The rain came very fast and very heavy. I had the jacket and the pants in my day pack that I had (the pants are reviewed in another report). The jacket compressed very well in the front pocket of my pack. The jacket was very easy to get to and retrieve from my day pack. After about 10 minutes of walking I started to sweat underneath the jacket just a bit. I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and a synthetic long sleeve over the short sleeve. I immediately opened both pit zips. This helped some but by the time I started to feel relief the rain stopped. My back was wet with sweat a little bit from the pack being so close to my back. Other than a little bit of sweating I was completely dry during the rain storm. I shook off the jacket and placed it back in my pack. I have not used the fast pack hood yet, as it is easier for my to just stuff it in a pack pocket. The jacket felt very comfortable with except of a little over heating. I really like the way the bottom hem area fits close to my body. The hood fit great and performed wonderfully. I was able to turn my head while walking and the hood turned as well and never blocked my peripheral vision.

The second time in the field was to Shinning Rock Wilderness area. It was a two night trip where the elevation was around 5,000 ft (1,524 km) and the temperatures ranged from 30's F (1's C) at night to 60 F to 70 F (33 C to 38 C) during the day. The jacket came in real handy as a windbreaker to keep out the wind and keep my body warmth in. I didn't experience any rain during the trip but I did find the jacket very useful as a windbreaker. The Cyclone jacket kept me from having to carry a heavier, warmer jacket. I was able to layer up and wear the jacket and it was as good as having on a heavier jacket without the weight. 

Around the house and at work the jacket has saved me from getting wet during those aggravating rainy days. Since I have been using the jacket as my rain protection from in and out of the weather, I have come to realize that I like it better than an umbrella. The jacket has been very easy for me to put on and take off as soon as I am out of the weather. The umbrella, however, is very bulky and will sometimes get me wetter as I am trying to close it in the car. I don’t have to worry about the umbrella flipping inside out and getting me wet as if I had no protection at all. Before I get in the rain, I make sure the flap of the jacket that covers the front zipper is completely closed and sealed by running my hand down the flap to mend the Velcro together. I then pull the hood over my head and make a run for it. 

One of the best things I like about the jacket is the heaviness of the hood. Most hoods on light weight rain jackets are so light that even the tiniest bit of wind or breeze blows the hood right off. The Cyclone's hood seems weighted enough that I don't have to cinch it just to go a short distance in the rain. For me this is very nice. I can put the hood on and not worry about a little wind blowing it off. The jacket has protected me from getting wet in light and heavy rain. It dries quickly after giving it a few shakes to knock off the remaining rain water. 

Overall I am very happy with the Sierra Designs Cyclone jacket. It has been a great rain jacket and a windbreaker. The seams that are sealed have kept the water from entering into the jacket along with the storm flaps over the zippers. The pit zips gave great ventilation when needed and I was able to get that ventilation with out exposing myself to the rain and getting wet. I never had to adjust the wrist cuffs because I like them a little loose and not tight around my wrist. The hem draw cord can be cinched from inside the hand pockets. I never adjusted the hem since it already fits snug to my waist area. I look forward to more rainy days this next testing phase.