Leesa Joiner
leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
44 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lb. (68 kg)

Background:
    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use hammock for sleeping.

Product Information:
AntiGravity Gear Mapdana
AT4 Falls Village, CT through Katahdin, ME
Manufacturer: AntiGravityGear

Website: http://www.AntiGravityGear.com/
MSRP: $12.95 USD
Material: 100% cotton
Size (as advertised): 27" x 27" (69 cm x 69 cm)
Weight (as advertised): 1.6oz (45 g)

Size (measured): 27" x 27" (69 cm x 69 cm)
Weight (measured): 1.5 oz (45 g)

Test Conditions:
    The majority of my testing is done in northern New England, where current day temperatures are in the 40 to 60 F (4 to 15 C) range, with night temperatures falling to around freezing. This summer has been the usual Maine summer, weeks of rain, followed by a few weeks of heat, then rain, then heat (you get the idea). It was humid though and the Mapdana came in handy. Most of my hiking is done below 3000 ft (900 m). There is a wide range of types of terrain on these hikes; everything from well maintained trails to hiking through heavily wooded areas. Some trips involve backpacking into campsites and at other times I set up camp and hike out from there.

Test Plan:
    My plan was to carry the Mapdana along on my AT hiking trips, to use as both as a map and as a hair band (my usual use for a bandana). I have hiked in sections from Massachusetts north, through Vermont, New Hampshire and into Maine. So far, I have been able to hike about 32 miles (k) along the AT in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Test Findings:

I was curious as to how accurate the Mapdana would be, both as a map topographically and as far as trail services, etc. I have found that it is not only very easy to read, it is also very accurate. I used the Mapdana on seven hikes, three that were 6 miles (10 km) in length, one that was 5 m (9 km) and three that were ten m (16 km) or more. I spent quite a bit of time off-trail, checking the accuracy of various services. I found that the sources listed were really where they were shown on the trail guide.   I used my GPS to record distances, and found that the Mapdana was never off by more than 1/10th of a mile (161 m) and then it was only off twice.

For most hikes, my children and I would pick out a place to hike, look at the map and trail services and plan our day.   My 16 year old had control of the GPS, the 12 year old held on to the Mapdana and the 10 year old said 'Are we there yet' every half hour. We decided to give her the Mapdana to hold - then she could track how far we were from 'there'. I was impressed that it was so easy to follow the map. I compared the map to trail guides and topographical maps. It was difficult to discern topography from the Mapdana. The map proved useful on the trail in that it showed how much progress we were making, it is not really detailed enough to count on if I got lost off trail.

While driving through the area of the Appalachian Trail that is within the White Mountain National Forest area in New Hampshire, I was able to locate many of the items listed on the map guide: post offices, lodging, resupply, camping areas, shelters, restaurants and even an ATM machine.   While on the Vermont portion, I located many of the above, along with an outfitter and a veterinarian.   I found the map key to be very clear and easy to understand.

I wore the Mapdana on many hikes and found it comfortable and it didn't slide back on my head, which is a common problem with bandannas.   I folded it so that it was about two inches wide and then tied the ends behind my neck. It works to keep my hair out of my face. I can also lower it to my forehead to keep the black flies away from my hairline. Why do they all seem to land there?    On some of the hikes during warmer weather, I found that soaking the bandanna and wearing tied loosely around my neck helped keep me comfortable.   One interesting note - before I washed it, I was able to hold the four corners and fill it with water. The water did slowly leak out, but it allowed me to carry water from the creek, over to where the fire was.   After washing, the water leaked out too quickly to make this a worthwhile use.

I didn't think I'd have a problem giving the Mapdana a workout - a bandanna is an incredibly useful item, the question was whether the Mapdana is a better bandanna? I've found that not only does the Mapdana provide good logistical information, it also serves its purpose as a bandanna. The colors have held, with minimal fading. It's been wet many times (whether intentional or not) and dries quickly and is almost wrinkle free.   I usually use the Mapdana to find the start of the trail we are looking for, and then either use it as a head band to keep my hair out of my face, or I tie it around my neck (or let my daughter carry it to answer her every time she asks 'Are we there yet?').    I've used it to wash off my face and neck, to hold ice over a twisted wrist and then to wrap the wrist and to hold some hiking poles together, while they were hanging from a backpack.

I truly love the Mapdana, and will continue to use it. When I have the opportunity to hike other portions of the AT, I will purchase those sections also.   Thank you to AntiGravity Gear and Backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test the Mapdana.


Positives:
The print has stayed clear through much use and many washings
Accuracy of information
Comfortable to wear

Negatives:
None

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