Tried and Tested
Minimus down pullover
PHD (Peter Hutchinson Designs)
Winter; cold windy and challenging. Here it can be wet, very wet - but not for long. It is usually the wind that chills one. With high winds – up to 107mph on one day this past February - wind chill can be a killer.
PH Minimus smock is a warm, cosy life saver! A shockingly simple design that meets one’s belt line it is as the name says - a down pullover that is both minimalist and efficient. It is so light weight at first I doubted its efficacy. As it is filled with real quality 800 fill down there are no worries for cold spots/poor quality warmth.
Down Quality: 800
Outer Fabric: M1 Microfibre
Weight (g): 320
Weight (oz): 11
Minimum temperature (°C)*: -5
Minimum temperature (°F)*: 23
Colour: Black / Red (Black / red / blue in Drishell)
Construction: Stitch-through for lightness
(* - see PHD website for details.)
For the technically absorbed the details are as above. For those of you who are more driven by practicalities here we go:
I have used this jacket continually throughout this winter and I can only say it is absolutely brilliant. It has become a permanent part of my kit wherever I am. It folds/squishes into a most ridiculous small space and bounces right back! It has a hand warmer pocket that contains a wee zipped pocket within. I never need this but I would imagine for some folks it could be useful. I opted for the hood too. It is edged with a fine fleece but no cord/lace to tighten around th efface. At first I thought this may present a problem but, as yet, it has been fine and worth while having – especially in late evenings/early mornings. It is the first thing I put on leaving my sleeping bag so all that lovely warmth from my sleeping bag it still withheld. Cosy! I slip it over my woollen shirt or base layer depending on conditions. Near the camp fire if slip my woollen Bushshirt over the top so as there is no danger of spark damage. It is warm and comfortable and above all light. Fitting in our ‘Less is More’ philosophy. On long trips it is easy to slip on/off at breaks – especially in the mountain/moorland landscape we have here on Islay.
Peter Hutchinson has come up with another fabulous design and if you are looking for a light weight portable radiator – then this is the piece of kit you just have to have.
Minimus sleeping bag
£154
PHD (Peter Hutchinson Designs)
When I found out that this bag had won design prizes eight years ago and was still popular with those in the know I just had to find out more...
So... I have been testing this bag for nearly five months now.
I know I am interested in all things lightweight and over the past twenty five years have tried and tested many bags but as yet I can honestly say, have not found a more comfortable bag.
This is a down fill and some folks will find this abhorrent in the world of petroleum based insulation. What happens if it gets wet? Well my answer is – don't let it. There are waterproof stuff sacks made by lever people such as Ortlieb or Exped and if your bivvi/basher/cave or tent is properly constructed then it should remain dry any way. I also tend to use a bivvi bag when up on the hill in bashas or cave dwelling. This not only keeps the moisture at bay but also gives a wee bit more insulation too.
Peter Hutchinson is not the only person who is passionate about his products. His staff are too, as I found out when visiting his factory this summer. I purchased this bag – like everything I test, so there is no ‘I’ll write a good review cos you gave me a freebie’ scenario here.
The technical side is as follows and can be checked out on the PHD website.
This bag has the 800 down filling and so far in sixteen nights of varied condition from end of Scottish island summer to clear autumn nights I have yet to feel chilly. I am a warm sleeper so this needs to be taken into account. However it is extremely comfortable. I use a pertex liner, thus not making the bag dirty. The quality of fabrication is brilliant and simple too. It is red and can come in any colour you wish as long as it is red and comes in three sizes. S M and L. It has a hood, no zip and is truly minimalist –ideal!
The box wall construction is simple and well constructed. It has straight wall baffles so no problems with twisting or the down bunching up. Once it is out of the stuff sack I just give it a big shake and it is ready to go!
At 495gm complete in its stuff sac the Minimus has set a whole new standard as the lightest sleeping bag in the world this is when it was launched back in 1998. It is still the classic ultra light. Packing into an exped dry bag it becomes impossibly small!
800 Downfill is unique goose down and in very limited supply. Careful control is exercised from rearing the birds’ right through to final processing. Peter checks the provenance of such down and does not allow any lesser material to fill these bags. This of course is not a cheap way of doing it, however, the result is a truly excellent down: large cluster: consistent quality: lively with long-term performance. The willpower average is about 800 and the down has demonstrated remarkable performance in actual use. And has surprised me especially recently as we have had clear skies and although it is rated to a low of 5 degrees my thermometer was down to 1 degree one night and I did not feel cold at all. Inside I was wearing my merino T shirt and pants from Howies – but that’s another story and another test!
If you, like me, like to use minimal kit and follow the Less is More mantra then this is for you. worth every penny. I will be reporting back long term on this over the coming months.
It is red and can come in any colour you wish as long as it is red and comes in three sizes. S M and L. It has a hood, no zip and is truly minimalist –ideal!
When packed it is tiny and fits in a small exped compression sack although a wee one is provided by Peter. I have photographed it with a Bison Bushcraft Busman’s Pal that is just over 6 inches.
Bison Bushcraft Shoes
£90
Having been used almost daily for the past three months these shoes/boots – they are a high cut, have really been road, field and coast tested!
Made on soft leather with sewn in tongue (no bits creeping in) and Vibram sole they look at first glimpse to be reminiscent of the old ‘brothel creepers of yesteryear. (You need to be of a certain age to remember those) However the reminiscence does not fail. Reminding me of comfortable, dry and easy wearing, these new shoes are superb.
Although not waterproof as such these shoe/boots can withstand an early morning dew, a walk in the rain or a day’s birding up here on islay. The soft leather can be ‘proofed if need be, but I have just let mine alone and they now have a great patina to them. I am a great fan to Vibram, and these sport a fabulous and lightweight sole that really is non-slip and clears mud very well. Of course it means that the sole is replaceable too. They are so comfortable from the off.
Sized in the old fashioned GB numbers and half sizes too you will be bound to find a pair that fits. If not Roger assures me that your size can be manufactured - oh yes – these are handmade. Really, I know the fabricators, we used to buy our children’s shoes from them so they have great provenance. The price may seem steep at first but when you consider what these are it is well worth every penny
Tel: 01496 850010 or 07810 460 175
Email: info@islaybirding.co.uk
The Old Byre Main Street, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay, PA48 7TX