Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Dickies Pro Jasper Extreme Coat > Test Report by Brian Hartman

DICKIES PRO JASPER EXTREME COAT, GLACIER EXTREME PUFFER, FROST EXTREME FLEECE
TEST SERIES BY BRIAN HARTMAN

TESTER INFORMATION

I have been backpacking for over 20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the bare essentials with me while on the trail.

INITIAL REPORT 

November 14, 2018

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Dickies Pro Jasper Extreme Coat, Glacier Extreme Puffer, and Frost Extreme Fleece arrived together in a large cardboard box, which was understandably heavy, given the contents.  The coat and jackets were in new condition with no loose threads, snags, or stitching errors.  I really like the colors of all three items.  The combination of gray and black looks sharp.  I also like their styling, which is more classic, not flashy or overstated.  As such, they could certainly be worn around town just as easily as in the backcountry. 

Regarding the Jasper Extreme Coat, the fabric feels sturdy, not thin or delicate.  I wouldn't have any problem hiking off-trail through brush and briars wearing this coat.  I especially like the heavy denier thread and basketweave pattern they used on the upper shoulders (in black nylon).  It feels even more rugged than the rest of the coat, if that's possible.  In general the coat appears to be of very high quality.  In terms of features, it has a snap-on hood which is adjustable and also easily removable.  The collar has a soft fleece lining that extends 360 degrees around the neck.  The coat also has cuffs that are adjustable via hook and loop closures, as well as underarm pit zips and four exterior pockets.  The bottom two pockets have zipper closures while the top two pockets have weather flaps with hook and loop closures to keep items dry and secure.  The main zipper on the front of the coat is covered by a storm flap to prevent wind and rain from infiltrating the coat.  It has snaps as well that allow it to be secured in place if needed.  There are two large open pockets on the inside of the coat as well as a third pocket with a flap and hook and loop closure.  The inside of the coat is lined with polyester mesh.  Finally, the Jasper has a corded waistband that is adjustable, allowing it to be tightened when needed to help keep cold air and snow out.  The coat, in size Medium, measures 31 in (78.8 cm) from top to bottom and 48 in (122 cm) across the chest.  The shoulders are 22 in (56 cm) from seam to seam.  Finally, the sleeves are 25 in (64 cm) in length from the top shoulder seams to the cuffs.  

Moving on to the Glacier Extreme Puffer, the outside feels smooth, yet rugged, similar to the Jasper.  The Puffer has the appearance of a down jacket, because of the horizontal stitching on its torso and arms.  The Puffer, however, uses Thinsulate for insulation, and the stitching doesn't appear to go completely through the jacket, as is the case with sewn-through baffles that are used on down jackets to keep the feathers in place.  Thinsulate, by contrast, is a sheet fabric that won't clump or settle, so the horizontal stitching is most likely just decorative.  The Puffer has two outer and two inner pockets, all of which are zippered.  Finally, the Glacier Extreme has an adjustable, corded waistband, similar to the Jasper.  The Glacier Puffer, in size Medium,  measures 30 in (76 cm) from top to bottom and 46 in (117 cm) across the chest.  The shoulders are 21.5 in (55 cm) from seam to seam.  Finally, the sleeves are 25.5 in (65 cm) in length from shoulder to cuff.  

The Frost Extreme is a heavy weight fleece jacket.  It is soft to the touch and the fabric has some minimal stretch to it as well.  There are three zippered pockets on the outside of the jacket, including two waist pockets and one chest pocket.  In addition, the Frost has two large, open, interior pockets.  The main zipper on the front of the jacket hides an interior, nylon storm flap.  Similar to both the Jasper and Glacier Extreme, the Frost has an adjustable corded waist band.  The Frost jacket, in size Medium, measures 30 in (76 cm) from top to bottom and 46 in (117 cm) across the chest.  The shoulders are 22.5 in (57 cm) from seam to seam.  Finally, the sleeves are 26 in (66 cm) in length from shoulder to cuff.  All three items have exterior locker loops that allow them to be hung on a hook.                                            

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Hang tags were included on the Jasper coat as well as the Glacier Puffer and Frost Fleece.  The hang tags provided details regarding each item, including their features and the technologies built into them.  For example, the hang tags on the Jasper Coat stated that it has a two layer waterproof breathable membrane and DWR water repellent coating. The hang tag for the Glacier Puffer, in addition to listing its features, talked about its DWR coating and the fact that it uses 3M's Thinsulate insulation for warmth.  Finally, the hang tag for the Frost Fleece, in addition to mentioning its features, included a hang tag stating that it too has a DWR coating.

Care instructions for all three items were similar and were listed on small tags in the interior of each item, as follows: machine wash cold with like colors in non-chlorine bleach, and tumble dry on low.

TRYING THEM OUT

All three jackets are big on me.  Make that very big!  Unfortunately the smallest size Dickies offers is Medium, and those jackets have 46 in (117 cm) chest measurements, as noted in my report above.  My chest, by comparison, measures 37.5 in (95.3 cm).  My suggestion to the manufacturer would be to introduce some smaller jackets, or reduce the measurements of the Mediums to something more in line with the industry as a whole.  Beyond fit, all three have great features and appear to be very well made.  I have no doubt, after looking at their construction, that they will hold up very well during testing.  I wore the Glacier Puffer around the block in 32 F (0 C) weather this morning, with a base layer crew underneath, and was cold until I got moving but then warmed up.  If I was out for longer I would have worn the shell on top for additional warmth.   

SUMMARY

The Jasper coat, Glacier Puffer and Frost Fleece appear to be well made and quite durable.  Unfortunately, their sizing appears to be way off, at least for size Medium.  I hope they introduce smaller sizes, as right now Medium is the smallest size available, or at least reduce the size of the Mediums to accommodate those of us who appreciate high quality clothing but aren't built like linebackers.

This concludes my Initial Report for the Jasper Coat, Glacier Puffer, and Frost Fleece.

FIELD REPORT

January 18, 2019

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Thanks to the Holidays and several unspent vacation days that I needed to use up, I had plenty of opportunities to test all three Dickies jackets.  With so many choices, how did I decide which one to wear?  When conditions were mild, I reached for the Frost Fleece; when backpacking overnight or when temperatures were below 50 F (10 C) I wore the Glacier Puffer; and when temperatures were below 40 F (4.4 C) or included wind and precipitation, I added the Jasper Coat to one of the above as an outer shell. 

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

I’m pleased how well the Dickies jackets performed during Field Testing.   They handled a variety of situations and weather conditions with no problems or signs of deterioration.  Below is my evaluation of these jackets regarding warmth, weight, weather resistance, breathability, comfort/fit, and durability.

Warmth: The multi-layered approach that the Extreme jackets offer is the same one I’ve used for years and it works well.  I found the Frost Fleece worked best in mild conditions and kept me warm when there wasn’t much wind.  When the wind picked up and temperatures got colder, I found myself reaching for the Glacier Puffer.  In fact, it was easily the warmest of the three jackets I tested thanks to its Thinsulate insulation.  Whereas the Fleece jacket didn’t block the wind or stop my body heat from escaping, the Puffer did an excellent job of trapping my body heat and it allowed me to endure colder temperatures than I normally would with two layers of clothing, counting my base layer.

Insulation in the Puffer jacket was evenly distributed so my entire torso felt warm, and I experienced no cold spots or areas where the insulation seemed lacking.  In fact, the Glacier kept me warm when standing still in temperatures in the mid 30's F (1.7 C).  When temperatures were warmer and I needed to release heat, I simply opened the front zipper and cooled right off.  The insulated pockets worked well for warming my hands, or when I needed to thaw out an item, like my water filter, or prevent one from freezing, like my camera.

The Jasper Extreme coat worked well as a shell.  I never wore it alone, but in conjunction with the Frost Fleece or the Glacier Puffer.  In this capacity it provided additional warmth by blocking wind and trapping more air.  I’m not sure what the lower limit is for the Puffer / Jasper combination, but I have a feeling I’m going to find out soon as the National Weather Service forecasted an arctic freeze this weekend. 

Weight: None of Dickies’ jackets are lightweight by backpacking standards.  However, they’re not overly heavy either.  In terms of warmth per weight, the Puffer got the highest marks, followed by the Jasper.  In terms of compressibility, the Puffer came out on top again.  The other two jackets simply didn’t compress that much although I was able to fit the coat in a smaller space than the Fleece.  Given the coat has a hood and the least chance of wetting out due to its construction, it’s probably the most versatile of the three.

Weather Resistance: The Jasper coat and Glacier Puffer provided the best weather protection of the three jackets with the coat having the advantage due to fewer seams and a hood.  The Jasper shed light snow and rain on at least two occasions when I went day hiking.  Water beaded up on the fabric, and at no time did I feel moisture coming through the seams.  When the Jasper shell or Puffer got wet, they dried quickly.  Both jackets blocked wind, rain, and snow although I don’t know how long either would last in an extended rainstorm, simply because I haven’t experienced one yet.  Given that spring won’t be here for some time, I suspect my final report will include a paragraph or two about me standing in the shower with a stop watch to see which jacket is more waterproof.

The high collars on all three jackets were a nice feature.  I went on several windy hikes and it was nice to zip up the collars and block the wind from getting to my neck and upper torso.  The Jasper also got kudos for its well-designed hood.  The older I get, the more I appreciate having a jacket with an integrated hood on a cold, windy, or wet day.  Finally, the Jasper coat didn’t have a powder skirt, but that wasn’t a problem for me, as the coat extended well below my midsection, similar to a parka.

Ventilation / breathability: The Fleece ranked first amongst the three jackets in terms of breathability, followed by the Puffer and Jasper in no particular order.  Although none of the jackets had pit zips, that wasn’t a problem.  I simply unzipped the chest area whenever I wanted to cool down.  I haven’t had breathability issues with the Puffer or Jasper coat, but then again, it takes a lot for me to sweat.  Of note, I never felt any condensation build up inside the jackets, even when doing strenuous activities. 

Comfort and fit: All three jackets were big, but still comfortable to wear.  The Fleece jacket and Jasper coat were the biggest, to the extent that I could fit a pillow under them.  The Puffer was better, although still at least one size too large.  On a positive note, there was plenty of room in the chest, shoulders, arm pits, and waist area on all three jackets so I could easily fit a second layer over my base layer and still be able to wear the Fleece or Puffer.  Finally, all three jackets had smooth interior surfaces which effortlessly slid over whatever I wore underneath.

Durability: So far, I’ve had no problems with durability and have been impressed with the fabric on all three jackets.  I especially liked the Puffer and Jasper as their fabrics were hard-wearing, so I never feared catching them on briars or tree branches.  None of the jackets showed any pilling or loose threads, which points to quality workmanship and good materials.  Besides the fabric itself, the zippers, hook and loop cuffs, and hem toggles, had no problems at all.

Features: I found the pockets large and cozy.  They were easy-to-access and easily held whatever I put in them.  I mainly used the exterior pockets for my cell phone and to warm my hands, while the interior pockets held my winter survival kit, matches and sunglasses.
 

LONG TERM REPORT

                                                                                                                                            March 17, 2019

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

During Long Term Testing, I wore the Dickies' jackets on two three-day backpacking trips to Brown County and on several day hikes in Central Indiana.  I averaged 8 to 12 mi (13 to 19 km) on each outing in temperatures that ranged from -14 F to 52 F (-26 C to 11 C).  We finally got rain on one of my day hikes, but alas, it was after I shower tested the jackets to check for waterproofness.  During my trips, skies were sunny to overcast and everything in between, and elevations ranged from 610 ft - 822 ft (186 - 251 m).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Dickies' jackets continued to excel during the last two months of testing.  They performed well in multiple areas, but most impressive to me was their durability and toughness.  They had no snags or scuffs from tree branches or briars and showed no signs of wear on the shoulders or waist from my pack straps.  In addition, I had no issues with the fabric, zippers, hook-and-loop closures, or any other part of these jackets.  

In regards to waterproofness, they did a great job of repelling snow and water, which kept me warm and dry throughout testing.  I can definitively say that they are high quality items and live up to their brand reputation.  The hood on the Jasper Extreme Coat came in handy as I fought off bitter cold sub-zero temperatures and strong winds in late January.  Along the same line, the high collars on all three items worked hard to keep the wind, snow, and rain out.  The Jasper coat and Glacier Puffer were long enough that they helped shield wind and cold air from my mid-section.  I also really liked the size and placement of the pockets and used them whenever I needed to carry items such as my maps, cell phone, snacks, or flashlight.   

As mentioned above, I looked for opportunities to test the waterproofness of Jasper and Puffer Extreme shells.  Finally, when it looked like temperatures weren't going to warm above freezing, I resorted to giving them the shower test.  My goal was to see how well they repelled water and if their DWR finish had deteriorated over time.  Previous experience told me that laminate finishes tended to break down over time due to UV light and general wear, i.e. rolling items up in a ball and using them for a pillow, for example.  I'm happy to report that despite several minutes of standing under a shower head at full blast, the Jasper and Glacier did not let in an ounce of water.  It simply beaded up and rolled off the fabric and the outer shells, showing no signs of wetting out.  Of course, as luck would have it, temperatures rose to the low 50s F (11 C) a week after my shower test and it rained nonstop for the better part of a day.  I decided to do one more water test, so headed out on a day hike.  Needless to say, the jackets passed with flying colors, while my hiking pants soaked through within 10 minutes of leaving my car.  

Dickies hit a home run with these jackets.  They were great in so many areas.  The only negative for me was that all three jackets were too big for my frame.  On the upside, they easily fit over my mid layers and didn't restrict my movement in any way.  The downside was that they bunched up around my arms as well as my chest when I sat down, and they were much too big for my waist, although I didn't notice cold air coming in, probably because the pack straps and my long underwear prevented it.

SUMMARY

This concludes this Test Series.  Thanks to Dickies and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Jasper Extreme coat, Glacier Extreme jacket, and Frost fleece.

Pros 
Warm enough for four season use
Great wind and water protection
Rugged  
Excellent multi-layer jackets

Cons
Smallest size available was still too large.

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Dickies Pro Jasper Extreme Coat > Test Report by Brian Hartman