BigDyl
New member
I love my warmbac undersuit, the zip works as well as when I bought it 1.5 years ago, and I have done some pretty hard caving.
Post-graduation caving kit
- Thread starter deffonotmaria
- Start date
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
I've a warbac undersuit, my son has the AV Illamina. As well as zips I'd note that my Warmbac seems fitted for the slightly more generously upholstered wearer and very warm but the AV seems slimmer and looks cooler (but not worn it myself) so the best choice may depend partly on whether someone was more racing snake or hippopotamus.
Also in the mix is the Lomo fleece undersuit, which is about £30 and made from polar200 fleece. I've not worn one as only realised they existed *after* I bought my Warmbac one. For clarity it's not a diving undersuit (which wouldn't be good for caving), it's for active use like sea canoeing so I'd think it's worth investigating? https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/element-polar-fleece-drysuit-undersuit/
Also in the mix is the Lomo fleece undersuit, which is about £30 and made from polar200 fleece. I've not worn one as only realised they existed *after* I bought my Warmbac one. For clarity it's not a diving undersuit (which wouldn't be good for caving), it's for active use like sea canoeing so I'd think it's worth investigating? https://www.lomo.co.uk/products/element-polar-fleece-drysuit-undersuit/
You have helmet and light. Back-up light? https://www.inglesport.com/product/fenix-hm23-headtorch/
Oversuit and undersuit - try on as many as you can this year, and buy the one that fits best. If you like the club one you have been borrowing, get the same again, or even ask if you can buy it from them
Kneepads and elbow pads
Wetsocks or woolly socks (cheaper and more comfy)
WELLIES! I like the Dunlop Acifort for grippy sole compound but not all sizes are easy to find
Orange blizzard bag, knife, whistle, compass, notepad and pencil all cost very little but might be a lifesaver
Belay belt, 10m length of thin rope and a HMS krab will have many uses for the small outlay
Large bucket or box to throw it all in at the end of the trip. Something like a 50L Toughtrug, but any plastic storage box or drum will do
Buff or similar, mittens, large waterproof over jacket, large rucksack (50L plus) for surface carries
Oversuit and undersuit - try on as many as you can this year, and buy the one that fits best. If you like the club one you have been borrowing, get the same again, or even ask if you can buy it from them
Kneepads and elbow pads
Wetsocks or woolly socks (cheaper and more comfy)
WELLIES! I like the Dunlop Acifort for grippy sole compound but not all sizes are easy to find
Orange blizzard bag, knife, whistle, compass, notepad and pencil all cost very little but might be a lifesaver
Belay belt, 10m length of thin rope and a HMS krab will have many uses for the small outlay
Large bucket or box to throw it all in at the end of the trip. Something like a 50L Toughtrug, but any plastic storage box or drum will do
Buff or similar, mittens, large waterproof over jacket, large rucksack (50L plus) for surface carries
alanw
Well-known member
I recently bought one of these:
Eurohike Nepal 85L Rucksack | Ultimate Outdoors
£25.00 | The Eurohike Nepal 85L Rucksack features a huge 85 litre...
www.ultimateoutdoors.com
A bargain at only £25
dougle89
Member
Is that why our stores always empty?! 🫣On the tackle front, clubs in the non-student world also have tons of gear you can use90% of the times that I need rope and krabs, I just check them out of my club's store, it's what they're there for and a significant chunk of what your membership fees are paying for. I'm mostly caving with other club members even if not on club trips, so I don't feel guilty about using club tackle.
That way, you can get away with prioritising buying other gear and building up your rope collection later.
aricooperdavis
Moderator
SubZero also do some excellent value thermal under-clothes, both onesies and two piece arrangements: https://subzero.co.uk/collections/thermal-mid-layer-onsies
Loki
Well-known member
https://ironkeld.com/ do repairs in Kendal
Second the big old waterproof jacket that fits over all your gear for the windswept walk in the rain to or from the cave.
Second the big old waterproof jacket that fits over all your gear for the windswept walk in the rain to or from the cave.
ActionStash
New member
Ane
Member
Others have already commented on the obvious things, such as over- and undersuit, kneepads, wet socks, helmet, etc - and you’re already set for an SRT kit.
So here’s some stuff that I didn’t initially think to buy when starting to put together my own kit, but which I use all the time now, in no particular order:
So here’s some stuff that I didn’t initially think to buy when starting to put together my own kit, but which I use all the time now, in no particular order:
- Belt
- Pantin - I’m pretty happy with Petzl’s, and it makes such a difference to prussiking: https://starlessriver.com/shop/petzl-pantin-right/
- A few slings, attached to my personal bags (see below) - they’ve come in handy countless times - and a few extra carabiners, living on my harness (they also save the day when you e.g. find yourself without a breaking crab halfway down Diccan 🤷🏻♀️)
- A hard case for my phone - I’ve got one from Inglesport: https://www.inglesport.com/product/inglesport-t3000-waterproof-box/
- A small personal bag, fitting a water bottle and my phone case (or a compact camera) - it’s a while since I bougth mine, but I think I’ve got something like this: https://www.inglesport.com/product/lyon-4-litre-bits-bag/
- A slightly larger personal bag, fitting my SRT kit - or a group shelter, first aid kit, and water bottle: https://www.inglesport.com/product/warmbac-riggers-bag/
- A good backup light (I thought I could make do with a cheep crappy one. I then dropped my main light down Valhalla in Lost John’s’ and learned the hard way that a crappy backup light makes for pretty unpleasant caving)
@deffonotmaria I have a big rucksack you can have for free. I think it won't fit you very well (it's too long for me, as most of them are) but you are welcome to it if you wish.
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Where is that posted please?
Loki
Well-known member
Here
ukcaving.com
Underground camping experience and equipment
I could not find a thread dedicated to underground camping so I thought I?d put ?pen to paper? about my underground camping experiences and equipment used. I was asked by a uni group some years ago on this topic but at the time the only camping I?d done was in the Berger so not particularly...
ukcaving.com
Cantclimbtom
Well-known member
Addendum to my tackle bag suggestion. Make sure it can take a Daren Drum, if if you don't have one right now or any immediate plan to get one (or you might find it slightly too narrow and feel as annoyed about that as I did on Friday)
caving_fox
Active member
Backup light is a must if you don't have one this is the first thing you should get.
Also vote for a couple of personal slings - use to aid climbs, help on rebelays, carry bags, as well as occasionally in rigging.
SRT kit sized bag. Tony has one, there are others. Much nicer to walk up to GG et al with the kit off and gives a good excuse not to rig as you're still putting on your kit.
Buffs and hoods are good - neoprene if you're going to try ducks etc. Makes a huge difference to how comfortable I am putting my head into the water.
Also vote for a couple of personal slings - use to aid climbs, help on rebelays, carry bags, as well as occasionally in rigging.
SRT kit sized bag. Tony has one, there are others. Much nicer to walk up to GG et al with the kit off and gives a good excuse not to rig as you're still putting on your kit.
Buffs and hoods are good - neoprene if you're going to try ducks etc. Makes a huge difference to how comfortable I am putting my head into the water.