I need a new waterproof shell. My trusted Mountain Equipment Changabang's zip as gone and I can't find anyone to do a decent repair, so a new jacket is needed. All it needs to be is a shell, that can withstand a whole day stood still in the wettest of weather, and still keep me dry. The Changabang is probably the answer, but I've just seen the prices and thought maybe there are alternatives out there (Cheaper) that are just as good.
Whereabouts are you? I know some people who are very good seamstresses who could probably do it for you.
http://www.isthatsew.co.uk
I'm in Leeds. Thanks for the info, I'll give them a call. I'd be quite happy to have it fixed, but I've tried a few specialists and non of them can give a guaranteed fix on the zip, but if they can its got to cheaper than a new one.
Tundra Outdoor in Washington are approved repairers for many top brands inc ME
I had a zip replaced by them and it was a top job
Lancashire Sports Repairs in Burnley.
For biking as well as standing in the rain?
My Gore Alp X seems amazing at both!
I'm still using a Sprayway Goretex jacket that I must have bought in the mid nineties. It's still going strong despite being patched all over from accident damage and having been re-proofed with Thommpson's Water Seal when I had just about given up on it. It just refuses to die.
Standing in the rain type......all day, just stand there..... and take it! Maybe I need a new job.
I bought an Outdoor Research Foray (Gore-tex Paclite) off Field & Trek a while back - £70. Apart from overly baggy sleeves it's been superb. Replaced a Sprayway Gore-tex that was also v good and lasted me around 15 years. I reckon outdoor gear is generally better quality and value than riding gear, even if it lacks some of the (arguably unnecessary) features/gimmicks.
McNett Tenacious Tape is amazing for patching up tears. No good for zips though, obviously.
Andy, the girls are very good, one was trained as a military seamstress, the other studied dressmaking and similar stuff at Uni, they do a lot of stuff for military from the local bases, and a lot of dressmaking as well as repairs, etc.
I've had a couple of things done, a tear in the sleeve of a Pendleton wool shirt, and a bunch of Velcro patches on a Nomex flying jacket, which involved taking the lining out and re-stitching it afterwards.
Almost impossible to see the tear now, and you'd never know the lining had been taken out of my CWU-45/P. I also have a Fox Racing fleece gilet I bought in Chamonix back around '97, I still wear it lots, but it came without handwarmer pockets; they made up some pockets out of suit material that is open at the top inside, but stitched around, so you can drop things down inside while your hands are in the pockets themselves, and cut the fleece and stitched in 6" chunky zips; you'd never know it came without pockets, chuffed to bits with it. Cost me £40 to have done, but it's revitalised a jacket I love wearing, and made it a bit more comfy to wear.
Pretty sure if anyone could do it they can.
Sportpursuit have loads of great jackets. Had some Rab Mountain Dru's on there, I have an old one which has seen 5 or 6 years of abuse and still going strong.
Thanks all. I'm packing it off to Lancashire Sports Repairs today. I'm still on the look out for a new jacket though. Something a bit more colourful for skiing next year.
Standing in the rain type......all day, just stand there..... and take it! Maybe I need a new job.
Or an umbrella.
If I had a free hand!
£400 wonga!!! is that right? if your not sniffy on the brand then I've got one of these for the bike and it's spot on http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-challenger-event-jacket-mens-442008?colcode=44200869
also at £60 http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-elite-alpiniste-2-event-jacket-mens-442087