Lansdale Blog

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Buffalo Systems Clothing -Seasonal Considerations

With cool, damp evenings and variable weather conditions becoming more prevalent at this time of year, selecting what outdoor clothing and equipment to wear can be considered a lottery by some. 

Buffalo Systems proven, highly windproof, breathable, Pertex / Pile concept keeps you comfortable in cold, wet conditions and have a variety of solutions whatever the season.  

The Buffalo Mountain Shirt is still considered the go to ‘jacket’ with its almost patented over head design, functional versatility, venting options and ample stowage pockets. Long term Buffalo users would say that if you can only own one piece of Buffalo outdoor clothing in your lifetime, this should be it. 

If on the other hand you are like me with ‘all the gear, no idea’, Buffalo offer an expanding range of outdoor products suitable for both the casual outdoor hill walker through to the serious outdoor professional.

The Buffalo Fell Jacket bridges this gap nicely with its more casual styling and appearance whilst retaining Buffalo’s proven outdoor heritage. The Fell Jacket is available in both male and female cuts and swaps Buffalo’s traditional pile (found in the equivalent Alpine Jacket) for a micro pile inner making it more suited to milder weather conditions or those of you that simply do not feel the cold as much. 

Continuing along a similar theme, those of you that cycle commute may want to start to considering the Buffalo Teclite Cycle Top at this time of year. The highly visible P4 outer and reflective tapes help make yourself seen. The high wicking Teclite insulation strikes a balance between a non-insulated Buffalo Windshirt and the heavily insulated, winter weight Cycle Shirt. The extra long neck zip help regulates temperature and air flow. Watch our YouTube video here.

The Teclite Shirts and Active Lite Shirts are other garments within the Buffalo lighter weight family. The combinations of either P4 or P5 rip stop outer with the micro pile liners offer good weather protection. The P4 outer found on the Teclite shirt offers less protection of the two and therefore that is why products featuring P4 are recommended for high activity use or milder weather.

As the largest independent Buffalo Systems stockist within the M25 area, all of the above listed products are stocked items and our shelves you gearing back up with the peak winter season. 

I hope that this helps but please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or require additional information. tweet us @ lansdaleltd

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Survivor... prevention is better than cure

It is probably just me but does anyone remember an 80′s dental campaign where you got a sticker and a stick of rock (not really) with the slogan ‘Prevention is better than cure’ encouraging better brushing?

Regardless of the legitimacy of the advertising campaign, alongside the Griffin Saver account, the memories and motto actually stayed with me and I think The Griffin Survivor All Terrain cases embody this saying perfectly.

In a world where we are totally reliant on our communication devices for work and entertainment, the modern range of cases on offer impart little or no real physical protection to your asset. 

The Survivor All Terrain cases are drop tested to a height of 2m and are in use with the US Military daily confirming that they are real-world proven to offer the ultimate protection for your phone or tablet.

The patented multi-layer structure protects the screen and body in a shock absorbing silicone and poly-carbonate core along with sealed plugs to prevent moisture and dust getting into the ports and connectors. 

All of this protection is achieved without affecting any of the functionality and touch screen applications of your device including fingerprint scanner. Take a look at our YouTube video here.

With official iPhone screen repairs starting at £86 and sods law stating that you will probably drop your new phone before long, the iPhone Survivor case looks like a no-brainer with prices starting at less than half the repair cost alone, excluding any personal inconvenience costs!

At last the ultimate protection for your phones and tablets has arrived with the Griffin Survivor Cases designed for the latest iPhones and iPads. 

Protect your mobile device now. Lansdale are an approved UK supplier for these cases. 

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Celebrating 30 Years of Military Manufacturing

Established in 1985, Lansdale has been manufacturing products for the British Army since day one. The early bias was aimed toward military presentations and accoutrements, however, the need and demand for combat & military equipment has subsequently influenced the direction we have taken.

Generically known within the British Army as ‘Nyrex Folders’, Lansdale manufactures a comprehensive range of field notebooks. These quality notebooks have been supplied to regiments that have all seen action in the conflicts of the past 30 years as well as training establishments throughout the British Forces including The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Manufactured in Staines, all of our orders books are available with hardback or floppy (soft) covers and comply with EU environmental regulations unlike the majority of the Far East imports. The core of our military customers request them in tundra green but as we produce them in house, a full palette of colours are available upon request. 

The A6 20 Pocket, A5 40 Pocket Floppy Display Binder and A4 30 Pocket Binders are our most popular configurations although the varied offering of pockets is available across the range. 

The Personal Exercise Organiser is ideal for section commanders and is a great way to organise your Tactical Aide Memoirs (TAMS). For those of you interested in the manufacturing process, take a look here.

Complimentary products that are also manufactured in the UK are the Zipped Nylon Notebook Covers. Again, available in A6, A5, and A4 sizes, there is ample storage for additional waterproof notebooks and pens under the front access flaps. These multi-terrain pattern notebook covers offer additional document protection making them a great solution when on cadre courses or out in the field. 

Whilst perhaps it is not very ‘British’ to talk about one’s success, we thought maintaining 30 years of British manufacturing and supplying the Armed Forces was a worthy milestone. By way of a mini celebration and to reinforce Lansdale’s British military pedigree, we have updated our logo to include elements of the Union Jack. Let us know what you think via Facebook or Twitter

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Hydration, Heatwave and weather... some very British thoughts

Unless you enjoy warm climates throughout the majority of the year, it would be particularly un-British of you to have ignored the above average temperatures that we have experienced this week. 

Cue stories of melting railway lines, the wrong kind of heat, photos of a crowded English beach plus the obligatory chart highlighting the UK was temporarily hotter than a traditional British Mediterranean tourist destination that enjoys warmer temperatures than us for the remaining 364 days of the year!

To the majority of us I am sure that it is common sense to ensure that you drink plenty of hydrating fluids, although interestingly there has been a contrast of opinions within the office recently. 

A visiting sales representative who was a former British Army Officer, advised that whilst serving in the military he was trained so that the body could be more efficient and therefore require less water intake during a variety of situations.

One of my colleagues appeared to agree with this military concept, as she felt that she would drown if she followed the basic guidance of drinking 2.5ltrs a day! 

On the flip side, a few of us had stronger views on what should be drunk, what fluids contributed to the 2.5ltr minimum requirements etc. I am not sure how intuitive it is but Camelbak Maximum Gear (the tactical arm of Camelbak) offer a basic indicator of how climatic conditions can effect your water requirement. 

Sticking with Camelbak, the Camelbak Motherlode has been an extremely popular hydration pack for UK Forces serving on operational tours in recent years. The Motherlode has a 3ltr bladder capacity, 37ltr storage capacity and is available in full spec or UK Lite

Phase 1 recruits and British Army Cadets will be more familiar with the 58 pattern water bottle and cup initially during their army lives but hydration packs will become more relevant as their military careers progress.

On the outdoor and civilian side, the selection of available commuter mugs, thermal drinking flasks and water bottles clearly indicates that we have a thirst for a wide variety of drinking products. 

The Aladdin Aveo water bottle appears to have found the perfect balance between fashionable and functional water bottle, whilst the Camelbak Podium Range appeals to the sports user.  The Camelbak Eddy bottles are also great for casual and kids school use. 

As a little bit of fun and before this weeks ‘scorching summers’ ends, we thought we would try to find an alternative to combat Camelbak’s ‘Hydrate or Die’ slogan. The best we could offer were #Don’t think...Drink and #Don’t procrastinate, Hydrate.   ....now I bet that has got you advertising execs running scared!

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10 Outdoor Essentials from LansdaleLtd

With the weather settling down and many of you spending more time out and about under canvas (well polyester!), we thought it would be useful to share some information on our popular outdoor products at this time of year. 

Obviously budgets, individual preferences and style of camping / activity dictate requirements, however, basic essentials of having something to sleep on (sleeping bags), something to cook and eat with (camping stoves) and a method of transporting everything (backpacks) remain constant.

The Cyba-Lite Maxi Lantern is an efficient LED light that will hang nicely within small tents, gently illuminate your outside camping table and can be carried around easily by yourself or kids without any safety concerns associated with the traditional gas lanterns.

The Primus Vacuum Insulated Mug has a stainless steel outer and will help keep your beverages hot or cold for several hours. The simply one click button operation allows for easy drinking and sealing whilst on the go or simply relaxing. Take a closer look at our video review here.

The Jetboil Zip is the compact version of the Jetboil Flash. It shares many of the key features and patented FluxRing® heating element that results in a neat and efficient, all in one cooking system. Check out our product comparison video here.

Unless your are feeling particularly primitive, the Spork is a simple combination fork and spoon with a serrated edge that can be used to eat most common ‘camping foods’ such as pasta dishes and cereals.

The Turboflame lighter  is a useful gadget to have within your outdoor essentials pack as well as your shed! The powerful flame reaches high temperatures and can therefore be used to cauterize rope / line or simply light camp fires. Whilst windproof, please do not expect to use this great lighter without some form of shelter (hand) in extreme weather conditions. 

The Buffalo 4S Outer Sleeping bag  is realistically aimed at the serious outdoor enthusiast. It is a modular system that can be expanded upon in order to create a great 4 season option. Loyal Buffalo System followers will once again simply love this outdoor sleeping bag.

Another serious piece of kit which should not be overlooked is the Exped SynMat camping mat with an integrated pump. A realistic alternative to the down filled versions, a good nights rest is as good as guaranteed. See the mat in operation here.

The Highlander Explorer ruckcase is an affordable piece of adventure travel luggage. It has the versatility to be used as a fully adjustable rucksack or holdall plus it has a detachable daysack that is great for short excursions away from camp. 

The Exped Waterproof Dry Bag packs are great for organising and protecting your belongings. As well as being 100% waterproof, the fold over design keeps out sand and dirt which obviously should not be overlooked if heading to a festival or the beach.

Finally, the Buffalo Windshirt is an essential piece of outdoor clothing that can constantly live within your rucksack due to its size and versatility. Available in male or female designs, the windshirt can be used on its own on milder summer days and can also be used as an additional emergency layer if conditions deteriorate, wearing it over the top of other layers or Buffalo clothing. Take a closer look here

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Buffalo Systems Product Guide - Part 2

Following on from our previous installment we continue to look at the Buffalo Systems outdoor clothing range, focusing mainly on the jackets. 

One of their longest standing outdoor jackets is the Buffalo Belay Jacket. Based on the double pile system, the Belay jacket is slightly shorter in the cut and packs away tightly. As the name suggests it is ideal for climbing as well as other outdoor activities such as caving, skiing, canoeing etc.

In recent years, the Belay Jacket has received a touch of colour with the introduction of coloured zips on the Special Edition options. Available in both ladies and men's varieties and sized via chest measurement.

Evolving from the Buffalo Belay Jacket and the double pile system of a Performance 5 Ripstop outer and Aqua-Therm pile inner, is the Alpine Jacket.

The fixed, roll away hood has a stiffened wire peak with a thinner Teclite micro pile lining. The two simple zipped pockets are ample enough for general storage, however, because they are unlined I have sometimes found them a little chilly if I am caught standing around without gloves (I now leave a thin liner glove in the pockets regardless!).

The Buffalo Alpine and Ladies Alpine Jackets are one of the most recent additions to the Buffalo stable despite being around for well over five winter seasons. Now available in three different colour ways (2 for men) as well as a flattering ladies cut. Due to the slightly less technical fit of the Alpine Jacket, generic sizing is utilised. 

For those of you that constantly operate at a warmer temperature the Buffalo Fell Jacket is basically an Alpine Jacket that is fully lined with a Teclite pile liner instead of the Aqua-Therm. Designed for milder season hill walking in Scotland and The Lakes when wind and rain can still be factors, it can cross over nicely with milder winter climates.

A useful addition to your outdoor essentials are the Buffalo Mitts. They are fairly basic in their appearance but perform fantastically, offering instant warmth whilst helping to dry wet hands. 

I hope that this helps but please contact us if you require any further information.

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Buffalo Systems Product Guide - Part 1

As one of the longest and largest independent stockists of Buffalo Systems products in Southern England, I thought it would be appropriate to offer some guidance on the key differences to some of Buffalo's core outdoor clothing.

Established in the late 1970's, Buffalo's Pertex Pile concept uses the capillary action of the densely woven Aqua-Therm pile to absorb and disperse moisture away from the skin, allowing it to then evaporate over the Pertex's highly windproof surface area. This resulted in the DP (Double Pile) system that ensures the user remains comfortable in cold, wet conditions. 

The overhead shirts are at the core of the Buffalo range and have seen countless attempts by other brands to replicate. In their pure, technical form all of the Buffalo shirts are designed to be worn close fitting, directly next to the skin, however, more casual users are likely to wear a thin base layer underneath. 

The remaining key difference therefore is that the Buffalo Special 6 Shirt is cut approximately 4 cm longer in the body for greater weather protection and moisture 'run off' as illustrated within our product video. The Mountain Shirt is also available in both male and female cuts whereas the Special 6 is not. 

As touched upon earlier, fit is a key element to the Buffalo DP system and therefore we strongly advise against ladies opting to wear a small man's garment as the fit and performance will be compromised. 

For those females that feel the Mountain Shirt has too much of a technical cut or you would prefer the longer length of the men's Special 6 Shirt, consider opting for the Ladies Active Shirt. The Ripstop Performance 5 outer material has a softer feel to it and the cut is slightly looser. 

All Buffalo overhead outdoor clothing have a hood fastening point around the collar. The Buffalo Hoods can be purchased separately for additional weather protection and have simple touch and close fastening plus a detachable face piece.

Whilst the hoods are available in different sizes, the actual size of the hood remains constant but the Velcro attachment point varies at the base of the hood so there is an element of flexibility in sizing. 

I hope that this offers a decent introduction to the Buffalo Systems Range and we will follow up shortly by looking at the Alpine Jackets and Windshirts. 

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Forget the summer jet set, it's Jetboil time!

Following an 18 month hiatus, LansdaleLtd are delighted to announce that Jetboil products are available again online instead of being restricted solely to our wholesale operation. 

As one of the initial Jetboil launch companies within the UK, it was obvious to us that Jetboil Personal Cooking Systems were an immediate hit with our British Army and outdoor customers.

The ultra efficient, compact, self contained cooking system fitted perfectly within a utility or water bottle pouch and replaced the traditional Hexi stoves, making soldiers lives and trekkers more convenient out in the field. 

The original Jetboil PCS (subsequently known as Jetboil Classic) has been replaced with the Jetboil Flash. The 1 litre cooking cup clips onto the burner and can reach boiling point in approximately 2 minutes. Watch the Jetboil Flash on LansdaleLtd YouTube channel here.

Jetboil's ultra efficient FluxRing technology directs the heat to exactly where it needs to be, reducing burn times and preserving fuel. The neoprene outer cozy on the Jetboil Flash has a heat indicating logo, webbing hand strap plus a utensil retainer.

The Jetboil Flash's burner is easily lit with the piezo auto ignition, however, best practice would recommend that you have a back up ignition source such as Turboflame Windproof lighter within your backpacking essentials. 

The Jetboil Zip and Jetboil Sol are slightly smaller offerings from the Jetboil product range at 0.8ltr capacity. The Jetboil Sol possesses all the upgrades and improvements that were introduced to the Jetboil Flash and is also available in a ultra lightweight Titanium option.

The Jetboil Zip retains nearly all of the Jetboil Classic PCS features and offers an introduction to the Jetboil range at a lower price point. To find out the differences between the Jetboil Flash and Jetboil Zip watch here.

For a chance to win a FREE Jetboil Zip enter our August 2014 competition here.

As well as Jetboil, Lansdale offer alternative Outdoor Camping Stoves. The aficionados among you might be aware that Primus originally assisted with the Jetboil component design and supply. Interestingly, the Primus Eta Solo displays many similarities to the Jetboil Classic although it can house 200g gas canisters unlike core Jetboil systems. 

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Lightweight Protection?

Whether you are planning for a military exercise, gap year travel or adventure holiday, I am sure that both weight and protection of your kit score heavily on your list of considerations.

Protection from the elements are obvious factors to consider as well as durability and security of your belongings.

Fold over drybags not only protect from moisture but being water tight they naturally keep sand and dust out as well. Using these lightweight sacks internally will not only offer weather protection but they can also assist with the organisation of your kit. 

Exped offer a comprehensive range of lightweight rucksacks and drybags. The 25ltr Cloudburst is an ideal addition to any backpacking essentials or trekking gear kit list due to its lightweight versatility. Taking up the equivalent volume of a long sleeve t-shirt within your luggage, you get a waterproof, lightweight rucksack that can be used on day trips. View our product demo here.

The 4 pack fold over Drybags are ideal to organise and protect your kit within your main travel backpack. The assorted bright colour option will certainly liven things up for you and also help to colour code your backpacking essentials and isolate your dirties! For the more conservative, black or olive colour options cover the bases.

Ortlieb's range of drybags are a medium weight product offering more durability in comparison to the lightweight Exped range. Obviously the added thickness of the material increases weight and sacrifices a little on the flexibility but these bags are still very supple. As well as the being used traditionally as lightweight rucksack liners, they are also robust enough to be used externally on vehicles roof racks etc.

For your main holdall, if you are embarking on a classic expedition or trek our range of duffle bags could be suitable load hauling options.

The incredibly simple yet tough Lifeventure Expedition Duffle has been proven in all conditions around the world and is a very affordable choice. Sensibly sized, they are available in 70 or 100 litre carry options plus a 120 litre wheeled option for the not so minimalist traveller!

The Exped Waterproof Duffle is a somewhat hybrid option. The carry straps are designed so that the duffle can be carried as normal and also be worn as a large, yet lightweight rucksack. The waterproof outer material, elasticated zip baffles, internal retention straps and neoprene ID tag complete these quality bags.

I hope that gives you some ideas to consider and we look forward to hearing from you, especially if you have some creative ideas to share beyond using a humble plastic bag. 

[lansdaleltd]

Long Live the Gilet!

As the domestic football season comes to an end, the managerial merry go round is in full flight with Tim Sherwood being the latest casualty. 

During his refreshing yet doomed spell, Tim Sherwood was not afraid to speak out which naturally attracted the media's attention. Of the many soundbites and actions to recall, you could say that it was his Gilet that was a constant throughout. 

In what turned out to be his last game in charge of Tottenham, the manager lightheartedly offered a 'talkative' fan his place in the hot seat to see if he was really as good as he thought. Tim Sherwood also offered the fan his infamous Gilet that has subsequently gone missing!

If like Mr Sherwood you want some weather protection without wearing an outdoor jacket, the gilet could well be the answer.

Ideal as both a standalone or additional outer layer, the modern gilet tends to favour a sleeker profile compared to the quilted body warmers of the 80's.

The lightweight Buffalo Teclite Gilet is the latest addition to our fold. Its windproof outer and teclite micro pile lining make it ideal for use during milder weather or high activity use. 

The Odin Softshell Gilet has the added benefit of a waterproof and windproof membrane plus a slightly higher collar that can be worn up or folded down. The Odin also has a slightly more robust feel to it than the Teclite Gilet and has performed well over the winter season whilst on test at Roylands Riding Stables. 

The UK manufactured Snugpak Softie SV3 echoes some of the classic 'padded' body warmers yet still offers a very low profile. Like our other gilet's, the SV3 would work well as a mid or outer layer with its lofted insulating properties. 

Not convinced? Well for those die hard's out there that still want a 'jacket with arms' the lightweight Helly Hansen H2 Flow Jacket could be a great choice for this time of year. Its innovative 'air pocket fleece' and large venting zips allow you to regulate body temperature, matching the environmental conditions and users activity. 

Alternatively the Buffalo Fell Jacket could offer year round use especially if you feel the cold less in the cooler months or like to layer up. Sharing the same basic design as the male or female Buffalo Alpine Jacket, the key difference is the use of micro fleece lining throughout the Fell Jacket instead of the thicker winter pile (micro fleece in the hood) found in the Alpine. 

In truth, I very much doubt that the Sherwood gilet will go on to become synonymous with great's such as Cloughie's Green Jumper or symbolise negativity like Steve McClaren's Wally with the Brolly episode. Only time and future appointments will tell us what his managerial legacy will be and if his gilet was a one season wonder. 

Regardless of that, here's hoping to big slices of luck in Brazil and the crowning glory of 'Roy of the Rainforest'. Any semblance of success at the World Cup and the England team can create their own wardrobe in my book...

[lansdaleltd]

Marathon Inspiration

As the major events of the spring marathon season conclude, I once again tip my hat to all of you that have trained and completed a race or are already planning ahead for your next 'test'.   

Such iconic endurance races never fail to impress with amazing stories of triumph and endeavor, inspiring next year's list of hopeful entrants to fill up ballots in record time. 

The poignancy and defiance shown by those flocking to this years Boston Marathon following the calculated and cowardly bombings of 2013, illustrates the stoic resolve typically associated with the 'West'.

Miraculously, this years winner Meb Keflezighi narrowly avoided the terrorist attacks when he vacated his seat near the finish line a few minutes before the explosions. Inspired by the tragedy, Meb a Skechers brand ambassador, vowed to return and in doing so became the first American to win the Boston Marathon since 1983.

Similarly inspiring, the generous outpouring of charitable and emotional support shown to the families of individuals that have sadly died upon completion of London and other races in recent times reflects the caring human spirit that some people think has been lost. 

Pictured above alongside part of the Boston Marathon Memorial, is one of Lansdale's customers Nick making life a little harder for himself with 'Jeff' strapped on his back during last years Cardiff Half Marathon. Not long afterward, he took the plunge and entered Ironman Wales 2014! 

So if like Nick you are considering an event with either a 'complete or compete' mindset, I am sure that Lansdale has some sports & fitness products to meet your needs.

New to running? If so, as with any sport or activity, building into it is key to long term enjoyment and injury prevention. Initiatives like parkrun allow you to join up with like minded individuals, share tips and track your progress. Likewise running clubs throughout the country regularly meet up and generally have mixed ability groups to match your level for little or no money.

Admittedly, running requires little or no specialist equipment to get started with some club runners nostalgically hanging onto their thread bare event tees and washed out sports socks. However, as you increase the mileage a good pair of running shoes is obviously recommended. 

Technical running clothing such as the Ronhill Advance tee is also not essential but modern, wicking fabrics can make your life more comfortable. Anti-bacterial treatments found within the Sonic Tee 'allow' you to potentially wear the garment unwashed for several days without causing offence but why would you?

Keeping yourself hydrated with water or a quality sports drink can help sustain your training. A simple water bottle such as the Aladdin Aveo or Camelbak Podium are obvious investments but again not essential. 

Regardless of your motives, have fun and enjoy where ever your journey takes you. You never know, I might see you on the start line shortly. 

[lansdaleltd]

The Real Deal GoRun's

Belated Happy New Year to you all, I hope you all had a great festive season. 

Judging by the many lame and dated references to outdated music and films within these postings, it might not come as a big surprise to you that Big Brother is not at the forefront of our radar here at Lansdale HQ. 

The eagle eyed among you though might have spotted 'The Real Deal' Evander Holyfield sporting a pair of Skechers GoRun 2 during his short and controversial spell within the Big Brother house recently. 

Having used the Skechers GoRun 2 myself, the 'M Strike' technology does genuinely encourage a mid to forefront strike which is great for those of you looking for a more barefoot running experience. 

The lightweight construction, minimal seams and 'sock' lined inner also offer you the chance to run sock free which is great for you time sensitive triathletes. 

For those of you due or planning a ski trip to the mountains shortly, there are still some great bargains available in our Helly Hansen January sale.

Choose from any of our outdoor fleece jackets, thermal pants (long johns) and warm ice crew baselayers to keep you wrapped up on or off piste. I am jealous of you, I love the mountains. Enjoy!

[lansdaleltd]

They made the list and you checked it twice!

Rudolph and co might be fully limbered up and ready to go but are you sure you have everything covered?

Today is the Royal Mail's last day for guaranteed Second Class Christmas postage but do not worry, Lansdale can still ship via our courier up until Friday 20th December for any of those last minute requirements and gift ideas. 

Our ultra observant and regular followers might have noticed that our Christmas Shop did not open until early December. We did not make a song and dance about it but hoped you liked the subtle decision to try and keep Christmas within December. If this decision caused you any delay, apologies but here are a few last minute gift ideas to help.

The Turboflame  lighters are always are good stocking fillers with their different options and colour choices. The recent addition of the Twin Laserjet V-flame to the Turboflame range is a gadget lovers dream and a practical piece of outdoor survival kit. 

The Ronhill short sleeve trail top is a lightweight and versatile garment that can double up as a cycle top with the zipped and elasticated rear pockets. The hi viz tops are an obvious choice when running at this time of year. 

For the minimalist runners among you, the lightweight Skechers GoRun 2 are worth a look particularly if you are trying to rethink your style or gait as they encourage a mid-foot strike. Stock is now getting quite limited but according to the advert you might even be able to chase down a cheetah!

For those of you looking to maintain your outdoor fitness regime, our range of Helly Hansen products should have something to satisfy your outdoor clothing needs. 

The classic Lifa crew might take some of you down memory lane but it is still as popular and practical as ever. The updated colours such as the black with hi viz yellow stripes freshen things up plus the combination of blues offers a modern twist to this timeless base layer.

The Warm Freeze Baselayer offers great thermal properties with its Merino wool blend for extreme outdoor conditions. The innovative Dry Charger Windblock is the perfect gift for mountain bikers due to its front windproof, fleece lined panel that keeps the chill off.   

Our collection of YouTube product reviews and presentations is steadily increasing so we would love to hear your suggestions or feedback. Mother nature has occasionally chipped in and added to the script with perfect timing watch now. Not sure what comic cheese is though, I think it was meant to be cartoon cheese!

With regard to Christmas hours, the office we will be closed as of 1700 hrs on 20th December and re-open at 0900 hrs on 2nd January.

LansdaleLtd.com will remain open as normal but orders will not be processed until our return. If during that period you cannot help yourself and munch your way through all of your selection boxes, fear not I am sure Easter Eggs will be hitting the supermarket aisles soon. 

Finally, all that is left to say is thank you for all your continued support and custom throughout the year. Have a great Christmas and we look forward to serving you again in 2014.

Happy Christmas from all at Lansdale

[lansdaleltd]

Buffalo Systems - Stock Update

I am not really sure that a blog posting is the correct medium to use for an update on Buffalo Systems product availability but Santa's elves are beginning to get cold and restless!

As is widely acknowledged by an expanding army of loyal followers, Buffalo Systems products experience increased demands around this time of year as the temperature drops and Christmas fast approaches. 

Lansdale is widely acknowledged to be one of the largest independent stockists of all the core Buffalo products including Alpine Jackets, Special 6 and Mountain shirts for both ladies and men, plus most of the Buffalo accessories within the M25 area. Stock is regularly delivered throughout the year including the bulk forecast deliveries that we work closely with Buffalo on.

Due to the phenomenal increase in popularity of the brand and introduction of new colours in the past year, stock forecasting and manufacturing has once again been tested to the max. 

The admirable approach of still manufacturing all of the products in Sheffield, guarantees quality control is constantly under their watchful eye and all finished by hand. The only slight downside to this is that occasional stock shortages do occur but this is a sacrifice that most Buffalo users are willing to accept instead of opting for mass produced, imported goods. 

Remember, no money is actually taken from your account until Lansdale Ltd physically ship the goods and you will have secured your place in the queue when stock becomes available!

If you have little preference on the colour, try juggling around with the size and colour combinations within the product drop downs to see if other options are available to you. As Earl found out, Karma can do strange things.

Alternatively, simply call us on 01784 460793 and we can physically check the stock and discuss your requirements further as Montane Smocks and Snugpak SJ's are also proving very popular as well.

I hope this information assists. Thank you for your continued support, custom and patience.

Happy Buffaloing!

from Jason and all at Lansdale.

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Show me the light - Facts and figures, lies...

Well its been another busy 8 weeks or so since you last heard from us with lots going on again behind the scenes.

Winter / autumn now truly seems to have started following its initial false start in early September that produced the obligatory early rush on Buffalo Systems kit as commented on last year in Stampede in the Gorge...

Our collection of YouTube videos is expanding steadily with our latest piece of outdoor clothing, the softshell waterproof gilet being uploaded recently. If you have not seen any of the videos please check them out and let us know what you think. 

Additional new products this month include more outdoor clothing with the Snugpak SV3 plus a powerful headtorch in the form of the Cyba-Lite Egg.

I cannot pretend to claim that the Cyba-Lite Egg is the most aesthetically pleasing head torch that I have ever seen but I guess its name does not try and disguise that? 

Regardless of its looks (which are not bad but just seem 'different' to me), the performance is very impressive particularly for such an inexpensive torch. The option of the red LED is a great addition although some purists might prefer it if you could jump straight to the red instead of scrolling through the settings to preserve more of your night vision. 

Admittedly I cannot find the clips so I must be mistaken but I was sure Bob used to do a little jig that included 'facts and figures lies..'? Regardless here are here some facts that might interest you:

78% of customers surveyed were very happy with the level of service that they have received from www.LansdaleLtd.com

88% of customer orders were received within their expected time frame

49% of your orders were classified by you as being required for outdoor and trekking use with adventure travel and backpacking following a little way behind

19% of our customers were military or emergency service personnel 

81% of our customers surveyed were not aware that LansdaleLtd owns and operates ServicesandSecurity.com  

88% of our satisfied customers did not choose to follow us on facebook 

As with most surveys, the results can be interpreted and manipulated to suit, however, I think the above results confirm that we are continuing along the right track.

Clearly some work is needed in defining and communicating both of our websites and we need to make our facebook more engaging. 

Until then, what do we say to The Man with the Stick?

[lansdaleltd]

Is there anybody out there?..........Jack! .....Jack!

Yes I admit the title is another cheap, tenuous link to my outdated film and TV memory bank and Kate's desperate quest to pull Leonardo from the freezing waters of Titanic. More importantly though, it is an acknowledgment and apology that you have not heard anything from us recently. 

Rest assured though the team at Lansdale have not been sat idol as followers of us on Facebook will know. Over the past few months we have added a collection of new products and brands including Torq, Tifosi and Therm-a-rest. 

An Outdoor Fitness theme runs through many of the new products with Torq offering an impressive range of sports nutrition and recovery products and Tifosi offering a select range of lightweight, interchangeable lens, sport sunglasses. Ronhill continues to be considered a leading British running brand and Montane simply strides away with its proven, top quality products. 

The Torq Energy Gels contain a research proven 2:1 Maltodextrin:Fructose formulation for 40% greater carbohydrate delivery from a compact 45g sachet and were voted Editor's choice in this months Triathlon 220 magazine.

The Torq gels are available in a selection of great flavours that break away from the norm and give you a psychological boost or nostalgic distraction whilst training or competing in an endurance event; Raspberry Ripple = 70's Screwball ice cream anyone?

Hot on the heels of Chris Froome's Tour success and great weather, the Tifosi Clarion mirrored sunglasses range offer great versatility and functionality. The frameless Tifosi Podium has an unrestricted field of vision which is great when cycling on the drops and the 3 sets of lenses will never see you in the dark. 

The Montane Sonic and Ronhill Trail Short Sleeve Zip Tee shirts combine great looks and technical properties. Both garments offer versatility and mixed activity use with the Ronhill Trail Tee having 3 rear pockets (1 zipped) for valuables and nutrition. 

The Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout sleeping mat offers a great introduction to self inflating mats and the Trail Lite is a great all round mat. Either mat would be well complimented by a Snugpak Chrysalis or Travelpak sleeping bag, making them a firm favourite for your backpacking essentials shortlist. 

Once again apologies for the silence but I hope that the addition of some exciting products is worth it.

Right, my kids have put me on standby for Planes whilst I consider updating my cinema and TV viewing experience from non-animated films. Book 'em Danno!!!!

[lansdaleltd]

Hydrate or Die!

Ok so perhaps a little extreme but none the less, true.

Hydrate or Die is Camelbak's strap line for their Maximum Gear military and tactical products. This range includes many role specific products, including the extremely popular Camelbak Motherlode that is available from our sister site www.servicesandsecurity.com.

Unsurprisingly, Camelbak have toned things down with Hydrate for Health to reflect their latest range of vibrant drinks and sports bottle's.

The Eddy collection of tritan bottle's is the main everyday, active lifestyle crossover range. It includes four different prints of kids bottles, through to the 1 litre capacity Eddy for more thirsty individuals. The spelling suggests otherwise but I had wondered if the naming of the Eddy range was a subtle acknowledgment from Camelbak's Californian HQ toward legendary Hawaiian surfer and water-man, Eddie Aikau?

All of the the Camelbak Eddy's feature the flip, sip and bite design for spill proof functionality. The fold away mechanism creates a secondary shut off system that works alongside the bite valve, giving additional leak free confidence if you wish to stow the bottle away in your rucksack or bag. 

The entire range looks great but the two tone styling of the double walled, Camelbak Eddy Insulated bottles has to steal the show. At 600ml, the capacity might not be to everyone's liking but if you prefer your fluid to remain chilled that little bit longer, do not like condensation forming on the outer and you have access to refill points, then this bottle is for you.

The Camelbak Podium sports range includes a variety of sizes in either insulated or non insulated options. All of the bottles have a self sealing Jet Valve™ to avoid drips and spills, plus an additional lockout feature that is ideal for prolonged storage or if your bottle is likely to get accidentally squeezed within your kit bag. 

The Camelbak Podium Chill recently featured within Cycle Active's 7 best insulated bottles review. Whilst I would agree that the lockout system would be hard to use on the move, the primary Jet Valve™ takes care of business and keeps everything nicely sealed regardless.

I personally found that the bottles actually fit nicely within my cages and the easy squeeze design helps retain the bottles without creating rattle. It is worth noting however, that unless you have very long seat post geometry, at approximately 27cm tall, the Podium Big Chill bottle is probably only going to fit on the diagonal down tube of most bikes.

To date, the Tru-Taste™ polypropylene has lived up to its billing, with my water avoiding that plastic taste that can be all too familiar on inferior bottles. 

For avid road cycle fans and souvenir collectors, Team Garmin-Sharp pro-cycling team are sponsored by Camelbak. If you ever make it to a race, keep an eye out as their riders dispense with empty Podium bottles at the top of major climbs etc.

Until writing this piece, I did not even consider that such a organisation would exist. If however, my ramblings have whetted your appetite (excuse the pun), why don't you pay the European Hydration Institute a visit to pick up some hydration tips. Stay safe out there, remember, Hydrate or Die!