1. DuraRite Extreme Journal Specifications

Year of Manufacture: 2002

DuraRite Extreme Journal Measured Weight: 3.1 ounces (88 grams)

Page Measurement: 4 x 6 inches (10.2 x 15.2 centimeters)

Number of Pages as shipped: 43 lined pages (86 lined writing surfaces), 6 informational pages (11 surfaces with reference information and 1 blank), totaling 49 pages total (50 advertised)

2. DuraRite Extreme Journal Long Term Report

Description:
Please refer to my Initial Report for an in-depth description of the DuraRite Extreme Journal.

Long Term Report:
As the testing period ends for the DuraRite Extreme Journal, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to test it. Notebooks are not usually a piece of gear that gets much thought or attention as I scrutinize my gear lists, but the DuraRite Extreme Journal has changed that for me. It really is a unique product that has earned a spot in my pack. Of the original 43 pages, I have about a dozen left. Without a doubt, I will purchase this product when these run out. I'm not sure I've ever been able to say that about a product I've tested before! Like I said in my Field Report it's tough as nails, does what it says it does, and as long as you choose an appropriate writing utensil (just about anything), it should serve well in a backcountry environment.

The endless drizzle that I expected after my Field Report arrived on schedule. The past four months have been interesting in the weather department. We've had lowland snow (unusual), spells of very cold temperatures (unusual), bright sun, and - of course - plenty of the rain Seattle is famous for. The journal has seen a little bit of all of this in the Seattle area, but has spent most of its outdoor time this winter on the snowy slopes during ski trips. I used the Extreme Journal as my ski log this winter, logging things like edge performance, snow conditions, wax conditions, etc. I did this on the lift rides, on breaks, in the woods - just about anywhere. I used it in snow, sloppy slush, and rain. I even used it in the sun - although there hasn't been much of that in the mountains this winter.

I'm happy to report that the Extreme Journal performed flawlessly. It is small, compact, easy to pull out, and light enough to not weigh down pockets or affect comfort when doing a lot of physical activity. The stiffness of the pages made it an excellent performer in windy conditions - which was frequent in my usage. Many times I would stick a few dollars in the pages of the Extreme Journal so I could leave my wallet in the car while I skied. The money would end up a little damp and limp from snow or rain or other moisture, but the pages of the Extreme Journal were unaffected. I had absolutely no hesitation in pulling out the Extreme Journal no matter what the conditions were.

To be honest, the writing utensil was much more of a problem than the journal. Pencils and pens are not really something I want in my pocket while I ski. I used small golf course pencils and regular ballpoint pens most of the time. I preferred the small size of the pencils, but the ballpoint pens write so smooth and clear and dark that they are hard to resist. For a more thorough review of how various writing instruments fare on the Extreme Journal, see my Field Report.

The Reference Section of the DuraRite Extreme Journal never did become a lifesaver or provide me with any vital information. As I mentioned in previous reports, I think it is more valuable for people involved in water sports. In future versions, I would love to see detailed avalanche information and perhaps some kind of ruler imprinted on the durable plastic cover. The information is nice, but in the end, I would have preferred to have the 6 pages that they use up. Of course, if I had been is some kind of life-threatening situation, I would probably be a bit more appreciative.

I mentioned in previous reports that the Extreme Journal is impossible to tear. I still can't tear a page with my bare hands, but if a small cut is made into the sheets, it will very easily run on the page. I never had a page get cut during use (I used scissors on a page just to see if it could be cut) so it wasn't a problem. Finally, I did actually get the chance to test the "bloodproof" claim. I tore up a knuckle adjusting a ski binding, and took the opportunity to smear it on a page of the Extreme Journal. I'm not sure what they mean by bloodproof - it stains the page - but it doesn't weaken it in any way. They probably never intended this claim to be anything more than just a macho marketing slogan, but I figured I had to test it as long as I had the chance!

Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend this product to anyone looking for a durable, weatherproof, backcountry or outdoor writing surface. In my opinion, it is far superior to the Rite in the Rain paper, and I will definitely purchase it in the future. I have cut out pages and stuck them in my first aid kit, my emergency kit, and my wallet, making the carry weight to virtually nothing for a backpacking trip, yet offering a bombproof writing surface whenever I am likely to need one.

I'd like to thank the people at the J.L.Darling Corporation and, of course, BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to participate in this test.

3. Contact, and Background Information

Background Information:
Review by Curt Peterson: e-curt@attbi.com
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Height: 6'3" (1.91 m)
Weight: 270 (122 kg)

I live in Seattle and do the vast majority of my outdoor activities in Washington State. During the summer I try to head to the backcountry at least every other week, averaging 3 to 5 multi-day trips in July and August. In the fall and early winter, I usually do a couple day hikes a month and probably one overnight per month. In the winter, I ski 1 to 2 days per week, and backpack in the Central Washington steppe 1 to 2 times over the season. Spring and early summer I usually climb, most often on the Cascade volcanoes. I usually go to the coast in Olympic National Park at least once a year, and try to summit at least one big volcano a year, so the range of locations that I test gear is pretty broad. I also do a 3-mile (4.8km) walk each day with my dog, no matter what the conditions are, and I often evaluate gear during that time.

I played football in college, and have been pretty active my entire life. I have been camping and backpacking as long as I can remember. First in Utah as a child, in Minnesota until I finished college, and here in Washington ever since. I served on the Product Test Committee for Seattle's biggest outdoor gear retailer for a two- year term in the mid-90s, then guided backpacking tours with my wife in Olympic National Park for a few summers. I've been interested in the most recent shift to lightweight thinking for the past few of years and really enjoy checking out new ideas and approaches to backpacking.

Read more reviews of Rite In The Rain gear
Read more gear reviews by Curt Peterson

Long Term Report

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