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I was trying to clear out my running kit today as its expanding and taking over the airing cupboard. After agreeing, reluctantly, to bin a few items I found a few buts that have veen with me for some time:
Helly Lifa top 13 years still going strong
Nike running shorts 14 years, bit stained but wearable if noone else around
Ronhill tracksters 12 years, as new!
Pete Bland bum bag 12 years.
Whats your oldest piece of serviceable gear?
Neil
Nike running tights. Bought 2 pairs about 10 years ago & seen me through every winter since. The Zips down the calf are a bit dodgy now, but material wise they're still fine. The longer you have something the more attached you get. Like the wife's 11 year old Forester. It's been through a lot with us.
(I have the Nikes on now as I type!).
Legs. I've had them for just over forty years and they're still working.
But seriously. An old base layer that stinks even when it's just been washed.
I have worn my "Wrekin Fell Race 1987" T-shirt on several runs this year. My Pete Bland bumbag is definitely at least 20 years old.
My scratty purple-ly blue-ish long sleeved Helly top. I'd have to carbon date it to be sure but circa 18 years old. I wore it on last night's run funnily enough
Nearly sixty eight years and still dragging along with the rest of the worn-out crate. My Mum says they were kicking before then.Quote:
Legs. I've had them for just over forty years and they're still working.
Hellys clearly have longevity. I reckon mine's celebrated its 27th birthday. I last wore it on Thursday.
My daughter is still wearing a nylon fronted cycling jacket I got for my 11th birthday (I'm now 47) she doesn't wear it for cycling though its retro for the street :D
I pinched a lifa from my Dad about 5 years ago. Reckon it's probably older than I am (I was 27 on Tuesday), still very good.
I've got one which must be about 30 years old with an iron burn front and back which the missus did when we first got married, it's a proper old school one which grinds your nipples off if it gets wet.Quote:
Originally Posted by ba-ba
Good old helly lifa from 1988. Still gets the odd run out. In decent nick but can pong a bit!
A couple of HH Lifa vests of '85/'86 origin and one pair of Lifa tights of similar vintage - all a bit "holey" and threadbare but still pressed into service when newer kit is in the wash etc.
My 'piece de resistance' has got to be my '84 Rock & Rum bumbag (de-luxe model with 'no bounce' tension straps), still in perfectly serviceable order, and still in use several times per week. Also an '85/'86 Rock & Run, 28 litre, Ridgerunner GT ( elastic side pockets + zip pockets in the 'wings' of the waist belt ) ruc-sac, now has 'pin holes' in the base but still gets used with a plastic bag liner - the zips on the wing pockets are very stiff.
WD40 for the Zips I recon. That stuff is magical.
Nike dry fit lined shorts about 12 years, feel like they'll go another 12.
I have just returned from a run, musing over the age of the kit I was wearing. Socks probably less than 10 years old. Shorts probably less than 20 years old. Helly Hansen Lifa tights likewise. Walsh PB Trainers (only used in really muddy conditions) more than 20 years old. Helly Hansen Lifa long-sleeved top more than 20 years old; but my piece de resistance is a long-sleeved T-shirt, proudly bearing the legend "THE FELL RUNNERS ASSOCIATION" and a logo with a bracken frond in front of some hills, which I am fairly sure is at least 30 years old.
Most of my kit is a few years old, but my lowe alpine bumbag is 25 years old - pretty good going as I'm only 37...
My fav bit of old kit ,though not my oldest has Coledade horsehoe written on it ,I use or take one on every run summer or winter :cool: lost a few hats in this time but not this ;)
I have one of those; from 2011 or 2012 IIRC. It's one of my newer bits of kit.:mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by B.Bill.
Why you mad Donkay ...I did say it was not my oldest bit of kit....:DQuote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
I know; it's just that my "newer" piece of kit is now 3.5 - 4.5 years old!Quote:
Originally Posted by B.Bill.
I am still running in some cycling tights made by Bean Bag in 1983 for my pro season in 1984 ( and still using a few of the cycling jerseys too)
Bean bag :) still got my battle scarred Bean bag Lakes Road Club jersey in the wardrobeQuote:
Originally Posted by geronimo
I've got some old tights from the 80's which are in holes, but come out about once a year.
It got me thinking though, and I realised I've got climbing hardware from 1977...
Another thumbs up for the Helly, mine's about thirty years old, a bit raggedy around the edges. Last worn last week :cool:
Worn wear:
A couple of nice videos from Patagonia http://www.patagonia.com/eu/enGB/common-threads/ . Tips on how to make your kit last and how to repair it yourself.
Nice one Mr Chouinard :D
I am still running on the same feet I started out with 60 odd years ago:cool:
Has made me realise that my climbing harness is almost 30 years old
I think my most used and loved Patagonia windproof is going on for 15 years now. Don't know what I'd do without it! Many, many good memories in it.
Pete bland 2 piece rain suit that functions as minimal bumbag when not worn. Circa 1989, genius design and worn for every race I do.
I can match you here Ian. I too still have my Hyslop original R'n R bumbag acquired in September 1984 when I was seduced from mountaineering into fell running.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
I also have a Ridgerunner (not the GT I think because there are no side pockets or zips in the waist belt) which may be an earlier model than yours. Rarely sees the light of day in truth.
The bumbag has had numerous repairs over the years and had faded to a charming pinky red colour. :-)
I realised my leading rope was about 15 years old. It's hardly been used, but a mate decided it was potentially dangerous, so we got a new one instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by karen nash
I was out today in my Karrimor baltorro fleece which is 28years old. some how we started talking about old kit as the kids I had with me were 13-14. I remembered an Ice axe I still have and use occasionally that I got when I was 16...so 34 years old!!! a Chouinard super zero Axe..
AND I have photograpic evidence to prove it