Has anybody got any news on a meander replacement? My old suit has done sterling work but is now past it with added crotch ventilation. :ohmygod:

I’ve seen various ones on the net (Petzl, Lyon etc) but has anybody actually tried one or more?

Steve at Bernies still has some in stock. Give him a ring.

The Lyon one has had a recall. Warmbac have started doing one as well.

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the only sizes he has are XXL or SSS

I would go for the Warmbac one, thread on UKCaving:

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=15283.msg199396#msg199396 

Do not touch a Lyon one.

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I wish Warmbac had gone with the Meander style collar rather than their normal kind. Personally, I find Meander's upright collar much more protective and comfier generally.

Not sure re the neoprene wrists either. They have one bleedingly obvious advantage over the Meander suit but suspect that they might make the suit (even more of a) sweat box in the drier hole...

Making it themselves, they can customise easily if you order from them.

I had a wetsuit tailored by them, and the fit is excellent.

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I use one of these for my wet underground work:

http://www.corstonsinclair.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=951 

Whilst thinner than any of the 'standard' caving suits, they're unbelievably tough, and the fabric backing ensures punctures don't spread at all, and they can be easily repaired. Weak spot is the zip, which is too flimsy for caving really, and so has to be kept free of mud scrupulously. Also the fixed hood can be a slight pain if you don't need one and has to be rolled down to keep it clean - but it's a joy if you do need one! Standing under the Bung dam in Speedwell to wash off would normally be avoided, but not in one of these.

I honestly thought it would last weeks and I've been using it for over 18 months now. I got the hi-vis version and have used it in rope-access work too with no complaints. And if you need to get rescued, they'll definitely find you in one of these!

Oh, and they're only half the price of a caving suit - with a chunky YKK zip and velcro instead of press-studs, they'd rule 😉

How's the grip on slippery climbs?

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Pretty damn good, to be honest - it has a more 'grippy' surface than the Meanders - a strangely 'fleshy' feel to it, which initially I thought would just fall to bits on contact with rock, but no. I would guess in really gnarly sharp caves they may get punctured, but they're so easily repairable with something like AquaSure that it's not really an issue.

A few of us at the TSG got one, which caused some amusement as we all trudged through the village looking like a bunch of post-apocalypse scientists, but then it's part of the TSG's constitution to provide the laughter in Castleton, I believe. Here's Ann Soulsby giving one some serious hammer:

[img]Pretty damn good, to be honest - it has a more 'grippy' surface than the Meanders - a strangely 'fleshy' feel to it, which initially I thought would just fall to bits on contact with rock, but no. I would guess in really gnarly sharp caves they may get punctured, but they're so easily repairable with something like AquaSure that it's not really an issue.

A few of us at the TSG got one, which caused some amusement as we all trudged through the village looking like a bunch of post-apocalypse scientists, but then it's part of the TSG's constitution to provide the laughter in Castleton, I believe. Here's Ann Soulsby giving one some serious hammer:

🔗Personal-Album-7927-Image-90030[linkphoto]Personal-Album-7927-Image-90030[/linkphoto][/link]

Hmm, that's the daughters Chrissy Pressy sorted then 🙂 , thanks.

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Looks a bit like the late lamented (at least by me) Ghar Parau over suits. (I think they were made by Ladysmith Busywear Ltd.)

Dave

I've used faithful type suits for years they are great for mines. Much more flexible than my old TSA suit (great for digging, awful if you wanted to engage in motion). If you hunt around on ebay you can find these (or similar) new for about £25. the one I am currently using I picked up as good second hand at Bogie Knights in Plymouth for £12 - its been going strong for a couple of years although the zip has now gone, one knee and the bum are holed.

The downsides are that the zips are crap. Also if you are planning on any serious c*****g they shred - I managed to completely write one of in Hagg Gill Pot in Langstrothdale on a single trip.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390568636416?var=660123507032&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390568636416?var=660123507032&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Yup, the totally, easily shredible pvc thingy, two or three trips and its gone!! (Been there, Used that !!)

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These people reputedly do a good job of repairing suits.
http://www.jumpsuits.randomstuff.org.uk/repairs_alterations.html 

My Meander's about to go off to them as the last few weeks have put mine in a condition beyond my patching abilities so I'll provide an update if they are able to do anything...

They do, and they also make good undersuits too. Dennis did a superb job on Pwhole's cordura suit and when mine starts to go, I'll be sending it to Jumpsuits! :thumbsup:

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Indeed, I just got my Cordura suit back from Dennis for the second time (bum 'reinforcing' collapse), and it is now bomb-proof - amazing attention to detail, and super-strong. Good price too. The suit is probably now better than the one I originally bought - not least as Meander, the shysters that they are, did not actually use Cordura for the 'reinforcing patches', but ordinary cotton or some shoddy fabric, and they just shredded away in no time. A shame, as the suit fits like a glove, and is a slightly lighter-weight Cordura than the Warmbacs, so is very flexible. But now it has super-thick Cordura patches everywhere I can't wait to use it again.

I'm actually wondering about asking Dennis if he could put a chunkier YKK zip in my Faithful suit - now there's a thought...

On the Warmbac I have to admit to being less than impressed to date.

My first one shrank massively - I know cleaning kit is regarded as a perversion in this game, but it was only ever cold washed and hung to dry

My second one, only a year old, the zip puller has snapped off and the zip itself jams. Last time I wore it I thought I was never going to be able to take it off :curse:

Most people with Warmbacs seem quite happy with them though so I guess this is just bad luck.

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My second one, only a year old, the zip puller has snapped off and the zip itself jams. Last time I wore it I thought I was never going to be able to take it off :curse:

I would wholeheartedly encourage you to get another Warmbac as it was great entertainment... :lol:

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These are worth checking out. The Luire is a good suit especially if you spend more time underground than you do eating pies.


http://www.expe.fr/uk/vetements/speleologie.html