Buffalo Systems is a longstanding outdoor manufacturing company located in The Outdoor City of Sheffield.
They have over 45 years of experience, and have established themselves as pioneers in crafting high-quality outdoor apparel and sleeping bags that blend tradition with innovation.
Their working factory located is on Broadfield Road, from where they have proudly manufactured their entire range from the unit with their small team.
They allow customers to make appointments to pop in, view items from the range, try kit on and purchase directly from the business.
Throughout their history, they have embraced sustainability and ethical practices, sourcing materials responsibly and reducing waste through creating long lasting products with longevity and durability at the heart of all their designs.
Their commitment to environmental responsibility is matched only by our dedication to preserving the heritage of outdoor exploration in Sheffield and beyond.
In the late 1970s, mountaineer Hamish Hamilton, already with the legendary Force 10 tent design behind him, began thinking about sleeping bags.
Being discontented with the bags and clothing he had been using in winter in the Scottish highlands, he became intrigued by how the indigenous people of the Arctic Circle kept warm, utilising animal hide with the fur on the inside.
By reversing the hide so that the tips of the fur were in contact with the skin, they found that moisture laden air was able to circulate and escape through the porous hide. Even in heavy rain, and after vigorous exercise, their skin remained dry and safe from freezing as the fur’s properties ensured water was removed quickly from the garment.
This interested Hamish, as unlike other outdoor designers, Hamish was concerned with comfort from the inside rather than waterproofness from the outside. The team Hamish gathered at Buffalo all had serious outdoor interests, from cycling, climbing, caving and walking to paragliding and cross country skiing.
This led to the original patented concept of Pertex and Pile sleeping bags being developed to include Pertex and Pile clothing for serious outdoor people. Hence, all the designs were those specifically needed for various pursuits, not just conceptual design.
Buffalo originated the first single-layer clothing system, which they called the DP System. DP stands for Double P as in Pertex and Pile. The iconic Buffalo Mountain shirt won the Outdoor Writers Guild Golden Boot award in 1986.
Over the years the Buffalo team worked with outdoor professionals around the world to ensure their requirements were met and the clothing and sleeping bags were put to the most rigorous tests.
Through word of mouth, they rapidly gained a reputation as designers and manufacturers of exceptionally effective, durable garments and to this day, have a loyal customer base who come back to them time after time.
They confidently state that their products do what they claim, and are proud to have been “Between you and the Wilderness” for over 40 years.
Buffalo Systems factory in Sheffield is committed to providing accessibility for all visitors, employees, and stakeholders. Recognising the importance of inclusivity, they have implemented various measures to ensure that their facility is easily accessible to individuals with disabilities and those with different mobility needs.
