By: Blonde Two
Although I would like to say that I am an innocent; I have to confess that I am as guilty of Outdoor-Gear-Snobbery as the next Blonde. I can spot a Paramo jacket at ten paces, smell anything to do with RAB on the wind and would be really cross if anyone expected me to wear anything other than Meindl walking boots.
However, Outdoor-Gear-Snobbery in other people really annoys me! (contradiction = woman) There is, I feel, a fine balance between appreciating a brand because their kit does the job that it is supposed to do, and appreciating a brand because … well, it is a brand.
If for example, Blonde One and I produced our own range of outdoor gear (it has been suggested). The name “Blonde” would have an interesting effect. Mr Bearded Mountain Walker from Up-North would shudder at the thought of wearing one of our jackets but Miss Dartmoor Expeditioner might recognise that two Blondes who spend so much time outside would know what a jacket should provide.
It is easy to dismiss gear that is cheaper in price or maybe not from the ‘right’ shop as being lacking. All gear, however, should be judged according to how well it does the job and whether or not it is in the price range of the person (often young) who needs it.
Merino would be an example. I love a bit of New Zealand (or Chinese) sheep against my skin, and have been so much of an Icebreaker fan in the past that I have even travelled to the Merino-Motherland in order to buy some. Icebreaker, however, are in danger of pricing themselves out of the market. I have two long-standing merinos that are of other, cheaper brands and both have done their job as well, and lasted as long as their Icebreaker equivalents.
Don’t get me wrong Gear-Gurus. I am not against branding. Look at Two Blondes, we have just realised that we have a successful brand which sells books. The proof of the gear though, should be in the wearing and the proof of the Blonde should be in the gearing!
A sad thing about gear in any sport is what is often called “entry level” equipment. Just at the time when the inexperienced need all the help they can get they are fobbed off with some inferior tackle which makes learning of the new pursuit even more difficult. Imagine the off-putting effect of venturing into snow and ice climbing wearing some cheapo down jacket when you could be wearing a Rab classic. The reputation of the latter would be an additional boost on top of its acknowledged performance.
I agree with you in many ways – socks for example. I have found no difference between expensive, supposedly “technical” brands compared with those you can buy at Asda. There are many other examples.
funny that – when we started, the thing was to use the roughest workwear/army surplus sort of stuff – anything else was poncy:
the looks from the French at the Biolet campsite may have been disdainful at first, but not when we returned . . .
I still have some old Black’s kit that withstood gritstone jamming that would destroy ripstop nylon in a single pitch
Even a youngster like me can remember her first Guide camp bedding roll being wrapped in a groundsheet that was also a cape for a horseback soldier! It was my Granny’s and I was very proud of it, even wore it in the rain!
One of our issues is what to recommend to our youngsters. We have to adjust our suggestions according to how long we think they will stick with it. You can’t take them out on Dartmoor without boots but they may decide that they hate it after the first go.
I’m not bothered about sporting the best brand name I just want the product to do the right job at a good price. I’m a thrifty type and most of my gear is Tresspass, Mountain Warehouse etc but I paid more than I usually would for my Seal Skinz gloves because I wanted quality and a glove that was waterproof, warm but thin.
Personally I would hate to rip an expensive coat on a barb wire fence so buy makes that do the job but I wouldn’t shed tears if they got damaged. After all, they are for the outdoors!
I’m not the trendiest person on the mountain but I’ll make sure I’m still one of the warmest 🙂
Miss Tulip x
The Thrifty Magpies Nest
We Blondes are fans of Sealskinz too. Definitely not cheap but does the job so well. I have a hat which is a bit loud around the ears but lovely!
Welcome to the World-of-Blonde!