I was looking for a pair of size 8.5 Brooks Ravenna 4 at a cheap price as they have now been replaced by the 5’s but unfortunately nowhere had this size left. I have a couple of leads to try so i am not giving up yet. If anyone knows where i may lay my hands on a cheap pair then by all means let me know.
Lots of new items are out for spring but i will just show here 2 items that caught my eye and having tried them on are now on my wish list.
First is the Rab Vapour Rise Lite Alpine jacket.
Vapor rise tops have been going for quite a few years and available in various guises. I was very fond of the 2011 or 2012 version and i almost thought Rab had blown it by changing it. However, i stand corrected, i was impressed with this latest offering. When my TNF Zephyrus starts to tire this will replace it. The staff in Ellis Brighams were very helpful.
Next may come as a bit of a shock to some because i saw these Nevica Nevis shoes in Sports Direct. Yes i know lots of people like to have a dig about Mike Ashley bla bla bla and how he’s ruining Karrimor etc etc. But i disagree. Karrimor were down and out and most of what was on offer was rubbish. But i find the new gear is ok and sometimes you can find some of the Japanese Karrimor which btw is highly regarded over there.
But onwards, I was really impressed with these trail shoes from Skiing gear company Nevica. Having tried them on, very comfy and the sole unit looks excellent. I cannot say further than that because i obviously i havn’t tried them in the field. But i put them up here because they are only £20 and i think a bargain worthy of consideration.
I would also like to say the staff in SD were also very helpful. Is Nevica now part of the Ashley brand? I guess they must be.
Nevica Nevis
Nevica Nevis excellent sole unit design.
That looks like a rather nice jacket Alan. I wish I needed a replacement for my ME Astron......
ReplyDeleteHi Gibson, There are so many new jackets out there that the choices are mind boggling. I looked at so many yesterday. For me this one stood out a mile. I think it would complement your Astron. Use the Astron in the really cold days and the Rab for all the rest. Its difficult to explain here, you really need to see it yourself and try it on. There are lots of positives with it and I am looking forward to getting one eventually.
DeleteHi Alan. Not sure this Vapour Rise will be less warm than the Astron, but you've seen it so you may be correct. With a birthday coming up and hints being dropped all day yesterday, I might find out next month!
DeleteHi Gibson, the VR feels lighter than the Astron, but regarding warmth you may be right, there might not be too much in it. With the Astron being more of a stretchy softshell it definitely feels more rugged than the VR's Pertex. If your birthday present just happens to be the Rab then I will be very interested to hear what you think.
ReplyDeleteNevica became part of the Ashley group of companies in 2010. I think there's a place for these types of shops but I'd still rather have the independant shops but people want bargains and it seems you can't have both.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I could have googled a search but i am not that bothered. I agree with bargains and i agree that there is room for both. I do think that the independents are over pricing and it can’t be just a co-incidence that they sell the same gear at the same price. Does that mean that all the overheads are the same? No, of course not. I expect thats why lots of good gear is always available at year end at a knockdown price. Of course to some lucky peeps the price is irrelevant.
DeleteI have a problem with replacing my Vapour Rise top. It was bought for a Pyrenean traverse in 2004. I wear it as often as I can, but I can't justify a new one as the b****r refuses to wear out...
ReplyDeleteNow thats a problem worth having i think. The new one is definitely different to your 2004 but what a testament of longevity with the accumulative mileage you do.
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