The Great British Mountain Company (Karrimor in general)

Member Name: Cargill

Product:	Karrimor in general
Date:	02/11/04 (3574 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Chosen by the World's best climbers, Indestructible(!) and lifetime guarantee (most products), Stylish

Disadvantages: Pricey

OK, so here in Britain there are no Alps.
Nor can we boast Rockies, Himalayas, Andes, Amazon rainforests or endless arid deserts.

But here exists a great heritage of exploration and climbing. Whymper beat the Italians to make the ascent of the Matterhorn, Bonington was a part of the first Annapurna South Face ascent, and of course, we all know about Everest in 1953.

British mountains may not be the highest in the World, but they can be just as unforgiving. Conditions on Scottish mountains can be severe, the challenge is great, and extremes of snow, ice, wind and rain so often turn a hill-walk into a rescue operation, often with tragic endings.

Karrimor has manufactured equipment and protective clothing for over 55 years. Their tried and tested rucksacks are a common sight on British mountains, and have been chosen by many great mountaineers in expeditions all over the World.

Rucksacks are probably their best known products. They have, over the years also introduced boots and sandals, protective Gore-Tex outerwear, warmwear including fleece, camping accessories and a sensible range of travel clothing.

Each range carries an extensive choice of products, all designed for differing needs. Last year, I bought a small rucksack to use on days out. It can hold a couple of books, a camera, some food and drink comfortably, it cost £20 and looks great.
You wouldn't take it up Mont Blanc, but there are plenty of other Karrimor rucksacks that would be up to the job. One of these is called the Alpiniste S60+15.

In 1991, I bought its predecessor; The Alpiniste 65.
So it wouldn't be appropriate for me to review todays version, but I can describe how Karrimor produced a product which I have loved to bits, and has lived up to all expectations.
It cost £125 back in those days, a lot of cash. 13 years later, I have no regrets, and also feel no need to replace it. In fact, I don't need to replace it. It has a lifetime guarantee, as do most Karrimor products. It has been up and down mountains in the UK, Africa and Asia, been through hundreds of scrapes, tumbles and drops, it is often chucked about by airport baggage handlers and has survived the roof of Asian buses.

OK, there are a few stains and scuff marks, but the 1000 denier fabric is all intact, showing no signs of thinning, and the stitching is still as robust as it was when new. All the straps have been produced in a really tight 'webbed' effect that seems indestructible. Like most rucksacks, Karrimor never claimed this to be waterproof, but its easy to use a bin-liner within the sack.

The Alpiniste, as the name suggests, was primarily designed for Alpine mountaineers. The model in the stores today has been designed to similar principles.
Mine, is 65 litres and is 'tall and narrow' with no side pockets. This gives the climber more elbow room on difficult ascents. If you don't climb however, you will appreciate the slim design when travelling on crowded trains, or through busy places,

The sack, even when full, sits comfortably and close to your back. The hip belt is nicely padded, and takes a lot of weight off your shoulders. I would always recommend you try it out in the shop. It may not suit you, and Karrimor recognise that different people have different backs, and ladies need a different shape to the gents. There are plenty of decisions to make when buying a rucksack. Sometimes, a few adjustments with the straps will make all the difference.

Mine is covered with all the attachments I could ever need. There are 2 loops for carrying ice-axes and hammers. There are plenty of straps with which to add sleeping bags/mats and a patch to secure crampons. All the zips and fasteners are big and chunky, and can be tackled with numbed cold fingers or thick-gloved hands. Compression straps mean you can shrink the capacity if you are carrying a half-load and don't want the contents bouncing around.

My girlfriend hates this rucksack. She dreads it when we are at the airport, and is embarrased to be seen with me (She has a smart roller case). Check-In staff often send me to the 'Oversized luggage' area where people with bikes and surfboards go. They say its because the straps can get caught in the conveyor belts!
But I love it, and use it for weekend breaks and city trips, even when most people opt for a case.

Recently, they have introduced some stylish travel bags and cases. So, if my girlfriend tries to destroy my rucksack (She will find it difficult!) I'm sure we could come to a compromise when selecting a replacement.

So, it was money well spent all those years ago, and I won't be forking out for a new one unless mine gets stolen.

I'm a big fan of the Karrimor clothing too. In addition to the mountaineering garments, they do some stylish travel clothing. It's all quite discreet looking, and is as suitable for wandering across rough terrain as it is for going out to dinner. I have a pair of trousers which cost £40, where the lower legs can be zipped off, and hey; they're shorts!

They look fine, and don't have loads of chunky pockets right down to the ankles! Just a couple of zipped hip pockets and another discreet pocket just above the knee. I can carry, passport/money, phone and a digital camera without anyone noticing big bulges (Ladies, stop giggling!). I don't know what the material is, but I do know it is brilliant!
It is light, strong and windproof, best of all is that it never needs ironing!

On my adventures, I have washed these trousers in mountain streams and hotel sinks. They dry really quickly (imagine trying to dry jeans on a Welsh campsite!) and are ideal for anyone who loves the outdoors or foreign travel.


So that sums up Karrimor. They don't do all the bright conspicuous stuff that makes you stand out in poorer countries. Its stylish, yet functional, and built to last. It's kit for the Himalayas, and its kit for walking to the pub on a cold night. It costs a lot of money, but that is typical of the all the outdoor suppliers. Have a look at their website (currently under re-construction) at karrimor.com

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