Meander Oversuits

[caving_fox]

Does anyone have any contacts (probably european - who ship to the UK!) for companies selling the Meander Oversuit? Tony's out of stock in my size 3A

Or suggestions for alternatives? The Warmbac PVC is (last time I looked) too stiff, and cordura too cold. Is the Landjoff still available anywhere?
Tx!

 

[Steve Clark]

Long shot, but there is a size 2B on ebay currently.

 

[snebbit]

Is the Landjoff still available anywhere?

You can buy the Landjoff ones off their site (landjoff.com), they ship to the UK if you can stomach the delivery fee. I'm very pleased with my Landjoff Cordura Plus so far (6 months in).

 

[Badlad]

The new Warmbac suits at Inglesport appear to be in a different material. I didn't try one on but the suit felt more subtle.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm on about my 4th yellow plastic Landjoff and would not wear anything else these days. The braces give you much more movement and the material is reasonably flexible BUT you need to be brave when you see the delivery and taxes which apply. My last one arrived within 3 days! The legs are very long so I chop about 8 inches off the bottom and use it for patching.

 

[Ian Ball]

The Landjoff fees for delivery might also include import tax so check your purchase amount before you do and remember the 10% club discount.

I've used a warmbac PVC for years and I've got to say I don't notice the material being stiff. I've never worn a Meander or a TSA/Petzl though.

 

[Pitlamp]

Do Ladysmith Busywear still make one piece suits? (They were very much in fashion with Dales cavers around the time of the very first New Guinea expedition.) They don't wear as well as present day caving suits but they're infinitely more comfortable and (I suspect) less extortio . . . sorry I mean less expensive.

 

[caving_fox]

Landjoff are very very efficient. Already arrived. Not sure I'm that efficient with my caving. Will have to get underground and try it out.

Fees - if you're paying UK shipping then the total cost is pretty similar as the LJ suit starts out cheaper.

 

[caving_fox]

Update - a few subtle differences to the Meander, but it feels very much like the same material. I suspect it will suffer the same fate of creasing and then wearing along the crease lines. However while new it's great warm (too hot) waterproof and comfortable to wear - legs long as mentioned above, about right for me. Strangely the edges aren't finished in anyway just cut (neatly). It has internal braces for easier walking across the fell, and internal rather than Meander's external pocket.

Landjoff also do Kneepads - these seemed cheap so I added them to the order. They are not very practical for UK caves: they have a opening at the base allowing gravel to ingress the padding. The buckled elastic straps are very slippery and it didn't stay in place for long. The surface feels hardwearing and protective. I may try a few modifications replacing the elasitc with webbing (it goes trhough the pad so is possible to replace, and ironing or heatgun to close the base.

 

[Ian Ball]

I've used the Landjoff kneepads for years, there are better ones out there but as they are sachets for you to add your own padding, I use the 10mm thick joiners knee pads inserts. They do slide around a lot and the straps are a weak point, I have a second pair ready to start using when the straps finally give up.