UKC

Hey all,

I need some new winter climbing/alpine gloves and here in London most of the shops have switched over to their summer stock so there's almost nothing available.

I'm heading to Chamonix for the first time in a few weeks and am assuming that they'll have plenty to try on and choose from. How are the prices over there compared with UK prices? Will I be paying a massive premium?

Thanks,

-Mike

Mike,

Unfortunately Cham is very expensive!

Keep an eye on the exchange rate but I doubt that will make any difference.

I've always found "Technique Extreme" on the Avenue de L' Aiguille du Midi pretty reasonable.

Yep, cheap as frites... However the Quechua shop prices are very similar to Decathlon in the UK.

See https://snellsports.com/snell-english/#shop

 "Technique Extreme" is cheaper, because of cheaper brand (including there weird own branded stuff). Not saying they are bad; just that they carry other brands. 

I bought an Edelrid rope in there in February for a reasonable price. Got a few funny looks when we asked if they could immediately cut it in half for us mind

Think it was 100E for a 60m Apus (or rather 50E each for two lots of a 30m Apus). Very reasonable.

Based on their (seemingly consistent) reputation amongst everyone I've talked to, I'd avoid them like the plague for equipment hire mind.

For a UK alternative, most of the 'specialist' climbing shops (Needlesports et al) would have stock of whatever it is you're looking for I suspect. Either that or EpicTV, Alpinetrek, etc - if you have time to wait for them in the post.

(Either option isn't much use if you want to peruse and try things on though)

Yeah that's the issue. Most things I get online, but with gloves, the fit is so important. I might have to resort to ordering loads of pairs in loads of sizes and returning the ones that are no good.

Or just go to Cham, try on gloves in an actual shop, and pay the price - wont exactly break the bank, the "mark up" on a pair of gloves - probably less then the price of a beer and a lot less hassle

Don't underestimate the importance of that 1 extra beer!
 

Joking aside. You're probably right.

Try these from your local machine mart, best alpine gloves I've used:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/040116314/ 

My experience of Cham over the past 15 years is yes, it is expensive, but the large number of gear shops means there is usually somewhere with a deal on whatever piece of equipment you're looking for.  Recent purchases have either or similar price, or cheaper than, buying in the UK. 

Technique Extreme as mentioned above is a good starting point for cheap, but as also mentioned they do sell some peculiar/rubbish stuff amongst the bargains

Also worth mentioning that if you don't find your bargain in Technique Extreme but make a purchase anyway, you'll find the aptly-named 'Amnesia' downstairs where you can erase all memory of the transaction.

There’s a massive Quechua superstore at the St Gervais turnoff on the Autoroute Blanche. Good selection of gear at reasonable prices.

Trundle down to Au Vieux Campeur on the edge of Sallanches on a rainy day.

Technique Extreme or Decathloan for Simond branded stuff are where the value is at - TE often seem to be doing good prices on Black Diamond gloves (which are a go to for many people)

Snell have a massive selection of pretty much every glove you could want, but generally at Euro RRP prices. Intersport sometimes have good offers too...

Decathlon somewhat restrictive. Cham prices astronomical Best value for branded gear Vieux Campeur o n Cham side of Sallanches.

just because shops have changed over to summer stock in their show room doesnt mean that the winter stock has dissapeared! it will just be out the back. brows their website then go in and ask if you can try on a number of pairs of x, y and z glove. they will want your money so will be more than happy to oblige (speaking as a sales person in an outdoor shop)