The last bank holiday weekend in May. Weather has been a bit iffy this week but it looks about to change - yippee!
Not satisfied with all the great deals we have been running over the last couple of weeks, we thought we'd give you one last corker before the end of the month.
From now until midnight on Monday (30th May 2011) you can get at least 25% Off all clothing. There are also some great deals to be had on equipment too with up to 27% off Mountain Equipment Starlight sleeping bags, 20% of the Arc'Teryx Pali rope bag and many more.
Enjoy!
Campfour is a technical independent outdoor store based in Macclesfield, only about 15 minutes from the Roaches. Established in 2003, we specialise in climbing and mountaineering equipment as well as stocking a large range of hiking, walking, travel and camping gear. Our online store www.campfour.co.uk was launched in 2006. At Campfour we pride ourselves on service. We spend time with our customers, offering friendly and expert advice gained from personal experience.
Friday, 27 May 2011
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Montane Featherlite Marathon Jacket Product Review
Montane Featherlite Marathon Jacket Product Review
By Fran Swallow
I was pleased to be given the opportunity by Campfour to use and review this lightweight jacket. Like many of my running peers in the Macclesfield Harriers I have a couple of jackets that I use in the less clement weathers that we love so much in sunny Cheshire, but I had never used a Montane Pertex one before. I have to admit that my preconceived ideas about it were that it would be too hot to run in unless very cold and very non waterproof in the sheeting rain.
Here are my comments:
Fit and Aesthetics
I particularly liked the fitted style (flapping jackets can be very annoying!) The product tag describes it as “articulated arms with a slight drop tail”, I’m not sure what “articulated arms” means (will it help me run faster??) but there was no arm restriction, a very comfortable fit, and the elasticated cuff stopped the sleeves riding up. The jacket I reviewed was a size 10, the same as my clothing size, this gave enough space to easily get a couple of layers underneath if needed.
As you can see there are several bright reflective “scotchlite” strips good for night time visibility; the colour (cherry) was a good choice for me as I’m not a big fan of the bright fluorescent options. Other options for colour are Azure (blue) vivid green and fluorescent yellow. The zip was lightweight but easy to manipulate (I can get numb hands in the cold)
The jacket seems to be very well made, no unfinished seams, and the material feels strong (although I’ve not actively tried to rip it, as I like it too much!!) Like all jackets it wouldn’t react well with barbed wire but would no doubt be patchable.
I’m not a fan of running in smelly kit and another big plus for me was the fact that this item can be washed at 40 degrees without any fancy treatments, very easy to maintain. The label states not to iron (I wouldn’t do this!) which made me smile, but nobody has commented that I look creased!
Weight
Using the jacket it did feel very lightweight, and it was interesting to compare weights with my existing Pertex jacket (won’t mention the brand!) as you can see above, the Montane weighed less than half as much. The jacket bag (which is tiny when packed!) has a Velcro strap on the side so could be used on a drinks belt if liked. For me, I’ve tended to stuff it in the corner of a bum bag (not in its mesh bag) which is just as economical with space.
The Jacket in Use
Use in Different conditions:
I run both around the roads and in the hills and the jacket performed well in both areas. I think if I was out for more than a couple of hours, or with a bad forecast, in the hills/ exposed conditions, I’d take a more waterproof jacket as well for extra back up.
Pertex/ Breathability
Breathable running jackets are always a difficult topic! Since when you are exercising sweat is produced, there is always going to be an element of dampness!! However, because this Pertex is so lightweight and with the nifty design of two mesh vents concealed on the front, this jacket did offer good breathability, much better than my existing one. I think Pertex does have its uses,(I also have a pair of Pertex trousers) not great for prolonged exposure (all day) to heavy rain but a good wind proof option in less extreme conditions for a few hours.
Value for Money
I am happy to admit that my approach to kit is “less is more” i.e: I don’t have a great deal and get along just fine. That said, if I can find something that I really like and is good for a variety of conditions, then I would be very pleased. From my testing, this jacket does seem to tick all the boxes, so at £45 if I can use it for several years then it is good value for money.
Conclusion
I am happy to admit that I am hooked and have been proved wrong in my preconceptions.
By Fran Swallow
I was pleased to be given the opportunity by Campfour to use and review this lightweight jacket. Like many of my running peers in the Macclesfield Harriers I have a couple of jackets that I use in the less clement weathers that we love so much in sunny Cheshire, but I had never used a Montane Pertex one before. I have to admit that my preconceived ideas about it were that it would be too hot to run in unless very cold and very non waterproof in the sheeting rain.
Here are my comments:
Fit and Aesthetics
I particularly liked the fitted style (flapping jackets can be very annoying!) The product tag describes it as “articulated arms with a slight drop tail”, I’m not sure what “articulated arms” means (will it help me run faster??) but there was no arm restriction, a very comfortable fit, and the elasticated cuff stopped the sleeves riding up. The jacket I reviewed was a size 10, the same as my clothing size, this gave enough space to easily get a couple of layers underneath if needed.
As you can see there are several bright reflective “scotchlite” strips good for night time visibility; the colour (cherry) was a good choice for me as I’m not a big fan of the bright fluorescent options. Other options for colour are Azure (blue) vivid green and fluorescent yellow. The zip was lightweight but easy to manipulate (I can get numb hands in the cold)The jacket seems to be very well made, no unfinished seams, and the material feels strong (although I’ve not actively tried to rip it, as I like it too much!!) Like all jackets it wouldn’t react well with barbed wire but would no doubt be patchable.
I’m not a fan of running in smelly kit and another big plus for me was the fact that this item can be washed at 40 degrees without any fancy treatments, very easy to maintain. The label states not to iron (I wouldn’t do this!) which made me smile, but nobody has commented that I look creased!
Weight
The Jacket in Use
Use in Different conditions:
- Dry and cold :Good , the mesh chest pockets helped to keep it non sweaty, nice to get a couple of layers underneath.
- Dry and warm: Good to start with but I would generally take it off after about 20 mins. Easy to tie around neatly to carry.
- Drizzle and cold: Good didn’t feel like I was getting particularly wet.
- Pouring rain and cold: (This was the one that surprised me) While there was no doubt I was wet, the jacket offered a significant wind proof layer, keeping me warmer than without an outer layer.
I run both around the roads and in the hills and the jacket performed well in both areas. I think if I was out for more than a couple of hours, or with a bad forecast, in the hills/ exposed conditions, I’d take a more waterproof jacket as well for extra back up.
Pertex/ Breathability
Breathable running jackets are always a difficult topic! Since when you are exercising sweat is produced, there is always going to be an element of dampness!! However, because this Pertex is so lightweight and with the nifty design of two mesh vents concealed on the front, this jacket did offer good breathability, much better than my existing one. I think Pertex does have its uses,(I also have a pair of Pertex trousers) not great for prolonged exposure (all day) to heavy rain but a good wind proof option in less extreme conditions for a few hours.
Value for Money
I am happy to admit that my approach to kit is “less is more” i.e: I don’t have a great deal and get along just fine. That said, if I can find something that I really like and is good for a variety of conditions, then I would be very pleased. From my testing, this jacket does seem to tick all the boxes, so at £45 if I can use it for several years then it is good value for money.
Conclusion
I am happy to admit that I am hooked and have been proved wrong in my preconceptions.
- Very lightweight/ packs small
- Comfortable fit
- Easy to keep clean
- Good in a variety of conditions
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Online Crazy Clothing Sale - One Day Only!
We recognise that visiting our store in Macclesfield isn't convenient for everyone, so to spread the May Bank Holiday joy a bit further, we've decided to run an online follow up to our Blue X Sale that ran in-store last weekend.
For one day and online only, we are reducing all of our clothing by a minimum of 30% and up to 50% off.
This includes all Mountain Equipment clothing which is 40% less, and some other great deals such as:
Mountain Equipment Micro Jacket - Save 50%
Berghaus Mera Peak Jacket - Save 35%
Berghaus Blencathra Jacket - Save 50%
View all our offers here...
Happy Shopping!
The promotion ends midnight Wednesday 25th May. Terms and conditions apply. Offer is subject to availability and discounts are from SRP.
For one day and online only, we are reducing all of our clothing by a minimum of 30% and up to 50% off.
This includes all Mountain Equipment clothing which is 40% less, and some other great deals such as:
Mountain Equipment Micro Jacket - Save 50%
Berghaus Mera Peak Jacket - Save 35%
View all our offers here...
Happy Shopping!
The promotion ends midnight Wednesday 25th May. Terms and conditions apply. Offer is subject to availability and discounts are from SRP.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Macclesfield Half Marathon 2011
September may seem a long way away but we're starting to gear up preparations for this year's Macclesfield Half Marathon. We are very happy to be sponsoring the event again this year.
This year, the Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 25th September. Entry is now open. You can download an entry form, or enter online via UKResults or Runner's World.
Organised by the Macclesfield Harriers, this is a hard but enjoyable half marathon (speaking from experience), with regular changes in both gradient and scenery. The atmosphere at the race is fantastic. It is a serious half marathon, but at the same time very inclusive. The Fun Run is also well established and is great family entertainment while the half marathon is in progress.
Last year saw the introduction of high visibility Ronhill Technical Tees for finishers. This proved very popular, so the same will be happening this year. The printed design is modern and tasteful - you often see them whizzing past you around Macclesfield town centre, as finishers continue their training.
In 2010 we had 758 finishers in excellent running conditions, and managed to raise £9,000 for the beneficiaries. We hope to top that this year. The beneficiaries are East Cheshire Hospice and Macclesfield Athletic Track Appeal.
We'll be there on the day although it is still under discussion who will be manning our stand and who will be running! If you would like to race, download an entry form using this link or enter online. For further information, you can visit the official Macclesfield Half Marathon website.
We'll be posting more information as we get closer to the event.
Hope to see you there.
This year, the Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 25th September. Entry is now open. You can download an entry form, or enter online via UKResults or Runner's World.
Organised by the Macclesfield Harriers, this is a hard but enjoyable half marathon (speaking from experience), with regular changes in both gradient and scenery. The atmosphere at the race is fantastic. It is a serious half marathon, but at the same time very inclusive. The Fun Run is also well established and is great family entertainment while the half marathon is in progress.
Last year saw the introduction of high visibility Ronhill Technical Tees for finishers. This proved very popular, so the same will be happening this year. The printed design is modern and tasteful - you often see them whizzing past you around Macclesfield town centre, as finishers continue their training.
In 2010 we had 758 finishers in excellent running conditions, and managed to raise £9,000 for the beneficiaries. We hope to top that this year. The beneficiaries are East Cheshire Hospice and Macclesfield Athletic Track Appeal.
We'll be there on the day although it is still under discussion who will be manning our stand and who will be running! If you would like to race, download an entry form using this link or enter online. For further information, you can visit the official Macclesfield Half Marathon website.
We'll be posting more information as we get closer to the event.
Hope to see you there.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Blue X Sale This Saturday...
This Saturday we're having a Blue X Sale event in-store. Clothing will be up to a massive 70% Off. Some examples of the type of great deals you can expect are below. The store will open as normal at 9am and close at 5pm, so don't miss out! This offer is running for 1 day only.
For directions, visit us online.
To have a browse before-hand, visit www.campfour.co.uk.
Berghaus Blencathra Jacket
SRP £100 Blue X Sale Price £30.00
Mountain Equipment Kongur Jacket
SRP £290 Blue X Price £174
Mountain Equipment Micro Jacket
SRP £50 Blue X Sale Price £30
The promotion runs in-store only for 1 day (21/5/2011). All offers are subject to availability and Terms and Conditions do apply.
For directions, visit us online.
To have a browse before-hand, visit www.campfour.co.uk.
Berghaus Blencathra Jacket
SRP £100 Blue X Sale Price £30.00
Mountain Equipment Kongur Jacket
SRP £290 Blue X Price £174
Mountain Equipment Micro Jacket
SRP £50 Blue X Sale Price £30
The promotion runs in-store only for 1 day (21/5/2011). All offers are subject to availability and Terms and Conditions do apply.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
The New Season
the sun is out, the trees have leaves and every body has flooded to the sports climbing (and I'm no exception). To aid in this I thought it would be about time to get a new rope and I opted for the Beal Joker 9.1mm (in black so i can pretend I'm a ninja...)and so far it has been the best rope ive ever bought! Not too thick or thin, you can barley feel the weight of it and it handles like no other (also when i coil it it hasnt tangled itself on me *touch wood*)
Any way on with the climbing up date, a trip to Rubicon to try the classic Rubicon Wall left me a little dishartend, that was untill i went to Chee Dale with Mr D Bridgewood. After a wee warm up on Subterfudge and Quality Control we moved down to Why Me. I went up and down once to learn the moves before trying it and then fell of it twice, one hoiked Dom clean 5 foot off the floor (my beta made me clip the thrid clip late) but then it all fell into place. It was a really nice route on undercuts and with a really nice heel hook. lets hope the sports climbing continues like this.
Any way on with the climbing up date, a trip to Rubicon to try the classic Rubicon Wall left me a little dishartend, that was untill i went to Chee Dale with Mr D Bridgewood. After a wee warm up on Subterfudge and Quality Control we moved down to Why Me. I went up and down once to learn the moves before trying it and then fell of it twice, one hoiked Dom clean 5 foot off the floor (my beta made me clip the thrid clip late) but then it all fell into place. It was a really nice route on undercuts and with a really nice heel hook. lets hope the sports climbing continues like this.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Mammut Ultimate Review
by the Campfour Team
The term Soft Shell is often confusing – what is or isn’t a soft shell? The difference in opinion often rests around whether the fabric has a membrane (e.g. gore-tex, eVent or similar). Either way, what unites both camps is the fact that the garment has a soft finish, is forgiving in its ability to stretch or flex, and provides very good protection from the elements, without quite reaching the level of protection you would expect from a waterproof jacket (or hard shell).
Soft shell technology has been a staple in Europe for years due to the Alpine walking and climbing scene, and over recent years has started to gain popularity in the UK as users have realized how good these garments are, and now many weather conditions they are appropriate for.
Both jackets are made out of Gore-windstopper - a surprisingly water resistant fabric that dries quickly, so if you do happen to get caught in a quick shower, you’ll be ok. It’s fully windproof and really breathable, perfect for those blustery days on the crag (e.g. sat belaying at the top of Stanage – brrrrr). For the rock climbers amongst you, we think you’ll like the slim fit cut of this jacket which makes it easy to wear with a harness, and the hood on the Ultimate Hoody is helmet compatible.For us, what really stand outs about both of these jackets is the full stretch fabric with articulated elbows, which means you get true freedom of movement and comfort. The 2 way front zip and under arm vents mean that you can cool down easily if you’re working up a sweat!
This jacket would be at home at the crag, out walking in the hills, Alpine climbing in Europe, and Scottish mountaineering any time of year. Hard wearing, hard working and well put together.
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