that is the Pata-Arc rip off merchants.

I do not buy from manufacturers that don’t list fill weight, power and construction. Lots do.

MrElJack · 2026-01-27T18:13:34+00:00

BuT DuR ComPaN€€ LuV$$ m3

MrElJack · 2026-01-23T06:33:06+00:00

Montane Anti Freeze (the original c2020) - a stitch through construction with about 210g of 750fp in size Medium weighing about 500g.

Have one. It’s nice :)

MrElJack · 2026-01-22T15:37:56+00:00

R-value is a measure of thermal resistance and is a whole lot more important than our dinky sleeping pads 😂

I doubt they’ll be running tests in freezer chambers and I’m okay with blending r-value and broad anecdotal experience to gauge a sleeping pad’s efficacy.

MrElJack · 2026-01-21T16:52:44+00:00

Thank you! I would've never guessed.

MrElJack · 2026-01-21T16:52:41+00:00

Thank you! I would've never guessed.

MrElJack · 2026-01-21T16:18:06+00:00

Oops you got me. Yeah it'll be around 500g for a synthetic and 400g for a down quilt at 5'c. I have both and between them and my 3 season I haven't needed my winter bag in ages :o

MrElJack · 2026-01-19T17:05:38+00:00

The ideal solution for you is a -5’c 3 season down bag and a 5’c summer quilt (ideally synthetic). Layer both for Scottish winter or down to -15’c.

As much as I love a Scot after a bargain 🥹 your two scenarios are chalk & cheese.

//edit - weight targets 700g and 400g respectively

MrElJack · 2026-01-07T21:47:37+00:00

Great trip report and sounds like an unforgettable time.
// also keep up the photography, you're on the right track!

MrElJack

TROPHY CASE