There have been some
rather sniffy comments made about Ron Hill Tracksters recently. The main implication
is that they are, somehow, old-fashioned and no longer acceptable apparel
at the crag. In particular, comments have been made with regard to the Donegal
Guidebook and the inappropriateness of photographing people in red Ron Hill's
(i.e. your own correspondent, Pete Smith).
Ron Hill Tracksters
have been part of my life for many years I do not intend to lie down and let
them be taken off me by some fashion victim, e-grade climber from the dark
hinterlands of Dublin or Limerick or Cork. I got my first pair of these wonderful
strides in 1991 and was astonished to learn from the bloke in the shop that
they were not designed for climbers, but for more sporty types like runners
etc. I felt he must be mistaken because they seemed so perfect for the job
- light, stretchy, bright (photo of sensible climber in Ron Hill's TRacksters ), quick-drying and,
above all, non-flappy. [This reminds me of the a time my mother took me to
buy clothes. It was my first ever pair of jeans and the fellow in the shop
said "Straights or flares?" and I didn't know, so I said flares,
and he said "Some blokes still look alright in flares, I s'pose".
So I went home with new flares and it was 1979 and I had to wear them till
they fell apart because they cost too much to be thrown away. But I digress.]
Let us examine these
virtues.
- Light. They are easily
packed, light in the sack and light on the legs
- Stretchy. I would have
thought this was a prerequisite in climbing strides. The beauty of Ron
Hill's is that they do not impede you even when they are sopping wet
- Bright. It is the duty
of all climbers to look colourful. Red is preferred as it does not show
blood
- Quick-drying. Occasionally
clothes need washing so it is handy if they dry quickly. More importantly,
it sometimes rains so strides that do not retain moisture are useful.
- Non-flappy. There is
probably a word hidden in the OED that means non-flappy, but I don't know
it. Clothes that don't get in the way will save your life. Well....OK....
They might save you from doing something that puts your life in danger.
 Ron
Hill's are also rugged and hard-wearing, warm in the cool, cool in the heat,
great for layering and fadeproof. With a list of advantages that long, it
is very hard to knock 'em. However, we should look at the disadvantages
for balance if nothing else.
Disadvantages of Ron Hill Tracksters:
Ah. Good. Well that
settles it then. I'll go and thank my wife for the new pair she got me for
Christmas last year.
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