View From at M&S

[Deleted User]

I have to confess to being pleasantly surprised when i ventured into the nearest M&S for a look at the new View From stuff. I've been after a pair of Vortex trousers for ages but been unable to purchase size XS.
The M&S version is not quite as waterproof as the original version and is cut a bit looser round the legs with the ankle zipper up the back instead of the side but it's £8 cheaper than the old ones and what's more - it's available in women's and men's sizes instead of the old S, M, L unisex sizing.
They also had some nice looking tights and shorts - but only in boring old black.

[Deleted User]

I was impressed too. On a recent Christmas shopping trip I went into their Marble Arch store and was knocked sideways by the View From range. I bought myself a t-shirt, socks and waterproof tracksuit bottoms and must say that the designs are appealing and the price was extremely fair. They also "do" what they are meant to, ie, lock sweat away from the body, drain water off clothing.

I didn't think too much of the Ladies range to be honest as I couldn't find a sexy gym kit for the missus! However, I'll definately be getting some more gear from M&S in the near future.

[Deleted User]

Have to disagree about View From. Thought it was naff before boring old
M&S bought the brand. It's competitively priced but not very well made and the so called technical fabrics are not what you'd call cutting edge. Sorry just my opinion. There will be plenty who love it but I bet if they tried stuff by Concurve, Karrimor, Peak Performance and even good old Nike they'd view View From in a different light

cougie

Folks - got some M&S vouchers from work for Xmas pressie - aaaaah !!

Before I spend it on yummy food - what is the panels opinion of the Vortex jacket they have in there for £45 ?

Not really had a proper running jacket before - just a Karrimor Pertex thin rain jacket from my cycling days. Is it worth £45 or will I just sweat to death ?

Thanks !

cougie

Oh Jel - look for TLC gym kit for the missus - excellent quality and quite sexy !

They are on-line and advertise in aerobiccy type magazines.

[Deleted User]

I have the VF Women's running jacket and am pleased with it, it seems to keep me warm enough over a long sleeved top on early morning runs and I don't get too sweaty. Also has proved itself waterproof in a near torrential downpour!

Runner's World mag rated running jackets a couple of issues back and this one was about the best in the price range which was why I bought it in the first place.

cougie

Cheers Catherine - first time I've been excited about a trip to M & S !!

[Deleted User]

Sorry, still think it's crap

cougie

Grrrr. The big M&S at Warrington haven't even bothered stocking the Running stuff. Shed loads of Golf and skiing kit though - but how many people ski ? Bet it's not as many as run.

Really annoys me - aisle after aisle of stupid slippers and dressing gowns, and absolutely no Running kit.

Gonna go off and sulk now...

[Deleted User]

Cougie,
The M&S at Warrington might be like the one near me at Handforth Dean, they had the running stuff to start with and I bought a couple of things which I have been very pleased with, but now its all gone, full of skiing stuff. Perhaps the M&S marketing people think all running ceases in the winter.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the advice cougie but I found a nice little gym kit for the Mrs in Selfridges on Thursday which was just perfect.

Cheers

Jel

[Deleted User]

Must be the Northern M&S that think runners don't exist. Ventured into Southport branch to see new ViewFrom range and they have NO running gear. Plenty of golf T-shirts..... like you really need a special T-shirt for golfing!!! At least their Fruit Smoothies make and excellent post-run drink.

[Deleted User]

No running stuff in Birmingham M&S either.

cougie

They had them in the big one in Manchester opposite the Arndale a few weeks back.
Are there lots more runners in Manchester than there are elsewhere I wonder ?

[Deleted User]

They have a small selection at the Handforth Dean (south Manchester) M & S aswell. I thought it was a bit pricy compared with Ron Hill stuff.

[Deleted User]

I wnet in the Peterborough branch.

Bham Snail

There is a small selection in M & S at Merry Hill.

[Deleted User]

Not much in M&S in Taunton neither except for the energetic golf gear!! Maybe runners aren`t M&S target customers.. so why buy out view from?

[Deleted User]

Looks like it is just the large M&S stores then (my local doesn't bu Marble Arch does), customer services should be able to help those whose local store doesn't have the full range.

Perhaps they should put together a View From catalogue for customers to order from.

[Deleted User]

Maybe the fact they have used a rugby player(Jason Robinson) to advertise their running gear shows all they know (or care) about running!

[Deleted User]

There aren't many runners that could keep up with him though.

[Deleted User]

There is always loads of stock in the Peterborough branch , me thinks it may all be reduced after xmas - i'm hanging on.......

[Deleted User]

Bizarrely, the Llandudno branch had loads or girls stuff: the Trafford Centre, none.

Nice lilac tops, but it all looked summery to me. I mean, wouldn't a long sleeved top and weatherproof leggings be more sensible than vests and capri pants at this time of year?

cougie

mr - can we give you a shopping list for the sales please then ? ;-)

[Deleted User]

The large M&S at Lakeside has View From for runners. The men's section had a far better selection, the women's......black, black, black......and the wickaway tops are mostly in summer pastels, with a particularly nasty yellow (and I normally like yellow!) I did buy a long sleeved wickaway top, but I guess I got what I paid for, and although it's OK, it's too short, and frankly doesn't really measure up to my usual running brands, although granted it is a bit cheaper, I probably won't bother again.

[Deleted User]

Llandudno only had bloke's golf stuff. Nuff said!

I like black. Mind you, I've got orange hair, and it clashes with every other colour on the planet.

[Deleted User]

I think we could do with a 'send a thread' feature. Then we could just email the whole thread to M&S's marketing dept and maybe get a result.

[Deleted User]

I'm at a loss why so many people want to buy View From stuff. Over the many years I've been running, cycling, walking, I've used most brands and View from is probably the most inferior of all the brands I've tried.

Advice: Free your mind and your arse will follow

[Deleted User]

But at least if you buy it Brendan Foster won't benefit any more

cougie

M&S Sale now on - Wifie tracked down View From kit in Chester and got me A Vortex Jacket at £29 from £45. So I'm a happy bunny, and its ever so nice to wear at the keyboard. (rest day today ya see)