View Full Version : New German Moleskins
littlebiglane
14-04-2010, 18:52
I mentioned this somewhere else but I thought I would mention it here too.
I just picked up a new pair of German Moleskins from Endicotts. New their 'field grey' is much more 'field' than 'grey' and IMHO distinctly green. This colour makes it much more of a bushy option. Brand new and I had Kev confirm they have been made in the same factory as the military versions and built to mil-spec but with a civilian set of sizing as many of the old skool ones lacked availability in common sizes. I have compared these directly against my 5.11s and I gotta say they are a directly comparable quality but fit me better and also have button flies and leg hem drawer cords. For £22 new they represent far better value for money.
LBL
Mesquite
14-04-2010, 20:02
These (http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=7 0) ones LBL?
littlebiglane
14-04-2010, 20:28
These (http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=7 0) ones LBL?
Hmmmm. Can't tell from these piccies. They seem the same. Look a bit greyer than mine (might be the exposure) and I can't see the drawer cord at the bottom of the leg hem. Might be. But they don't seem to sit a well on Kev (in the pic) as me. But I am of a....ummmm...stouter build. Best check with Kev if they are the same tho'. I guess if they are the same as German Moleskins the ones in the piccies can't be too far away from mine.
I have been looking for decent bushy trousers for about 6mnths (that don't cost and arm and a leg like Fjallraven's or are a little too lightweight like British Lighweights). I have been making do with a spare pair of 5.11s, some temperate british DPMs and a pair from Primark but these are just what I was looking for - excellent quality but lower-mid priced and therefore at least I would not cry if I trashed them.
Chris the Cat
14-04-2010, 20:32
Like the look of them mate, will ring Kev in the morning!
However,a slightly heavier, slightly dearer new option that I am loving
are the Hoggs 'Monarch' moleskins! bombproof and £42!
Cheers.
Chris.
I've got about five pairs of these "repro" moleskins from Endicotts and wear them all the time. Very good fit, value and the colour makes a nice change from OG. Pockets and (!) crotch keep coming unstitched but, bizarrely, the buttons never do. Good trousers once you accept they will require occasional attention with needle and thread.
NS
littlebiglane
14-04-2010, 21:11
I've got about five pairs of these "repro" moleskins from Endicotts. Very good fit. Pockets and (!) crotch keep coming unstitched but, bizarrely, the buttons never do. Very good value
NS
Have you got the standard or the premium 'plus' ones?
Interesting what you say about the stitching. I will keep a close eye on mine. If they do I'll post an update. Should not do if they are built to the higher mil-spec standards. Seams are double stitched and pockets and stress points bar-tacked. Is it doing it on all your pairs?
Interestingly enough initial perception is often very different from long-term use. I often think I might jump in enthusiastically about a product before I have used it for several months and KNOW its as good as the initial impressions. But I have a good feeling about these. So lets see. If they pass muster I will be buying a small truck load.
are they still 100% cotton?
littlebiglane
15-04-2010, 06:04
I've got about five pairs of these "repro" moleskins from Endicotts and wear them all the time. Very good fit, value and the colour makes a nice change from OG. Pockets and (!) crotch keep coming unstitched but, bizarrely, the buttons never do. Good trousers once you accept they will require occasional attention with needle and thread.
NS
I have just dropped Kev an email to verify things. These are not the ones on the site. These are new in and in his words '300%' better than the ones before which were good-average. I thought there was something 'extra' about them when I put them on. The colour on them (hence me thinking they are more green than grey) now makes sense why they are a bit different from the ones on the site. They retail at £21.95 and Kev says he'll get updated pictures up on the website. Can't say fairer than that.
Yes they are 100% cotton
scrogger
15-04-2010, 08:00
I am going to grab a couple of pairs of these LBL am I best ringing them. There are about 4 or 5 pics on the website? and different prices?
I have always found endys website a bit confusing lol.... might be me though.
Thanks for posting this up I have been looking for some tough trousers for a while for bushy adventures.
Andy
harryhawk
15-04-2010, 08:57
I helped Kev move the bankrupt stock the other month. On the second day we got soaked. I was soaked through to my pants!! Kev gave me a pair of these. They are the genuine German trousers that were the rage with students in the 80's.
I recommend them. Very hard wearing. Good colour. Lots of pockets. I think I'll get some more.
Highly recommend :)
scrogger
15-04-2010, 12:55
Just ordered a pair to see what they are like!! Kev was very nice to deal with on the telephone. Just hope they fit now.
Yes I have the premium+ ones but from about a year ago and yes they have all come unstitched to some extent.
I just ordered the new ones from Kev. Sounds like they are totally different - different colour too.
NS
Have you got the standard or the premium 'plus' ones?
Interesting what you say about the stitching. I will keep a close eye on mine. If they do I'll post an update. Should not do if they are built to the higher mil-spec standards. Seams are double stitched and pockets and stress points bar-tacked. Is it doing it on all your pairs?
Interestingly enough initial perception is often very different from long-term use. I often think I might jump in enthusiastically about a product before I have used it for several months and KNOW its as good as the initial impressions. But I have a good feeling about these. So lets see. If they pass muster I will be buying a small truck load.
littlebiglane
15-04-2010, 20:43
Any pics mate ?
Yeh....not very good ones I am afraid. Bit of a rush...SWMBO snapped them as I rushed out the door to pack the car with kit for tommorrow.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/littlebiglane/moleskins2.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/littlebiglane/moleskins.jpg
phill_ue
15-04-2010, 22:53
Suck that gut in! :D Only kidding, but what is the jumper? It doesn't look like a British HD, Swedish perhaps?
littlebiglane
16-04-2010, 07:10
Suck that gut in! :D Only kidding, but what is the jumper? It doesn't look like a British HD, Swedish perhaps?
Jeez...I was sucking it in!!!:o
Link to Kev's updated pages on the moleskins here: http://www.endicotts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=75&products_id=1976
Ah...the jumper. My absolute favourite (I have four of them) - these are Austrian Wooly Pullys - see: http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50255
Right I've got a pair of the new ones now so I can compare with the old style :
Better :
- Stitching and cloth quality look a lot better (I don't anticipate these will need regular fixing)
Not as good :
- Fit not as comfortable / cut not as good (tighter round body, bottoms of legs 18" dia rather than 16" dia so a bit wider)
- Very green whereas the old ones were an interesting field-grey
NS
Yeh....not very good ones I am afraid. Bit of a rush...SWMBO snapped them as I rushed out the door to pack the car with kit for tommorrow.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/littlebiglane/moleskins2.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj130/littlebiglane/moleskins.jpg
Is this the new 'readers wives' section? :D
littlebiglane
19-04-2010, 18:24
Oooo. I didn't know I was your type ;)
littlebiglane
19-04-2010, 18:29
Right I've got a pair of the new ones now so I can compare with the old style :
Better :
- Stitching and cloth quality look a lot better (I don't anticipate these will need regular fixing)
Not as good :
- Fit not as comfortable / cut not as good (tighter round body, bottoms of legs 18" dia rather than 16" dia so a bit wider)
- Very green whereas the old ones were an interesting field-grey
NS
I agree about the green. However OG is nearer my preference rather than grey. I, as you can probably see, have tree trunks for legs so leg diameter at bottom not so much of an issue (I use the drawcord anyway) but they are a little snugger around the midrif. But still very useable and way better than what I have got at the moment. Can't see the point of those funny crotch drainage holes either, I expect if I sit in a particular way I might :eek:
It's probably I who's the funny shape not the trousers.....
NS
Oooo. I didn't know I was your type ;)
Oops... must structure sentences correctly - I meant "readers' wives' section".
Actually that doesn't make a heap of difference big enough to stand on and see a wind farm from Skegness - what I really meant was:
"The section for the entertainment of the wives of the readers"
Apologies for your confusion ;) :D
Can't see the point of those funny crotch drainage holes either, I expect if I sit in a particular way I might :eek:
Are they not for ventilation rather than drainage? I'd have thought if fluids were in that area (for whatever reason) it'd go down the legs.
littlebiglane
19-04-2010, 20:39
Are they not for ventilation rather than drainage? I'd have thought if fluids were in that area (for whatever reason) it'd go down the legs.
Ah! Betty Swollocks. Now I get it!